For reference: 247 puts us at tied for 6th with Columbus last year.
Now, assuming the slashing and faceoffs thing boosts scoring this year (I think it will), that probably is more around league average (14-18) this year.
Not agreeing/disagreeing, just giving a point of reference.
Right, I think most of these predictions (like my own) was with the assumption everyone is healthy and plays a full season, which isn't going to happen, which is why my totals added up to 251, but I voted that it will be closer to 240, which is lower than the individual numbers. Of course, if somone critical like Skinner gets hurt, the numbers will be way less.
Even 240 puts the Canes in the top 10 based on last year, and is a 28 goal improvement from 2016/17, but I think the league as a whole will score more meaning they still likely will only be middle of the pack even if they score that many. I am factoring in the following:
1) The slashing/faceoff thing you mentioned above. Even if the league lets off later on in the season and/or players adust, they will be calling more penalties early in the season. Maybe that accounts for 5 more goals for the Canes, maybe 10, but I think there will be more scoring league wide due to that.
2) The addition of Williams and the maturation of guys like Aho and TT "should" increase overall goal scoring for the Canes.
3) Our defense, top to bottom should be much better at moving the puck up the ice quickly allowing the team to generate more offense. Even the 3rd pairing now has a couple of guys that are mobile and can move the puck.
4) The league is slightly more watered down this year with the addition of Vegas. Yeah, that's not much but there are 18 more skaters, 1 goalie and 1 back-up across the NHL that would not have have been playing last year. That's going to lead to more scoring, even if it's a minor bump.
5) The Canes are going to be a much better team this year so other teams are going to have to pull their goalie more often to try and score a late goal so I see the Canes getting more empty net goals this year.
If the Canes only move up to 220 goals (from last year's 212) with all those factors, I consider that a big disappointment. If they move up to 230+ and are still 20th in the league in scoring, I'll be mildly disappointed.
Admittedly though, 240 is still on the optimistic side.
