wow non-oiler fans are optimistic about their season. I'm expecting the 5 or 6 slot, but know it's possible they'll tank like this year
- TheNugeIsHuge

people still assume the imminent breakout. but aren't really full aware of the number of deficiencies and problems.
nuge and yaks could both breakout and we could still be a very mediocre team

Reminds me of the lockout shortened year, non-Oiler fans loved picking them to finish 7th or 8th that year, however almost all realistic Oiler fans weren't predicting a playoff spot.
- Nucker101

which leads to the inevitable "oiler fans thought it was the year!" when they're out of a playoff spot in january. Oiler fans have learned to be cautious and expect the very worst because more often that not that seems to be the case

which leads to the inevitable "oiler fans thought it was the year!" when they're out of a playoff spot in january. Oiler fans have learned to be cautious and expect the very worst because more often that not that seems to be the case
- TheNugeIsHuge

I won't be convinced were not in the lottery until the day the math seems it impossible....same goes for playoffs, until the clinch, I assume they won't.

1. LA
2. SJ
3. VAN
4. ANH
5. EDM
6. ARI
7. CAL

I think the ducks will have some growing pains with Andersson/Gibson in net, they also have carried some unsustainable numbers the last couple of years which will catch up to them IMO. Who will be their 3C ? Cogliano, Rakell ? I like the addition of kesler but they moved two decent C in Perrault and Bonino and still IMO need to replace one.
Edm will be better this year but as many have said, they need some centers. I really like the addition of blue collar guys the last two off seasons, Gordon, pouliot, Perron, Terrence, nikitin, Fayne. And of course better goalies.

1. LA
2. SJ
3. VAN
4. ANH
5. EDM
6. ARI
7. CAL

I think the ducks will have some growing pains with Andersson/Gibson in net, they also have carried some unsustainable numbers the last couple of years which will catch up to them IMO. Who will be their 3C ? Cogliano, Rakell ? I like the addition of kesler but they moved two decent C in Perrault and Bonino and still IMO need to replace one.
Edm will be better this year but as many have said, they need some centers. I really like the addition of blue collar guys the last two off seasons, Gordon, pouliot, Perron, Terrence, nikitin, Fayne. And of course better goalies.
- belcherbd

I LOVE the way the standing look here, but as much as I don't like the ducks, they always seem to find ways to prove people wrong although I agree with everything you have said about their upcoming goaltending and possible C issues.... Not a bad guess at the standings though

I LOVE the way the standing look here, but as much as I don't like the ducks, they always seem to find ways to prove people wrong although I agree with everything you have said about their upcoming goaltending and possible C issues.... Not a bad guess at the standings though
- RobitailleFAN20

I'm predicting a Calder trophy for Gibson. Everything about the two goalies suggest they will play well and nothing about their careers to this point suggests they will struggle. 23 wins in 27 NHL starts. Plus they will be playing on a team with arguably the best offense in the league, so even if they struggle, mediocre play in net will get wins. At center, the Ducks got significantly better on the 2nd and 4th lines and regressed on the 3rd line. That regression is likely Rakell or Leblanc who really aren't terrible. Overall, they are better down the middle and in net than they were last season.

I'm predicting a Calder trophy for Gibson. Everything about the two goalies suggest they will play well and nothing about their careers to this point suggests they will struggle. 23 wins in 27 NHL starts. Plus they will be playing on a team with arguably the best offense in the league, so even if they struggle, mediocre play in net will get wins. At center, the Ducks got significantly better on the 2nd and 4th lines and regressed on the 3rd line. That regression is likely Rakell or Leblanc who really aren't terrible. Overall, they are better down the middle and in net than they were last season.
- sniper11

Calder trophy for Gibson is not out reach, but not so sure it'll be likely... He did show some flashes of being a great goalie during that LA/ANA series. I remember when the Kings drafted Gibson in 2011, but it was not the John Gibson(that ANA has) now. I knew he was a promising goalie when ANA snagged him. I believe he led the US to a gold medal in the WJC or one of those world tournaments... As a Kings fan I hope he isn't as good as advertised in the LA/ANA series, but I do LOVE the rivalry that has been boiling up between us LA/ANA fans and the 2 teams for that matter. I've been waiting for this type of tension for a long long time now and I love the banter/chirping back and forth between the two fan bases. For being a fan of a California team since the mid '90s, it's nice to have a team that can win, without being in a "winter" state.

I'm predicting a Calder trophy for Gibson. Everything about the two goalies suggest they will play well and nothing about their careers to this point suggests they will struggle. 23 wins in 27 NHL starts. Plus they will be playing on a team with arguably the best offense in the league, so even if they struggle, mediocre play in net will get wins. At center, the Ducks got significantly better on the 2nd and 4th lines and regressed on the 3rd line. That regression is likely Rakell or Leblanc who really aren't terrible. Overall, they are better down the middle and in net than they were last season.
- sniper11

Don't get me wrong I think Gibson will become an excellent goalie in this league I just think there will be hiccups along the way and Andersen isn't exactly a vet. Young players always go through struggles and goalies more so. It's a total crapshoot IMO trying to predict any Cali teams in the regular season anyways as both Anh and SJ have been unreal in recent years and LA underwhelming and yet the Kings obviously have been able to be dominant in the playoffs.

1. ana
2. la
3. edm
4. sj
5. van
6. arz
7. cal
- bosman

Oilers over SJ?

Agreed. A tad bit out lunch....unless he knows of a deal worked out where Thornton heads to Edmonton for Anton Lander.

Don't get me wrong I think Gibson will become an excellent goalie in this league I just think there will be hiccups along the way and Andersen isn't exactly a vet. Young players always go through struggles and goalies more so. It's a total crapshoot IMO trying to predict any Cali teams in the regular season anyways as both Anh and SJ have been unreal in recent years and LA underwhelming and yet the Kings obviously have been able to be dominant in the playoffs.
- belcherbd

Brodeur, Price, Luongo, Mason - All goalies who managed to take control of their team's net at age 21.

Brodeur, Price, Luongo, Mason - All goalies who managed to take control of their team's net at age 21.
- sniper11

Exceptions to the norm.