It’s that time of the year again.
The time when all around the hockey world, brave souls and self-proclaimed experts are trying to predict the standings for the upcoming season.
With parity at an all-time high in the National Hockey League, the difference between a top three spot in the Division and flirting with a Top 5 pick is as narrow as it has ever been. And the difference between Stanley Cup Contenders and the playoff bubble is even smaller. It makes the NHL regular season so difficult to predict and consensus on who finishes where pretty much non-existent.
But that won’t stop me from trying. Without further ado, predictions for the 2017/2018 NHL regular season. As always, feel free to tell me how terrible my predictions are and leave your own in the comment section below.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
CENTRAL
Dallas Stars- The Senators of the West. They already had a strong group of forwards but now they have a much-improved blueline (Miss you, Marc), a legitimate number one goalie (Miss you, Ben) and a pain in the ass defensive-minded Coach.
Nashville Predators- They snuck into the playoffs last year but were a force to be reckon with when they got there. Their blueline is as good as any in the game and their offence is good enough.
Chicago Blackhawks- They stormed into the playoffs last year but were a complete pushover when they got there. I have them in the top three although looking at their roster, they could miss the playoffs entirely. Also, I have located Tommy Wingels.
PACIFIC
San Jose Sharks- This is the year the Sharks finally win it all! I feel like I’ve been copying and pasting that line for the last decade.
Edmonton Oilers- According to the experts, it’s not about when Connor McDavid brings the Cup back to Edmonton but rather how many dozens of times he’ll do it. Still don’t love their defence.
Calgary Flames- The Flames have all the pieces required to be a top team in the Pacific- talent up front, a ridiculously deep blueline, and Curtis Lazar.
WILD CARD
Anaheim Ducks- “Life after Nate Thompson” begins in Anaheim. Even without him, they should have enough talent to find their way back to the post-season.
Winnipeg Jets- In a cruel twist of fate, the Jets will make the playoffs for the second time but again fail to win a game when they get there.
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St. Louis Blues- A streak of six straight years in the post-season comes to an end in St. Louis. Or they win the Cup. I have no idea what to expect from this Blues team.
Minnesota Wild- At some point in the very near future, Devan Dubnyk will remember that he’s Devan Dubnyk and the Wild will be in serious trouble.
Los Angeles Kings- The Kings seem to be a team trending in the wrong direction. Life is pretty good for Anze Kopitar though- he made about $1.2 million per goal last season.
Arizona Coyotes- They’ve gone full analytics in the desert and made some big moves this off-season. Should help them finally crack the 80 point mark.
Colorado Avalanche- The addition of Cody Ceci should help out their blueline but they’ll miss the scoring punch offered up by Matt Duchene.
Vancouver Canucks- Thomas Vanek plays here.
Vegas Golden Knights- 21 points in the benchmark they need to clear. They should get there.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTIC
Tampa Bay Lightning- This team is good.
Ottawa Senators- As the preseason reminded us at times, this team will go as far as Erik Karlsson and his robot/zombie ankle can carry them.
Boston Bruins- May as well start selling your playoff tickets now, Bruins!
METROPOLITAN
Pittsburgh Penguins- I really want this team to be bad but as long as they have Crosby, Malkin and Kuhnhackl, they’ll be contenders.
Columbus Blue Jackets- Still not entirely used to the idea of Columbus being a good team and John Tortorella being a good Coach but they look solid again this year.
Washington Capitals- Another 45+ win regular season in DC and it won’t matter unless they can win more than 8 in the post-season.
WILD CARD
Toronto Maple Leafs- A wild card spot and a first round match up against the Pittsburgh Penguins is exactly what this team deserves.
Carolina Hurricanes- They finally decided to acquire an actual goalie to go along with all that talent. Assuming Scott Darling is an actual goalie.
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New York Islanders- They’ll just miss the playoffs in the final week of the season and then lose John Tavares for nothing.
New York Rangers- Top three in the Metro seems mostly set but after that, who knows? Unless they let Matt Puempel play his game, playoffs are unlikely.
Montreal Canadiens- Price can only carey this team so far. Has anybody used that before?
Philadelphia Flyers- Flyers have a mix of exciting young talent and expensive veterans on a decline. Thankfully they’ve solved their decade long goalie concerns with…Brian Elliott.
Florida Panthers- Dale Tallon is back in charge and he’s got big plans- First Jamie McGinn, then Dave Bolland, then win the Cup.
New Jersey Devils- Their NHL team will miss the playoffs but their AHL team will lead our friend Tim and good people of Binghamton to a Calder Cup.
Buffalo Sabres- The Sabres will get off to a surprising start in the opening week and Jack Eichel will be in the mix for the Jack Adams.
Detroit Red Wings- Seems like they’re starting a new playoff streak in Detroit.
***
The Ottawa Senators were on the ice for practice today in preparation for Thursday’s regular season opener.
All players were present, including Bobby Ryan (who missed a couple days of Camp with a minor groin injury) and the now yellow Erik Karlsson. Still a non-contact jersey for the Captain but the fact that he’s a full participant in practice has to be a good sign. Karlsson says he’s unlikely to play Thursday.
Here’s how an angry Guy Boucher had his team lined up today. Alex Formenton appeared to be the 13th forward based on today’s practice.
Smith-Turris-Hoffman
Ryan-Brassard-Stone
Dzingel-Brown-Burrows
Thompson-Pageau-Pyatt
Phaneuf-Claesson
Oduya-Ceci
Borowiecki-Wideman
