Does Vegas's roster this season have enough to make a deep playoff run and return to the finals?

No, they’ll make the playoffs and proceed to get exposed for their awful defense

I don't get all this talk about Vegas' defense. Their defense looks nearly identical to last season, aside from Colin Miller, and they were a very good defensive team. Don't get me wrong I like Colin Miller as a player, but I don't think losing your 3rd/4th defenseman is the worst thing in the world, especially when you have a forward group like Vegas. Personally, I think their goaltending is more of a question mark than their blue line.

I don't see them going very far, but who knows?

On paper the defense doesn't look too pretty, especially once you get past Schmidt and Theodore. But there are a lot of teams in the West who also have holes in their defense. Dallas has Roman Polak in the top four, Winnipeg has barely anything after Morrissey and Byfuglien, Nashville is banking on Fabbro being top four ready, Erik Karlsson needs to stay healthy and Vlasic needs to bounce back, etc.

What on earth does the poll mean?

The Pacific isn't a deep division, so they should make the playoffs. But they don't seem to be nearly as good a team some the Central divisions teams. Good fortune, smoke and mirrors took them to the Final once. Odds are it won't happen again with this group.

Imagine that defence if Buff leaves ...

Imo the chances of them having a deep playoff run Ottawa.

Vegas is certainly the best offensive team in the West, at least on paper. And their Wingers can defend better than most team's forwards. I would argue that they're actually a better defensive team this year than last season. Mark Stone is an elite defensive forward. Defense isn't just played by defensemen and coach GG preaches 2-way hockey. I love their chances.