What team is a big surprise this year?

[sabremike]

Sharks won't even make the playoffs.

They added a guy who 2 seasons ago singlehandedly carried a roster that was an overflowing dumpster to within a goal of winning the East. So yeah.

 

[Motte and Bailey]

The Canucks will surprise everyone and make the playoffs, mark my words.

 

[solidprospect]

Philly if they get a goalie, not like you've never heard that before.

 

[OVO16]

Gotta go with the Blackhawks, after the season they just had.

 

[me2]

If things go well for Vancouver I see us surprising people and jumping as high as 2nd last in the west.

 

[Mackinnonen]

Flyers win the presidents trophy

 

[Niten Ichi Ryu]

Edmonton Oilers miss the playoffs again

McD or Talbot get hurt for any length and it's over

6-0

 

[Garbage Goal]

Flyers win the presidents trophy

If we had a good coach I might be able to actually see that.

 

[jonlin]

I have Panthers pencilled in for the playoffs. They had a good spring and with the addition of Hoffman to their top6, they will certainly atleast be fighting for a wildcard spot.

 

[mouz135]

6-0

Man, you must be really stoked about that preseason win, eh bud?

 

[KingsFan7824]

They added a guy who 2 seasons ago singlehandedly carried a roster that was an overflowing dumpster to within a goal of winning the East. So yeah.

Which would fit the definition of a big surprise.

 

[HanSolo]

They added a guy who 2 seasons ago singlehandedly carried a roster that was an overflowing dumpster to within a goal of winning the East. So yeah.

Yeah the goaltending had nothing to do with it.

Still absurd to say the Sharks won't make the playoffs but not more so than saying they'll match or surpass the greatest team of all time.

 

[westc2]

The season hasn't started soooo...I guess this thread is for people who can time travel? Pre-season games are meaningless when trying to predict the performance of a team in the regular season. Most veterans barely even try during pre-season.

 

[westc2]

The season hasn't started soooo...I guess this thread is for people who can time travel? Pre-season games are meaningless when trying to predict the performance of a team in the regular season. Most veterans barely even try during pre-season.

 

[easton117]

I have Panthers pencilled in for the playoffs. They had a good spring and with the addition of Hoffman to their top6, they will certainly atleast be fighting for a wildcard spot.

The bottom half of that division is just so awful. If any of Boston, Tampa, Toronto or Florida don’t make it a coach should get the axe.

Unless the injury parade shows up. Even then it’d have to be a bad one

 

[Flameshomer]

Edmonton will be out by Christmas, yet again. Shouldn't shock anyone but the pundits will certainly be clamoring to fellate McDavid and wonder what happened!

 

[valeriammm]

I hate to say it but I think this might be the decline of the Preds before they get to see a cup. With so many wonderful and powerful team roster changes, I just hope their veterans will be able to keep up but most importantly stay in the franchise. As far as other hopefuls, id like to see a damn Canadian team, yes even the Jets, so far they are probably my pick over Vancouver.

 

[valeriammm]

Not sure if it would be a surprise but I think Chicago will bounce back and get back into the playoffs this year.

I honestly dont know how I feel about where the hawks stand. The team is aging thats not anything new or surprising. But they have some killer prospects and rookies, Im loving seeing Toews Kane and Debrincat side by side, but is it enough?

 

[Jtown]

Edmonton will be out by Christmas, yet again. Shouldn't shock anyone but the pundits will certainly be clamoring to ******e McDavid and wonder what happened!

i actually think Edmonton can bounce back . There is too much talent on that team to have another year like they did.

 

[valeriammm]

Stanley Cup: Jets, Tampa, Sharks, Boston
Dark Horse: Florida, Carolina, Kings
Regress: Vegas, Anaheim
My team: Fistfight for a Wildcard. Hell the Central´s gonna be a bloodbath again.

Could you imagine a Jets/Tampa situation?? Rip Tampa, id like to see the Preds against Tampa, that was my vote last season. Lol watch Carolina take it all since nothing makes sense anymore

 

[Kamiccolo]

They added a guy who 2 seasons ago singlehandedly carried a roster that was an overflowing dumpster to within a goal of winning the East. So yeah.

And McDavid has missed the playoffs two out of three years while on a team with Draisatl, RNH, etc etc.

 

[sabremike]

And McDavid has missed the playoffs two out of three years while on a team with Draisatl, RNH, etc etc.

McDavid has the misfortune to play for one of the most badly mismanaged teams in all of pro sports. The Sharks are not one of the most badly mismanaged teams in all of pro sports. In fact they are pretty much the exact opposite.

 

[New Jersey]

The bottom half of that division is just so awful. If any of Boston, Tampa, Toronto or Florida don’t make it a coach should get the axe.

Unless the injury parade shows up. Even then it’d have to be a bad one

The Atlantic will only send three teams again.

 

[Kamiccolo]

McDavid has the misfortune to play for one of the most badly mismanaged teams in all of pro sports. The Sharks are not one of the most badly mismanaged teams in all of pro sports. In fact they are pretty much the exact opposite.

What happens if Thronton is injured all year and Patches doesn't rebound and Kane's play late last year was a fluke on a new team? I don't like their offense which is my issue.

Preds, Canes, Flames, etc have all shown over the last decade that having an Olympic level defense doesn't really mean you win hockey games over the long term.

 

[pucky]

The Leafs' defence is still crap. They will struggle. Shut down Tavares and Matthews, easily beat them cuz their D is crap. Andersen is again relied on - to stand on his head to win games. Same story in Leaf Land.... not sure that's a surprise but so many expect them to be so much better this year cuz of Tavares. Not gonna happen.