Stars99Lobo37
Registered User
Not Calgary, but yes I do believe the other 3 could easily finish ahead of Dallas. They'll all be in the same mix IMO though. I doubt any of them blow Dallas away in points this year. Although ... I'm pretty stunned you'd mention Vancouver in this group. They still have a top goaltender, and they didn't lose any major pieces on defense or in the forward group.
Phoenix is typically plays a great team game, and I'm actually concerned that now they don't have crazy potential relocation looming they could blow up. Plus, I don't know that a team added a more perfect free agent. Ribs is what they've needed for years.
Edmonton is going to put it together very soon, and I'd put some money on next year being the last growing pains year. I doubt they'll make the playoffs. I'm betting that SJ, LA, ANA, VAN, and PHX get in, but they'll be in that group the following season.
I mentioned Vancouver just because I see them regressing each year. I think their window is closing if not already. Having to play SJ/LA/ANA more instead of having to play CGY/EDM/COL/MIN, will hurt them significantly. I do think Edmonton is on the upside, but Vancouver and Calgary decline.
I see nothing that Phoenix has that prevents Dallas from finishing above them. Mike Smith's one year isn't enough to prove to me that he can be a great goaltender. I think Ribeiro will help them and we'll definitely be fighting with them for a playoff spot if it comes down to #4/#5 position.
That's not to say Vancouver/Phoenix won't finish above us. I just think in Vancouver/Calgary/Edmonton's case, that playing the three California teams more often than they have will play a bigger factor into things. Vancouver's division has been complete crap for years.