Joined: Feb. 2017
Posts: 910
Likes: 208
Predictions
1. Edmonton - They are a great young team, was inexperienced last year, I expect them to make a push for the division and for the presidents trophy as well.
2. Tampa Bay - If they can stay healthy this is a scary team to play against. Biggest question mark is the goaltending for them.
3. Nashville - Best D-man core in the league, yes Ellis is out for half the year but I still think they take the Central division, depends on how well Rinne can play during the season.
4. Pittsburgh - Back to Back champs. They are a good team. Lost a few key players but should be able to stay in the top 5. Crosby and Malkin.
5. Washington - Lost a few players but they shouldn't fall off quite as much as we expect them too. Still a top 5, cup contending team.
6. Chicago - Patrick Kane. One of the best forwards in the game, he will push this team into the playoffs.
7. Anaheim - They will fall behind at the beginning of the season but will make a hard push. Hard to win games without Lindholm and Kesler to start the season.
8. Columbus - This is their chance to prove last year was not a fluke and they can compete with everyone in the Metro. Not sold completely but they should be a top 10 team in the league.
9. Minnesota - BB coached team. They do great in the regular season and then choke it away in the playoffs. They are a playoff team but not a cup contender
10. Calgary - They have a solid defense. The goaltending is the question here. They could do some damage if Smith can hold his own.
11. St. Louis - They got a little better during the offseason. Everyone will be better and they will have Fabbri back. Will make the playoffs but might be a wild card
12. Dallas - Added more fire power, a goalie, and a d-man. This team could be dangerous all season and playoffs. Could make a cup run.
13. Boston - Strong forward group, defense was improved during the off-season. Should be 2nd in the Atlantic with ease.
14. Toronto - Good young team. If they stay healthy, they should be able to make the playoffs. Still a young team and needs a number 1 d-man.
15. Ottawa - Erik Karlsson. If Anderson plays well he and Karlsson can help push the Sens to a playoff berth
16. Rangers - Lundqvist is older, and he is starting to show. Still a top 10 goalie. They are a bubble team for me.
17. Philly - They improved the team as whole. Nolan Patrick will be a great addition and the young guys on the back end. Elliott Should help them. Another bubble playoff team.
18. San Jose - Lost a depth d-man and a top 6 forward. They will be good but it will be hard for them to make the playoff spot without replacing them.
19. Montreal - No number 1 center, and Price can't carry them into the playoffs like before. They miss the playoffs
20. Carolina - Darling won't meet their expectations. They will need a 1A and 1B tandem to make the playoffs for the following year
21. Winnipeg - They have the most lethal line in the NHL. Though the defense and Goalie are questionable and it doesn't help the division they are in as well.
22. Arizona - I think this is the sleeper team. I don't have them in the playoffs but I would not be surprised to see them sneak in.
23. Buffalo - They will be a little better. Defense is a little suspect. They will be better in a few years
24. New Jersey - Number 1 pick in the draft. The team will be better but still not a playoff team
25. LA - They did not improve in the off-season and they are still slow. Time to rebuild and get younger.
26. Florida - They've have a lot of new faces. Let a 30 goal scorer go to expansion. Management has totally turned this team upside down.
27. Islanders - Other teams in the Metro got better. They did not. Not much of a supporting cast behind JT. Defense is suspect and they have no true number 1 goalie.
28. Vancouver - No number 1 goalie, defense is decent. Aging forwards, with some youth in the lineup. Might surprise some people, I expect them to finish in the bottom 5.
29. Vegas - Could be a little better than what it is expected. Should be exciting to follow how well the team might perform
30. Detroit - They are in a full rebuild, time to sell the players that have value and stock up on draft picks
31. Colorado - Duchene will get traded by the deadline and they will be on full tank mode by then and hope to get that number 1 pick.
I think spots 15- 22 will all be within 10 points of each other. The final wild card spot in both conferences will be up for grabs until the last game of the season.