I don't see Smith as a consistent starter
He's something like 46th in the NHL in save percentage the last 3 years, maybe some of that is based on the team in front of him but goalies from worse teams are ahead of him on the list
I think the flames need 2 things to go right to push ahead of Anaheim and Edmonton
Average or better goaltending and one of the forwards stepping up and giving the 3rd line more scoring depth, Bennett seems most likely as an option. If those happen they have no excuses not to make the 2nd round at least
Anaheim still has a few years out of Getzlaf, Perry, Kesler before the rakell, Silfverberg, Ritchie group needs to lead them. But their top 4 d is up there with Nashville and Calgary. Miller is a great backup and insurance plan too
Edmonton lacks depth on d after the top 4, top 3 until sekera is back and Russell without a good partner may be a struggle too, very strong top pairing though
Up front though they have the best player im the world arguably and also a case could be made that draisatl is the second best forward in the division going forward. Maroon and Lucic are decent middle six wingers. Puuljarrvi could solidify the top 6 if he steps up this year. I expect them to deal for a d man before the playoffs
I think right now it's a pretty even top 3 in the Pacific
After that LA, SJ, and maybe Arizona compete for a wild card. I don't think any are stronger than the top 5 or 6 in the central, but 3 bad teams in division might allow them to pick up extra points
Then other teams are playing for bottom 5 spots
Vancouver signed fill-in FAs so they can keep their prospects in the ahl another year and if any are good would move them, like the leafs strategy from 2 years ago
Colorado has done nothing to improve but shouldn't by virtue of things not going as horrible as they could for 2 straight years
Vegas really tanked the expansion draft hard and likely are in the mix for 31st
Right now I'd say
Pacific
Anaheim
Edmonton
Calgary
LA
Arizona
SJ
Las Vegas
Vancouver
Dallas
Nashville
Minnesota
Chicago(WC)
Winnipeg (WC)
St Louis
Colorado
|