What would you prefer this year: 8th or 16th

[Atomos2]

Doesn't sound like you have much faith in the new Front Office.

That's an understatement. I'll play the role of skeptic right now.

 

[Sniper99]

I don't think we'll finish DFL in the East. Maybe 12th-13th like another poster said. I'm curious to see what Babcock can do with this team but Im definitely not expecting 8th

 

[TML1967]

So counter question.

Who is the east can we beat (points wise) and who is untouchable? I think you will have a hard time saying the Leafs (current composition) are worse than every other team in the east.

Rankings from last year:

Buffalo - got better but did they get 14 points better?
Leafs - lost Kessel, added allot of 'prove it' contracts. Better coach.
Carolina - about the same as last year, maybe slightly worse. Beat leafs by 3 points
New Jersey - once again, id say about the same as last year. Beat leafs by 10 points

Playoff locks: (IMO)
NYR, MTL, TB, NYI, PIT, WSH
Bubble: Detroit, Ott, Bos, Columbus.

To me that is 6 teams they cant catch realistically, and 4 id be surprised if they can hang with.


SO. Id bet (as of current team makeup) finishing 15 - 11 (13 is avg)

 

[kk87]

So counter question.

Who is the east can we beat (points wise) and who is untouchable? I think you will have a hard time saying the Leafs (current composition) are worse than every other team in the east.

Here's how I break it down.

Teams we have a realistic chance of beating (around 50/50 chance, maybe higher):
Devils
Hurricanes

Teams we have a small chance of beating (if we play well and they play poorly):
Bruins
Sabres
Flyers

Teams we have almost no chance of beating (like one in a thousand):
Red Wings
Panthers
Senators
Blue Jackets

Teams we have no chance of beating:
Capitals
Penguins
Rangers
Islanders
Lightning
Canadiens

I see us finishing in the 12-16 range. I would be pretty surprised if we finished dead last; I think 13-15 is most likely.