StL
Col
Nashville
VGK
Cal
Dal
SJS
WPG
Arizona
Vancouver
Chicago
Edmonton
Minn
Ana
LA
- VANTEL

My guess

If the Pacific wasn’t generally known as such a weak division the wildcards would be more realistic. As it stands only VGK & SJ have shown to be consistent PO teams. The Flames i will add but not a sure bet the way they can stumble every 2nd year. The Ducks & LAK are going through old age onset. Yotes are an ongoing enigma. Leaves us the Oilers who get Stanley cup favourite odds one year & miss the PO’s. A team in disarray & floundering while wasting McDavid.

The life cycle of the Pacific is on a low & wide open for any team to surprise.

My guess
- Pacificgem

I think we are ahead of AZ and one of DALL or WPG. I think WPG is in trouble

I think we are ahead of AZ and one of DALL or WPG. I think WPG is in trouble
- CanuckDon

Not a chance we are better than Dallas or Winnipeg, Dallas was a 93 point team and got better this summer and Winnipeg was a 100 point team.

Despite the great additions this summer that’s a huge stretch to jump that much. But I like your enthusiasm.

Arizona and the Canucks are similar teams, toss up between them. Depends who stays healthier.

Not a chance we are better than Dallas or Winnipeg, Dallas was a 93 point team and got better this summer and Winnipeg was a 100 point team.

Despite the great additions this summer that’s a huge stretch to jump that much. But I like your enthusiasm.

Arizona and the Canucks are similar teams, toss up between them. Depends who stays healthier.
- Pacificgem

WPG D is in absolute shambles. I was shocked Dallas had 93 points. I’d bank my savings on bth teams regressing. WPG hard. Dallas has Heiskenin so they may still be able to squeak in

Setting low expectations gets low results.

WPG D is in absolute shambles. I was shocked Dallas had 93 points. I’d bank my savings on bth teams regressing. WPG hard. Dallas has Heiskenin so they may still be able to squeak in
- CanuckDon

The Leafs “D” was in shambles last year and they still managed 100 points. If you can outscore your defensive woes and get solid goaltending you can still compete.

Jets have a ton of offensive power. It’ll be interesting to see how it unfolds. I’d say 2020/21 is our year once the guys all get comfortable with each other.

The Leafs “D” was in shambles last year and they still managed 100 points. If you can outscore your defensive woes and get solid goaltending you can still compete.

Jets have a ton of offensive power.
- Pacificgem

You dont think WPG will regress after losing 3 of their top 5 D? And scoring depth?

You dont think WPG will regress after losing 3 of their top 5 D? And scoring depth?
- CanuckDon

They regressed last year from 114 points to 99, some guys had an off-year, I still think they’re a 97-103 point team.

I’d say that Jkuzzi would be the man for the job but then we would end up with Loui in prison for bath salt smuggling on a 20 year sentence (great outcome) and Boeser would somehow be traded to the KHL. There has to be a better way?
- CanuckDon

I would get handfuls of rubles and very ugly prostitutes though

dramatic changes to"the size and nature of the team. Its identity. Yes, Pettersson, Boeser and Horvat drive the attack with their skill, but the Canucks will be physically harder to play against."

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...ayoffs-appear-attainable/

Add in Tryamkin later in the season and prospects like MacEwen, Lind, even an early appearance from Podkolzin, all add to the new identity going forward.

How can this not be a playoff team now in the weaker Pacific division.

dramatic changes to"the size and nature of the team. Its identity. Yes, Pettersson, Boeser and Horvat drive the attack with their skill, but the Canucks will be physically harder to play against."

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...ayoffs-appear-attainable/

Add in Tryamkin later in the season and prospects like MacEwen, Lind, even an early appearance from Podkolzin, all add to the new identity going forward.

How can this not be a playoff team now in the weaker Pacific division.
- NuckUp

Because (A) it takes time for new guys to adjust (B) five teams from the Central will get in and Calgary, Vegas and SJ are still better teams than the Canucks #2020/21

All that said, I’m excited to watch the team this year, first time in awhile.

dramatic changes to"the size and nature of the team. Its identity. Yes, Pettersson, Boeser and Horvat drive the attack with their skill, but the Canucks will be physically harder to play against."

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...ayoffs-appear-attainable/

Add in Tryamkin later in the season and prospects like MacEwen, Lind, even an early appearance from Podkolzin, all add to the new identity going forward.

How can this not be a playoff team now in the weaker Pacific division.
- NuckUp

Injuries, travel, refs, bounces and not achieving expectations and stuff.

dramatic changes to"the size and nature of the team. Its identity. Yes, Pettersson, Boeser and Horvat drive the attack with their skill, but the Canucks will be physically harder to play against."

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...ayoffs-appear-attainable/

Add in Tryamkin later in the season and prospects like MacEwen, Lind, even an early appearance from Podkolzin, all add to the new identity going forward.

How can this not be a playoff team now in the weaker Pacific division.
- NuckUp

If people could let go of the bust factor/trying to make him something he’s not, they’d probably be very happy with how he’d look as an energy north south bottom 6 & PK contributor. PK is perfect for Virtanen. Structured. No room to overthink. Then turn on the (frank)ing jets when the puck becomes available. He’d score 5+ SHbreakawayG/yr.
- DrChristianTroy

Wow you read my mind. I've thought his speed could be weaponized on the pk. Especially placed high up.
Even if there aren't short handed goals it still neutralizes the opposition pp. It wins games.

Because (A) it takes time for new guys to adjust (B) five teams from the Central will get in and Calgary, Vegas and SJ are still better teams than the Canucks #2020/21

All that said, I’m excited to watch the team this year, first time in awhile.
- Pacificgem

EP’s Calder season didn’t do it for you?

EP’s Calder season didn’t do it for you?
- bloatedmosquito

For 18 minutes, sure. It's the other 42 that were the problem.

dramatic changes to"the size and nature of the team. Its identity. Yes, Pettersson, Boeser and Horvat drive the attack with their skill, but the Canucks will be physically harder to play against."

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...ayoffs-appear-attainable/

Add in Tryamkin later in the season and prospects like MacEwen, Lind, even an early appearance from Podkolzin, all add to the new identity going forward.

How can this not be a playoff team now in the weaker Pacific division.
- NuckUp

I don't know if you can call it a weak division . Flames were #1 in the West and SJ did a serious playoff run. Plus Vegas. I also think Edmonton will be much improved

I don't know if you can call it a weak division . Flames were #1 in the West and SJ did a serious playoff run. I also think Edmonton will be much improved
- SMBDragon

Gonna have to go ahead and disagree with you on that one big fella.

The pacific is easily the weakest division in the league.
Not sure what Edm has done in your opinion to improve this year...

I don't know if you can call it a weak division . Flames were #1 in the West and SJ did a serious playoff run. I also think Edmonton will be much improved
- SMBDragon

Canucks were part of the reason it was the “weak” Pacific Division...

Gonna have to go ahead and disagree with you on that one big fella.

The pacific is easily the weakest division in the league.
Not sure what Edm has done in your opinion to improve this year...
- dbot

Holland followed by his hiring of a new coaching staff. Good choice

Holland followed by his hiring of a new coaching staff. Good choice
- SMBDragon

Sure. Step in the right direction from management and coaching pov.
The team itself still looks pretty weak tho.

Sure. Step in the right direction from management and coaching pov.
The team itself still looks pretty weak tho.
- dbot

Tippet will improve team play and get some guys plaýing better
Certainly improved defensive play

I don't think it will be uber dramatic but noticeable in season 1

Tippet will improve team play and get some guys plaýing better
Certainly improved defensive play

I don't think it will be uber dramatic but noticeable in season 1
- SMBDragon

They've added a super old goalie in mike Smith, added Thomas jurco, and markus granlund, and will sell low on jesse puljujarvi. I think they regress lol

Almost Everyone clears waivers at the start of the season. Best time to chance it. And if he is claimed? Who cares
- CanuckDon

like benning did with marky

alpha af