WSH/PIT

[Shep]

^ 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.

I mostly agree with this except for Thomas falling back down to earth. He is actually Godlike, and will not slowdown until he's 64.

[MSP4LYFE]

I'm not high on Philadelphia this season, a ton of new pieces will lead to a long adjustment period, and how will the team respond to the loss or Richards and Carter? How will the back end perform without Pronger for a half a season?

I view them as contenders for the 8th seed in the immediate future.

[Shep]

Bryz should help them as a lock for the 6th spot IMO.

They've lost some offence, but I think they should be okay.

I disagree with New Jersey. They'll either be 2nd or 4th in the conference.

1. Washington
2. Pittsburgh/New Jersey
3. Boston
4. Pittsburgh/New Jersey

=]

[Shep]

The Devils record once they fired John MacLean:

18-8-2 .. a 105pt Pace

There is a direct correlation between MacLean being fired and the Devils turning their season around.

And that was without Parise.

[Nick]

They've hired a new coach again though -> DeBoer by the sounds of it. His track record is awesome

And not that i would call it, but Marty is, slowly, slowing down.


Just a clarification -> did not mean to call roli or thomas falling apart either, just saying that goaltending changes everything, and with older goalies it really does tend to swing quickly. Now Boston is safer the TBL given they have Rask, but on teams w/o standout D-core inconsistent tending is a dagger to the heart.

[Shep]

Again, Marty's numbers once MacLean was gone, were great.

Jan: 2.28 / 0.919
Feb: 1.20 / 0.950
Mar: 1.68 / 0.922

[kyuss]

Panthers have a VERY underrated team:

mmh, considering the type of contracts they signed this off-season i'm inclined to think the opposite.