Another October, another start of the season. Will the Penguins become the first three-peat champions since the 80's? Will McDavid end up with another 100-point season? Will Nico Hischier win the Calder Trophy as top rookie? (Answers: Probably not, Probably, I will fight every PHWA member who doesn't make him first on their ballots).
Until those questions are answered, here is how my brother and I see the season playing out (and sorry for no board, I don't have one with Vegas on it. Stupid expansion).
* - Denotes playoff teams
Brad
Atlantic Division
1 - Montreal Canadiens*
2 - Tampa Bay Lightning*
3 - Toronto Maple Leafs*
4 - Boston Bruins
5 - Ottawa Senators
6 - Florida Panthers
7 - Buffalo Sabres
8 - Detroit Red Wings
Pending on health, it should be a one-two finish with Montreal and Tampa Bay at the top of the division. The edge goes to the Habs, as Price will once again Carey (!!!) this team despite the scoring woes. Andrei Vasilevskiy performed well last season in Tampa Bay, and is now the de facto starting goalie for the team. Toronto is still on the rise, and is good enough to earn a divisional playoff spot. While they made the playoffs last season, both Boston and Ottawa will be in tough in what could be another close battle for a wildcard spot. Both teams come up short in the end though, as the Atlantic Division only sends three teams to the postseason. Florida continues to be baffling, and shouldn't be much of a playoff threat. Buffalo makes improvements, but still falls short of the playoffs. Detroit finally bottoms out in what starts (continues?) a long-overdue rebuild.
Metropolitan Division
1 - Pittsburgh Penguins*
2 - Washington Capitals*
3 - New York Rangers*
4 - Columbus Blue Jackets*
5 - Carolina Hurricanes*
6 - Philadelphia Flyers
7 - New York Islanders
8 - New Jersey Devils
The top three are almost locks, with the Penguins, Capitals, and Rangers locking up the divisional playoff spots (Rangers were the only iffy one, but they should hold to that third spot). After that it's kinds wide open. As long as Bobrovsky is healthy, the Blue Jackets should be able to clinch a wildcard spot. The Hurricanes have been building for a bit, and this year is the year they make the leap to playoff team, in what could be a battle for the second wildcard spot. The Flyers and Islanders take a step back and miss the playoffs. The Devils improve point-wise, but still end up at the bottom of the division.
Central Division
1 - Minnesota Wild*
2 - Nashville Predators*
3 - St. Louis Blues*
4 - Winnipeg Jets*
5 - Dallas Stars
6 - Chicago Blackhawks
7 - Colorado Avalanche
A Bruce Boudreau team at the top of the division? You don't say. Yes, the Wild will find their way to the top of a pretty tough (but banged up) division. The Predators, coming off a Final appearance, should take the second spot. After that, I have no clue. St. Louis' injuries to start the season will hinder them to start, but they are talented enough to earn a playoff spot. Winnipeg is continuing to improve, and the tandem of Steve Mason and Connor Hellebuyck should bounce back after both had down years last year. They'll managed to squeak into a wildcard spot. On the outside are the Stars, who will also rebound after a bad year, thanks to a healthy Seguin to start and the coaching style of Ken Hitchcock. The Blackhawks finally take a (likely needed) step back, missing the playoffs. The Avalanche are the Avalanche, and unless every team ahead of them is contracted, should contend for the first overall pick again this year.
Pacific Division
1 - Anaheim Ducks*
2 - San Jose Sharks*
3 - Edmonton Oilers*
4 - Calgary Flames*
5 - Los Angeles Kings
6 - Phoenix Coyotes
7 - Vegas Golden Knights
8 - Vancouver Canucks
Anaheim is usually a dman good regular season team, and I don't see too much of a reason to think otherwise. The Ducks will once again take the top spot in the division. Despite missing long-time Shark Patrick Marleau, San Jose is still a pretty good. They'll bump up a spot and end up second in the division. Edmonton is McDavid, as he goes so do the Oilers. This team may take a small step back (likely due to the need to lessen Cam Talbot's workload), but will still clinch a playoff spot. Calgary reinforced up front (JAGR!) and the blueline (Travis Hamonic) and should only improve. The only question is in goal, as Mike Smith is older and hasn't been above average for a couple of years. Either way, the Flames once again scoop up a wildcard spot. Los Angeles continues to compete for a playoff spot, but fall short when the season is done. Phoenix is building toward something, and should finish with more points this year. They'll still be out of the playoffs though. Expansion teams usually suffer in the first year, and Vegas looks to be no different. At the bottom is Vancouver, who bottom out once again.
MDK
Atlantic Division
1 - Ottawa Senators*
2 - Buffalo Sabres*
3 - Toronto Maple Leafs*
4 - Tampa Bay Lightning*
5 - Florida Panthers
6 - Detroit Red Wings
7 - Montreal Canadiens
8 - Boston Bruins
Metropolitan Division
1 - Pittsburgh Penguins*
2 - Washington Capitals*
3 - New York Rangers*
4 - New York Islanders*
5 - Philadelphia Flyers
6 - Columbus Blue Jackets
7 - Carolina Hurricanes
8 - New Jersey Devils
Central Division
1 - Minnesota Wild*
2 - Nashville Predators*
3 - St. Louis Blues*
4 - Chicago Blackhawks*
5 - Winnipeg Jets
6 - Dallas Stars
7 - Colorado Avalanche
Pacific Division
1 - Anaheim Ducks*
2 - San Jose Sharks*
3 - Edmonton Oilers*
4 - Calgary Flames*
5 - Vegas Golden Knights
6 - Phoenix Coyotes
7 - Los Angeles Kings
8 - Vancouver Canucks
