Quoting: LoganOllivier
Maybe, but here is my point, at best 5 teams from a division can make the playoffs and at worst 3 teams can make it.
I think only 3 teams will make the playoffs from the Pacific.
I think 4 teams will make the playoffs from the Atlantic and I'd wager all 4 of those teams will be better than the teams in the Pacific.
If we are rating the teams in those divisions this is what I see.
Tampa
Toronto
Boston
Vegas
San Jose
Florida
The rest
I think LA, Anahiem and Calgary will battle it out for 3rd in the Division only to get crushed in the 1st round by whoever finishes second in the Pacific.
In the Atlantic, I wouldn't be surprised to see Tampa, Toronto and Boston battle the entire year for both the presidents trophy and tops in the eastern conference (never count out pittsburgh though).
Florida will finish with the higher of the 2 wild card spots.
In the Pacific, I see almost all the teams in the Central (Minus Chicago) being better than the 3rd placed team in the Pacific.
I think you’re discounting SJ who’s the best team in the pacific. They were at the top of the league defensively and they get Thornton back plus add EK and have Kane all season. They’re closer to TB then your giving hem credit for.
In regard to the tougher division you can’t just ignore that 3 teams in the Atlantic are in the race for last where on paper there should only be one in the pacific. I guess you could say the top 3 in the Atlantic is better than the Pacific because you don’t know exactly who that 3rd team is but the next group is better in the pacific and deeper.
5 best teams: TB, SJ, BOS, VGK, TML
The next group tho: ANA, FL, LAK, CGY, BUF, EDM, AZ
Bottom feeders: VAN, MTL, DET, OTT