I just did the east, I haven't seen enough of many of the western teams to make an educated guess. Wings, Hawks, Sharks, Blues, Ducks, Flames, Canucks, are in, I can't decide who would get the last spot.
I don't know about making a guess. I'm usually way off with these things.
I do feel though that the Leafs are going to really struggle this season (and I'm not just saying that because I hate them). With big changes like the ones that were made, there is going to be very little chemistry. As much as I know we'd like to forget, the Bruins made a ton of changes just before the lockout and shook the team up resulting in a horrible chemistry and they really struggled to bounce back.
In fact, I'm going to go way out on a limb here and say that Tampa will finish ahead of them.
I don't know about making a guess. I'm usually way off with these things.
I do feel though that the Leafs are going to really struggle this season (and I'm not just saying that because I hate them). With big changes like the ones that were made, there is going to be very little chemistry. As much as I know we'd like to forget, the Bruins made a ton of changes just before the lockout and shook the team up resulting in a horrible chemistry and they really struggled to bounce back.
In fact, I'm going to go way out on a limb here and say that Tampa will finish ahead of them.
Agree with toronto- they wont be any better than last year.. Kessel aint gonna magically make that team a playoff team.. maybe if they got crosby and malkin they would slip into the 8th spot. they will be playing shorthanded alot this year.
The only way I see MTL not making the playoffs is lack of chemistry for the first half of the season and Price under-performing. But that will not happen
The only way I see MTL not making the playoffs is lack of chemistry for the first half of the season and Price under-performing. But that will not happen
the thing is though losing Kovalev and Koviu their main top players, and adding Gionta, a smaller 5'7 player, the thing they need is bigger players more like 5'11-6'3 and Price needs more practice, if Price gets more practice i think he can handle taking his team deeper in the playoffs, because he almost lost in 2008 and in 2009 he was crappy all 4 games. made some saves that looked great, but he needs more clutch consistancy in the playoffs. in the regular season he looks fine, under tense pressure though? he is a bit off, but he is young, and not at his potential yet. give him time he will be a nice goalie taking the Habs deeper in the playoffs.
best case scenario Montreal is a laughing stock and Toronto is a bottom lagger and we get a good pick
Heh, I'll admit I'm a bit biased but I think Montreal will struggle for the first month or two due to a lack of chemistry and be caught playing catch up throughout the rest of the season while I think Tampa and Atlanta will surprise a lot of people. Ottawa finished strong last season and will likely continue this season (although losing Heatley is a bit of a question mark but I think Michalek will do well along with Cheechoo probably improving). Buffalo I think will finish around the same and Montreal will just be behind them. Toronto? Way too many question marks as well, not expecting them to do much until they prove otherwise.
Pronger is going to be a huge loss for Anaheim, but they still have a top 5 D man in Niedermeyer, and their O is very well rounded, but they could definitely take a hit in the standings, losing Beuachemin too. NJ just doesn't seem to fluctuate in the standings ever though, nomatter what happens they always finish about the same, I don't think losing Gionta is going to be the piece that finally knocks them down.
Pronger is going to be a huge loss for Anaheim, but they still have a top 5 D man in Niedermeyer, and their O is very well rounded, but they could definitely take a hit in the standings, losing Beuachemin too. NJ just doesn't seem to fluctuate in the standings ever though, nomatter what happens they always finish about the same, I don't think losing Gionta is going to be the piece that finally knocks them down.
Nieds is getting older, and I'm not sure if he has the same ability or will. Don't think I liked what I saw from him for most of last year. I do like some of the pieces that the Ducks have though.
NJ like to win 2-1, and that will be especially true under Lemaire, but losing a goal scorer like Gionta will hurt. Where will that extra goal come from?
The league is pretty competitive these days, and it's a fragile balance where a team finishes.
1) Capitals - 114 (They can flat out score the puck a lot. I expect them to stop it decently, too.)
2) Penguins - 110 (Just a good team.)
3) Bruins - 106 (They seem built for the playoffs. Need someone to play with Wides IMO.)
4) Flyers - 103 (That D + depth = very good team with 'meh' goalies.)
5) Devils - 97 (I feel they belong in 7th but Marty lifts you 2 spots )
6) Senators - 93 (I think they are building a better team than people realize.)
7) Hurricanes -92 (Easily shoot up in the standing if Ward is consistent all year.)
8) Rangers- 90 (Decent team that wonders when Gaborik's coming back. I do wish him well though.)
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9) Habs - 88 (Chemistry AND size are large obstacles. They are talented though)
10) Sabres - 86
11) Maple Leafs - 83 (I'm expecting Burke to move Kaberle for some of those picks he lost)
12) Panthers - 82
13) Lightning -80
14) Thrashers - 80
15) Islanders - 74 (They could get good all of a sudden when Hall gets here. Nice foundation forming.)
Look at those playoff match-ups!
- Ovy on Broadway...Gaborik's chance to show how nasty he really is!
- Pens vs Carolina...re-matches are always fun.
- B's vs Ottawa...They'll boo Z, we'll be Kovy
- Philly vs NJ...Self-explanatory. Philly's weakness is NJ's strength.
If we stay healthy and someone steps up and TAKES (Hi Andrew, stay/get healthy please) that #4 d-spot, I have us going to the finals!
Nieds is getting older, and I'm not sure if he has the same ability or will. Don't think I liked what I saw from him for most of last year. I do like some of the pieces that the Ducks have though.
NJ like to win 2-1, and that will be especially true under Lemaire, but losing a goal scorer like Gionta will hurt. Where will that extra goal come from?
The league is pretty competitive these days, and it's a fragile balance where a team finishes.
The Ducks blueline is definitely a huge question mark, I just don't see it as bottom 4 in the west bad, but it could definitely be the anchor on their season.
Gionta had only 20 goals last year, and while that will certainly be missed a bit, I don't think he was anywhere close to being a driving force in that O. At the same time like you said they are always winning really close games, walking a really tight line, and if any team is capable of just falling apart over seemingly nothing I suppose they would be the ones to do it.
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