Post by League Commish (Hurricanes GM) on Jun 1, 2013 17:40:33 GMT -5
Didn't have enough time to do a bit in-depth one like last year, so here's just a quick preview for how I think the league will end up at the end of the season.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
15. DETROIT RED WINGS
The Red Wings are still retooling, so expect this season to be another off year for the Wings as they try to rebuild into the playoff dynamo that they once were.
14. NASHVILLE PREDATORS
The Predators too are still retooling. Their blue line could be very lethal in a few years but their young top picks are still developing and they could use some more offense.
13. PHOENIX COYOTES
The Coyotes aren't bad but I don't think they have what it takes to get back into the playoff picture this season.
12. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
I don't think their hot start will last but they'll make some nice strides to become a competitor this year. Nathan MacKinnon is getting NHL ice time, which is nice for the Blue Jackets as they continue to improve.
11. ANAHEIM DUCKS
The Ducks could probably seed higher, but I'm not sure I buy them as a legit team. They have some holes and moving Johnson won't help fill them just yet. If Halak can step in and stabilize the team they may be able to go a bit further.
10. CALGARY FLAMES
The Flames will likely miss again this year. They're close to being a contender but they aren't there just yet. Maybe next year.
09. ST. LOUIS BLUES
This might be a bit of a stretch but I see the Blues dropping off a fair bit. The loss of Iginla and Halak will hurt them as will not having an active GM. In a division with one of the best teams in the entire league, not making any improvements won't help them. They're still a good team but I don't tink they're good enough.
08. COLORADO AVALANCHE
I feel like the Avalanche probably should've made it last year. They have the talent and although maybe not as good as some of the other teams in the West, they'll be able to pull together a winning season this year.
07. DALLAS STARS
I like the improvements made by the Stars and I feel like they'll build on their playoff berth last season with a little bit more of a successful season. As a low seed with the stars they have and one of the league's best goaltenders, they could have a shot at being a dark horse.
06. MINNESOTA WILD
I feel optimistic about the Wild. They have a good roster with some firepower and solid defense. If the goaltending can hold up and perform better than last season, the Wild should make the playoffs again this year.
05. SAN JOSE SHARKS
I feel like the Sharks might be able to press the Kings for the division lead. The acquisition of Letang to an already great team will only make them better. I wouldn't be surprised if I was off with this pick and the Sharks move into one of the top three spots.
04. EDMONTON OILERS
The Oilers have been a great team in the past few seasons but have found themselves out early. With the late addition of Jason Spezza last season and some line shuffling, the Oilers are primed to take another run at the cup this season and have the depth to make them one of the top teams in the league yet again.
03. VANCOUVER CANUCKS
The Canucks are built to win but haven't found the success that they have wanted. A great top six with solid enough depth in all positions should help propel the Canucks to another division championship, but with guys like Luongo and the Sedins aging, you've gotta think that this should be the year that they go all in.
02. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
The Blackhawks sacrificed some offense to build their defense, but they are coming off the backend of two straight Stanley Cup victories and clearly know how to win. With the trailing off of St. Louis this year and lack of real improvement from other divisional foes, look for the Blackhawks to take back the central division this season.
01. LOS ANGELES KINGS
The Kings have quietly been one of the best teams in the past two seasons despite being unable to make it back into the Stanley Cup Finals. Their team is built strong and built to win, with depth in every position and one of the league's best goaltenders. Combine that with a relatively weak division beyond San Jose, the Kings should have a great shot at capturing the west. This team is too good to continue to struggle.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
15. FLORIDA PANTHERS
The young Panthers are still growing and adjusting to the NHL style. I think they'll have another year near the bottom to add another key piece, and could maybe be more competitive as soon as next season.
14. OTTAWA SENATORS
I think this will be another miss for the Senators. They have some good young talent but haven't been able to put it all together. They have the goaltending to carry them deep but I don't expect to see them move up any higher than 12th.
13. BUFFALO SABRES
The Sabres have some great offensive talent but their defense and goaltending leave alot to be desired. I think they could place a bit higher if their American trio can carry them offensively, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
12. WASHINGTON CAPITALS
The Capitals have some fire power up front but I feel like last season will be hard to repeat with the improvements made by some of the teams in the east as well as their more competitive division.
11. NEW JERSEY DEVILS
A lack of any big improvements should leave the Devils in the same boat as last year, just barely missing the post season unless someone steps up or some trades are made to bolster the roster.
10. BOSTON BRUINS
The Bruins have the tools to be a playoff team but their GM isn't very active so I'm not sure if they can hang in long enough to grab a playoff spot. If they do, however, I think they could have some potential to cause alot of trouble for a high seed.
09. MONTREAL CANADIENS
I think the Canadiens are going to drop off a bit this year after making the playoffs last season. The team is mostly the same but I feel like the Flyers and Lightning are going to make the playoffs this season, so someone had to drop out.
08. NEW YORK ISLANDERS
The Islanders are no strangers to toppling giants after making an amazing playoff run. For their resilience only, I see them pulling it out and sneaking back into the 8th seed yet again where they could be every bit as dangerous as they were last year.
07. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
The Flyers missed the playoffs last year despite having a deep roster with a great mix of young and old players. I think that was an off year for them and they should return to playoff form again this season. I also think they could be a decent pick for a blackhorse upset once the playoffs begin.
06. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
After missing the post season, I think this is the year that the Lightning will finally be able to put it together. They have star power up front that can put in goals, as well as a much improved defensive squad with the recent acquisition of Mike Green. If Schneider and their defensive play hold up, the Lightning should make the playoffs this season.
05. WINNIPEG JETS
The Jets remain the same from last year's team that made a crazy run at the end of the season. With incredible forward depth and the addition of top pick Jonathan Drouin to the ranks, the Jets should be a top dog in the east yet again as they try to prove last season wasn't a fluke.
04. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
They're still a great team and you can't argue with their star power, but the Penguins lost their best defenseman and some of their depth. They're still going to be a tough team to defeat but I feel as though they won't be able to maintain their spot at the top of the east and due to the division leaders needing to seed 1-3, they'll finish the year at 4th.
03. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Maybe a bit of a surprise pick, but they've started the season strong and it's clear that their young guys are ready to make an impact at the NHL level. With the addition of another dman and maybe a better goalie, the Leafs could be dangerous. Even without those pieces, I think they're the best Northeastern division team.
02. CAROLINA HURRICANES
Good depth in all positions, a solid defense core and one of the league's better goaltenders will make the Hurricanes yet again the team to beat in the south eastern division. With the Staals leading the way and the additions of players like Lupul and Meszaros to round out the team, this year's cane squad is arguably even better than the team that made it all the way to the finals two seasons ago.
01. NEW YORK RANGERS
Look for the Rangers to build off of their cup finals run to become the top team in the east this season. They have great depth in all positions, giving them many weapons to use and making them a tough team to shut down. Add in the continued rise of playoff heroes Namestnikov and Lazar, and the Rangers may just be the team to be this season in the East.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
15. DETROIT RED WINGS
The Red Wings are still retooling, so expect this season to be another off year for the Wings as they try to rebuild into the playoff dynamo that they once were.
14. NASHVILLE PREDATORS
The Predators too are still retooling. Their blue line could be very lethal in a few years but their young top picks are still developing and they could use some more offense.
13. PHOENIX COYOTES
The Coyotes aren't bad but I don't think they have what it takes to get back into the playoff picture this season.
12. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
I don't think their hot start will last but they'll make some nice strides to become a competitor this year. Nathan MacKinnon is getting NHL ice time, which is nice for the Blue Jackets as they continue to improve.
11. ANAHEIM DUCKS
The Ducks could probably seed higher, but I'm not sure I buy them as a legit team. They have some holes and moving Johnson won't help fill them just yet. If Halak can step in and stabilize the team they may be able to go a bit further.
10. CALGARY FLAMES
The Flames will likely miss again this year. They're close to being a contender but they aren't there just yet. Maybe next year.
09. ST. LOUIS BLUES
This might be a bit of a stretch but I see the Blues dropping off a fair bit. The loss of Iginla and Halak will hurt them as will not having an active GM. In a division with one of the best teams in the entire league, not making any improvements won't help them. They're still a good team but I don't tink they're good enough.
08. COLORADO AVALANCHE
I feel like the Avalanche probably should've made it last year. They have the talent and although maybe not as good as some of the other teams in the West, they'll be able to pull together a winning season this year.
07. DALLAS STARS
I like the improvements made by the Stars and I feel like they'll build on their playoff berth last season with a little bit more of a successful season. As a low seed with the stars they have and one of the league's best goaltenders, they could have a shot at being a dark horse.
06. MINNESOTA WILD
I feel optimistic about the Wild. They have a good roster with some firepower and solid defense. If the goaltending can hold up and perform better than last season, the Wild should make the playoffs again this year.
05. SAN JOSE SHARKS
I feel like the Sharks might be able to press the Kings for the division lead. The acquisition of Letang to an already great team will only make them better. I wouldn't be surprised if I was off with this pick and the Sharks move into one of the top three spots.
04. EDMONTON OILERS
The Oilers have been a great team in the past few seasons but have found themselves out early. With the late addition of Jason Spezza last season and some line shuffling, the Oilers are primed to take another run at the cup this season and have the depth to make them one of the top teams in the league yet again.
03. VANCOUVER CANUCKS
The Canucks are built to win but haven't found the success that they have wanted. A great top six with solid enough depth in all positions should help propel the Canucks to another division championship, but with guys like Luongo and the Sedins aging, you've gotta think that this should be the year that they go all in.
02. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
The Blackhawks sacrificed some offense to build their defense, but they are coming off the backend of two straight Stanley Cup victories and clearly know how to win. With the trailing off of St. Louis this year and lack of real improvement from other divisional foes, look for the Blackhawks to take back the central division this season.
01. LOS ANGELES KINGS
The Kings have quietly been one of the best teams in the past two seasons despite being unable to make it back into the Stanley Cup Finals. Their team is built strong and built to win, with depth in every position and one of the league's best goaltenders. Combine that with a relatively weak division beyond San Jose, the Kings should have a great shot at capturing the west. This team is too good to continue to struggle.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
15. FLORIDA PANTHERS
The young Panthers are still growing and adjusting to the NHL style. I think they'll have another year near the bottom to add another key piece, and could maybe be more competitive as soon as next season.
14. OTTAWA SENATORS
I think this will be another miss for the Senators. They have some good young talent but haven't been able to put it all together. They have the goaltending to carry them deep but I don't expect to see them move up any higher than 12th.
13. BUFFALO SABRES
The Sabres have some great offensive talent but their defense and goaltending leave alot to be desired. I think they could place a bit higher if their American trio can carry them offensively, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
12. WASHINGTON CAPITALS
The Capitals have some fire power up front but I feel like last season will be hard to repeat with the improvements made by some of the teams in the east as well as their more competitive division.
11. NEW JERSEY DEVILS
A lack of any big improvements should leave the Devils in the same boat as last year, just barely missing the post season unless someone steps up or some trades are made to bolster the roster.
10. BOSTON BRUINS
The Bruins have the tools to be a playoff team but their GM isn't very active so I'm not sure if they can hang in long enough to grab a playoff spot. If they do, however, I think they could have some potential to cause alot of trouble for a high seed.
09. MONTREAL CANADIENS
I think the Canadiens are going to drop off a bit this year after making the playoffs last season. The team is mostly the same but I feel like the Flyers and Lightning are going to make the playoffs this season, so someone had to drop out.
08. NEW YORK ISLANDERS
The Islanders are no strangers to toppling giants after making an amazing playoff run. For their resilience only, I see them pulling it out and sneaking back into the 8th seed yet again where they could be every bit as dangerous as they were last year.
07. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
The Flyers missed the playoffs last year despite having a deep roster with a great mix of young and old players. I think that was an off year for them and they should return to playoff form again this season. I also think they could be a decent pick for a blackhorse upset once the playoffs begin.
06. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
After missing the post season, I think this is the year that the Lightning will finally be able to put it together. They have star power up front that can put in goals, as well as a much improved defensive squad with the recent acquisition of Mike Green. If Schneider and their defensive play hold up, the Lightning should make the playoffs this season.
05. WINNIPEG JETS
The Jets remain the same from last year's team that made a crazy run at the end of the season. With incredible forward depth and the addition of top pick Jonathan Drouin to the ranks, the Jets should be a top dog in the east yet again as they try to prove last season wasn't a fluke.
04. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
They're still a great team and you can't argue with their star power, but the Penguins lost their best defenseman and some of their depth. They're still going to be a tough team to defeat but I feel as though they won't be able to maintain their spot at the top of the east and due to the division leaders needing to seed 1-3, they'll finish the year at 4th.
03. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Maybe a bit of a surprise pick, but they've started the season strong and it's clear that their young guys are ready to make an impact at the NHL level. With the addition of another dman and maybe a better goalie, the Leafs could be dangerous. Even without those pieces, I think they're the best Northeastern division team.
02. CAROLINA HURRICANES
Good depth in all positions, a solid defense core and one of the league's better goaltenders will make the Hurricanes yet again the team to beat in the south eastern division. With the Staals leading the way and the additions of players like Lupul and Meszaros to round out the team, this year's cane squad is arguably even better than the team that made it all the way to the finals two seasons ago.
01. NEW YORK RANGERS
Look for the Rangers to build off of their cup finals run to become the top team in the east this season. They have great depth in all positions, giving them many weapons to use and making them a tough team to shut down. Add in the continued rise of playoff heroes Namestnikov and Lazar, and the Rangers may just be the team to be this season in the East.