Things are not always as they seem, and Sussex was not the team last season that I saw them as.  While I expected them to contend for the conference lead and be a threat in the playoffs, they missed the playoffs by three points.  Tignish was another pleasant surprise.  It is nice to see them back in the hunt again.  Shippigan was outside looking in, trading Hasek mid-season may have been too little to late or the difference maker and the reason why they came up five points short.  All in all I was 3 for 4 in each conference.  Bathurst didn’t make the finals as I had predicted, losing to South Esk who went on to win the Stanley Cup.  But with new management the Moose were more of a threat then I anticipated and went all the way to Game 7 of the cup finals before losing to the Scotsmen. 

New rules and over 100 free agents make for some interesting hockey this season.  While I don’t think defense will go unrewarded, offence is expected to pick up this season.  Still while more goals will be scored, it likely will be more by all the ASHL players and not more by a select few, therefore all players will still contribute equally whether they are defensive players, shooters or setup men.  The free agents will likely play more of a role in what teams improved and what ones didn’t in addition to the growth from within and coaches who are setting the lines and leading their teams.  And without further ado, the predictions are…

Sydney:  Back at the bottom, this team is seriously in need of some restructuring and I talked to GM Cormier and it is coming.  A lack of draft picks and young players has this team cap maxed and loosing ground quickly.  Expect every player on the trade block for picks or prospects and if they have a chance to grab a young developed player who isn’t making more then 2 million or so I expect them to trade a lot of expensive talent for him.  This won’t be a pretty season for Sydney fans, but they are loyal and will continue to pack the arena to help in the only ways they can, supporting the team with cheers, beers and ticket sales.  Playoffs- No, Round 0, Cup 1- 35

Harcourt:  Also in need of some cap relief, I expect this team to make some moves.  They only have 1 pick per season for the next three years, and could survive as such, but with free agents like Radek Bonk and Kyle McLaren they need to make something happen.  This something of coarse will be in a negative direction for this season and they likely will pay the worst price for it, missing the playoffs.  Otherwise a tight squad who could pull it out for one more season and pay for it down the road.  Playoffs- No, Round 0, Cup 1- 35

Taintville:  They looked like a new team last season; uncoordinated, sloppy and undisciplined.  They have improved.  The rebuild is heading in the right direction and don’t be surprised if they won’t be contenders again very soon.  Unfortunately, it will probably take another season or two and they won’t likely hold onto the .500 mark.    Playoffs- No, Round- 0, Cup 1-25

Hampton:  I’m going to do these guys a favor and put them exactly where I did last season.  Why is that a favor?  Because they like proving me wrong and have made the post season the last two seasons when I said they wouldn’t.  Regardless, they are perhaps too dependant on a few players and that could ruin their streak and put them out of the playoffs.  Playoffs- No, Round- 0, Cup 1-20

Shippigan:  Apparently the GM is taking some counseling and is expected to kick the sauce and stop giving his players the John Tortorella style put downs.  Missing the last General Managers meeting spelt the loss of some of the Tigers best free agents, and while that has freed up around 20 million in cap space, it also means the Tigers will have an entire season of retooling until they can dip into next season’s free agent pool.  This doesn’t have things looking very good for the Tigers this go around.  Playoffs- No, Round- 0, Cup 1-18

Riverview:  They didn’t get their 100 point season, and I don’t see one this season either.  They have come a long way and if any team was to get my almost there award, it would be the Wildcats.  I do still however, feel as though the competition for the final spot in the Whales will be tough, and while they could very well prove me wrong, I expect one last season before this squad is ready to make an impact in the conference.  Playoffs- No, Round 0, Cup 1-18

Sussex:  And if one team could fall out of the playoffs again it would the Sussex Serpents.  I do however think, even with some very inexperienced goaltending, that Sussex is a contender still and will make the post season.  In fact, I only have them out in the first round because of their net-minding situation.  The scary part is Riverview won the cup with inexperienced goaltending and Sussex could do it as well.  We just need to wait and see if Garon is up to the task of proving himself a #1 guy.  Playoffs- Yes, Round- 1, Cup 1-15

Dungarvin:  I put this team on the bubble last season as well, but on the other side of the bubble.  They look to be moving forward and I predict this team is ready to make the post season push once again.  Their right wing is a little iffy and depth could be a negative factor but Boucher looks like he’s ready to step up and St. Vince is a proven winner.  I see them making an impact this season and testing their metal in the post season.  Playoffs- Yes, Round- 1, Cup 1-12

Shediac:  A dependable choice, the Smurfs are always there when the playoffs begin.  The problem remains I don’t know if they can do anything once they get there.  They say once you are in the post season anything can happen, but only one thing has been happening in Shediac and that’s a slightly later start to the golf season.  Still, they do have a decent shot and deserve praise for their stability.  Playoffs- Yes, Round- 1, Cup 1-10

Bathurst:  I said it last season and I will say again, the Titan have arrived.  The goaltending turned out to be a sore spot last season and Turco was traded after the Olympics.  Luongo may be a strong Calder candidate this season if he can stand tall behind Bathurst’s run and gun offence.  However, he will be tested by some of the best in the playoffs and we predict no cup for the Titan this season.  Playoffs- Yes, Round- 1, Cup 1-9

Tignish:  Very strong showing last season, they are once again a strong contender.  I will be surprised if they are not a second round or better team in the playoffs.  The only reason I think they may fall short is that they are still relatively inexperienced and more then likely will need one more year of improvement before being a cup favorite.    Playoffs- Yes, Round 2, Cup 1-8

Saint John:  They are once again one of my favorites to win the cup and if they could find their way out of the second round I give them the best odds in the final.  No weaknesses, I just feel that they will be beat again by a team that has one of those intangibles you can’t see on paper.  Playoffs- Yes, Round- 2, Cup 1-5

South Esk:  They haven’t changed much from last season other then perhaps getting a little better.  The key to their success remains to be killing off excessive penalties and playing their style of game, punishing teams physically and stunting their offensive abilities.  The reason I think they won’t repeat is they were lucky penalties didn’t cost them one of the seven game series last season and I don’t think they could be that lucky again.  Playoffs- Yes, Round- Final, Cup 1-4

Iona:  What a job this team has done.  They came within one game of doing it all in Swaikoski’s first full season as GM and look like they could do it all again in dominant fashion.  There biggest challenge may come when they face St. John and not in the cup finals.  Getting solid performances out of every player is something this team has been doing and that spells disaster for teams facing the Moose.  Playoffs- Yes, Round- Cup Champ, Cup 1-3.5