Quote:
Originally Posted by driveway
Do people really think Vancouver's gotten worse since last season? A train wreck of a coach - gone. Goaltending headache - gone. Unhappy second-line-centre - gone. Both Sedins had significant injuries last year which caused their production to decline.
I think Vancouver is going to have a significantly better year this year than last year. I think they're in the group in the west with Colorado (who will decline), Minnesota, Anaheim (who did have league-best luck last year), and Dallas.
I see LA, Chicago, St. Louis, and San Jose as locks for the playoffs with that second group: four of Anaheim, Colorado, Vancouver, Dallas, Minnesota likely making the rest, Nashville, Arizona, and possibly (though not likely) Edmonton playing the role of spoilers, and Calgary and Winnipeg bringing up the rear.
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They haven't gotten worse necessarily but they haven't gotten much better and definitely not enough to be grouped with Anaheim, Dallas, Colorado and Minnesota. All those teams had good seasons and the worst of the bunch (Dallas) got much better this off-season. I think they are more likely grouped with Nashville and Arizona. How do you figure that Colorado will decline by adding Iginla, and improving their D? How exactly did you determine that Anaheim had the league best luck last year? Based on a stat about the team trending upwards consistently in shooting percentage over the last three years?