This is where it gets super tricky. I think last year calling out the favorites was much more evident. Washington to repeat. Pitt 3 in 4. Tampa with great roster. SJ with Karlsson addition. etc. But this year:
Pitt - well, they now lost out on 2 cups in a row, so does the back to back even matter 3 years later? Round 1 sweep doesn't help
Washington - well, they looked good all year, played great in round 1 but.... still lost. Are we back to a playoff choker after the 1 cup year? Not sure if they're #2 favorites
Blues - Great run - but there's nothing necessarily spectacular about this team. A lot of the favorites fell early in playoffs last year. Can they repeat? Don't think they're #2. Maybe...
Boston - They're in same division as Tampa (and even Tor) which is a problem. They're a bit older. I don't know that I see this team repeating a final berth back to back, something that almost never happens
Nashville - They did bad again in playoffs last year. They lost Subban too - still a good D, but best in league? Don't think so anymore
Then you have some younger teams with exciting cores, but all of those are full of questions too:
Colorado - a lot of what they're doing is promising - but does that mean they'll reach the cup this year? Seems a bit early for them
Toronto - Great young core and tons of potential but they've yet to even make it past round 1. Are they all of a sudden going all the way to cup? Tampa/Boston in their division too
Calgary - Great season, horrible showing in playoffs. One hit wonder, or can they repeat and do better?
Winnipeg - Disappointing season. Are they still a young core going for cup?
None of these really jump out at me above another. I think i'll vote for San Jose, simply because they're in the West, and because i think a healthy Karlsson could do really well with them.
I think it's completely wide open this season.
