Is this San Joses year?

[The Franchise]

The San Jose Sharks have been a really good team for years now. But they never go the distance. A lot of my friends make fun of the Dallas Stars and Marty Turco (Choko), but the Stars have won the cup and made it to the finals the year after.

Joe Thornton joining the Sharks was supposed to be the clincher, the Sharks were 'gonna win the cup' with their new Franchise star. Well it didnt happen but this year San Jose has been the best team in the league for a good chunk of the year by leaps and bounds. Will 2008-09 finally be the year San Jose wins the Stanley Cup or will they fail to produce in the post-season again?

[YOUR Hero]

They're a real threat, again. I'd put them as a favourite.

[LoDownM]

If they're playing as well as they are at home come playoff time, very possible. If they have to play the Red Wings in the conference finals, I don't think it will happen.

[Jeritron]

Bruins

[El Fangel]

To be honest I am liking the bruins alot. Howeever I dont see them winning the cup. Will make a nice go of it however.

[Gertner]

Adding Rob Blake was a huge plus to this team.

[Stickman]

For the first time in a long time I think the Canucks are actually a threat this year. Getting Sundin could be be the missing piece.

[YOUR Hero]

Sharks ate the Canucks the other night. I know Luongo wasn't in net nor was Sundin in the lineup yet, but the Canucks looked like a tier-two team against them.

[Stickman]

It was a back to back game, Canucks got into SJ at 3am. That probably had something to do with it.

[Stickman]

And the Sharks got spanked early in the season by Detriot, and then the Sharks spanked Detriot....

[YOUR Hero]

Uh huh.

and?

Canucks couldn't beat The Oil last night either. Lemme guess, too many days off.

[Kapoutman]

In the NHL thread, there are a couple of posters who say that they see the Canucks as Cup contenders. I honestly don't see them as such. Sure, they have Luongo and the Sedins, now they have Sundin, but the team is not that impressive past them. I see them more like the Sens of past years. A team led by three or four superstars, but a team that will never win the big one because they don't have enough depth.

[El Fangel]

Your absolutely right. However what I think is if they get a very good draft pick or two for two years (3-4 players) and build their team around them, it would be better. They need a stellar 2 stellar defenseman and a new powerful young center and a good rightwinger. With great defense and Luongo, they would be a powerhouse.

[YOUR Hero]

The Canucks time is running out.

[The Franchise]

:(

[YOUR Hero]

So I just voted 'yes' in the poll. Anyone in the playoffs could get behind a hot goalie and some timely scoring and take a run at it, but the Sharks and Bruin are definite early favourites.