Nobody expects this team to be a Cup contender, but they are certainly better than a bottom 5 team unless they get crap luck with injuries again and the goaltending doesn't improve. They are almost by definition middle of the pack because they are top heavy with EK, Burns, Hertl, Couture, Kane, and Meier and as of right now, can't expect too much scoring production out of the bottom 6 and there are big question marks with the D outside 88 and 65. But don't be surprised if things go much smoother, especially if Boughner and his staff can sort out the defensive structure and utilize EK better.
