2010 - 2011 Standing Predictions

[Swayze11]

So here is my prediction of the standings next season, feel free to post your own.

WEST

1. Anaheim Ducks
2. Minnesota Wild
3. LA Kings
4. San Jose Sharks
5. Chicago Blackhawks
6. Dallas Stars
7. St.Louis Blues
8. Edmonton Oilers
9. Colorado Avalanche
10. Columbus Blue Jackets
11. Calgary Flames
12. Vancouver Canucks
13. Detroit Red Wings
14. Phoenix Coyotes
15. Nashville Predators

There are basically 4 groups in the West where it can go anywhere. 1-3 are the elite, 4-6 are the solid teams, and 7-13 are the bubble teams.

EAST

1. Montreal Canadiens
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Philadelphia Flyers
4. Atlanta Thrashers
5. Ottawa Senators
6. Washington Capitals
7. Buffalo Sabres
8. Toronto Maple Leafs
9. New York Rangers
10. Carolina Hurricanes
11. Tampa Bay Lightning
12. New York Islanders
13. Boston Bruins
14. Florida Panthers
15. New Jersey Devils

The east is a bit different, you have the top 3 teams which are elite but the next category is 4-10 in my opinion. The 11-15 is probably the most likely. Should be really fun in the East.

[Da_Chief]

Good idea. Complied the whole preview last year but was too much work to do it again.

Ill take a shot at it. Would be nice to see everyone participate in this.

West

1. Anaheim Ducks - Solid all over the place
2. Minnesota Wild - Goaltending an issue but strong everywhere else
3. Chicago Blackhawks - Bryzgalov will have a huge year
4. San Jose Sharks - Re-vamped nicely, should be much better
5. LA Kings - Lotsa changes, not as strong as last year
6. Dallas Stars - Keep getting better
7. Edmonton Oilers - Marty will get them in and probably win the cup
8. St.Louis Blues - Good enough to sneak in
9. Columbus Blue Jackets - More trades but fall just short
10. Colorado Avalanche - Decent team but not good enough defence
11. Detroit Red Wings - Not better than last year
12. Calgary Flames - Rode Ward last year, can't repeat imo
13. Nashville Predators - Rebuilding, but some good pieces
14. Phoenix Coyotes - Some nice young pieces but ways away
15. Vancouver Canucks - Could be a long year in Van City

EAST

1. Pittsburgh Penguins - The year they put it all together
2. Montreal Canadiens - Champions still strong all over the place
3. Philadelphia Flyers - I think I have a decent team
4. Ottawa Senators - Led by the Staals, under-rated team
5. Buffalo Sabres - Giguerre last year before rask takes over, good enough
6. Washington Capitals - They always make the playoffs
7. Atlanta Thrashers - They always make the playoffs too
8. Carolina Hurricanes - Another under-rated team who keep getting better
9. New York Rangers - Could be in the playoffs with couple bounces
10. Toronto Maple Leafs - They don't have enough talent
11. New York Islanders - Got Lundqvist, who should add to victory total from last year
12. Boston Bruins - Some more talent but not good enough
13. Florida Panthers - Long year in Florida
14. New Jersey Devils - The rebuild continues
15. Tampa Bay Lightning - Even longer year in Tampa

*****The standings are based on total points not division seatings.*****

[Caged Great]

1. LA Kings - They should be good enough everywhere to be on top
2. Minnesota Wild - Could use a goalie, but the rest of the team is strong
3. Anaheim Ducks - Solid everywhere
4. Dallas Stars - Good team.
5. St. Louis Blues - Still Good
6. Colorado Avalanche - Major improvements. D's a little bit mediocre, but a deadline acquisition or two and they'll be good.
7. Edmonton Oilers - Brodeur = Playoffs, even if he does suck.
8. Chicago Blackhawks - I don't know why, but I think they'll struggle this year, but will be good in the playoffs
9. Columbus Blue Jackets - Getting there
10. San Jose Sharks - With some luck, could get in there, but each of the 6-11 teams is close so it really comes down to sim chemistry.
11. Phoenix Coyotes - Could sneak into the playoffs, or finish close to the bottom. Hard team to peg.
12. Calgary Flames - Ward was good, but not any more. They'll fall back a bit.
13. Vancouver Canucks - Lots of in between players at all levels. Not enough great players, not enough poor ones. Could go through a rebuild, or make a charge for the playoffs.
14. Detroit Red Wings - The need too many pieces to fill out a good roster
15. Nashville Predators - Rebuilding

EAST

1. Pittsburgh Penguins - Pens should be at the top, but I don't think they'll go far in the playoffs.
2. Montreal Canadiens - I think the Champs will repeat
3. Philadelphia Flyers - Lots of good youngsters and vets. Should be dangerous.
4. Ottawa Senators - Fleury + Staals = profit? Should be good in the playoffs
5. Washington Captials - Re-worked their roster a bit, should be decent.
6. New York Rangers - Despite moving some contracts, they should be good enough in the weak east
7. Buffalo Sabres - A slight slide due to the loss of some of their depth but still a good team
8. Carolina Hurricanes - Keeps getting better
9. Atlanta Thrashers - Lost too many good players in my opinion, and will miss by a couple points
10. Toronto Maple Leafs - Not quite there yet
11. Boston Bruins - Could use a bit of a rebuild, but still decent
12. New York Islanders - Lundqvist adds 10 points to the Isles, but should be in a dogfight with the Panthers this season
13. Florida Panthers - The Panthers aren't great, but they do have some decent players. Should be enough to keep them out of the basement.
14. New Jersey Devils - Rebuilding team is rebuilding.
15. Tampa Bay Lightning - The worst luck out of any team I've seen. How many of their players just happen to have their ratings go in the toilet. Almost 30 million dollars tied up this year in players, that really could be in the AHL based on ratings. Horrid luck.

[Knut]

Standings Predictions:

West:

1) LA - Stinks like Sedins and LOUUUUUUUUUUUU
2) Minny - ECHL team could make the playoffs in the west
3) Anaheim - Kipper + Iggy + Kane = top 3
4) St. Louis - OLDDDDDDDDDD
5) San HOSEEEE - Who is going to stop pucks ?
6) EDMONTON - never trust a stinky cheese
7) Columbus - Will deal his way in
8) Chicago - What is a Blindenblacher
9) Dallas- Vinny Saponari will break your knees
10) Colorado - Closer and closer
11) PHX - Who will score ?
12) Calgary - Horton needs to get 100pts
13) Detroit - will Field 5 AHLers
14) Vancouver - HALESTORM !!!
15) Nashville - Dont Break a leg Dipietro

East:

1) Montreal - Proven Chemistry and success... It's Miller time
2) Pittsburgh - Top 9 forwards from hell
3) Philly - Defense will beat you up
4) Washington -
5) Ottawa - Don't Staal Out
6) NY Rangers - Always seem to hang out in the playoffs
7) Atlanta - Does the streak end ?? My money is on no
8) Buffalo - Borderline....
9) Carolina - 8 Million dollar shooter-tutor in net
10) Toronto - Enigma... anwhere from 6 to 12
11) Boston - Handzus = #1 Center
12) NY Islanders - Lundqvist single-handedly keeps them from the basement
13) New Jersey - Moving on UPPPP
14) Florida - The untouchable Stralman will not win many games for them
15) TB - Better deal to get your 1st rounder back

[MJK]

West

1. LA
2. Minny
3. Columbus
4. Anaheim
5. Hawks
6. Edmonton
7. San Jose
8. Dallas

East

1. Pittsburgh
2. Montreal
3. Atlanta
4. Philly
5. Carolina
6. Washington
7. Ottawa
8. Buffalo

[MJK]

I would also like to point out it is impossible for a combination of Minny, LA and Ana to make the top three...I know the central division isn't great but someone there will be a top 3 seed! Why is everyone forgetting about divisional winners?

Unless the sim doesnt count it?

Oh btw, it will be the Jackets.

[Young Guns]

Will make my prediction later but get off the glue people. You compare my team to last year and I have improved greatly. My 5th and 6th d-men are a little weak right now but after that the team looks stacked to take the division!

[Enforcer]

West
1. Anaheim- Best defense in the West right now.
2. Minnesota- Going to try and outscore everyone.
3. Chicago- Best team in the Central, get 3rd seed by default.
4. LA- Lost a lot due to cap, will lose division title.
5. Dallas- Yes the Pacific Division is this good.
6. Edmonton- Brodeur will hold them together.
7. San Jose- Thornton, Heatley and Gaborik will get a playoff spot.
8. Vancouver- My sleeper pick of the year.

9. Columbus- Had the #1 goalie required for a playoff spot and traded him away.
10. Colorado- Anderson could get them close, but I don't like the forward mix.
11. Detroit- They going to have enough players to play?
12. St. Louis- Too many players coming off bad real life seasons.
13. Calgary- Ward won't work the miracles this time.
14. Phoenix- Quick will frustrate a few teams this year.
15. Nashville- You're going nowhere if Toskala is one of your netminders. Adam Larsson will be your prize.

East
1. Montreal- I'm picking them to repeat as Cup champ.
2. Philadelphia- Better defense, will it lead to better playoff play?
3. Washington- Playing in the right division.
4. Pittsburgh- Looks more like a real team this time.
5. Ottawa- Team full of Staal's is quietly good.
6. Buffalo- Which goalie will be #1?
7. NY Rangers-Backstrom will backstop them to another playoff spot.
8. Carolina- Improved forward group will push them into the playoffs.

9. Atlanta- One bad injury up front and these guys are in trouble.
10. NY Islanders- Not enough offensive support for King Henrik.
11. Toronto- Also needs more offense.
12. Boston- Metropolit can't save them now.
13. Devils- Need real life bounceback season from Steve Mason.
14. Tampa- Did somebody break a mirror?
15. Florida- Halak will see more rubber than a dead skunk on the Trans Canada Highway.

Last year I was picked 13th in the West and Calgary was picked 15th. We both made the playoffs as #7 and #8.

[Da_Chief]

no more opinions?

[Swayze11]

lazy people

[Slava]

I'll be posting my opinion later today. I've been run ragged this week though....plus I can't believe there is no love for the Preds at all!

[Swayze11]

Come on people, stop being lazy... get in on this.

[Swayze11]

bump... come on people. Now that the pre-season is over and there has been a bunch of trades post your new predictions..

[simmer2]

West:

1) Anaheim - Top squad in the west with scoring, defense and a goalie
2) Minnesota - Top squad minus a bonified #1 goalie
3) Los Angeles - Some turnover but a very good squad top to bottom
4) Columbus - A strong rebuild with strength at all positions
5) Chicago - Not a great year last year...will help with a solid rating for Bryz.
6) Edmonton - Good team, should have some chemistry.
7) St. Louis - On paper not great, but Spike always puts a competitive team out there.
8) Dallas - Made some solid trades in the off-season to make a splash, will it work?
9) San Jose - A new GM at the helm, goaltending is a worry.
10) Colorado - Not quite there yet, but should challenge for #8.
11) Detroit - How will Turco do? Not much depth if injuries happen.
12) Calgary - Surprised in the 1st round last year, this year it won't happen.
13) PHX - Made strides but still has a ways to go.
14) Vancouver - No clear direction, will toil around the bottom of the league again.
15) Nashville - Clearly in a rebuild, needs a full youth injection.

East:

1) Philly - Annoying GM but has a good team. Thomas is a concern
2) Pittsburgh - Best team on paper, will this be the year?
3) Montreal - Will SIM Chem continue?
4) Washington - Always ices a strong team, will be a contender again this year.
5) Atlanta - Has Neil's magic run out? Not this year
6) Ottawa - Very little turnover...but still has a strong squad. Will MAF be as good?
7) NY Rangers - Will be brought down to earth this year after a strong CPHL season.
8) Toronto - Will fluke its way into the playoffs
9) Buffalo - Just misses the playoffs due to unfortunate contracts
10) NY Islanders - Lundqvist allows them to compete for a spot.
11) Boston - Still needs some work...not enough to make a good push for the playoffs
12) Carolina - Canes' are a wildcard, could finish 6th, could finish 12th...goalie situation isn't good.
13) New Jersey - In a full rebuild, expect another top pick this year
14) Florida - Has lots of prospect depth -- needs a top prospect though. Hold onto your 1st!
15) TB - Bad contracts and some crappy luck keep The Bolts in the basement this year.

[Mango]

just worked on a lengthy post and accidentally hit back on my Chrome. Grr. I'll try to get something up after work.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Good idea. Complied the whole preview last year but was too much work to do it again.

Ill take a shot at it. Would be nice to see everyone participate in this.

West

1. Anaheim Ducks - Solid all over the place Big Fail
2. Minnesota Wild - Goaltending an issue but strong everywhere elseJust fighting for a spot
3. Chicago Blackhawks - Bryzgalov will have a huge year Outside looking in
4. San Jose Sharks - Re-vamped nicely, should be much better +1, Success
5. LA Kings - Lotsa changes, not as strong as last year -1 Success
6. Dallas Stars - Keep getting better Oh boy
7. Edmonton Oilers - Marty will get them in and probably win the cup +2 Success
8. St.Louis Blues - Good enough to sneak in Way better then I thought
9. Columbus Blue Jackets - More trades but fall just short Success
10. Colorado Avalanche - Decent team but not good enough defence Good job Patricia
11. Detroit Red Wings - Not better than last year Told you
12. Calgary Flames - Rode Ward last year, can't repeat imo Hanging in
13. Nashville Predators - Rebuilding, but some good pieces Putting up a fight
14. Phoenix Coyotes - Some nice young pieces but ways away Sim + Phx = Love Forever
15. Vancouver Canucks - Could be a long year in Van City Almost perfection

EAST

1. Pittsburgh Penguins - The year they put it all together Fail! Goffie, maybe the newborn brings you CPHL luck
2. Montreal Canadiens - Champions still strong all over the place Success
3. Philadelphia Flyers - I think I have a decent team +2 Success
4. Ottawa Senators - Led by the Staals, under-rated team Failure, dunno why though
5. Buffalo Sabres - Giguerre last year before rask takes over, good enough +1 Success
6. Washington Capitals - They always make the playoffs -2 Make it again?
7. Atlanta Thrashers - They always make the playoffs too Made it again
8. Carolina Hurricanes - Another under-rated team who keep getting better Fail, Its been a collapse
9. New York Rangers - Could be in the playoffs with couple bounces Got couple bounces and are in
10. Toronto Maple Leafs - They don't have enough talent I was being nice to Rob, turrible team lol
11. New York Islanders - Got Lundqvist, who should add to victory total from last year Fail, Lundy added lots of wins and into the playoffs
12. Boston Bruins - Some more talent but not good enough Fail
13. Florida Panthers - Long year in Florida -2 Success
14. New Jersey Devils - The rebuild continues Got the missing playoffs part right
15. Tampa Bay Lightning - Even longer year in Tampa Wasn't as long but still looong

*****The standings are based on total points not division seatings.*****

So I'll get about 10-11 teams right for my playoff prediction....Pit, Ott, Chi missing was not foreseeable though...