Way too early standings predictions - #18

[GingerJesus28]

Wow, Winnipeg takes it. I think they have a serious shot at the Central if they stay healthy. Its tough.

31st- (56.52%) http://hfboards.mandatory.com/sh....php?t=2380691
30th- (46.62%) http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=2380783
29th- (31.82%) http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=2380935
28th- (49.46%) http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=2381325
27th- (75.95%) http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=2381597
26th- (39.39%) http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=2381853
25th- (51.16%) http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=2382127
24th- (30.43%) http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=2382905
23rd- (38.46%) http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=2383303
22nd- (43.48%) http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=2383591
21st- (35%) http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=2384099
20th- (26.98%) http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=2384511
19th- (25.97%) http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=2384907

Who takes 18th?

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[GingerJesus28]

Boston... 4th straight time

 

[HighNote]

Yeah, I'll take Boston here.

 

[Falco Lombardi]

Boston

 

[tony d]

Boston.

 

[Maukkis]

The Leafs. Watch how the expectations and injuries hit them. With pretty much neither last year, they only just squeaked in - while being in the worst division in the NHL. They could be in for a rough season, if they get a "normal" amount of injuries, and the young guns find themselves unable to cope with the pressure that came from overachieving last year. Don't try to question that last point - all rookies prospered and Kadri, Gardiner, Andersen etc. had their career years. That will not be repeated - and no other team couldn't, if they were in a similar situation.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

The Leafs. Watch how the expectations and injuries hit them. With pretty much neither last year, they only just squeaked in - while being in the worst division in the NHL. They could be in for a rough season, if they get a "normal" amount of injuries, and the young guns find themselves unable to cope with the pressure that came from overachieving last year. Don't try to question that last point - all rookies prospered and Kadri, Gardiner, Andersen etc. had their career years. That will not be repeated - and no other team couldn't, if they were in a similar situation.

Or....the Leafs are just a really good team. Maybe Gardiner, Kadri had career years because the Leafs employ the best coaching staff in the business? Maybe they don't face as many injuries because they have the money to spend the most on the best medical staff in the business?

Toronto wasn't the 2nd best team in CF/60 and high danger scoring chances per 60 by accident. That's an elite offensive team, with an elite offensive system created by the best coach in the business.

Alot of you on HF said the same thing about the Leafs last year, "you can't put out a team of rookies and expect to succeed!". Yeah, look at how that turned out. Remember, there was a poll on here where a decent number of voters said they wouldn't make the playoffs for the duration of Babcock's contract.

 

[nobody]

The Leafs. Watch how the expectations and injuries hit them. With pretty much neither last year, they only just squeaked in - while being in the worst division in the NHL. They could be in for a rough season, if they get a "normal" amount of injuries, and the young guns find themselves unable to cope with the pressure that came from overachieving last year. Don't try to question that last point - all rookies prospered and Kadri, Gardiner, Andersen etc. had their career years. That will not be repeated - and no other team couldn't, if they were in a similar situation.

Leafs played much better then their record indicates. The young team had a lot of trouble holding on to leads and closing out the games. Yes they were very healthy and they did have a couple of players set career highs but there weren't any players who managed to put up any unsustainable high numbers.

Kadri is a former top 10 pick who finally found his stride getting PP time with the skilled kids and generally playing a much more settled 3rd line role that he had a previous track record (last lockout season) of flourishing in. He also played amazing shutdown defence. Do I see him with another 30 goal 60 point season? Maybe. He's got that potential and much more. He's one of the main guys Babs has tried to push to get to the next level. His season wasn't really a fluke.

Gards same thing. He was a byproduct of a great team offense.

The Leafs were one of the most balanced offenses last season. With Matthews leading the way with 69 points. You'd be hard pressed to find a single team ahead of them who had such an evenly balanced offense.

As for the injuries that will inevitably occur this year, almost every team will have to go through it. Its another learning curve for the kids but that said, they have a very balanced team offense and a boat load of NHL ready prospects just waiting to get their chance. Its not like the team is barebones with only a few key guys running the show.

I personally really want to see what a kid like Kapanen and Leivo can do when given top 6 minutes instead of toiling on the 4th line. Kappy is a PPG AHL player at 20 and Leivo is a 30 goal man who was almost ppg last year on the Leafs in his short stint. Only reason he saw pressbox time was because he didn't kill penalties. Babcock likes to type cast his players by the looks of things.

 

[Territory]

Voted Ottawa.

 

[Gardner McKay]

Boston/Montreal. Doesn't matter.

 

[GingerJesus28]

Damn Boston running away with this