How low can Florida finish this year?

[BenchBrawl]

Realistically, how low can they finish in the standings?

We should have a dedicated thread to cheer for each and every one of their losses this year.

Click to read more...

 

[NotProkofievian]

Technically, 32nd.

 

[BenchBrawl]

Technically, 32nd.

I said realistically, not technically. But thanks

 

[hardcorehabs]

I would say 66% chance they are winning the division. And 90% chance they are finishing 2 or 3 in the Atlantic. And 98% chance they are at least a wildcard team.

If Barkov & Ekblad both go down with season ending injuries, there’s your 2% chance they miss the playoffs.

Some will point to Vegas, but Lehner was hurt all year. And they had major injuries to Stone, Eichel, Patch. Vegas almost certainly makes the playoffs this year.

 

[Rob Sense]

they are making the playoffs

 

[Ezpz]

We should play very physical against them. Just dress AHL goons any time we face them.

 

[calder candidate]

Unless there are significant amount off injuries, they are making the play off, the best thing that could happen would by wild card + 1st or 2nd round exit thta way the don't move up.

 

[RationalExpectations]

I think the East is going to be a blood bath. A lot depends on PIT WSH NYI BOS during the offseason. I think NJD OTT PHI really want to contend and were disappointed last season. They will get better. CBJ, BUF and DET want to step up, even though BUF at least should remain a non playoff team. MTL is the only clear rebuilding team in the East. When you have 13/14 teams wanting to get into playoff contention, there is a level of randomness not to be underestimated.

I would not bet on them missing the playoffs but I would not bet on them winning the division for sure.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Somebody needs to call Tonya Harding's ex-bodyguard (if he's out of prison!)

 

[Deebs]

Realistically, how low can they finish in the standings?

We should have a dedicated thread to cheer for each and every one of their losses this year.

They'll be top 15 in the league at minimum.

 

[WeThreeKings]

A pick in the teens is probably the best case scenario for us here.. but most likely they finish 3rd in the Atlantic behind Leafs and TB.

 

[Scotianhab]

Bos & TB will both be taking steps back imo. I think Fla will be fighting for 1st in the division again.

 

[HostileCapSpace]

Florida is pretty low - a prime target for climate change.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Not enough to really help us I'm afraid, unless the panthers get hit hard by the injury bug. Stranger things have happened though, you never know for sure.

 

[Canadiens98]

I'd think they're a lock to at least finish in the top 3 spots in our division..

However,
Our div is actually really strong. I can see the Leafs + Bolts finish ahead of the Panthers and then can 1 of the Bruins/Sens/RedWings/Sabres beat them to 3rd?


Probably not, but crazier things have happened. I think the Sens are going to take a big step forward this year but likely not big enough to finish ahead of Florida.


I think they'll finish 2nd or 3rd in the Atlantic.

 

[Sterling Archer]

I find Florida is historically a hit and miss club. They have a great year or two followed by bad years. If their goaltending falters, which it easily could, they may be in trouble. Especially with an expected arms race that happening in the East, Philly, Ottawa, NJ look to be a lot better this year. Carolina, Tampa will continue to be playoff teams and then the usually suspects if Washington, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Boston and Rangers who should all be playoff teams.

East is going to be right this year with very good teams and bad teams but few in the middle.

 

[Seb]

Hopefully low enough that they win the lottery

 

[Canadienna]

Banking on Paul Maurice to lose the room.

Also they have some cap issues, will be interesting to see who gets left out and what their lines look like.

I'd say it's unlikely but not impossible they finaih outside the playoffs.

 

[NeptunesTrident]

I’d be shocked if they missed the playoffs. A very deep team. But if Bob struggles and Knight isn’t ready it could come apart quickly. I’d be ecstatic with a Top 20 pick.

 

[Habsrule]

They are a tough one for me to predict. The obvious answer is that they will be great again this year. They have a roster that can score goals at will.

On the other hand I always get a little skeptical of a team when pretty much every player has a career year at the same time. Is it the start of something special or will they fall back down to earth again because they caught lightning in a bottle.

 

[Team_Spirit]

To the window
To the wall

Seriously they have studs at all positions and are deep upfront. Top 10

 

[MarkovsKnee]

We need their goaltending to suck, so hopefully Bob is pissed at all these trade rumours, and sucks terribly due to lack of confidence, and Knight isn't ready. Nothing kills a team faster than bad goaltending.

Still, they have the offense to overcome poor goaltending; however their coach is Paul Maurice who coaches teams to mediocrity.

Hoping for a top 20 pick (basically 20th), which would put them 4th in Atlantic/8th in East, which is where Washington landed.

Atlantic should be stronger next year. It was top heavy last season, but Ottawa, Buffalo, Detroit and even Montreal should all be stronger, so I don't expect the big 3 to pick up as many points. It'll all depend on how much stronger bottom of Atlantic really is.

 

[HostileCapSpace]

Forgot Huberdeau was a free agent at the end of the year. I'm sure no one on social media is going to suggest that the Habs should sign him

 

[HuGo Sham]

best case scenario? that pick falls to us at around 20th. Unless Florida breaks off into the ocean because of climate crisis and they're forced to play their home games in Arkansas

 

[HespelerGreenFlash]

Banking on Paul Maurice to lose the room.

Also they have some cap issues, will be interesting to see who gets left out and what their lines look like.

I'd say it's unlikely but not impossible they finaih outside the playoffs.

The likelihood of Florida missing he playoffs is equal to the likelihood of the Habs making the playoffs