BurntToast
Registered User
There are 4 teams that form the guranteed spots in the east and are a step above everyone else.
Pitt, Florida, Tampa, Washington.
Those 4 are getting in and contending barring injury issues.
Everyone else is a step down but don't really have much seperation between them right now.
Anyone of Rags, Isles, Devils, Boston, Montreal, Buffalo, Detroit, Columbus, Ottawa, Philly could finish between 5th and 13th in the conference.
Some have better odds than others (team like Ottawa more likely to be closer to 13) but there won't be a ton of seperation here.
Can't realistically guranteed the Rags a spot. They have not improved a meh team from last year. Their D is another year older (and slower) and Henry is getting older too. They will still
Have issues scoring as well.
There are a number of match up headaches in the Metro alone for them that could see them pushed out. Speed is that team's kryptonite and there are a number of speedy teams in this division.
Honestly no team is a lock. Using that logic Caps should of been a lock to win the cup for a few years. Canadians started the season like a bat out of hell, and the Pens were struggling to stay even before they went in opposite directions. I feel both Florida teams are overrated, but the Panthers made a few moves this offseason to keep them going in the right direction.