I will be posting 1 team at a time, but adding to the blog every couple of minutes. Happy Hockey DAY!
EXACTLY what will happen in The Metropolitan Division…
#8 Carolina Hurricanes
The Canes were magic in a bottle last season, but a lot of that depending heavily on a perfect combination of catching teams by surprise and team chemistry...Us versus Them. Without Justin Williams and Justin Faulk…..I don’t see this team succeeding in a division that continues to improve.
Wacky Predicton:
The Canes turn to James Reimer to be the #1…(not really wacky I suppse)
Worst Case:
Pretty much as I stated it.
Best Case:
I am completely wrong and the Canes find magic twice. Aho is a fantastic player...even though he wanted to play elsewhere.
They may trade for:
Scoring. Or Goaltending...I could see them make a play for Jimmy Howard.
They could move at the deadline:
Eric Haula, TvR, Edmundson…
#7 NJ Devils
Devils fans rejoice...I am always wrong about your team. And this may be my favorite Devils team EVER. I love the moves they have made and I love Jack Hughes and Taylor Hall….#4-#7 in this division could go almost any way...My issue here is goaltending….they are the weakest of the three other teams within a 90 mile radius...
Wacky Prediction:
The Devils are leading the Division in November.
Worst Case:
The Devils finish 7th and have to look at trading Hall if they can’t extend him..
Best Case:
The Devils finish #2 and in the playoffs...Honestly. It could happen.
They may trade for:
More depth...they have to make this year work for Hall.
They could move at the deadline:
Wayne Simmonds….Andy Green and Sami Vatanen...and Hall...but I truly hope not.
#6 Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers are going to VERY good in a year or two. This team just doesn’t feel ready to be. They have that tough combination of really young and somewhat old, without any real players in their mid twenties. The prospects coming up are phenomenal...How this coaching staff handles this disconnect will be everything, but early on I feel the Flyers will struggle. The future is so crazy bright, but it is asking a lot for that to happen now.
Wacky Prediction:
Carter Hart is a Finalist for the Vezina. It will be true eventually, why not now?
Worst Case:
Pretty much how I stated it...The hard nose coaching style doesn’t work to blend the two generations on this team.
Best Case:
I am completely wrong, and you know I would love that to be true. This experiment of Vigneault will either be the best thing ever or a disaster...I really sense that...They are finishing either 6th or 2nd.
They may trade for:
Scoring and experience.
They could move at the deadline:
Justin Braun
#5 NY Islanders
The Islanders will have to hope Varlamov stays healthy and everything goes right again to challenge for a playoff spot...This #5 spot in the Metro I don’t believe will be a playoff spot this year...But I am always wrong when I bet against Trotz..
Wacky Prediction:
Greiss goes on a crazy run of wins...10 in a row.
Worst Case:
The Isles defense isn’t where it was and their scoring falls short...It will be hard to match last year, especially with the scoring added in NJ, NY and Philly. They could drop all the way to 7.
Best Case:
4th and make the playoffs...which knowing Lou and Trotz...I wouldn’t bet against.
They may trade for:
Scoring...and in a big way...Lou really wanted Panarin. Now he wants Laine.
They could move at the deadline:
Martin, Brassard, Greiss.
# 4 Columbus Blue Jackets
They are this year’s Islanders/Hurricanes. Everyone is counting them way out becasue they are looking at what they lost...Yet no one remembers this is one of the youngest teams in hockey and has shown great success with those players as well. I also believe in Elvis. He is worth the ticket price.
Wacky Prediction:
The Jackets finish a top the division and Elvis is up for the Calder AND the Vezina.
Worst Case:
Everyone else is right and they take a step backward landing in 7th or 8th...I think that is completely ridiculous given their Defense and depth.
Best Case:
They win the division with strong goaltending and a killer top 4 D that may be tops in the NHL.
They may trade for:
Scoring. They can take on tons of money at the deadline to beef up if they are in the playoffs.
They could move at the deadline:
Really only Gerbe. They are solid in cap shape.
# 3 The NY Rangers
The Rangers are going to be better than they have been and I do believe Panarin is the kind of clutch player that lands them into the playoffs. And Kappo will be all kinds of fun to watch. They have essentially done what Vegas did a year ago and added a top line to their team...and they have King Henry.
Wacky Prediction:
90 points from Kappo...as he runs away with the rookie of the year.
Worst Case:
They take too long to gel and fall to 6th...
Best Case:
Top 3 is possible.
They may trade for:
Defensive experience for a playoff run.
They could move at the deadline:
Kreider...It all begins and ends with Kreider.
# 2 Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins have done some very sneaky moves this off season and Rutherford isn’t done yet...Crosby and Malkin were thoroughly embarrassed in the playoffs and I fully expect them to take it out on the rest of the NHL. Can’t wait to see what Galchenyuk brings. Matt Murray playing for a contract...
Wacky Prediction:
The Penguins flounder and change coaches. I could see Rutherford not holding on to Sullivan if they find themselves for some reason out of the playoffs by US Thanksgiving.
Worst Case:
Injuries...really the only way I see them faltering
Best Case:
Another Stanley Cup
They may trade for:
Picks...can't take on ANY money
They could move at the deadline:
Justin Schultz
# 1 Washington Capitals
They always win this division but I really believe that with Holtby and Backstrom playing for new deals this season they could potentially blow everyone out of the water...
Wacky Prediction:
Ovechkin goes cold.. scores under 30.. (sorry its called Wacky for a reason)
Worst Case:
They finish third. Won’t matter
Best Case:
Stanley Cup
They may trade for:
To fill injury holes...so it is too soon to say.
They could move at the deadline:
Not happening.
That’s it kids…. Next up...we hit the Western Conference.
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