I'm definitely biased but I just can't see too many paths to Canes missing playoffs behind the Devils. Some big time injuries would likely have to come into play.

Also think Seattle is a little overrated b/c of the Vegas expansion affect. I personally have them finishing only ahead of sharks and ducks. With you on the Central and Atlantic though.

I agree with you on the Hurricanes. I expect the Devils to make a huge run out of nowhere but realistically the Canes and Rangers probably finish ahead of the Devils.

For Seattle, while I think they lack a bit on offense, I really like their defense and goaltending. Also, I think the Pacific will be the weakest division this year and Seattle could make it despite being a bit weak.

I don't think the Isles will be at the top of the division. They'll be a beast in the playoffs, but they don't really seem like a team that will win the division

I feel Barry Trotz has a gift to maximize his teams and making less mistakes in play. I have the Isles on top because I think they will be the team to most limit the amount of mistakes they make. Plus with Sorokin most likely improving this year, I personally like their chances.

Carolina is nasty….

They play low event hockey and hope they come out on top. They can’t be dominant playing that way.

Realistically the canes run away with that division. They’re by far the best team in it.

I don't see it. They drastically downgraded their goaltending from Mrazek, Ned, and Reimer to Andersen, Lyon, and Raanta. That, coupled with the loss of Hamilton to anchor the defense makes me no very confident in them this year. Their defense will still be good, but not as good as last year. It may be the final year or two of Washington and Pittsburgh's contending window, they should both be better with both teams getting healthy. Realistically Carolina is likely a playoff team, but I don't see them at the top in the Metro.



From when I've watched, the Isles play boring defensive hockey, but they smother opponents offenses and have some great goaltending. The tandem of Sorokin and Varlamov should only get better this year, as Sorokin gets better and gets more of a share of the starts. Losing Eberle will hurt offensively, but Trotz minimizes mistakes with his teams, and while teams like Pitssburgh, Washington, New Jersey, NYR, and Carolina all battle it out, I see the Islanders sneaking by everyone and walking away with a close #1 seed.

Hamilton was their third d man. They’re the best team on paper in that division by a mile. Andersen could rebound nicely. Solid resume.

I like how you have Ottawa above Montreal - aside from a poor start they were the better team last year.

But why do you have Edmonton dropping so far? They've placed 2nd in their division two years in a row now, I'm struggling to see how they got worse over the summer.

Not a fan of what they did on defense, losing Bear and Larsson I think will hurt them, and I'm worried about Smith and Koskinen regressing. Especially Smith, given his age. They will still be competing for a playoff spot just because of McDavid and Draisaitl, but something about them has me pessimistic about their playoff chances.