WSH/PIT

[MSP4LYFE]

I don't view FLA much differently than I view PHX, a team with a ton of depth and veteran savy on the back end. The only real difference is goaltending, can Theodore regain his career in FLA ala PHX? I have no idea.

[Mike]

Winnipeg and Ottawa will be worse imo. 9-12 is where Florida falls IMO. If Huberdeau/GudB have sensational rookie seasons, this team will surprise people. IMO Tallon has put together a team of incredibly underrated players.

Who else is worse than Florida?

That's the thing. As of now, Florida finishes 10-13. But if Huberdeau/GudB have solid rookie campaigns they can do better. They have a good team. It can keep up with a lot of teams that would finish 7-12.

Yes, if players on any team play better than expected that team will overachieve.

Who are the 4 teams in the East they finish ahead of? Winnipeg, Ottawa, who else?

[MSP4LYFE]

No idea, could be no teams, could be several...

[Robin Hood]

Winnipeg and Ottawa will be worse imo. 9-12 is where Florida falls IMO. If Huberdeau/GudB have sensational rookie seasons, this team will surprise people. IMO Tallon has put together a team of incredibly underrated players.

Who else is worse than Florida?

That's the thing. As of now, Florida finishes 10-13. But if Huberdeau/GudB have solid rookie campaigns they can do better. They have a good team. It can keep up with a lot of teams that would finish 7-12.

Yes, if players on any team play better than expected that team will overachieve.

Who are the 4 teams in the East they finish ahead of? Winnipeg, Ottawa, who else?

You're making it sound like that is a truism for any team. It is not. Huberdeau and GudBranson's impact is immeasurable as of now. Florida could finish ahead of Carolina - lack of depth at both F and D. They could also finish ahead of NYI - goaltending? And as much as it pains me to say this, they could even finish ahead of Toronto.

Each team mentioned of course has it's list of x-factors. I.e. Skinner, Grabner, Niedereitter, Strome, Kadri, Connolly.

But why is Florida taken so lightly? Yes, they can easily finish 13th. But they have a good enough roster to do MUCH better than that.

And if last year is any indication, the race for the playoffs will get tighter and tighter (IMO we are not at the equilibrium yet). Teams finishing 7-12 could all end up with win totals north of 40

[bma]

Don't see Florida being better than Carolina at all. Carolina has a huge advantage in net. And a top 4 of Pitkanen, Gleason, Mcbain, and Kaberle is solid. Their offence is pretty solid too..not sure it lacks depth (E.Staal, Skinner, Jokinen, Ruutu, Sutter etc.)

[bma]

And yeah, I think Florida is the early favourite to be dead last in the NHL.

[Robin Hood]

And yeah, I think Florida is the early favourite to be dead last in the NHL.

I will bring this thread up at the end of the season. Kareem has been the only one to say their fate is just as open ended as others.

[Nick]

bottom 3 in east IMO. When they get (a few of) the likes of Drew Shorew, Nick Bjustad, Quinton Howden, John McFarland, Alex Petrovic,Connor Brickley , Jenks, Colby Robak & Jacob Markstrom on top of a non-slumping Gub & Hub (that sounds oddly ghey?) things begin to shape up... but expecting much next year is just silly.


CAR, CBJ, WPG & TOR are all easily (IMO) better then them.

[hong57]

Winnipeg and Ottawa will be worse imo. 9-12 is where Florida falls IMO. If Huberdeau/GudB have sensational rookie seasons, this team will surprise people. IMO Tallon has put together a team of incredibly underrated players.

Who else is worse than Florida?

That's the thing. As of now, Florida finishes 10-13. But if Huberdeau/GudB have solid rookie campaigns they can do better. They have a good team. It can keep up with a lot of teams that would finish 7-12.

i think they are bottom feeder too.. eberle, hall, msp played well last year for edm (well injury plays part too) but i think hmm who's the team that drafted RNH again?

[Robin Hood]

Winnipeg and Ottawa will be worse imo. 9-12 is where Florida falls IMO. If Huberdeau/GudB have sensational rookie seasons, this team will surprise people. IMO Tallon has put together a team of incredibly underrated players.

Who else is worse than Florida?

That's the thing. As of now, Florida finishes 10-13. But if Huberdeau/GudB have solid rookie campaigns they can do better. They have a good team. It can keep up with a lot of teams that would finish 7-12.

i think they are bottom feeder too.. eberle, hall, msp played well last year for edm (well injury plays part too) but i think hmm who's the team that drafted RNH again?

Edmonton didn't have guys like Weiss and Booth already Hong. Nor did they sign anyone like Fleischmann. They brought in Whitney. That was pretty much it. And he was injured for half the season.

[Shep]

Edmonton will finish bottom 3 in the NHL. That's for sure. Their goaltending sucks, their D sucks and their F are inexperienced.

[Shep]

bottom 3 in east IMO. When they get (a few of) the likes of Drew Shorew, Nick Bjustad, Quinton Howden, John McFarland, Alex Petrovic,Connor Brickley , Jenks, Colby Robak & Jacob Markstrom on top of a non-slumping Gub & Hub (that sounds oddly ghey?) things begin to shape up... but expecting much next year is just silly.


CAR, CBJ, WPG & TOR are all easily (IMO) better then them.

Winnipeg is not easily better. In fact, they'll be fighting with Florida to not finish bottom 2 with Ottawa in the East.

[Nick]

I believe they are. If healthy they have good goaltending (Pavelec), rather impressive D (enstrom, Buffy, bogo, Stuart, odyua and jones) on top of a young, big and fast forward group ( little, wheeler, Ladd, burmi, Kane, fehr, antro, etc)

First 1/2 of last year they were walking to a playoff spot, I expect them to earn one this year. But then again, I expect big thing from evander.

[Shep]

I believe they are. If healthy they have good goaltending (Pavelec), rather impressive D (enstrom, Buffy, bogo, Stuart, odyua and jones) on top of a young, big and fast forward group ( little, wheeler, Ladd, burmi, Kane, fehr, antro, etc)

First 1/2 of last year they were walking to a playoff spot, I expect them to earn one this year. But then again, I expect big thing from evander.

the reason they in playoff contention was 100% because of Pavelec. He was a top 5 goalie to start the year.

If he doesn't play at a .920 SV% and a 2.40 GAA or better, they are screwed.

[Lee]

Have at it, Mr Fainting goalie. Work up that trade value before Ceddy takes over the starting role in Colorado.

[Shep]

Leafs group is better than that Winnipeg group and we're being clumped in with Winnipeg/Florida in this discussion?

We were a top 7-10 team in the league once Reimer came in, and top 5 after the All-Star break.

Granted he won't have those numbers again, it shows that the Leafs are actually pretty good then they have goaltending they can rely on if they make a mistake.

[Robin Hood]

I believe they are. If healthy they have good goaltending (Pavelec), rather impressive D (enstrom, Buffy, bogo, Stuart, odyua and jones) on top of a young, big and fast forward group ( little, wheeler, Ladd, burmi, Kane, fehr, antro, etc)

First 1/2 of last year they were walking to a playoff spot, I expect them to earn one this year. But then again, I expect big thing from evander.

the reason they in playoff contention was 100% because of Pavelec. He was a top 5 goalie to start the year.

If he doesn't play at a .920 SV% and a 2.40 GAA or better, they are screwed.

This. WSH, PIT, NJD, TBL, BOS, BUF, PHI have 7 spots locked imo. Then you have NYR, MTL, CAR, TOR, FLA, NYI fighting for 1 spot.

[MSP4LYFE]

the reason they in playoff contention was 100% because of Pavelec. He was a top 5 goalie to start the year.

If he doesn't play at a .920 SV% and a 2.40 GAA or better, they are screwed.

Pretty much, I like their future though.

[MSP4LYFE]

^ I agree with Shiv and Shep's statements above, we are in the tier outside of the elite in the East.

However I don't think PHI and BUF have spots locked up.

[Nick]

^ I agree with Shiv and Shep's statements above, we are in the tier outside of the elite in the East.

However I don't think PHI and BUF have spots locked up.

Basically what I was going to say, except in regards to BUF & NJD.

WSH, PIT, TBL, BOS & PHI are the tops of the east, but a few injuries or a big slump and 1 or 2 of them could be out of it. Things change fast and all of a sudden in the NHL, and in hindsight it always seems obvious. If Thomas/Rask come back down to reality how good is Boston? Say Tampa gets NO goaltending outta Roli, they then fall out of the picture (shit tending + questionable D = not making the playoffs IMO). WSH, PIT and PHI are IMO the teams deep enough to deal with flat spots and lows almost anywhere in their lineup.

NYR, WPG, TOR, NJD, BUF, MTL & CAR will be in a dog fight most of the year, and as always it'll come down to a few bounces here and there. Less then 10 points spread for the 6-10 spots, really is a very even league at the moment, imo.