HFOil Voting Thread (MATCHUPS IN POLLS SECTION)
- Thread starter Joey Moss
- Start date
Black Noise
Flavourtown
McMozesmadness
5-14-6-1
Paralyzer008
Registered User
- Jan 30, 2008
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AK Dandyman
Registered User
- Sep 12, 2008
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ChaoticOrange
Registered User
Joey Moss
Registered User
- Aug 29, 2008
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Below are the teams and every vote they received from 1-15 in each conference. Received 16 votes.
PACIFIC DIVISION:
Anaheim - 9, 5, 1, 1, 6, 1, 4, 2, 1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 1, 5, 2 = 2.938
Arizona - 12, 4, 2, 2, 5, 6, 5, 1, 6, 4, 10, 11, 9, 8, 11, 7 = 6.438
Calgary - 2, 8, 13, 13, 8, 12, 11, 13, 12, 13, 11, 13, 7, 12, 12, 11 = 10.688
Edmonton - 11, 1, 6, 6, 7, 4, 7, 12, 4, 6, 3, 4, 2, 3, 10, 4 = 5.625
Los Angeles - 10, 10, 8, 8, 14, 10, 12, 8, 10, 10, 8, 8, 12, 11, 3, 9 = 9.438
San Jose - 5, 9, 7, 7, 1, 9, 8, 4, 9, 8, 12, 9, 8, 2, 1, 8 = 6.688
Vancouver - 6, 11, 3, 3, 4, 7, 1, 5, 7, 5, 4, 10, 10, 9, 4, 12 = 6.313
Vegas - 1, 2, 4, 5, 13, 3, 3, 9, 3, 2, 7, 5, 6, 10, 2, 1 = 4.75
CENTRAL DIVISION:
Chicago - 4, 7, 9, 9, 12, 8, 10, 8, 7, 9, 2, 5, 7, 8, 6, 6 = 7.313
Colorado - 13, 15, 14, 14, 9, 13, 14, 15, 15, 14, 15, 15, 14, 14, 15, 14 = 13.875
Dallas - 7, 6, 12, 12, 3, 14, 9, 3, 13, 9, 5, 1, 1, 6, 7, 10 = 7.375
Minnesota - 8, 13, 5, 4, 2, 2, 2, 10, 2, 3, 1, 12, 11, 5, 3 = 5.188
Nashville - 3, 3, 10, 10, 10, 5, 6, 11, 5, 11, 6, 6, 4, 4, 14, 5 = 7.063
St. Louis - 15, 14, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 14, 14, 15, 14, 14, 15, 15, 13, 15 = 14.563
Winnipeg - 14, 12, 11, 11, 11, 11, 13, 6, 11, 12, 13, 7, 13, 13, 9, 13 = 11.25
EAST
Boston - 11, 11, 8, 2, 9, 13, 2, 6, 13, 5, 5, 2, 15, 3, 1, 1 = 6.688
Buffalo - 8, 9, 3, 3, 1, 5, 10, 12, 5, 8, 10, 7, 4, 14, 11, 9 = 7.438
Detroit - 5, 3, 10, 9, 4, 9, 5, 6, 2, 7, 9, 11, 2, 14, 15, 5, 7 = 7.375
Florida - 14, 4, 9, 10, 14, 6, 11, 14, 8, 4, 13, 15, 13, 2, 10, 15 = 10.125
Montreal - 12, 10, 4, 8, 11, 3, 8, 7, 3, 15, 15, 10, 14, 10, 12, 10 = 9.5
Ottawa - 15, 2, 14, 14, 5, 4, 7, 3, 4, 10, 7, 13, 2, 12, 2, 3 = 7.313
Tampa Bay - 4, 7, 6, 6, 13, 1, 9, 10, 1, 2, 1, 5, 11, 11, 3, 2 = 5.75
Toronto - 13, 14, 7, 7, 2, 11, 1, 5, 11, 6, 9, 8, 3, 1, 4, 8 = 6.875
Carolina - 10, 6, 12, 5, 12, 10, 12, 13, 10, 14, 14, 9, 1, 4, 8, 12 = 9.5
Columbus - 9, 13, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 13, 4, 11, 12, 13, 13, 13 = 12.875
New Jersey - 1, 12, 1, 1, 6, 2, 4, 4, 2, 7, 8, 4, 9, 8, 6, 4 = 4.938
New York R - 2, 1, 5, 4, 8, 7, 5, 8, 7, 1, 6, 7, 6, 6, 9, 6 = 5.5
Philadelphia - 6, 5, 13, 12, 3, 14, 13, 9, 14, 9, 12, 1, 8, 5, 15, 11 = 9.375
Pittsburgh - 3, 2, 8, 11, 7, 8, 3, 1, 6, 3, 3, 3, 7, 7, 7, 5 = 5.25
Washington - 7, 15, 11, 13, 10, 12, 14, 11, 12, 12, 11, 12, 10, 9, 14, 14 = 11.688
This means the rankings are..
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
1. Anaheim Ducks 2.938
2. Vegas Golden Knights 4.75
3. Edmonton Oilers 5.625
4. Vancouver Canucks 6.313 (WC1)
5. Arizona Coyotes 6.438 (WC2)
6. San Jose Sharks 6.688
7. Los Angeles Kings 9.438
8. Calgary Flames 10.688
1. Minnesota Wild 5.188
2. Nashville Predators 7.063
3. Chicago Blackhawks 7.313
4. Dallas Stars 7.375
5. Winnipeg Jets 11.25
6. Colorado Avalanche 13.875
7. St. Louis Blues 14.563
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
1. Tampa Bay Lightning 5.75
2. Boston Bruins 6.688
3. Toronto Maple Leafs 6.875
4. Ottawa Senators 7.313 (WC1)
5. Detroit Red Wings 7.375 (WC2)
6. Buffalo Sabres 7.438
7. Montreal Canadiens 7.5
8. Florida Panthers 10.125
1. New Jersey Devils 4.938
2. Pittsburgh Penguins 5.25
3. New York Rangers 5.5
4. Philadelphia Flyers 9.375
5. Carolina Hurricanes 9.5
6. Washington Capitals 11.688
7. Columbus Blue Jackets 12.875
ROUND 1 MATCHUPS:
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PACIFIC DIVISION:
Anaheim - 9, 5, 1, 1, 6, 1, 4, 2, 1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 1, 5, 2 = 2.938
Arizona - 12, 4, 2, 2, 5, 6, 5, 1, 6, 4, 10, 11, 9, 8, 11, 7 = 6.438
Calgary - 2, 8, 13, 13, 8, 12, 11, 13, 12, 13, 11, 13, 7, 12, 12, 11 = 10.688
Edmonton - 11, 1, 6, 6, 7, 4, 7, 12, 4, 6, 3, 4, 2, 3, 10, 4 = 5.625
Los Angeles - 10, 10, 8, 8, 14, 10, 12, 8, 10, 10, 8, 8, 12, 11, 3, 9 = 9.438
San Jose - 5, 9, 7, 7, 1, 9, 8, 4, 9, 8, 12, 9, 8, 2, 1, 8 = 6.688
Vancouver - 6, 11, 3, 3, 4, 7, 1, 5, 7, 5, 4, 10, 10, 9, 4, 12 = 6.313
Vegas - 1, 2, 4, 5, 13, 3, 3, 9, 3, 2, 7, 5, 6, 10, 2, 1 = 4.75
CENTRAL DIVISION:
Chicago - 4, 7, 9, 9, 12, 8, 10, 8, 7, 9, 2, 5, 7, 8, 6, 6 = 7.313
Colorado - 13, 15, 14, 14, 9, 13, 14, 15, 15, 14, 15, 15, 14, 14, 15, 14 = 13.875
Dallas - 7, 6, 12, 12, 3, 14, 9, 3, 13, 9, 5, 1, 1, 6, 7, 10 = 7.375
Minnesota - 8, 13, 5, 4, 2, 2, 2, 10, 2, 3, 1, 12, 11, 5, 3 = 5.188
Nashville - 3, 3, 10, 10, 10, 5, 6, 11, 5, 11, 6, 6, 4, 4, 14, 5 = 7.063
St. Louis - 15, 14, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 14, 14, 15, 14, 14, 15, 15, 13, 15 = 14.563
Winnipeg - 14, 12, 11, 11, 11, 11, 13, 6, 11, 12, 13, 7, 13, 13, 9, 13 = 11.25
EAST
Boston - 11, 11, 8, 2, 9, 13, 2, 6, 13, 5, 5, 2, 15, 3, 1, 1 = 6.688
Buffalo - 8, 9, 3, 3, 1, 5, 10, 12, 5, 8, 10, 7, 4, 14, 11, 9 = 7.438
Detroit - 5, 3, 10, 9, 4, 9, 5, 6, 2, 7, 9, 11, 2, 14, 15, 5, 7 = 7.375
Florida - 14, 4, 9, 10, 14, 6, 11, 14, 8, 4, 13, 15, 13, 2, 10, 15 = 10.125
Montreal - 12, 10, 4, 8, 11, 3, 8, 7, 3, 15, 15, 10, 14, 10, 12, 10 = 9.5
Ottawa - 15, 2, 14, 14, 5, 4, 7, 3, 4, 10, 7, 13, 2, 12, 2, 3 = 7.313
Tampa Bay - 4, 7, 6, 6, 13, 1, 9, 10, 1, 2, 1, 5, 11, 11, 3, 2 = 5.75
Toronto - 13, 14, 7, 7, 2, 11, 1, 5, 11, 6, 9, 8, 3, 1, 4, 8 = 6.875
Carolina - 10, 6, 12, 5, 12, 10, 12, 13, 10, 14, 14, 9, 1, 4, 8, 12 = 9.5
Columbus - 9, 13, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 13, 4, 11, 12, 13, 13, 13 = 12.875
New Jersey - 1, 12, 1, 1, 6, 2, 4, 4, 2, 7, 8, 4, 9, 8, 6, 4 = 4.938
New York R - 2, 1, 5, 4, 8, 7, 5, 8, 7, 1, 6, 7, 6, 6, 9, 6 = 5.5
Philadelphia - 6, 5, 13, 12, 3, 14, 13, 9, 14, 9, 12, 1, 8, 5, 15, 11 = 9.375
Pittsburgh - 3, 2, 8, 11, 7, 8, 3, 1, 6, 3, 3, 3, 7, 7, 7, 5 = 5.25
Washington - 7, 15, 11, 13, 10, 12, 14, 11, 12, 12, 11, 12, 10, 9, 14, 14 = 11.688
This means the rankings are..
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
1. Anaheim Ducks 2.938
2. Vegas Golden Knights 4.75
3. Edmonton Oilers 5.625
4. Vancouver Canucks 6.313 (WC1)
5. Arizona Coyotes 6.438 (WC2)
6. San Jose Sharks 6.688
7. Los Angeles Kings 9.438
8. Calgary Flames 10.688
1. Minnesota Wild 5.188
2. Nashville Predators 7.063
3. Chicago Blackhawks 7.313
4. Dallas Stars 7.375
5. Winnipeg Jets 11.25
6. Colorado Avalanche 13.875
7. St. Louis Blues 14.563
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
1. Tampa Bay Lightning 5.75
2. Boston Bruins 6.688
3. Toronto Maple Leafs 6.875
4. Ottawa Senators 7.313 (WC1)
5. Detroit Red Wings 7.375 (WC2)
6. Buffalo Sabres 7.438
7. Montreal Canadiens 7.5
8. Florida Panthers 10.125
1. New Jersey Devils 4.938
2. Pittsburgh Penguins 5.25
3. New York Rangers 5.5
4. Philadelphia Flyers 9.375
5. Carolina Hurricanes 9.5
6. Washington Capitals 11.688
7. Columbus Blue Jackets 12.875
ROUND 1 MATCHUPS:
ChaoticOrange
Registered User
McMozesmadness
5-14-6-1
Some major surprises for me with the final standings.
I thought I personally had a 50/50 shot at the playoffs. Happy that I'll get to see what the public thinks of my team.
I'll post my own rankings and explanations in a sec.
EDIT: Took another closer look. I'm shocked by some of the rankings. Haha.
I thought I personally had a 50/50 shot at the playoffs. Happy that I'll get to see what the public thinks of my team.
I'll post my own rankings and explanations in a sec.
EDIT: Took another closer look. I'm shocked by some of the rankings. Haha.
BoldNewLettuce
Esquire
Some weird votes in there but it's generally the exact teams I had in the playoffs minus maybe one team.
McMozesmadness
5-14-6-1
Here's how I voted, with some explanations.
This was a blast to be apart of.
Thanks JM.
Also, still looking forward to the future vote.
EAST:
1- New York Rangers
- Potential contender for the cup. He basically built the Penguins with a downgrade on Geno. The forward group is built around Sid. The defence is just Ok, but will do the job, just like the current Pens. Goaltending is also a major strength, I’m a strong believer in Martin Jones he is a stud. This team had a major advantage getting Sid, but did an admirable job building around him.
2- Ottawa Senators
- Love this team. Goal is locked down, amazing top 4 D, balanced forward core with grit and speed all around. Lacks elite scoring talent up front but I think the depth will make up for that. Major issue is that bottom pair on D, they scare me, but Karlsson - Slavin will play 40 mins a night so it won’t matter. I like this team for the future vote as well. Awesome team all around.
3- Detroit Red Wings
- Hey, it’s my team. I’ll do my team pitch here. Top line is pretty hard to top as the leagues best. It would be a 22 minute a night possession beast, Schmaltz has the skill to compliment them well. 2nd line is my shutdown line, Nuge has proven he can thrive in this role and Jenner - Hartman will give teams top players fits. Third line is a soft minutes, Swedish, skill line they will get teams bottom pairs. 4th line will kill you. I love my D core. I think I could role out the top 4 in all situations. 3rd pair is young, but solid and very gritty. In goal I’m locked down. Schneider is a wall. I wanted to build a team that can win today and tomorrow. I think I did a solid job doing so.
4- Florida Panthers
- Very strong team IMO. Forward core is nice. Some size, speed, skill, scoring, very solid all around. I do worry about having Kane in any teams room, but I do like him as a player. Defence is stellar and youthful. Top pair is dynamic. 2nd pair is young, but very solid and won’t get overwhelmed thanks to the above mentioned top pair. Antipin is a wild card, but I like him same with Fluery. Goal is fine, not elite, but good enough. Contender for the future vote as well. Great team.
5- Philladephia Flyers
- Best goalie in the NHL for my money, which takes this team far for me. Defence is good, there are individual pieces I don’t like, but when you have an anchor in Pietrangelo and Holtby in net it makes up for that. I have some issues with the forward core. I’m not sure where the scoring comes from. I don’t see anyone that will consistently put up points, but I like the two-way ability of the forward core as a whole. Very solid team, playoffs no doubt.
6- Carolina Hurricanes
- Excellent team now and future. Some high end skill upfront and I love the mix of skill and grit. I think this squad lacks some finishers but nothing too major. Love the look of that defence too, but i think they are a year or two away from being legit. Goal may be a question mark for some, but I am a believer in Darling, I think he’ll be a good starter. Like them to make playoffs and they are a major frontrunner for the future vote. Awesome job.
7- Tampa Bay Lightning
- I like parts of this roster. Up front I think this is a great top 6, but I feel the bottom six is rough. The D is very reliant on Burns. Not sure how he does without the protection he had in SJ. I like Dumolin as a parter, but I wouldn’t want them doing any heavy lifting and with an Edmundson - Vatanen 2nd pair they’d be forced to. On the whole, I think this D gets dominated. Lundqvist can be amazing and would need to be for this team to win come playoff time. Team is built for the regular season IMO, but that at least gets them to the playoffs.
8- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Solid team here. The defence is excellent. Solid mix of youth and vets, puck-movers and shutdown guys. I don’t love the forward core, but almost every guy in that core plays a strong two-way game which is impressive. Just think overall its lacking scoring punch. I’m lukewarm on Crawford, but hes at the very worst a top 15 goalie.
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9- Buffalo Sabres
- Forward core is filthy. I would be so tempted to play JT and Mac together. Either way thats a lethal forward core with speed, size and skill up and down. Defence is Ok. I despise Mike Green, but I think Suter calms him down. the rest of the D is a mixed bag, but not awful. I like goal more than most will. I think Raanta becomes a solid starter. Fun team on paper, but a bubble team IMO.
10- Montreal Canadiens
- Top six is amazing, but the Sedins are getting closer and closer to the end of the road. Is this year the year they completely fizzle out? I’d say they at least have another decent year left, but will take a step back. Bottom six is youthful but looks good. Defence is a question mark. Top pair would be good in one end, brutal in the other. Goaltending would be scary. This team will be very high on my future vote list.
11- Boston Bruins
- That forward core may be one of the best in the league, top six is excellent. This team will have no issue scoring goals. Lethal on the power play too. However, that defence and the team as a whole will get absolutely dissected and I’d have no faith in either goalie. They would have to win games 7-6. They remind be a bit of the current Dallas Stars. Bubble team for me.
12- New Jersey Devils
- Mixed feelings on this squad. Forward core is an odd mix, some guys in weird placements. With that said absolutely love the idea of Barkov - Voracek if they can stay healthy. Which leads to my major concern with this team. Injuries are a major fear for me. Defence is Letang or bust and if he goes down this defence, and the team, crumbles. Rask is mostly solid and would have to be “on†most nights to keep this team in games. Overall this team has some young punch just not sure they stay healthy and beyond that, I don’t like the mix. Team is on the bubble for me.
13- Columbus Blue Jackets
- Solid now, very bright future. Aho - Laine would be fun. Overall a deep forward core, but I’d love to see a true #1 C, although I think Aho will be that one day. I think he can do it. No issues in goal, Anderson is still a great starter. On defence it will be give and take. This D looks like it will be able to move the puck, but I fear they’d have trouble with the actual defending part of defence. Some holes, but overall a solid team, that would be very fun to watch.
14- Toronto Maple Leafs
- This team is an interesting case. Forward core is outstanding, top line is stacked, 2nd line is interesting. I like Ladd in this type of roll. The third line is awesome too, excellent shut down line. Defence would be by committee, no standouts, but no weak links… then there is goaltending. Completely sinks this team for me. He looked promising at one point, but I don’t think Mrazek is a starter.
15- Washington Capitals
- Interesting team. I really like the centre depth. Not sure how much Jumbo has in the tank, but if he hold up I think Hall compliments him well. Saad - Kadri is a very nice 2nd line. Defence isn’t sexy, but its not bad, definitely will lean on Spurgeon. Team is fine to this point, then falls apart when I look in goal. zero faith in Mason. Overall, team doesn’t stand out to me and Mason completly sinks it.
16- New York Islanders (DQ)
- I like the look of this team now and in the future. Good mix of young and old. Up front I think this team lacks true game breakers, but I think the depth is good. Defence is solid. I think Gio would calm Risto, similar to what he does for Hamilton, makes a train wreck into a top pair D man. Krug - Martinez pair might struggle in their own zone but thats a good offensive duo. Goaltending isn’t a strength, but its not as bad as some teams. Unfortunately disqualified, placing them in last place.
WEST:
1- Edmonton Oilers
- 1st overall gifted this team a major advantage in both voting groups. McDavid is good enough to win this team the future vote alone, and pushes them very far in the playoff vote. Thankfully he’s done a good job surrounding him with talent. The speed on this team is absolutely ridiculous and that speed is surrounded by some nice size. Talbot is a premier starter and he covers a lot of warts. I have major issues with the D core. They will be solid for the future vote but right now this is a ton of pressure on Hanifin. I think he’s close to capable though. I have no faith in Ghost though. 2nd pair would be a nice bottom pair, but I think they are serviceable. I also think plenty of the players on this team take a massive leap this year. Team would do excellent in the regular season, McDavid is a god.
2- Las Vegas Golden Knights
- Very strong team all around. They fill the basic skeleton of a team very well #1C, #1D and #1G. Forward core is good Kuznetsov - Carter is one hell of a one-two punch, but they are not alone, solid depth around them. Defence is Drew Doughty, but thats fine, he’s that good. I like some of the pieces around him, don’t see any complete black holes, but Drew will need to do the heavy lifting. Goal is excellent, Dubby is a stud and Condon can fill in when needed. Easy playoff team and a contender as well.
3- Nashville Predators
- Good squad in my eyes, save for one hole. Forward core is deep. O’Rielly - Trochek is an excellent one-two punch and there is skill around them. Bottom six is just ok, but serviceable. Defence is awesome, if it were Hedman and five pylons it would be, but he has surrounded Hedman with some nice pieces. Only hole I see is in goal. Lu is just average. Playoff team no doubt.
4- Arizona Coyotes
- Very solid team. Top line is lethal and there are nice pieces throughput the forward core. Defence lacks a true standout, but I like some of the individual pieces. Goaltending is a wildcard. Which Varlamov shows up. I also see an overall lack of size and grit needed to succeed, but this team at the very lest gets to the playoffs IMO.
5- Dallas Stars
- Very solid team. Goaltending excellent, even if Murray goes down I’d have a ton of faith in Kinkaid, I think he has starters potential in him. Defence is up and down for me. Love that top pair, I’m a big fan of Murphy, I think he can handle top pair minutes. Shultz - Emelin would be a tire fire, but like I said up and down defence for me. Outside of Panarin I don’t see a lot of dynamic offensive potential, but a lot of solid vets that can contribute. Solid… best word to describe this team.
6- Chicago Blackhawks
- Pretty solid team here. Goal is obviously locked down, Carey makes up for any warts on this team. On D they look good. Hampus is a true #1 that can do it all. Skjei and Savard are decent complimentary pieces, but this defence is the Lindholm show. Not very high on the forward core no one stands out to me as a true offensive weapon, but the depth is pretty good and there is enough here to win this team games, especially with Hampus and Carey locking things down. Playoff team for me.
7- Anaheim Ducks
- Mixed feelings on this team. I think they would be very similar to the modern day LA Kings. Veterans who play well within a system, but a team lacking high end game breakers and an overall lack of team speed. Defence would keep the puck out but I don’t see them moving the puck north very well. Bishop is OK to me, but at least he’s a starter, not every team has one. Stingy team. Playoff team for me, but its close.
8- Calgary Flames
- Team came together better than I though It would at the halfway point. Forward core has holes, but they will have no trouble scoring. Defence isn’t great but I think it will get the job done and they have a bright future. Gibson is a good starter with a bright future. Team is a playoff bubble team for me, but will just make it for me thanks to a weak Central. Team should do well in the future vote.
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9- San Jose Sharks
- Forward core is very nice. That top line is amazing. Don’t love Henrique, but I think he badly needs a change of scenery and could be a fine 2C. Defence is interesting. Love some individual pieces but on the whole I think this D gets caved. Goaltending is very solid. I still like Quick and if he goes down, I’d have faith in Reimer. Not enough for the playoffs IMO.
10- LA Kings
- Don’t think this is a playoff team, but I love them for the future vote. Kopitar is a great mentor for the kids and Josi - Jones will help cover up some of the mistakes. I would set the lines differently, but I think this forward core could put some numbers on the board. Defence is definitely built for the future, that group could be amazing in a few years. Goal is bleak. I don’t view either as a starter and both are old.
11- Vancouver Canucks
- Forwards are excellent. Size, skill, two-way ability everywhere. I’d have changed the lines up a bit, but in terms of forwards this team is great. Defence is a major hole for me, Subban is a great player, but I think hes on an island by himself here and I don’t think he could handle it, not a fan of the D core outside of him. Then theres the goaltenders… don’t see that tandem holding them in too many games.
12- Winnipeg Jets
- Love this team… in 5 years. This squad should do well in the future vote. Major reason I cant put them in the playoffs that they are too youthful to win right now. They have some insane pieces, Drai with Rantanen = drool, but I see almost no veteran presence on this team. Top pair and bottom pair on D are legit but I don’t like the 2nd pair and as a core it’s too young. In net, I’m not a fan of Jake Allen, constancy is not there for me.
13- Minnesota Wild
- Not super high on this team, top to bottom there isn’t much that makes me excited. The top line is pretty good, but aside from that I’m not super high on the forward core. On D I see a decent defence, but nothing special, I wouldn’t want Alzner playing top pair and I don’t view Weber in the same light I did 2 years ago. Rinne is just ok to me, but like Ive said a few times some teams don’t even have a Rinne. This team would struggle IMO.
14- St. Louis Blues
- Pretty obvious this team is going strictly for the future vote. So obviously they finish in the back of the division for me. Even in the future vote they will be near the bottom for me. The development of these players will not go that smooth and even in 5 years most won’t be impact NHL players. The defence could be amazing though.
15- Colorado Avalanche
- Another one going strictly for the future vote. I really like the top two lines today though. When it comes to the future vote I like that there is already a structure in place, although I still think the development of the defence and the bottom six forwards will have their development destroyed. I think Saros can start today so I like that.
This was a blast to be apart of.
Thanks JM.
Also, still looking forward to the future vote.
EAST:
1- New York Rangers
- Potential contender for the cup. He basically built the Penguins with a downgrade on Geno. The forward group is built around Sid. The defence is just Ok, but will do the job, just like the current Pens. Goaltending is also a major strength, I’m a strong believer in Martin Jones he is a stud. This team had a major advantage getting Sid, but did an admirable job building around him.
2- Ottawa Senators
- Love this team. Goal is locked down, amazing top 4 D, balanced forward core with grit and speed all around. Lacks elite scoring talent up front but I think the depth will make up for that. Major issue is that bottom pair on D, they scare me, but Karlsson - Slavin will play 40 mins a night so it won’t matter. I like this team for the future vote as well. Awesome team all around.
3- Detroit Red Wings
- Hey, it’s my team. I’ll do my team pitch here. Top line is pretty hard to top as the leagues best. It would be a 22 minute a night possession beast, Schmaltz has the skill to compliment them well. 2nd line is my shutdown line, Nuge has proven he can thrive in this role and Jenner - Hartman will give teams top players fits. Third line is a soft minutes, Swedish, skill line they will get teams bottom pairs. 4th line will kill you. I love my D core. I think I could role out the top 4 in all situations. 3rd pair is young, but solid and very gritty. In goal I’m locked down. Schneider is a wall. I wanted to build a team that can win today and tomorrow. I think I did a solid job doing so.
4- Florida Panthers
- Very strong team IMO. Forward core is nice. Some size, speed, skill, scoring, very solid all around. I do worry about having Kane in any teams room, but I do like him as a player. Defence is stellar and youthful. Top pair is dynamic. 2nd pair is young, but very solid and won’t get overwhelmed thanks to the above mentioned top pair. Antipin is a wild card, but I like him same with Fluery. Goal is fine, not elite, but good enough. Contender for the future vote as well. Great team.
5- Philladephia Flyers
- Best goalie in the NHL for my money, which takes this team far for me. Defence is good, there are individual pieces I don’t like, but when you have an anchor in Pietrangelo and Holtby in net it makes up for that. I have some issues with the forward core. I’m not sure where the scoring comes from. I don’t see anyone that will consistently put up points, but I like the two-way ability of the forward core as a whole. Very solid team, playoffs no doubt.
6- Carolina Hurricanes
- Excellent team now and future. Some high end skill upfront and I love the mix of skill and grit. I think this squad lacks some finishers but nothing too major. Love the look of that defence too, but i think they are a year or two away from being legit. Goal may be a question mark for some, but I am a believer in Darling, I think he’ll be a good starter. Like them to make playoffs and they are a major frontrunner for the future vote. Awesome job.
7- Tampa Bay Lightning
- I like parts of this roster. Up front I think this is a great top 6, but I feel the bottom six is rough. The D is very reliant on Burns. Not sure how he does without the protection he had in SJ. I like Dumolin as a parter, but I wouldn’t want them doing any heavy lifting and with an Edmundson - Vatanen 2nd pair they’d be forced to. On the whole, I think this D gets dominated. Lundqvist can be amazing and would need to be for this team to win come playoff time. Team is built for the regular season IMO, but that at least gets them to the playoffs.
8- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Solid team here. The defence is excellent. Solid mix of youth and vets, puck-movers and shutdown guys. I don’t love the forward core, but almost every guy in that core plays a strong two-way game which is impressive. Just think overall its lacking scoring punch. I’m lukewarm on Crawford, but hes at the very worst a top 15 goalie.
=========================================================
9- Buffalo Sabres
- Forward core is filthy. I would be so tempted to play JT and Mac together. Either way thats a lethal forward core with speed, size and skill up and down. Defence is Ok. I despise Mike Green, but I think Suter calms him down. the rest of the D is a mixed bag, but not awful. I like goal more than most will. I think Raanta becomes a solid starter. Fun team on paper, but a bubble team IMO.
10- Montreal Canadiens
- Top six is amazing, but the Sedins are getting closer and closer to the end of the road. Is this year the year they completely fizzle out? I’d say they at least have another decent year left, but will take a step back. Bottom six is youthful but looks good. Defence is a question mark. Top pair would be good in one end, brutal in the other. Goaltending would be scary. This team will be very high on my future vote list.
11- Boston Bruins
- That forward core may be one of the best in the league, top six is excellent. This team will have no issue scoring goals. Lethal on the power play too. However, that defence and the team as a whole will get absolutely dissected and I’d have no faith in either goalie. They would have to win games 7-6. They remind be a bit of the current Dallas Stars. Bubble team for me.
12- New Jersey Devils
- Mixed feelings on this squad. Forward core is an odd mix, some guys in weird placements. With that said absolutely love the idea of Barkov - Voracek if they can stay healthy. Which leads to my major concern with this team. Injuries are a major fear for me. Defence is Letang or bust and if he goes down this defence, and the team, crumbles. Rask is mostly solid and would have to be “on†most nights to keep this team in games. Overall this team has some young punch just not sure they stay healthy and beyond that, I don’t like the mix. Team is on the bubble for me.
13- Columbus Blue Jackets
- Solid now, very bright future. Aho - Laine would be fun. Overall a deep forward core, but I’d love to see a true #1 C, although I think Aho will be that one day. I think he can do it. No issues in goal, Anderson is still a great starter. On defence it will be give and take. This D looks like it will be able to move the puck, but I fear they’d have trouble with the actual defending part of defence. Some holes, but overall a solid team, that would be very fun to watch.
14- Toronto Maple Leafs
- This team is an interesting case. Forward core is outstanding, top line is stacked, 2nd line is interesting. I like Ladd in this type of roll. The third line is awesome too, excellent shut down line. Defence would be by committee, no standouts, but no weak links… then there is goaltending. Completely sinks this team for me. He looked promising at one point, but I don’t think Mrazek is a starter.
15- Washington Capitals
- Interesting team. I really like the centre depth. Not sure how much Jumbo has in the tank, but if he hold up I think Hall compliments him well. Saad - Kadri is a very nice 2nd line. Defence isn’t sexy, but its not bad, definitely will lean on Spurgeon. Team is fine to this point, then falls apart when I look in goal. zero faith in Mason. Overall, team doesn’t stand out to me and Mason completly sinks it.
16- New York Islanders (DQ)
- I like the look of this team now and in the future. Good mix of young and old. Up front I think this team lacks true game breakers, but I think the depth is good. Defence is solid. I think Gio would calm Risto, similar to what he does for Hamilton, makes a train wreck into a top pair D man. Krug - Martinez pair might struggle in their own zone but thats a good offensive duo. Goaltending isn’t a strength, but its not as bad as some teams. Unfortunately disqualified, placing them in last place.
WEST:
1- Edmonton Oilers
- 1st overall gifted this team a major advantage in both voting groups. McDavid is good enough to win this team the future vote alone, and pushes them very far in the playoff vote. Thankfully he’s done a good job surrounding him with talent. The speed on this team is absolutely ridiculous and that speed is surrounded by some nice size. Talbot is a premier starter and he covers a lot of warts. I have major issues with the D core. They will be solid for the future vote but right now this is a ton of pressure on Hanifin. I think he’s close to capable though. I have no faith in Ghost though. 2nd pair would be a nice bottom pair, but I think they are serviceable. I also think plenty of the players on this team take a massive leap this year. Team would do excellent in the regular season, McDavid is a god.
2- Las Vegas Golden Knights
- Very strong team all around. They fill the basic skeleton of a team very well #1C, #1D and #1G. Forward core is good Kuznetsov - Carter is one hell of a one-two punch, but they are not alone, solid depth around them. Defence is Drew Doughty, but thats fine, he’s that good. I like some of the pieces around him, don’t see any complete black holes, but Drew will need to do the heavy lifting. Goal is excellent, Dubby is a stud and Condon can fill in when needed. Easy playoff team and a contender as well.
3- Nashville Predators
- Good squad in my eyes, save for one hole. Forward core is deep. O’Rielly - Trochek is an excellent one-two punch and there is skill around them. Bottom six is just ok, but serviceable. Defence is awesome, if it were Hedman and five pylons it would be, but he has surrounded Hedman with some nice pieces. Only hole I see is in goal. Lu is just average. Playoff team no doubt.
4- Arizona Coyotes
- Very solid team. Top line is lethal and there are nice pieces throughput the forward core. Defence lacks a true standout, but I like some of the individual pieces. Goaltending is a wildcard. Which Varlamov shows up. I also see an overall lack of size and grit needed to succeed, but this team at the very lest gets to the playoffs IMO.
5- Dallas Stars
- Very solid team. Goaltending excellent, even if Murray goes down I’d have a ton of faith in Kinkaid, I think he has starters potential in him. Defence is up and down for me. Love that top pair, I’m a big fan of Murphy, I think he can handle top pair minutes. Shultz - Emelin would be a tire fire, but like I said up and down defence for me. Outside of Panarin I don’t see a lot of dynamic offensive potential, but a lot of solid vets that can contribute. Solid… best word to describe this team.
6- Chicago Blackhawks
- Pretty solid team here. Goal is obviously locked down, Carey makes up for any warts on this team. On D they look good. Hampus is a true #1 that can do it all. Skjei and Savard are decent complimentary pieces, but this defence is the Lindholm show. Not very high on the forward core no one stands out to me as a true offensive weapon, but the depth is pretty good and there is enough here to win this team games, especially with Hampus and Carey locking things down. Playoff team for me.
7- Anaheim Ducks
- Mixed feelings on this team. I think they would be very similar to the modern day LA Kings. Veterans who play well within a system, but a team lacking high end game breakers and an overall lack of team speed. Defence would keep the puck out but I don’t see them moving the puck north very well. Bishop is OK to me, but at least he’s a starter, not every team has one. Stingy team. Playoff team for me, but its close.
8- Calgary Flames
- Team came together better than I though It would at the halfway point. Forward core has holes, but they will have no trouble scoring. Defence isn’t great but I think it will get the job done and they have a bright future. Gibson is a good starter with a bright future. Team is a playoff bubble team for me, but will just make it for me thanks to a weak Central. Team should do well in the future vote.
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9- San Jose Sharks
- Forward core is very nice. That top line is amazing. Don’t love Henrique, but I think he badly needs a change of scenery and could be a fine 2C. Defence is interesting. Love some individual pieces but on the whole I think this D gets caved. Goaltending is very solid. I still like Quick and if he goes down, I’d have faith in Reimer. Not enough for the playoffs IMO.
10- LA Kings
- Don’t think this is a playoff team, but I love them for the future vote. Kopitar is a great mentor for the kids and Josi - Jones will help cover up some of the mistakes. I would set the lines differently, but I think this forward core could put some numbers on the board. Defence is definitely built for the future, that group could be amazing in a few years. Goal is bleak. I don’t view either as a starter and both are old.
11- Vancouver Canucks
- Forwards are excellent. Size, skill, two-way ability everywhere. I’d have changed the lines up a bit, but in terms of forwards this team is great. Defence is a major hole for me, Subban is a great player, but I think hes on an island by himself here and I don’t think he could handle it, not a fan of the D core outside of him. Then theres the goaltenders… don’t see that tandem holding them in too many games.
12- Winnipeg Jets
- Love this team… in 5 years. This squad should do well in the future vote. Major reason I cant put them in the playoffs that they are too youthful to win right now. They have some insane pieces, Drai with Rantanen = drool, but I see almost no veteran presence on this team. Top pair and bottom pair on D are legit but I don’t like the 2nd pair and as a core it’s too young. In net, I’m not a fan of Jake Allen, constancy is not there for me.
13- Minnesota Wild
- Not super high on this team, top to bottom there isn’t much that makes me excited. The top line is pretty good, but aside from that I’m not super high on the forward core. On D I see a decent defence, but nothing special, I wouldn’t want Alzner playing top pair and I don’t view Weber in the same light I did 2 years ago. Rinne is just ok to me, but like Ive said a few times some teams don’t even have a Rinne. This team would struggle IMO.
14- St. Louis Blues
- Pretty obvious this team is going strictly for the future vote. So obviously they finish in the back of the division for me. Even in the future vote they will be near the bottom for me. The development of these players will not go that smooth and even in 5 years most won’t be impact NHL players. The defence could be amazing though.
15- Colorado Avalanche
- Another one going strictly for the future vote. I really like the top two lines today though. When it comes to the future vote I like that there is already a structure in place, although I still think the development of the defence and the bottom six forwards will have their development destroyed. I think Saros can start today so I like that.
BoldNewLettuce
Esquire
Also props to those of you who actually didn't vote themselves 1 or make any 1 for 1 side deals.
Brass balls.
Brass balls.
ChaoticOrange
Registered User
The teams largely shook out the way I thought. I was much higher on Dallas and Carolina and a fair bit lower on Edmonton.
I think that Rangers team is very, very solid.
I think that Rangers team is very, very solid.
McMozesmadness
5-14-6-1
Just looking at the votes my squad got.
I was ranked 2nd twice and also 14th and 15th.
Haha.
That's quite the split.
I was ranked 2nd twice and also 14th and 15th.
Haha.
That's quite the split.
ChaoticOrange
Registered User
League wide, I don't see a single team that was universally voted a playoff team. 
that's crazy, man.
that's crazy, man.
McMozesmadness
5-14-6-1
Joey Moss
Registered User
- Aug 29, 2008
- 36,160
- 8,002
A lot of teams were like that. So if you missed by a hair, one vote from like 14th to an 8th seed could've been the difference. I'm glad it turned out as competitive as it did, that's what I hoped for at the start.
ChaoticOrange
Registered User
BoldNewLettuce
Esquire
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