Bleach Clean
Registered User
- Aug 9, 2006
- 27,076
- 6,688
Please explain why.
Goaltending still has the potential to be as good as it was last season.
Defense is a bit downgraded but younger.
Offense hasn't changed much, Kassian wasn't a big part of the team due to all the injuries he had. If Baertschi can step into a top 6 role effectively the Canucks could be better offensively.
Sharks haven't improved, Oilers still have unproven goalies and a patchwork defense to along with a forward group that has proven to be defensively inept. Flames made a step forward on paper, but are still young and I'm not sold on their offensive depth and goaltending. If Lucic finds his game the Kings could be a force but that's a big if, I really don't think the Kings are as good as people make them out to be anymore. Coyotes are still a mess.
The Canucks will still be a team in the hunt for the playoffs and in the mix with teams like the Flames, Sharks, and Kings.
The Kings and Sharks will be in the playoffs next year. They're underlying numbers belied their win/loss ratio. They will bounce back. Overall, SJS fixed two key holes by signing Martin and trading for Jones. LA swapped Williams for Lucic, essentially, but were much better than their record.
VAN didn't improve. Are arguably worse. They're in tough next year.