Canucks > Flames

I think it could go either way. The flames had a lot of bad luck and underperformers last year

The disrespect of using Carter as the Pens rep lol. Salt in the wound

Canes > Devils

Hughes > Aho
Hamilton > Burns
Bratt > Necas
Meier > Svechnikov
Hischier > Kotkaniemi
Toffoli > Jarvis

Not gonna bicker too much on these. Think Svech and Necas prob close to their comps depending on health and Jarvis I wouldn’t be surprised to see him take another step but can’t disagree with what you had.

Largely defensively and in net thought is where canes make up for that though. I think it’s close but I think devils young D and Schmid need another year or two of seasoning. I’m biased too tho so who knows. Should be a fun season.

That devils goalie tandem is not really impressive in the slightest. The Hurricanes backend and goaltending is much better than the Devils

You forgot the defense and goaltending in which the Hurricanes are much better than the devils

Slavin > Hamilton, Burns > Siegthaller, Pesce > Marino, Skjei > Miller, Orlov >>>> Smith, Freddie > Vanacek, Raanta + Kochetkov > Schmid, Necas > Bratt,

Vanecek had more GSAx than all 3 Canes goalies this season. Schmid had more than Raanta and Andersen. Vanecek and Schmid also had a higher SV% than all 3 Canes goalies

At 5v5 Vanecek and Schmid both had more GSAx than all 3 Canes goalies, and both had a higher 5v5 SV% than Kochetkov and Andersen

From January 12th (Andersen’s first game back) to the end of the season Andersen was 26th in GSAx. Vanecek was 23rd

In that time frame at 5v5 Andersen was 75th in GSAx. Vanecek was 27th, Schmid was 39th. Wouldn’t say for certain the Canes have better goaltending

I bet they make the playoffs.

I would say Bratt = Necas, Meier = Svechnikov, Hischier is way better than Kotkabiemi and Toffoli and Jarvis are a wash but I would say Jarvis is going to be better very very soon.

The Jersey defence will improve though but expecting Burns to never age is a bad bed. Slavin is top 5 defenceman in the league though. Pesce is super overrated, good but he's not what you guys bill him as. Skjei is not all that good but fits his role fine on a team with a very good defensive system. Both teams are very good. I think Jersey could maybe take a small step back but be better in the playoffs, I don't see Carolina being any different than last year. They could win the division maybe the president's trophy but come the playoffs their offence will dry up and trusting Anderssen when it really matters is not a good bet.

Well when it really matters, Andersen is guaranteed to let in a horrible soft goal or get hurt. Raanta's health isn't very consistent either. It's okay for the regular season but the playoffs? Carolina is going to have the 2nd best goalie in the round vs most teams.

Eventually burns will prob decrease. Skjei and pesce have been great together for a few years so if they’re still there I expect similar results, whether people think they’re overrate or not. Orlov adds a great element and added depth. Bunting also adds some scoring and pest type play which is arguably needed. Anderson was great in playoffs and was a vezina candidate the year before. Koochie and Raanta have been good when they’ve needed to spell him so not that concerned with goaltending in general with the defensive support in front of them especially.

Still think there’s another move coming at some point this summer. I’d rather it be a top 6/9 add like Vladdy or something else via trade versus swapping EK for pesce. Don’t think they’re done yet tho.

Either way I expect them and devils to have close race during season and I’m expecting canes to take a step forward. I’m biased but also thing the team is absolutely a top 5 contender and if they stay healthy and get hot they’ve got as good a chance as rest of legit contenders.

I hope so man. Not exactly thrilled about their offseason so far. I think there's going to be a handful of teams all within a couple points of each other fighting for that last wild card spot. I see the Pens in that mix

For sure.