The defence and goaltending aren’t that of a playoff team

I think it all depends on if Forsberg can be as good as last year, Boston struggling without McAvoy and Marchand out of the gate, and then even still might come down to the deadline to upgrade on Hamonic (as I can't see a market for Zaitsev).

Boston bringing back the vets gives them just what they needed to fill the gaps, so I think it'll be tight. The "advantage" for Boston is they may be just as prepared if not more so to go completely all-in realizing they are in their last window year before too many wheels come off and they might pull off another desperate trade. I'm not as sure if OTT will be as desperate if they want a longer term window still.

Ottawa will end up behind buffalo

Talbot was pretty good for a playoff team the last 2 years and I like having a motivated Talbot after getting pushed out of Minny. I don't think goalies are an issue this time around. At this point it's up to players like Zub, Zaitsev and Hamonic stepping up their game and a bonus if Sanderson steps in seamlessly (if no changes are made).

Few thought King's would be a playoff team with a healthy defense let alone a decimated one and made it in. So I don't think it's foregone they won't be in or competing but I also wouldn't bet on it.

I have (Granted a bit hot takeish)
In: Devils, Sens, Blue Jackets
Devils: dealt with a lot of injuries last year and Jack Hughes is insane. They have a solid Dcore and Good top 9
Sens: Their Top 6 is nasty, a mixture of Grit, playmaking, and Scoring. If they can improve the Defense by replacing Zaitsev I have very little doubts.
Blue Jackets: I'm Mostly biased because I'm a fan of a lot of their players, but I think Werenski and Laine really Thrive with Gaudreau and as a result, they make their teammates better. Also Well coached imo

Out: Bruins, Caps, Rangers

Bruins: Injuries, Catch up will be Tough

Caps: Eric Gustafson is projected to have ice time and he's god awful. Keumper sucked in the playoffs, while he's been great the last 4 seasons he's also 32 and the decline will be soon, and has a defenseman in front of him who can't complete a shift without turning the puck over it's almost mandatory for him. Plus they're expecting a lot from Strome as a 2c and Wilson will miss time.

Rangers: This is mostly because last year was too perfect. Shesterkin and Kreider and others had career years that will be very hard to replicate. The Kids have to prove it next year if they're gonna succeed. I won't be surprised if they still make it as a WC, but I do expect a dropoff.

The King's are also in the Pacific Division (my beer league team makes the playoffs in that division) Ottawa is the Atlantic division a division that could see a 100pt team not make the playoffs

Igor still should be really good and I expect the kids to step up and Mika to score more than 29 goals.
Washington still has Ovi and Kuzy. Kuemper was terrible in the playoffs, but he was solid in the regular season.
Boston I could see missing and Ottawa making instead. I don't see Columbus making the playoffs with that defence and the goaltending is still shaky. Jersey I also have doubts with goaltending.