As the 2006-2007 NHL Season begins, poolies are scrambling to pick their teams. Anticipation and excitement builds... what will happen during the season. Here are a few things that you can take to the bank:

• The referees will call even more penalties
• Roberto Luongo will play over 70 games for the Canucks
• The Edmonton Oilers will trade for a Top 4 defenseman by February
• Jeremy Roenick will retire this season
• The Toronto Maple Leafs will miss the playoffs
• Alex Ovechkin will continue to dominate and sell tickets
• Todd Bertuzzi will get suspended multiple times throughout the season
• Jerome Iginla will return to form
• Owen Nolan will surprise in Phoenix
• Firewagon hockey will return to the West
• Ottawa Senators will be more focused this year

With that here are my predictions for the 2006 2007 NHL hockey Season.

Western Conference

1. Calgary Flames
2. Anaheim Ducks
3. Nahville Predators
4. San Jose Sharks
5. Detroit Red Wings
6. Dallas Stars
7. Edmonton Oilers
8. Phoenix Coyotes
   
   Miss the Cut
9. Colorado Avalanche
10. Los Angeles Kings
11. Minnesota Wild
12. Vancouver Canucks
13. Columbus Blue Jackets
14. St. Louis Blues
15. Chicago Blackhawks

Eastern Conference

1. Ottawa Senators
2. Philadelphia Flyers
3. Carolina Hurricanes
4. New York Rangers
5. New Jersey Devils
6. Buffalo Sabres
7. Boston Bruins
8. Montreal Candiens
   
   Miss the Cut
9. Atlanta Thrashers
10. Florida Panthers
11. Tampa Bay Lightning
12. Toronto Maple Leafs
13. Pittsburgh Penguins
14. Washington Capitals
15. New York Islanders

Early Play Off Picks:

Potential Western Conference Finalists: Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks

Potential Eastern Conference Finalists: Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes

There you have it. You heard it here first.