Which teams can surprise 2017-2018?

[Not So Mighty]

East:. Leafs, Devils, Flyers, Hurricanes, Bolts all show significant improvement. Panthers hit rock bottom. Washington looks old and slow and regresses quickly. Boston and Ottawa miss the playoffs.

West: Oilers struggle to get secondary scoring and miss the playoffs. Jets have an unbelievable year offensively and grab home ice in first round. San Jose misses the playoffs. Chicago misses the playoffs. Arizona and Dallas squeak in.

Damn these are some bold takes that I absolutely could live with.

 

[Havre]

East:. Leafs, Devils, Flyers, Hurricanes, Bolts all show significant improvement. Panthers hit rock bottom. Washington looks old and slow and regresses quickly. Boston and Ottawa miss the playoffs.

West: Oilers struggle to get secondary scoring and miss the playoffs. Jets have an unbelievable year offensively and grab home ice in first round. San Jose misses the playoffs. Chicago misses the playoffs. Arizona and Dallas squeak in.

Most of that seems reasonable to me (so it won´t happen ).

Why would the Panthers hit rock bottom? I expect them to do well being healthier.

I also think the Oilers will be fine.

 

[McShogun99]

penguins will surprise with the threepeat baby WOOOO

It's possible. Especially if they use that Fleury money to get a good UFA or 2.

 

[Black Tank]

Rangers will be better than last year with Girardi and Staal no longer in the top 4 and constantly pinned in their zone. This might be the biggest offseason move the team makes (and I was one of their biggest defenders, but good lord they could not move the puck up the ice and it took a huge toll on the other players on the ice).

 

[VanIslander]

as Presidents' trophy winner (though I think they're maybe one top-3 dman away from it).

as a playoff club.

 

[A1LeafNation]

At this point someone has to prove they can solve the Penguins riddle in the playoffs. Until then this isn't going to be considered a surprise.

You mean the riddle of having two #1 goalies.... no more.

 

[Zhamnov5GoalGame]

You mean the riddle of having two #1 goalies.... no more.

Ok sure.
But if Murray doesn't get hurt this isn't as much of an issue.