Quote:
Originally Posted by New Era
Pacific
Flames: Unknown, could go either way
This is a team that should take a step backward. All their weaknesses were exposed by a one line team during the playoffs, so everyone should know how to beat the Flames this season. The small fast skilled Flames team was not fast nor skilled enough in the post season, and they got dummied by the faster bigger (nee buggers) and more skilled Avalanche. With Tkachuk holding out that is a big piece that is missing from the lineup. This looks like a team standing pat or getting slightly weaker. We won't know until the team breaks camp and the final roster is set. If DSP and Rinaldo find roster spots over the likes of Czarnik, this may be a tougher team to play against and may even be better than they were last season. Standing pat would be a mistake, so camp is going to be telling. Depends on the mix.
Sharks: Big slider
The stench of Ben Gay from Sharks' bench is going to be unbearable this winter. Pavelski is the straw that stirred the drink in San Jose, and they are going to miss him. Everyone is old, beat up, and on a bad trajectory. Time for a Red Wing like drop to the bottom of the pack.
Golden Knights: Big riser
Their biggest change came at the deadline last season. They will have all training camp to get their team on the same page and come out firing on all cylinders. They don't have many weaknesses and I think they take the Pacific.
Coyotes: Small riser
The addition of Kessel will be good for the young Yotes. They are still filled with question marks, but they are a team on the grow. Should head up the standings slightly. Their playoff hopes will rest on the fallers IMO.
Canucks: Big riser
It's easy to poke fun at the Canucks, but they really did make some solid off season moves and plugged a lot of holes. They are a team that looks pretty good on paper and has some depth. They need the young guys to continue their growth and the vets they brought in to steady the ship when the waters get rough. I like the mix and think the Canucks will surprise with a post season appearance.
Ducks: Sliders
Dallas Eakins. Hahahahahahaha
Oilers: Sliders
Holy #### this is an ugly roster. McDavid will have to be super human to keep it at the same craptastic level it was at last year. The goaltending is worse and the depth is just abysmal. How can a team be this bad?
Kings: Slight risers
Someone has to rise up the standings to make up for the sliders. The Kings will still be one of the worst teams in the league, but I think they leap frog the Ducks.
Central
Predators: Slight slider
Possibly a change in tactic and style could see the Predators take a small step backward. Duchene has always managed to play on under-achievers, so I expect that to rub off on some of his new team mates.
Jets: Big slider
They lost a number of pieces that are going to hurt. Add in their hold outs and this could be a long winter in the league's coldest and ugliest outpost.
Blues: Slider
Post-cup hang over coupled with them not sneaking up and surprising anyone this season spells a slide for the Blues. Not a huge one, but they will be touch and go this season for playoff berth.
Stars: Big Risers
I like what they jettisoned, and I really like what they brought in. The Stars are a team to watch and should challenge for the conference with the Knights and Avalanche.
Avalanche: Riser
Another team that made some really good off-season moves. They already had the best line in hockey, now they have added a number of interesting pieces that will make them that much more dangerous.
Hawks: Slider
Someone has to fall. The Hawks are meh, with a side order of meh.
Wild: Holding steady
Boring is boring.
Metropolitan
Capitals: Slider
Likely not a big drop off, but a slider all the same. Should come back to the pack and not be as dangerous as last season.
Islanders: Holding steady
I expect the Islanders to still be in the mix for the division and the conference. Good young team.
Penguins: Slider
Not a big slide, but a small step backward. Still a dangerous team with the best player in the game.
Hurricanes: Slider
Team dynamics can carry a club a long way and I think the Hurricanes were one of those teams that were on a good run where everyone was playing for each other last year. The off season has seen a number of changes, so the dynamics have changed and so will the outcomes. The Canes slide.
Blue Jackets: Big slider
Hello darkness my old friend...
Flyers: Riser
Some really interesting changes should lift the Flyers this year. All going to hinge on their goaltending IMO.
Rangers: Big Riser
Someone has to take the big bounce and the damn Rangers seem to be the team in the east. Way better roster than last year should make them way more competitive.
Devils: Riser
The Devils may be the dark horse team of the season. A really interesting mix that could achieve critical mass. We'll see of that turns into a cohesive team, or explodes in spectacular fashion. I think they come together and are a handful.
Atlantic
Lightning: Holding steady
Best team in the league arguably got stronger.
Bruins: Slider
Don't know how they did it last season, so I don't see a repeat. Bruins take a step backward.
Maple Leafs: Holding steady
The Leafs made some interesting moves that should keep they chugging along. The Marner holdout may be problematic for them though. We'll see if they can get him back in the fold and not have him pull a Nylander. Speaking of Nylander, looking for a big rebound by him this year and make up for any lost production from Marner.
Canadiens: Slider
Another team that was smoke and mirrors last season. I still don't know how that roster went anywhere. Don't see them repeating the success they had.
Panthers: Big riser
Better everywhere. Panthers could be a team to watch.
Sabres: Slider
Hot mess
Red Wings: Slider
Ugly. Just ugly.
Senators: Riser
Not a big riser, and still one of the worst teams in the NHL, but a small riser as the Senators become a team that is hard to play against and grind out more in the standings than they did last season.
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Hawks - slider? adding a Vezina trophy finalist plus a Hamonic equivalent D-man to a team that had no NHL goal tending on a team that missed the playoffs by 6 pts
Their top-5 forwards compare well with Flames and other high powered teams
Kane, Toews, Debrincat, Saad and Strome
Shaw #6F put up 19 goals and 37 pts in 61 games with the Habs last season
The Flames have never had as bad goal tending as the Hawks did last year.... sav % as a team of .898.