Quoting: Ajp_18
Did Pittsburgh really Improve? They added Kapanen, but they lost Murray, they are still the same team that lost to MTL in the in the play in round, just older.
Minnesota added some good players, but they still lack a true number 1 center next year and have 2 backup level goalies, can’t see them much higher then 6th in the central.
The NY Islanders lost a lot but they still have trots, and most of the same forwards plus they are adding Sorkin, NY Rangers added Laf and will have a full season of Shest/Georgie. Both teams should be better than the devils who added an injury prone Ryan Murray and Cory Crawford.
As for the Atlantic, Tampa and Boston will take a step back, Montreal and Buffalo took steps forward, that division is Toronto’s to lose and Tampa, Boston, Buffalo, Florida and Montreal would have a slug fest for 2 spots.
Lastly the pacific, San Jose should be better then they were last year, Arizona will finish last unless Kuemper wins the vezina and Anaheim will finish above LA.
I definitely see some of your points there. I definitely could see the Penguins taking a step back. That was my 1 "off the board pick" if you will. I think that they have an underrated d-core, and I think the realization that this might be the last chance with the core of Crosby, Letang, Malkin will be a huge motivation factor, kind of like the blackhawks in 2017 when they were good but got embarrassed by Nashville in the playoffs, I could see something similar play out.
Personally I believe that the Wild are a team that is slept on, is there question marks? yes. However they have one of the best dcores in the league and I really like the depth adds they have made, also I am a huge fan of Kaprizov and I expect him to have a big impact next season.
The Islanders and the Rangers I just have weird feelings about. I do think its going to take sometime for everything to come together for the Rangers especially since I am not a fan of their D-core besides Fox and Deangelo. I think the loss of Devon Toews will hurt more then alot of people realize for the Isanders, he is a very good player. Also, a lot of things went right for them last year in terms of players having career years, it will be tough to replicate that.
Boston has the best forward depth in the league, and there is no reason to think Tampa will be much worse if at all compared to last year. I agree, Buffalo and Montreal to an extent improved, but I still see it being very hard to make it in for them. Personally, I am not a very big fan in the way the Panthers are going.
San Jose has in my opinion, has given me no reason to move them up. They are stuck with bad contracts and a bunch of 'meh' players on the roster. You could make an argument for Arizona to finish last. I like LA's chances to be the most improved California team because of the way that they played and a lot of their prospects seem to be the most NHL ready between the Californian teams.
I respect your opinion but this is just some of my reasonings