2023-24 Season Predictions
2023-24 Season Predictions
Draft Class: 2023
Published: Aug. 12, 2023 at 9:06 p.m.
Description
Metropolitan: Carolina and New Jersey race for the top spot, while Philadelphia struggles to win games as the worst team in the East. The rest are mediocre and unremarkable. Karlsson does not save Pittsburgh.
Carolina, 1
New Jersey, 2
New York R, 9
-------------------------
New York I, 15
Pittsburgh, 23
Columbus, 25
Washington, 28
Philadelphia, 31
Atlantic: In the most competitive division in the league, only Toronto and Montreal can be confident of their fate heading into the season. Detroit and Ottawa ultimately fail to make the cut.
Toronto, 5
Boston, 8
Florida, 12
Buffalo, 13
Tampa Bay, 14
-------------------------
Detroit, 16
Ottawa, 18
Montreal, 26
Central: Being in the weakest division in the league allows Dallas and Colorado to find success, and for Winnipeg to slip into the playoffs. Minnesota is the most surprising team to miss out.
Dallas, 3
Colorado, 6
Winnipeg, 19
-------------------------
Minnesota, 20
Nashville, 21
St. Louis, 24
Arizona, 27
Chicago, 29
Pacific: An average division featuring two strong teams, four decent teams, and two really bad teams. There is no miracle turn-around for Calgary. San Jose hits rock bottom.
Vegas, 4
Edmonton, 7
Los Angeles, 10
Seattle, 11
Vancouver, 17
-------------------------
Calgary, 22
Anaheim, 30
San Jose, 32
| ROUND 1 | TEAM | ORIGINAL | PLAYER | DETAILS |
|---|
| 1 |  | - | Carolina | 117 (P) |
| 2 |  | - | New Jersey | 116 (X) |
| 3 |  | - | Dallas | 111 (Z) |
| 4 |  | - | Vegas | 110 (Y) |
| 5 |  | - | Toronto | 110 (Y) |
| 6 |  | - | Colorado | 108 (X) |
| 7 |  | - | Edmonton | 107 (X) |
| 8 |  | - | Boston | 104 (X) |
| 9 |  | - | New York R | 101 (X) |
| 10 |  | - | Los Angeles | 100 (X) |
| 11 |  | - | Seattle | 98 (X-WC) |
| 12 | |  | Florida | 98 (X) |
| 13 |  | - | Buffalo | 97 (X-WC) |
| 14 |  | - | Tampa Bay | 96 (X-WC) |
| 15 |  | - | New York I | 95 |
| 16 |  | - | Detroit | 94 |
| 17 | |  | Vancouver | 94 (X-WC) |
| 18 |  | - | Ottawa | 93 |
| 19 | |  | Winnipeg | 93 (X) |
| 20 |  | - | Minnesota | 92 |
| 21 |  | - | Nashville | 91 |
| 22 | |  | Calgary | 91 |
| 23 |  | - | Pittsburgh | 89 |
| 24 | |  | St Louis | 86 |
| 25 | |  | Columbus | 83 |
| 26 | |  | Montreal | 76 |
| 27 |  | - | Arizona | 76 |
| 28 | |  | Washington | 75 |
| 29 | |  | Chicago | 63 |
| 30 |  | - | Anaheim | 58 |
| 31 | |  | Philadelphia | 51 |
| 32 |  | - | San Jose | 48 |
Aug. 12, 2023 at 11:52 p.m.
#1
Bedard23
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 4,480
The wild hate never stops boggling my mind 🤦
Aug. 13, 2023 at 12:51 a.m.
#2
Joined: Jul. 2023
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 164
Detriot LOL isnt sniffing the wildcard. Boston and LA are wildcard warriors
Aug. 13, 2023 at 1:46 p.m.
#3
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 40,480
Likes: 18,452
So Devils fall short by 1 point again. I’d take it though.
Aug. 13, 2023 at 1:52 p.m.
#4
Exhausted Ranger Fan
Joined: Jun. 2021
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 451
Aug. 13, 2023 at 7:16 p.m.
#5
Joined: Oct. 2021
Posts: 97
Likes: 45
Listen. As a Wild fan if we miss the playoffs we better miss badly. I'm sick of this 22-17 pick range. Not picking high enough for real difference makers but still missing the playoffs is the worst place to be.
Aug. 14, 2023 at 1:44 p.m.
#6
Joined: Jul. 2023
Posts: 482
Likes: 178
Quoting: MNWildFan57
Listen. As a Wild fan if we miss the playoffs we better miss badly. I'm sick of this 22-17 pick range. Not picking high enough for real difference makers but still missing the playoffs is the worst place to be.
So many teams do it too. Cant commit to fully going for the rebuild but also dont want to commit to giving up a bit of the future to be good
Aug. 15, 2023 at 12:56 a.m.
#7
power forward
Joined: Aug. 2020
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 611
Edited Aug. 15, 2023 at 1:06 a.m.
Quoting: IconicHawk
The wild hate never stops boggling my mind 🤦
Yeah, I dunno why people are hating on them. Probably because they didn't make any big moves. I really hope Wallstedt can have a big year. I still think they are a playoff team, if anything Winnipeg misses the playoffs by a longshot, even the Blackhawks will do better than the Jets.
And this is a Jets fan saying this. I am rooting for Buffalo more than I am for the Jets this year. They have become my second favorite team, they stole Zach Benson, there's so much good youth on that team its nut. And if Comrie can bounce-back and Levi becomes the No. 1 goalie, they can definitely make it.
Aug. 15, 2023 at 12:57 a.m.
#8
power forward
Joined: Aug. 2020
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 611
Quoting: NHLfan10506
So Devils fall short by 1 point again. I’d take it though.
I actually think they win the division. My Top 4 in the Metro are awfully close:
1. New Jersey
2. NY Rangers
3. Pittsburgh
4. Carolina
Aug. 15, 2023 at 1:04 a.m.
#9
power forward
Joined: Aug. 2020
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 611
Quoting: TyeZerker
Detriot LOL isnt sniffing the wildcard. Boston and LA are wildcard warriors
Everyone in the Atlantic apart from the Canadiens can make the playoffs. Canadiens could make a push if the injury bug doesn't hit them again. So all and all, Detroit could sniff the wild card. In my predictions I actually have Tampa Bay missing as I don't like their bottom 6 depth. Colton and Killorn will be huge losses. Vasy needs to be elite in order for the Lightning to get in.
Boston is an obvious wild card yes, but LA could actually get 2nd in the division. Don't forget that Talbot is reunited with Ron MacLellan and under him he played his best hockey. Under a similar system, I think Talbot could bounce back and maybe even take over the No. 1 role.
Also total hot take here, but I think Calgary makes the playoffs. Markstrom will play better and the Flames have Wolf competing with Vladar for the backup role. If Wolf plays well, the Flames could be dangerous. Also Huberdeau could bounce-back as well. There are also trade rumors surrouding Elias Lindholm, I do think he will have his best season and make it even harder for other teams to acquire team.
Aug. 15, 2023 at 1:05 a.m.
#10
power forward
Joined: Aug. 2020
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 611
Quoting: MNWildFan57
Listen. As a Wild fan if we miss the playoffs we better miss badly. I'm sick of this 22-17 pick range. Not picking high enough for real difference makers but still missing the playoffs is the worst place to be.
The Wild have to go on a deep run here. Otherwise they rebuild. They keep getting bounced in round 1.
Aug. 15, 2023 at 1:52 a.m.
#11
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec. 2022
Posts: 450
Likes: 141
Quoting: IconicHawk
The wild hate never stops boggling my mind 🤦
I don't hate the Wild, but some decent teams miss the playoffs now, and I think there's a reasonable case to be made that they'll be one of them.
Quoting: MNWildFan57
Listen. As a Wild fan if we miss the playoffs we better miss badly. I'm sick of this 22-17 pick range. Not picking high enough for real difference makers but still missing the playoffs is the worst place to be.
As a Canucks fan, I understand the feeling lol. At least you've made it to the playoffs consistently though!
Quoting: Z0ra
Yeah, I dunno why people are hating on them. Probably because they didn't make any big moves. I really hope Wallstedt can have a big year. I still think they are a playoff team, if anything Winnipeg misses the playoffs by a longshot, even the Blackhawks will do better than the Jets.
And this is a Jets fan saying this. I am rooting for Buffalo more than I am for the Jets this year. They have become my second favorite team, they stole Zach Benson, there's so much good youth on that team its nut. And if Comrie can bounce-back and Levi becomes the No. 1 goalie, they can definitely make it.
Their presumptive starter has never played 40+ games in a season and their backup is now 38 and clearly in decline. Any regression in goaltending combined with stronger competition in the West could easily leave them on the wrong side of the playoff line since they haven't really improved their line-up and don't have the cap space to do so effectively, especially considering how many points they got out of overtime and shootout games last season.
What's the reason for the Jets falling apart? I think they're arguably better going into this season than they were last year.
Aug. 15, 2023 at 2:04 a.m.
#12
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec. 2022
Posts: 450
Likes: 141
Quoting: NHLfan10506
So Devils fall short by 1 point again. I’d take it though.
Could easily go either way,
Quoting: Z0ra
I actually think they win the division. My Top 4 in the Metro are awfully close:
1. New Jersey
2. NY Rangers
3. Pittsburgh
4. Carolina
but I don't see Carolina in 4th
Aug. 15, 2023 at 2:06 a.m.
#13
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec. 2022
Posts: 450
Likes: 141
Edited Aug. 15, 2023 at 2:42 a.m.
Quoting: Despise
Boston wont be that high
I hope so, but I expect them to inexplicably find success somehow
Aug. 15, 2023 at 2:18 a.m.
#14
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec. 2022
Posts: 450
Likes: 141
Quoting: Z0ra
Everyone in the Atlantic apart from the Canadiens can make the playoffs. Canadiens could make a push if the injury bug doesn't hit them again. So all and all, Detroit could sniff the wild card. In my predictions I actually have Tampa Bay missing as I don't like their bottom 6 depth. Colton and Killorn will be huge losses. Vasy needs to be elite in order for the Lightning to get in.
Boston is an obvious wild card yes, but LA could actually get 2nd in the division. Don't forget that Talbot is reunited with Ron MacLellan and under him he played his best hockey. Under a similar system, I think Talbot could bounce back and maybe even take over the No. 1 role.
Also total hot take here, but I think Calgary makes the playoffs. Markstrom will play better and the Flames have Wolf competing with Vladar for the backup role. If Wolf plays well, the Flames could be dangerous. Also Huberdeau could bounce-back as well. There are also trade rumors surrouding Elias Lindholm, I do think he will have his best season and make it even harder for other teams to acquire team.
Yeah, the Atlantic is very competitive. I expect Tampa's core to have huge seasons to make up for the loss of depth. They won't be able to afford that complacent period they seem to like toward the end of the season, but with their competitive window closing, I think they'll be all in this year. I don't think anyone is an "obvious wild card" in the East. Most teams could end up anywhere between 4th and 12th in the East.
Calgary could definitely bounce back, but there are a lot of competitive teams to deal with.
Aug. 15, 2023 at 9:14 a.m.
#15
Bedard23
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 4,480
Quoting: Z0ra
Yeah, I dunno why people are hating on them. Probably because they didn't make any big moves. I really hope Wallstedt can have a big year. I still think they are a playoff team, if anything Winnipeg misses the playoffs by a longshot, even the Blackhawks will do better than the Jets.
And this is a Jets fan saying this. I am rooting for Buffalo more than I am for the Jets this year. They have become my second favorite team, they stole Zach Benson, there's so much good youth on that team its nut. And if Comrie can bounce-back and Levi becomes the No. 1 goalie, they can definitely make it.
Wallsteadt doesn’t even need to have a big year because he will likely be the backup behind Gustavsson
Quoting: Z0ra
The Wild have to go on a deep run here. Otherwise they rebuild. They keep getting bounced in round 1.
They have a whole other wave of elite prospects in the system so it really shouldn’t be complicated even slightly
Aug. 15, 2023 at 5:23 p.m.
#16
Joined: Jun. 2023
Posts: 32
Likes: 5
Aug. 16, 2023 at 10:08 a.m.
#17
Bedard23
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 4,480
Quoting: HabsCanucks
I don't hate the Wild, but some decent teams miss the playoffs now, and I think there's a reasonable case to be made that they'll be one of them.
As a Canucks fan, I understand the feeling lol. At least you've made it to the playoffs consistently though!
Their presumptive starter has never played 40+ games in a season and their backup is now 38 and clearly in decline. Any regression in goaltending combined with stronger competition in the West could easily leave them on the wrong side of the playoff line since they haven't really improved their line-up and don't have the cap space to do so effectively, especially considering how many points they got out of overtime and shootout games last season.
What's the reason for the Jets falling apart? I think they're arguably better going into this season than they were last year.
People have been predicting the wild to miss the playoffs since last year and it hasn’t happened and I doubt it will for a long time
Aug. 16, 2023 at 1:43 p.m.
#18
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec. 2022
Posts: 450
Likes: 141
Quoting: IconicHawk
People have been predicting the wild to miss the playoffs since last year and it hasn’t happened and I doubt it will for a long time
1 year is not a significant sample size, and I predicted them to make the playoffs last year anyway. It's quite possible that they make it again this year (I only have them one point behind Winnipeg, which is nothing in the context of a full season), but this is the year I expect them to struggle the most.
Aug. 16, 2023 at 1:48 p.m.
#19
Bedard23
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 4,480
Quoting: HabsCanucks
1 year is not a significant sample size, and I predicted them to make the playoffs last year anyway. It's quite possible that they make it again this year (I only have them one point behind Winnipeg, which is nothing in the context of a full season), but this is the year I expect them to struggle the most.
The central is too ass form them to be even close to out of a playoff spot
Here’s the tiers:
Tier 1: Colorado and Dallas
Tier 2: Minnesota
Tier 3: St Louis
Tier 4: Everyone else
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