Predictions
Posted 9:18 AM ET | Comments 19
Alright, so, everybody does these things at some point, I suppose I'm going to throw them up here too. I don't really know why, considering they'll just get ragged by everyone who thinks their teams should do better and whatever teams I seem to like totally suck.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Southeast Division
1. Washington
2. Carolina
3. Florida
4. Tampa Bay
5. Atlanta
Atlantic Division
1. Pittsburgh
2. Philadelphia
3. NYR
4. New Jersey
5. NYI
Northeast Division
1. Montreal
2. Buffalo
3. Ottawa
4. Boston
5. Toronto
PLAYOFF STANDINGS:
1. Pittsburgh
2. Washington
3. Montreal
4. Philadelphia
5. NYR
6. Buffalo
7. NJD
8. Ottawa
9. Boston
10. Carolina
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Pacific Division
1. San Jose
2. Anaheim
3. Dallas
4. Phoenix
5. Los Angeles
Central Division
1. Detroit
2. Chicago
3. Nashville
4. Columbus
5. St. Louis
Northwest Division
1. Calgary
2. Vancouver
3. Edmonton
4. Minnesota
5. Colorado
PLAYOFF STANDINGS
1. Detroit
2. San Jose
3. Calgary
4. Anaheim
5. Chicago
6. Dallas
7. Vancouver
8. Phoenix
9. Edmonton
10. Nashville
11. Minnesota
In the playoff standings I included the teams below the top 8 who i think will finish within 3 points of a playoff spot. It's certainly controversial how i've assigned 7, 8, 9 in the west and 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 in the east, but i think those spots are going to be closely attested all year. Obviously some of the places don't exactly make sense, but i've tried to think about how many games teams have to play against each other w/in their division. Less than last year, obviously, but still significant. Edm, Van, Pho could easily finish anywhere from 7-9 especially, and i know that the preseason is an audition, and it matters not when it comes to the regular season, but that doesn't mean i'm going to completely throw it out the window. The coyotes being winless and the canucks being undefeated doesn't matter as much as it would 6 games into the season, but it certainly means a lot more than nothing.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Southeast Division
1. Washington
2. Carolina
3. Florida
4. Tampa Bay
5. Atlanta
Atlantic Division
1. Pittsburgh
2. Philadelphia
3. NYR
4. New Jersey
5. NYI
Northeast Division
1. Montreal
2. Buffalo
3. Ottawa
4. Boston
5. Toronto
PLAYOFF STANDINGS:
1. Pittsburgh
2. Washington
3. Montreal
4. Philadelphia
5. NYR
6. Buffalo
7. NJD
8. Ottawa
9. Boston
10. Carolina
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Pacific Division
1. San Jose
2. Anaheim
3. Dallas
4. Phoenix
5. Los Angeles
Central Division
1. Detroit
2. Chicago
3. Nashville
4. Columbus
5. St. Louis
Northwest Division
1. Calgary
2. Vancouver
3. Edmonton
4. Minnesota
5. Colorado
PLAYOFF STANDINGS
1. Detroit
2. San Jose
3. Calgary
4. Anaheim
5. Chicago
6. Dallas
7. Vancouver
8. Phoenix
9. Edmonton
10. Nashville
11. Minnesota
In the playoff standings I included the teams below the top 8 who i think will finish within 3 points of a playoff spot. It's certainly controversial how i've assigned 7, 8, 9 in the west and 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 in the east, but i think those spots are going to be closely attested all year. Obviously some of the places don't exactly make sense, but i've tried to think about how many games teams have to play against each other w/in their division. Less than last year, obviously, but still significant. Edm, Van, Pho could easily finish anywhere from 7-9 especially, and i know that the preseason is an audition, and it matters not when it comes to the regular season, but that doesn't mean i'm going to completely throw it out the window. The coyotes being winless and the canucks being undefeated doesn't matter as much as it would 6 games into the season, but it certainly means a lot more than nothing.
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02 Predictions
As Darren Dreger said last night on Off The Record he and THE HOCKEY NEWS believe the Leafs finish anywhere from 7th to 10th. Keep underestimating them its takes more pressure off of them to perform and the better/more motivated they become.
This year seems so wide open that I can't begin to predict the outcome. To me, the only sure thing is Detroit winning the Central.
The chances of the leafs beating two of those teams listed in the top 8 is ridiculous. Thats two of buffalo, new jersey, and ottawa. The chances of them finishing second among that group of 4 teams is as unlikely as me cheering for minnesota.
First off, pretty much everyone employed by TSN... well, let's not get into this. Suffice to say, I don't really put much stock in their opinions.The leafs would have to get out of their division to even make it into the playoffs. Their division isn;t strong enough to get four teams in, first of all, meaning they would have to finish third, meaning they would need to finish ahead of Ottawa, Montreal, or Buffalo to get into third in the division. Not happening. If Sundin returns to you, it's possible. Unlikely, but possible. As it is now... not happening.Predaceous - haha, i know, but i mean, there's only so long I can stave off not trying to predict this. I have two fantasy hockey drafts tonight and the wait is killing me. I'm going stir crazy.
I can't believe that I'm agreeing with a Canucks fan but, there is no way the Leafs make the playoffs. Actually, I don't understand why people WANT them the make the playoffs :S. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. I'd like to see them surprise some people as much as any Leafs fan but, the reality is, we need to stock up on young talent via the draft. What is better, squeaking into the playoffs now only to get absolutely pummeled or, taking it on the chin for a couple of years and then being a power house for years to come after wards? No offense but I think some people need to give their heads a shake.
Exactly. The worst possible thing to do is get into the playoffs in that eighth seed and exit in 4/5 games. The 7/8 spots in the west are almost not worth it, because of who you would have to play.
i have high expectations for washington, but they will not finish ahead of montreal
Not bad, I think you have put Washington too high, and I dont know if Van can get 2nd in their division, we'll see though, all comes down to Luongo
ARE YOU JOKING!!!This is the city of Toronto there is not another city in the league MORE hungry for a Stanley Cup then this place. I don;t care who you ask but there isn't a fan in the city or throughout that wouldn't want the Stanley Cup and if you said otherwise YOU ARE A LIAR!This was discussed on Off The Record the other day and everyone agreed NO sports franchise is going to "Tank" on purpose no matter how much you want that. It hurts sponsorship and the teams reputation, the Leafs making the playoffs I will admit WOULD suck only if they were beat in the 1st round but if they made it and pulled an Edmonton I would not complain and NEITHER would you.
Yeah I don't see the Canucks coming even close to 2nd in the division. Calgary seems average at best considering how inconsistent Kipper is and how many solid players they've lost the last 2 years. To be honest, Edmonton looks like the best team in the conference and even better if their goaltending performs at the same level as last year (which was decent).Leafs NEED to tank (whether they tell the public or not) and get some good spects in their system
Is it mathematically possible for 4 teams from the same division to make the playoffs. Ok I'm sure it is but it wont happen.
it is possible, but it means one of the other divisions in the conference has to be very weak. Edmonton best in conference - i assume you mean division? Predram - who do you think is coming second in division then? If Calgary is inconsistent and it's not Vancouver, who is it?
oilers have good ice, great fans but a lousy team ... this year
Rubberduckies, you obviously don't have a clue about hockey.
Gerk, it happened last year with the Atlantic Division.
How bout Colorado? They're still loaded with offense, have solid defense. If Budaj plays like how I've seen him play in the past and Raycroft proves to be a decent backup option, they could very well take it. Don't count them out b/c Raycroft is on their roster. Edmonton has a nice lineup and if they can get some good goaltending again out of Garon, they should figure in as well.
Meh, I just don't see Colorado pulling it out this year. I love how as soon as anyone even voices an opinion at a team though (rubberduckies) they suddenly 'don't have a clue about hockey.' That's right, ALL OF HOCKEY.
kurri17 knows very little about hockey...he knows more about being a boy !
It seems a little ambitious, haha. You offer an opinion, and suddenly...