Working on a story ... pick me 5 cup contenders for this year

[Mony]

Voted Pens, Kings, Bolts, Hawks, Caps

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Interesting so far: consensus picks seem to be Penguins, Capitals, Blackhawks, Lightning.

The next 4 are in order: Stars, Sharks, Kings, Predators.

I would probably have those 4 in the exact opposite order (flip-flopping between Kings and Preds a little still).

[Robbob]

I really wanted to pick the Stars but their goal-tending needs to improve.

[the2bears]

Count me in the group that's not convinced about the Sharks. A year before their final run they were outside looking in. I think last year was a bit of a dead cat bounce. New coach as mentioned, timely goaltending, and some other factors. Don't see them getting all that again.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Robbob

I really wanted to pick the Stars but their goal-tending needs to improve.

They finished atop the Western Conference with mediocre goaltending last year. I think the additions of Hudler and Hamhuis make them a little better than last season. If their goaltenders improve just a little over last season it's hard to imagine them not being a team in the range of 98-110 points.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

They finished atop the Western Conference with mediocre goaltending last year. I think the additions of Hudler and Hamhuis make them a little better than last season. If their goaltenders improve just a little over last season it's hard to imagine them not being a team in the range of 98-110 points.

Aren't we talking about Cup contenders here? It doesn't matter how much better the Stars are up front, and I don't think Hamhuis provides NEARLY enough to help overcome the glaring weakness here: They will not go far in the playoffs with that group of goaltenders.

[Bingo]

So who doesn't love a good three page discussion on something other than the Gaudreau contract!?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Aren't we talking about Cup contenders here? It doesn't matter how much better the Stars are up front, and I don't think Hamhuis provides NEARLY enough to help overcome the glaring weakness here: They will not go far in the playoffs with that group of goaltenders.

Well without Seguin they took the Blues to game 7 of the 2nd round and I'm inclined to believe with him they would have won that series and posdibly beaten the Sharks so yes I believe they have a chance even with that goaltending. They aren't my favorite but I had to pick 5 teams and I like their chances better than any of the teams I didn't pick.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

So, why the hell are the Canadiens on this list?

Because Carey Price is healthy.

[bcneil]

This is a cool poll. People have to "get" why only some teams are listed to appreciate it.

[gilligans_off]

A lot of love for the Stars. I just don't see how their goaltending and backend can push them past a true contender.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by habernac

Because Carey Price is healthy.

That is a silly reason to include them in a list of possible "cup contenders." Carey Price on his own gets a bad team into the playoffs, and the Canadiens are a bad team.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

That is a silly reason to include them in a list of possible "cup contenders." Carey Price on his own gets a bad team into the playoffs, and the Canadiens are a bad team.

True, but they have a better makeup than last year. Just not good enough. Top 2 centers are too small, and they don't have much on the wings. Their bottom 6 is not good enough. Decent defense, but not great. They're a playoff team this year, I don't have much doubt about that, but nowhere near a cup contender.

[N26]

I also am not a believer in the Sharks and for most of the reasons stated above.

I think the East has a great chance to keep the cup this year with it's three clear favourites (Caps, Bolts & Pens). I like what the Panthers are up to and I haven't given up on the Islanders becoming an upper echelon team yet though I am less sure.

The West is clearly in transition with The Hawks, Ducks and Kings fading. They may have one more great year in them but I wouldn't be surprised if they don't. The Flames, Jets, Coyotes and Oilers (I guess them too...maybe...if they don't find a way to **** it up) are clearly on the rise and the Stars are a better goaltending situation away from true cup contender. I'm not sure which way the Blues are going and I'm not sold on the Preds forward group but they are good teams. I can see the West finishing somewhat similar to last year but by next year I expect it to be very different.

In the East other than the Rangers slide and a possible Flyers rise I don't see much change for a few years.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

The Preds are my darkhorse team to go to the Western Conference Finals.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

The Preds are my darkhorse team to go to the Western Conference Finals.

Not sure that they're even that much of a dark horse, honestly. Got better over the summer by adding Subban, they'll get a full season of Johansen, Forsberg another year older...

[N-E-B]

Personally I think Nashville is going to surprise people this year. They're going to be scary good.

[puckedoff]

So Bingo?! Whats the story?