Most improved team in 2021-22?

[joestevens29]

I can't say at this point.

The amount of disgruntled players or teams disgruntled at players is at a level I've never seen before. On paper it's looking like it's going to be a busy off-season with trades. On top of all that we haven't really heard much about teams spending for next year, which if teams start cutting salary it could lead to even more potential deals.

Until things start to shake out I have no idea.

 

[Sensators]

Agree with Rangers stars phili. Will say maybe jersey too. Someone in the pacific will be alot better... it will be tough for the sens to take a huge step without Sanderson joining the team and going into a very hard division.

 

[Aurinko]

Yes and only a fool would believe given the expansion draft options open to Seattle that Buffalo would have any shot at being better than the new Kraken.

I think its about buffalo having problems more than Kraken getting every thing on gold platter, since there are teams like Minnesota that were expected to be similar or worse than Sabres, but are still doing fine.

 

[Golden_Jet]

The Senators, especially after an atrocious start.

 

[viper0220]

I can see a lot of candidates:

Rangers
Stars
Flyers
Kings

Wait until after the expansion draft, the actual draft and free agency.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Eichel watch 2021

 

[GermanSpitfire]

The Rangers with a legitimate coach are my pick.

 

[treple13]

I think it's quite possible a full year of Sutter with the Flames in the weakest division in the NHL surprises some people

 

[MrHeiskanen]

Getting back a 1C, 1G, and 1RW and having a healthy 2C should be nice.

 

[tucker3434]

Gotta be buffalo... right????

 

[snipes]

The Sens, Rangers, and Philly are the teams I see having good seasons and being playoff/bubble teams that just miss.

The Sens are going to be a good team in the next few years if they can keep all those good pieces they have.

 

[Puckclektr]

Devils will be a powerhouse. Ruff is a beauty. Also add in Kevin Bahl and posibibly Dawson Mercer and another year for Hughes, Hischier, and Ty Smith as well as Blackwood.

I see what you did. Lol. I still take the rangers youth over the devils. Very Easily.

 

[Xirik]

I see what you did. Lol. I still take the rangers youth over the devils. Very Easily.

Maybe if they got Eichel.

If Strome is your #1 center then you got problems. Chytil has #2 center upside and Zibs has one year till a new contract

 

[Derailed75]

Leafs

What are they gonna do, go to triple overtime of game 7 before losing in round one

 

[WF19]

Detroit. Seider, berggen, veleno, possibly raymond. Healthy Bertuzzi and Fabbri and see what Vrana does in a full year plus 50 mil in cap space.

 

[Tasteless Beaver]

Detroit can't really get worse, so they'll improve.
Ottawa looked genuinely mean in the last half of this year, they are a playoff team next year.
Rangers have a super talented roster that's still developing and just got a great coach, they're also a playoff team next year.

 

[Cursed Lemon]

Next year will be the measuring stick for Detroit. If everyone is healthy, they have to be better. If not, there's a problem.

 

[Stimpythecat]

Can't improve much on unbeaten

I predict Seattle will have the best season in franchise history! Or the worst.

 

[Stimpythecat]

It's a lot easier to have significant improvement if the team is a bottom feeder.

 

[Lays]

Devils will be a powerhouse. Ruff is a beauty. Also add in Kevin Bahl and posibibly Dawson Mercer and another year for Hughes, Hischier, and Ty Smith as well as Blackwood.

Doubt they’re going anywhere in that division.

 

[LeProspector]

Devils will be a powerhouse. Ruff is a beauty. Also add in Kevin Bahl and posibibly Dawson Mercer and another year for Hughes, Hischier, and Ty Smith as well as Blackwood.

Bahl just doesn't sit right with me. He'll become a whipping boy for NJ pretty quickly.

 

[Michael HOMERUNing]

Ottawa is going to shock people. Don't be surprised if they make the playoffs as a WC team - or even knock off Toronto/Boston for the #3 spot in the division

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Ottawa. But I can't see them making the playoffs in that Division.

 

[Xirik]

Bahl just doesn't sit right with me. He'll become a whipping boy for NJ pretty quickly.

For the couple games he got to play at the end of the season he looked like a mid pairing stay at home defensemen you put with your playmaking Defenseman (Ty Smith). He knows what he is and is able to push people off the puck and is able to clear the front of the net. The Long reach he has and ability to do a good outlet pass is an added benefit too.

When Bahl is done developing I'm hoping for a Methot/Karlsson type pairing with Smith

(not saying that Smith = Karlsson)

 

[Beukeboom Fan]

Gotta be buffalo... right????

I see this but wonder why? Potential deals including Eichel, Reinhart and Risto with likely returns being picks/prospects being a significant step back for next year.