So I go to Archambault today, looking to buy The Hockey News Fantasy Guide. Not there. So I finally buy The Score 2006-2007 preview, thinking that it's better than nothing... False! So I get home, open it at the Habs page, only to see at the top: Predicted Northeast Division finish: 5th. without even reading what was written about my favorite team, I flip the pages back to fing the predicted order of finishing. Then, I started laughing.
Eastern Conference
1-Buffalo
2-Tampa Bay
3-New Jersey
4-Carolina
5-Ottawa
6-Rangers
7-Boston
8-Flyers
9-Atlanta
10-Washington
11-Florida
12-Toronto
13-Islanders
14-Montréal
15-Pittsburgh
Is that a joke or what? Then I read the Habs' analysis, only to find the usual ''lack of size, need a no.1 Dman...'' crap. Not only this, but putting Buffalo no.1? They have the same kind of team as our, with offensive depth, speedy forwards, 6 reliable defensemen, 2 good goalies...
Just to give you an example, here's the ''Bottom Line'', according to The Score:
This version of the Habs is too similar to the 05-06 model-aside from the arrival of Samsonov- to suggest any significant improvements.While there's plenty of talent down the pipeline, the club needs to revamp its veteran core in order to surpass the likes of Ottawa and Buffalo. Unfortunately, both the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs improved themselves in the off-season, and have inched closer to Montreal. Making the playoffs this time around will be a struggle for the Habs, while even avoiding the division cellar won't be easy. Look for a battle between the Habs and Toronto for the 4th place in the northeast.
So, the real bottom line is: DON'T BUY THE SCORE 2006-2007 PREVIEW, unless you really, but really have $10 to throw away.