True cup contenders from each division

I’m not sold on the Islanders with how bad they’ve looked as of late. Who knows though that style of hockey has always worked for them come playoff time. Not really sold on the Leafs either, sure they look great but when’s the last time a team who hasn’t won a playoff round in forever won a cup? Usually a teams core needs to get a taste of what it takes to go deep before they actually win the cup. I’d be happy with making it out of the North.

I count 10 contenders from 3 divisions personally.

I realize you had to pick SOMEONE from the North, and Toronto is the best choice by far, but I wouldn't call them contenders. I'm not sold on the defense and I doubt Jack Campbell will be "the guy".

Yeah isles have slipped as of late. I haven’t counted them as a cup contender in 2019 or 2020 and they surprised me both years. I’ve learned my lesson not to count them out.

As for TML, this is their best shot in decades with the current division lineup. They likely play MTL in the first round and then WIN/EDM in the second round. Both should be likely wins.

Yup, no coincidence there