The season JUST started and everyone seems to be preoccupied with predicting what will happen in April.  That's all I've read, that's all I've heard on the radio.  I think it is beyond premature to predict what will ultimately happen when we are in the first week of October.  But what the hell...Everyone else is... Why don't I give it a shot too.

So what do my cards say?  Well... 16 teams will make the playoffs, 14 of them will be dissapointed and sullen and clean out their lockers and hit the links.  They more than likely won't even watch TV for the next 8 weeks.  They'll be too hurt.

One team will fight like hell, and go home empty handed but will use every excuse imaginable as to why they didn't win the Cup.

One team will have the ultimate victory, a parade for their loyal fans, and an owner who will weep with joy.. for a season that is FINALLY in the black and not the red.

Other predictions?  Sure.  Players will get hurt and turn the tides of their teams.  Some for the better, some for the worse.  At least one NHLer will die and the league will mourn.  (I'm not being morbid, that's the law of averages at work.)

The trade deadline will roll around this winter and there will be about a third of the NHLPA members wondering where the hell their next paycheck will be coming from.  They should not go home at that time as their wives will NOT be very happy at the prospect of picking up and moving .....yet AGAIN!

Oh, I'm sorry... did you want Islander predictions?  Ted will be praised, Garth will surprise (quietly of course), the coliseum will be maligned in numerous articles by writers who have never stepped foot in the place, Shakey will have to make numerous trips to the lettering shop in Queens for jerseys, and the Islanders fan base will increase by at least one little one that I happen to know is on the way!

Ok..now I am expecting everyone to bookmark all the prediction articles for this season so we can revisit them in March.  Wanna bet my track record is the best?

  It's in the cards folks... it's in the cards.