Down To Business...and a Prediction

I know it's been a couple weeks since a post but I didn't see any of the preseason games and I don't want to comment on things I didn't see since I can't give a fair assessment on what happened.  You know the type, "I didn't go to the game but my friend talked to a guy who knows someone who works at the arena and his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend knows someone who's second cousin used to live next door to the family that used to be the billet family for Levko Koper and they said that Curtis Miske played well".  Not gonna happen.

Now it's on to the regular season.  I had a positive outlook on the Chiefs after the red white game and nothing has happened over the past couple of weeks to change that feeling.  There is a lot of young talent on this roster and if they perform to their abilities this team will improve from their standing from last season.  Just how much improved is the real question...

Goaltending could get tricky.  Whether it's Berlin or Buskey as the back up it's likely that Sittler will get 50 to 55 starts at least.  That's a lot to ask of a goalie, even for a 20 year old.  If he's capable of it (and he certainly can be) the Chiefs will be fine on the back end.  They have a rock solid defense with a good mix of veterans and young players.  Offensively we need some veterans and young players to step up.  The offensive load can't be left up to the Yamamoto brothers, Elynuik, and Zwerger (if he's still around).  Thankfully the Chiefs have talent with Anderson-Dolan, McIndoe, Miske, Bechtold (if he's still around) and others that are capable of scoring when needed.  And I'm still sold on Jake McGrew.  That kid plays hard.

I think that the Chiefs will be a better team this season than last season.  Just how much better remains to be seen.  I think that Spokane will be better than Tri-City and Portland.  If they consistently play to their potential and stay away from the injury bug that has plagued them in the past maybe even better than Everett.  So here goes:  Sittler plays well like he did in Lethbridge, The Chiefs play with solid defense and balanced scoring, Kailer and Jaret become superstars and the Spokane Chiefs finish just ahead of Everett for second in the U.S. Division.  They also make it out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time in a while.

Of course, I'm no expert or anything.  Just a guy who loves hockey and has a laptop.

Season starts in six days in Tri-City.  Time to bring it back:  Go Chiefs!