Hey guys, I'm a longtime VGN listener just wanted to say that I've enjoyed the sports shows so far, so keep em coming! I'm from Ottawa and so this time of year is when hockey coverage begins to completely take over for the next 8 or 9 months. I like hearing about your AHL team Kevin, if you ever wanna chat NHL too let me know.

PS when/where can I listen in to the show live?

Peace

Thanks Kev, I'll be tuned in tonight.

I wouldn't count the Avs out at all for making the playoffs. They have 2 excellent forward lines, and improved quite a bit near the end of last season. Yes its true, their biggest weakness lies in goaltending. Peter Budaj (pronounced bood-eye) just isn't among the top crop of goalies, and their backup netminder, Andrew Raycroft, had a terrible season, last year sharing starts with Toskala in Toronto. He pretty much proved that he is not starting-goalie material.

As for Forsberg, my advice is to not get your hopes up at all. One of his feet has major problems and has been having problems for years now. Basically he can't really play without using a supportive brace that makes skating nearly impossible. Apparently he has even had NASA scientists try and develop a skate for him that will support his foot effectively, but nothing seems to work. That being said, even without being able to skate effectively, he is still one of the best playmakers in the league when he is on the ice. He played a handful of games at the end of last year and made a big impact. The guy is incredible at making tape-to-tape passes to set up goals. If there's any chance of him playing it probably won't happen until later in the season.

As for my team, Ottawa, we are looking to have a refreshing year. We have a ton of talent and 3 of the top 10 offensive players in the league (Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza, Daniel Alfredsson) but we need better teamwork. Last season our team had a major collapse half way through the season. They started the season winning something like their first 16 games - an NHL record for best start to a season ever. Then they started a dismal slide around christmas, went on the worst losing streak in team history and ended up barely making the playoffs. Then they got swept in the 1st round - losing 4 straight to Pittsburgh.

The problem last year with Ottawa seemed to stem from poor team chemistry and discipline issues with some players. Our goalie last year, Ray Emery, came into the season heralded as an upcoming elite goaltender, but he became a cancer to the team. His work ethic was terrible and he had issues with partying and showing up late for practice. Eventually they ended up just benching him, but he was a huge distraction to the team. Anyhow, after the season ended, the team bought out his contract (essentially payed him for his remaining years and gave him the boot). No other NHL team was willing to take a risk on him, so this year he'll be playing for a team in Russia - he is in exile. Its a shame though because he had a ton of potential and took Ottawa to the cup finals the previous year - which we lost to Anaheim.

Ottawa also traded away our franchise defenseman - Wade Redden - to the New York Rangers and brought in a new head coach who is touted as a tough disciplinarian. He is known to get the most out of his players, and thats what Ottawa needs. Some have pinned us as being a "one line team" (Heatley Spezza Alfredsson).

Oh by the way, Ottawa's AHL farm team is the Binghampton Senators, so we'll have to watch and see when they play Lake Erie....