Hockey hits the ice

After a long offseason, it is once again time for the NHL season to begin. To start off with, the Atlanta Thrashers are no more. With the sale of the franchise shortly after the season ended, it was announced that they would move to Winnipeg and be renamed the Winnipeg Jets. Winnipeg which is located in Canada hasn't seen an NHL team since 1996. This has the city of Winnipeg buzzing and they're ready for hockey to make its return.

Winnipeg has some tough competition though. The Pittsburgh Penguins, after finishing a disappointing fourth place last season in the Eastern Conference, are once again ready to compete for the cup. Star center Sidney Crosby was out most of the season last year with a concussion and seems to be ready to renew his rivalry with Washington Capitals wing Alex Ovechkin. The Capitols are coming off a solid season with a first place finish in the Eastern Conference; Washington has a lot to look forward to as well. Washington couldn't beat out the Boston Bruins or the Tampa Bay Lightning who made it to the Eastern Conference Finals. Martin St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier were no match for the Bruins and goalie Tim Thomas in the end. Now the Lightning is looking to contend with their veteran filled roster. It was 2004 when the Tampa Bay Area last held the Stanley Cup and they have a solid shot at getting it again this year. The Bruins though are the reigning Stanley Cup Champions and with a player like Milan Lucic they always have a chance to contend.

The San Jose Sharks were the talk of the league last year. Joe Thornton set the league on fire. The veteran showed why he still had it with 21 goals and 49 assists. They made it pretty far last year defeating the power house Detroit Red Wings in the playoffs. They struggled when they met the Vancouver Canucks however, who seem to be a front runner for the Stanley Cup again. They may just have the best Goalie in the game in Roberto Luongo. With Luongo at the net, there's a shot Vancouver can repeat the past and go all the way to teh Stanley Cup Final. You cannot count out the Chicago Blackhawks however. The Blackhawks who won the Stanley Cup in 2010 was a disappointment to their fans last year. They had the eighth seed in the playoffs and were eliminated in the first round and you can bet they will want to bounce back from that. With one of the strongest fan bases in the country and one of the best rosters to go along with it, the Blackhawks will be ready to roll.

This season will be a steep hill for any team to climb. This season declares a new beginning for everyone. Who will be the underdog? Who will disappoint? Who will win the Stanley Cup? Only time will tell. The last question is: Are you ready for some hockey?