Name your top 5 and bottom 5 teams this year

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I don't think Arizona will be bottom 5 this year either. But how do you come to that conclusion with Ottawa? They are poised to be the worst team in a decade. I think Anaheim will probably finish 25 points ahead of them.

I think Ottawa's management and room know that so much of what has happened was beyond their control. I think it will be a rallying point for the team.

I also think that management will do an awful lot to avoid handing Colorado a top draft pick this season.

[Enoch Root]

What do you think Ottawa's management can do?

They can't attract players to come, as no one is going near that mess voluntarily. And they would be idiots to leverage the future by trading picks or prospects to try and support this year's team.

They are staring into the abyss here, and i just don't see what you think they can do about it.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Ive seen and heard more than a few people say this now, and I wonder if it's not a bit overstated.

Not saying they will be a powerhouse again, but getting their starting G back for a full season should have them fully in the mix IMO.

Last season with Crawford they were 16-9-2.

Without him they were 17-30-8.

I thought I heard Crawford was and is still dealing with concussion symptoms and wouldn’t be ready for the start of the season.

[SixtySix]

No order

Top 5

San Jose
Tampa Bay
Winnipeg
Washington
Boston

Bottom 5

Ottawa
Detroit
Edmonton
NY Islanders
Montreal

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I don't think Arizona will be bottom 5 this year either. But how do you come to that conclusion with Ottawa? They are poised to be the worst team in a decade. I think Anaheim will probably finish 25 points ahead of them.

Ottawa cant tank

They dont have their pick

It seems very likely they end up moving duchesne and stone because i dont see either staying, but i bet dorion trades them for pieces that can play now with lower upside, not any elite futures

I don't think ottawa really crumbles until next season, they are going to scratch and claw their way to like 24th overall and pray the avs dont win the lottery

[Bourque's Twin]

Tampa
San Jose
Winnipeg
Calgary
Pittsburgh

Vegas
Vancouver
Ottawa
Montreal
Phoenix

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Rumours of the hawks' death are greatly exaggerated IMO.

Out of curiosity, why do you think Columbus is going to be so good?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by heep223

Out of curiosity, why do you think Columbus is going to be so good?

Just a feeling really. The franchise has seemed cursed. They have lots of great players, but every year something gets in the way and it doesn't come together the way it should.

I think this year the pieces all fit into place and Columbus hits their stride.

But history says I'll be dead wrong on that.

[Macindoc]

Lightning
Bruins
Leafs
Jets
Sharks

Senators
Canucks
Islanders
Habs
Devils

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by d_phaneuf

Ottawa cant tank

They dont have their pick

It seems very likely they end up moving duchesne and stone because i dont see either staying, but i bet dorion trades them for pieces that can play now with lower upside, not any elite futures

I don't think ottawa really crumbles until next season, they are going to scratch and claw their way to like 24th overall and pray the avs dont win the lottery

No, they can't.

But they don't have to - they are going to be the worst team in the league anyway. And they have a massive cloud over their heads. They aren't going to tank to the bottom, they are simply going to be terrible. And there is nothing management can do about it.

I hope I am wrong. I don't want to see them be this inept (unlike the Oilers and Nucks). But I fear the worst this year.

[PegCityFlamesFan]

It's pretty rough I assume being a Sens and Habs fan right now. They're management or owners in Ottawas case seem like they have no clear vision.

I would have thrown Edmonton into there to but they're used to being the ugly bridesmaid come November.

[agulati]

Top 5:
1. Tampa
2. Winnipeg
3. Boston
4. Nashville
5. San Jose


Hon. Mentions - Toronto and Washington


Bottom 5
27. NY Rangers
28. Montreal
29. Detroit
30. Vancouver
31. Ottawa

Hon. Mentions - Carolina

I see Boston doing well this year and competing with Tampa for the best team in the east. I see Carolina doing badly due to goaltending issues and a meddling owner.

[BigSmoke]

Top 5:
Toronto
Tampa
St.Louis
Winnipeg
Nashville

Bottom:
Ottawa
Las Vegas
Vancouver
Montreal
Islanders

[Young_Guns]

Top
1. San Jose Sharks
2. Washington Capitals
3. Pittsburgh Penguins
4. Winnipeg Jets
5. Toronto Maple Leafs

Bottom
1. Ottawa Senators
2. Arizona Coyotes
3. Montreal Canadiens
4. Vancouver Canucks
5. Vegas Golden Knights

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I am occassionally seeing Vegas listed on the bottom. That's purely wishful thinking. They made the cup final with a roster that saw a few pieces leave, but replaced with better pieces in Stastny and Pacioretty. That team will still be very good. Maybe not top of the division, but a force to be reckoned with.

[BigSmoke]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I am occassionally seeing Vegas listed on the bottom. That's purely wishful thinking. They made the cup final with a roster that saw a few pieces leave, but replaced with better pieces in Stastny and Pacioretty. That team will still be very good. Maybe not top of the division, but a force to be reckoned with.

The thing is, they had so many guys have career years it is doubtful those same players will be the same.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by BigSmoke

The thing is, they had so many guys have career years it is doubtful those same players will be the same.

Well, sure. But I am highly sceptical that is enough to drop them all the way down to the bottom five. Vegas is legitimately a Division contender along with SJ, Calgary, Anaheim and possibly LA. They will almost certainly finish top-four in the Pacific.