Predictions For Your Team's Division

[Drij]

1. Nashville Predators
Bar none the best defense in the league, which is nice when Pekka Rinne is still your goaltender. Forsberg now ranks among the league's stars, and the forward corps will benefit from a full year of Johansen.

2. Dallas Stars
The kings of offense should reign supreme again, adding Jiri Hudler (and potentially more GP from Seguin) to an already stacked group. Hamhuis should stop the bleeding a little bit on defense, though it's still only a fair group there. I'd put the Stars atop the Central if only I could get past that AHL caliber goaltending.

3. St. Louis Blues
These aren't the Blues of the past few years, but it is still too early to write them off. Led by their top 3, they have one of the strongest Ds in the league. Tarasenko will continue to terrorize the league and by the end of the year, ranking him above Kane may not be quite so humorous. Goaltending is a bit of a wildcard, but Allen has shown the ability to perform in his relatively small samples.

4. Chicago Blackhawks
The Hawks have more denfeseman than they can figure out what to do with, but age is emerging as a factor among its leaders. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Hawks enter the year with four rookies in its forward ranks, and there will be inevitable growing pains there. Crawford will continue his push to be considered among the league's goaltending elite.

5. Minnesota Wild
Boudreau has an excellent track record as a regular season coach, but he has always been surrounded with elite talent. The Wild have impressive depth, but are lacking the kind of go-to finishers he may be used to. They could suprise a bit if Staal can channel his old self, as he is still only 31. I expect a finish similar to last year.

6. Winnipeg Jets
The Jets' recent banishment of Pavelec gives me renewed hope for their chances, as Hellebuyck was clearly their best option. Hopefully they're wise enough to apply the same lesson to Mark Stuart. They feature a pair of Calder hopefuls in Laine and Connor, but are forced to rely on them for production. They will also miss the reliable top-6 play of Ladd.

7. Colorado Avalanche
The Central will probably again be the league's best division, and someone has to come in 7th. Varlamov will likely again be at the mercy of an endless assault from opposing teams through the the Avs mediocre defense. The team is lacking in depth among its forwards, again counting on production from 39-year-old Iginla, but there is one saving grace--Patrick Roy is no longer the coach of this team.

Iginla was never counted on to produce.

 

[EveryDay]

1-Tampa----Best OV team in the division
2-Montreal---Best goaltender in the NHL + good defence + solid top6
3-Ottawa----Very good defence + Solid Top9
4-Florida---Great goaltending and defence but injuries to Huber + Bugj hurt them.
5-Boston--A very good offence + Rask but the defence is among bottom5 in the NHL.
6-Detroit--Really like Mrazek + good offence but the defence is suspicious at best.
7-Buffalo--Really like the forward group but not sold on Lehner and defence is average
8-Toronto--Another top3 pick incoming even through Marner and Matthews look amazing.

 

[Angry Hockey Dad]

1. Washington
2. Pittsburgh
3. Rangers
4. Flyers
5. Hurricanes
6. Islanders
7. Devils
8. Jackets

I think there a clear gap between the top 4 and bottom 4 in the metro.

I feel this is pretty accurate

 

[Kmode]

PACIFIC

Anaheim

This roster will change in the next couple weeks when they shed a contract and sign their two RFA's. John Gibson will prove himself as one of the top goalies in the game and Anaheim will finally make a run at the cup. The window is closing with their core getting older and the time is now. Best mix of mature and young talent and skill and toughness.

San Jose

Talk about windows closing. This is the final kick of the can for this group with many of their older, core guys in the last year of their deal. And they know it. Essentially the same team that went to the Cup Final last year, added a nice piece in Boedker. My worry is they are old and have played a lot of hockey in the last 12 months, can they overcome that? They'll be fine in the regular season.

Calgary

Young up and coming team with a solid, solid defence. Gaudreau and Monahan will just keep getting better and they added a solid goalie which is something they've lacked since Kiprusoff left. A couple nice veteran signings too. This team is on the rise and I think that starts now (painful for me to say as a Canucks fan).

Los Angeles

Another team heading in the wrong direction. Their top end talent (Kopitar, Quick, Doughty) will always keep them competitive but they aren't the same scary team they were a few years ago. I expect them to snag a wildcard spot and they could beat any team in the first round but I think they will regress a bit.

Vancouver

As much as I'd wish for a last place finish, I just don't see it. I think they've improved quite a bit (which isn't saying much) with the additions of Eriksson, Gudbranson and Rodin but they are still not a serious threat. The Sedins will still be effective and I expect a healthy season from Sutter and Edler will help but they will still struggle to score goals.

Edmonton

This team could maybe surprise and make a push for the playoffs but as of now I don't see them as the real deal. Still very young, and they have a terrible defence. Larson and Russell are nice additions but even with them their D is one of the poorest in the whole NHL. McDavid is mind-blowingly good and they have some other nice pieces up front but I still think they will allow too many goals to be a winning team.

Arizona

Exciting, young team who may be incredible in 2-3 years, but as it stands they are too inexperienced and can't play with the big boys. Chayko and company are definitely heading in the right direction and they will be a fun team to watch for years to come.

 

[LetsGoIslanders]

1. Washington
2. Pittsburgh
3. Islanders
4. Philadelphia (wild card)
5. New Jersey
6. Rangers
7. Carolina
8. Columbus

 

[Makar Goes Fast]

Yeah Colorado is not going to be ahead of Nashville this year unless some incredibly bad injuries occur.

I have a theory that when a team makes major player changes it takes a full year before that team hits their potential. ex dallas when they got seguin.

now its obviously nothing more than a theory, but i dont think nashville will be as strong as people think right off the bat.

 

[Devils090]

Pens
Caps
Isles
Rags
Devils
Flyers
Canes
Jackets

 

[albator71]

Tampa Bay

Montreal

Ottawa

Boston(WC)

Florida

Detroit

Buffalo

Toronto

 

[Reverend Mayhem]

San Jose easy pick
Calgary I think their o from the d will get gaudreau and Monahan the puck which equals wins.
Anaheim I think they pull it out with Carlyle getting a lot from their stars but not much else.
LA is still a good hockey team but not a good scoring team. Still a playoff team.
Edmonton makes strides but fall short still. This'll be a team to watch.
Arizona good forward depth no high end skill though, and d is much improved imo.
Vancouver nothing to see here move along

 

[Redline]

I like Arizona to make the playoffs this season.

 

[FVM]

Central

1. Minnesota Wild

I will be called out for being a homer, but I legitimately feel optimistic before this season, perhaps more than ever. Bruce Boudreau has an impeccable record in the regular season and I think he'll unlock a lot of offensive potential in our young guys like Granlund, Niederreiter and Coyle. Goaltending will be key: is it enough for a division title? I predict we take the division by the smallest of margins.

2. Dallas Stars

They will be an offensive powerhouse again. Will challenge the division title until the very last game.

3. Nashville Predators

Subban will have a huge year. Rinne will falter but it won't bite them so badly in the regular season. Strong 3rd place finish right there with Wild and Stars.

4. Chicago Blackhawks

They will have a sort of down year. Not enough depth even though their stars will produce again. 1st Wild Card team.

5. Colorado Avalanche

They will play much more fundamentally solid hockey under Bednar. 2nd Wild Card team and will be hot going into playoffs.

6. St. Louis Blues

A catastrophic year with injuries and generally uninspired play.

7. Winnipeg Jets

Their great young talents aren't seasoned enough to withstand the meat grinder that is the Central Division. They will underperform and Maurice is fired mid-season or after the season.

 

[jacks*]

My expectations are low my heart says wild card then stomped in the first round my brain says are you kidding this team is just not good enough!

Well most likely going 2-8 maybe 3-7 in there first 10 games of the season I guess some changes could be made after that start but not likely in the foxhole.

Carey Price is great but he can't do everything.

If changes made probably put them above Toronto for sure and most likely Detroit.

Also I do think Florida could place first but with those 2 injuries it will hurt them off the gate so thats why I was going conservative taking TB 1st place.

Well your early start predictions were a bit off.

4 wins 1 ot lost and sitting a top of the league ,1st with GA and Price only playing 2 games and 2nd in GF.

 

[YoSoyLalo]

Washington - good in the regular season as always

Rangers - they add a top 4 rightly D and shock everyone. Yes I'm biased and hopeful, let me be.

Pittsburgh - they struggle early in the season with injuries, but get hot down the stretch when they're healthy. They'll be a playoff threat for sure.

Columbus - honestly struggled choosing between them and Philly. I have a gut feeling that the Jackets make the playoffs this year, though.

Philly - they'll definitely be in the hunt for a playoff spot. Really depends on what they can get out of their goaltending

Islanders - got worse in the off season and it's been quite obvious so far. Don't see them as a playoff team, buy they could sneak in.

Devils - Schneider will keep them out of the bottom spot.

Hurricanes - too young and inexperienced. I think there's a small chance they could surprise and push for a final wildcard spot, but with their goaltending and inexperience, I don't see it happening

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

=========================PLAYOFF DIVIDER LINE===========================

 

[Ulysses31]

=========================PLAYOFF DIVIDER LINE===========================

I got:
IN
Tampa
Florida
Detroit
Montreal
Leafs
OUT
Rest

 

[10coach*]

Now that rosters have pretty well shaken out and the season is about to begin, what are your bold or un-bold predictions for the teams in your favorite team's division?

State where you think they will finish in the division and why.

Central Division
(1) Chicago Blackhawks - Finish first in the division because they are a much more rounded team this year than the last few years and have a deeper and more experienced defense that should hold up better than last year.

(2) St. Louis Blues - Finish second in the division. They lost some leadership and "leadership" but still have a deep team up front and good structure to ensure a good record. Biggest question mark is in net but I think Allen plays to his potential consistently this year.

(3) Colorado Avalanche - Finish third in the division. The new system that coach Jared Bednar is instilling will give the Avalanche new life and catch some teams by surprise. Players are held much more individually accountable and the new team defensive structure will shore up their biggest weakness in the past. The new energy and steps forward for the core and some younger players will make this is tough team to beat this year.

(4) Dallas Stars - Finish fourth in the division and first wild card. Dallas will have a tougher time this season than last. Some injuries and lingering effect from those injuries will cause them to have a slower start and they will regress a bit in the goal scoring department. I think they are still a playoff caliber team but will have a tougher time finding wins this season.

(5) Nashville Predators - Finish fifth in the division and second wild card. Rinne will be inconsistent and their depth scoring will diminish this year. Their blue line will be better suited to playing the style the Predators have been trending towards but they will also give up more chances the other way. Again, this is still a playoff caliber team but they will be fighting with the Stars and Pacific teams for this spot.

(6) Winnipeg Jets - Finish sixth in the division. The Jets will become a more consistent team and see better goaltending in large parts this season but not frequently enough to make the playoffs. This year is about getting Hellebuyck, Connor and Laine NHL experience and refining their games. Paul Maurice's job could be in question but probably proves that he is pointing the team in the right direction.

(7) Minnesota Wild - Finish seventh and last in the division. The Wild find that they win big and lose big frequently this season. The team will have consistency issues all season and Dubnyk will falter as the team in front of him does. I think they will have a couple good stretches that keeps playoff hopes alive for a while but ultimately fail to make the postseason because of the bad stretches that follow.

These both are extremely bold. I'd lay down money in Vegas on these if you really believed it. You'd be wealthier.

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

I got:
IN
Tampa
Florida
Detroit
Montreal
Leafs
OUT
Rest

Leafs beating out the Islanders, Philly, Ottawa and Boston? Relying on tons of rookies, a meh defense and Andersen who was a product of good defense in Anaheim. Leafs are a bottom 5 team, I'd bet heavy on this. Can you enlighten me how the Leafs make it?

 

[Habsawce]

Atlantic

Tampa Bay
Montreal
Ottawa
Florida
Boston
Detroit
Toronto
Buffalo

 

[GOAT AINEC]

Washington
Pittsburgh
New York Rangers

Philadelphia or New York Islanders

The rest..

 

[BMOK33]

Penguins...nothing needs to be said
Capitals...nothing needs to be said
Islanders....offense won't be anywhere near as bad as people thought
Devils....also not sure they make the playoffs but big improvement
Flyers.....not sure they'll be in the playoffs but they'll be close
Rangers...they're gonna fall off a cliff this year
Columbus...nothing needs to be said here
Carolina...brutal sophomore slump

 

[Not So Mighty]

 

[Poignant Discussion*]

Leafs beating out the Islanders, Philly, Ottawa and Boston? Relying on tons of rookies, a meh defense and Andersen who was a product of good defense in Anaheim. Leafs are a bottom 5 team, I'd bet heavy on this. Can you enlighten me how the Leafs make it?

Beating out Boston and Ottawa should be not be shocking, neither are very good