Predict the pacific

[CaptainCrunch]

I guess its time to start some prediction games. I mean with the start of the regular season two days hence.

I think we should just start with the division that we know and love.

1) Anaheim - I'd like to bet against them, but they still have one of the top bluelines in the game. They still have a nasty forward group to play with and they do have some injury issues that could really hurt them in terms of Kesler, Vatanen and Lindholm who are still a ways away.

2) Calgary - Coming in to the season healthy. The addition of Hamonic bolsters a blueline that was top heavy before. Jagr being added late should help the power play and provide some secondary scoring, but RW scoring as to be a concern. This teams success comes down to goaltending, if they get average or above goaltending without a lot of bad goals against this team is a strong competitor for top spot in the pacific.

3) San Jose - Call them a dark horse, but they still have a tremendous amount of talent all over the ice and Jones is a goaltender that can shoulder the lead. they have a decent blueline and the loss of Marleau should make them slightly less deadly up front but still strong.

4) Edmonton - I know, I know, I'm a anti-Oilers homer, but I've learned to live with it. With the demotion of JP the Oilers have stacked their top line, but their bottom 9 forwards aren't awe inspiring. They have some nice pieces on the blueline but Sekera being gone til after Christmas means that Russell and Nurse and Benning are going to have to eat more minutes. Can Talbot replicate his superman effort from last year?

5) Arizona - Has some nice young talent, Stephan should help their forward group as well. Their defense should move the puck fairly well, but this all comes down to Raanta carrying the load and seeing a lot of shots against. Young teams make a lot of mistakes and they count heavily on their goaltenders to bail them out. Not there yet, but maybe on the rise.

6) LA Kings - This team didn't do a great job of addressing their scoring needs int he off season and at its core this is an older slower team. Quick can hold the fort for them, but I think the slide is on and a rebuild is coming.

7) Vancouver - Will be horrendous, I'm not even sure of what they're plan is anymore. Are they rebuilding, are they a retirement home for older players?. Boeser and Horvat are the future of this team but its not enough, their goaltending duo looks suspect.

8) Vegas - Cool name, bad team, welcome to the NHL boys, make sure you check your teeth after every game.

[Locke]

I think the US Marines will defeat the Japanese after a prolonged Campaign.

[kukkudo]

1) Anaheim
2) Calgary
3) Edmonton
4) San Jose
5) Los Angeles
6) Arizona
7) Vancouver
8) Vegas

[The Fonz]

1 Edmonton
2 Calgary
3 Anaheim
4 San Jose
5 LA
6 Arizona
7 Vancouver
8 Vegas

Unless 1 of McDavid, Draisaitl, or Talbot gets injured, I expect the Oilers to be at the top.

If Smith puts up a respectable season (sv% >.915%), we'll be right in the mix for the top spot as well.

Anaheim isn't deep enough to play without Kesler, Lindholm, and Vatanen, as well, let's remember they lost Theodore & Stoner in the expansion draft. They'll be in wildcard territory I'm thinking.

[N-E-B]

Anaheim
Calgary
San Jose
Los Angeles
Arizona
Vegas
Vancouver
Edmonton

(but seriously I'd put Edmonton 3rd and MAYBE Vancouver ahead of Vegas)

[The Fonz]

Anaheim's top 4 to start the season will be

Fowler Bieksa
Beauchemin Manson

That is really, really bad. If Lindholm & Vatanen don't return until after Christmas... I wouldn't be shocked to see Anaheim miss the playoffs altogether.

[Ruttiger]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Anaheim's top 4 to start the season will be

Fowler Bieksa
Beauchemin Manson

That is really, really bad. If Lindholm & Vatanen don't return until after Christmas... I wouldn't be shocked to see Anaheim miss the playoffs altogether.

But the obvious larger question is will Calgary win there this year?

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by Ruttiger

But the obvious larger question is will Calgary win there this year?

They could have Aki Berg and Jyrki Lumme as their 1st pairing, and I still doubt that Calgary wins in the Honda Center.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Ruttiger

But the obvious larger question is will Calgary win there this year?

We have Jagr now, if he cant score the GWG in Anaheim at some point we're just going to have to burn that Godforsaken arena to the ground.

Actually, either way, burning the place to the ground is a good idea. Have you ever been there? People complain about the 'Dome but the Honda Centre is a genuine hell-hole. And its relatively new.

[Love]

1) Calgary
2) Anaheim
3) Edmonton
4) San Jose
5) Arizona
6) LA
7) Vancouver
8) Vegas

[Erick Estrada]

1) Anaheim
2) Edmonton
3) Calgary
4) LA
5) San Jose
6) Arizona
7) Vancouver
8) LV

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Locke

I think the US Marines will defeat the Japanese after a prolonged Campaign.

I wanted to thank you for this, I think we all need a good laugh today.

[TheIronMaiden]

1) Anaheim, still the best, with good young players in key positions
2) Calgary, a better start helps propel a better season.
3) San Jose, still a solid team with solid goal tending they find a way again.
4) LA, a full season of quick and a better performance from kopitar goes a long way.
5) Edmonton, their lack of defence is exploited, some of the games they lost in overtime last year don't make it that far this year.
6) Arizona, who cares.
7) Vancouver, no good.
8) Vegas, toilet bowl champs.

[Weitz]

Anaheim
Edmonton
Calgary

No other playoff teams.

[dissentowner]

Are people who are picking Anaheim to win the Pacific forgetting they are starting the year with no Vatanen, Lindholm, and won't have Kesler until the new year? The Pacific is a two horse race between the Alberta teams. I think Arizona, Anaheim, SJ, and LA all have a decent shot at #3.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Are people who are picking Anaheim to win the Pacific forgetting they are starting the year with no Vatanen, Lindholm, and won't have Kesler until the new year? The Pacific is a two horse race between the Alberta teams. I think Arizona, Anaheim, SJ, and LA all have a decent shot at #3.

The injuries hurt but the Ducks seem to start slow anyway and end up winning the division. Until they finally lose their grip on the division I’m not going to bet against them.

[Brick]

Calgary
Anaheim
Edmonton

[djsFlames]

Anaheim would be a shoe in for 1st but they're starting out at a disadvantage. They will bleed points because of it.

I think it's a tossup between

Calgary
Edmonton
Anaheim
SJ

and

Edmonton
Calgary
Anaheim
SJ

Would be delighted to see Edmonton further down that list though.

[Spinach]

Edmonton (ugh)
Anaheim (they'd win the division if not for key injuries)
Flames
SJ
LA
ARI
VAN
LV

[bubbsy]

Oilers, Ducks are sure shot division position playoff teams

I think the flames, sharks, and coyotes (my darkhorse team for the west) will be fighting for the last division playoff spot and for 1 WC spot.

I think the Canucks/Kings will do better than anticipated by likely just outside the playoff picture.

LV will be a lottery team.