@LHoffman:
@Young:
@LHoffman:
YG’s For Real:
1. �Boston
2. �San Jose
3. �New York Rangers NY Islanders or Montreal
4. �Chicago
YG’s DOOMED:
1. �Columbus
2. �Florida Washington (No defense)
3. �Calgary
4. �Toronto Philadelphia (No goaltending)
The rest… bloodbath.
Okay… I was over 50% right, however, I have to contest all your corrections.
The Rangers are not the super-team they are on paper… but they are way better than both Montreal and the Islanders. Montreal has the potential to be second best in their division, but only because all of the teams in it (not from Boston) are mediocre at best and get to fight to see who is the best at being mediocre. The Islanders on the other hand are the worst team in perhaps the toughest division. Talk about no defense (for Washington), the Islanders have even less. They have some firepower up front, but none of their defense/goaltending acquisitions even want to report to the team.
As for DOOMED… Washington sucks, but not as much as Florida. The Southeast is mostly abysmal but right now it seems like everyone in it is (or likely will be) better than the Panthers. Last year was an anomaly. Florida has no goaltending, weak up front and thin on defense. IF Ovechkin, Backstrom and Green wake up, the Capitals can be as good as they used to be.
Personally, I don’t think Philadelphia being more doomed than Toronto even makes sense. No, Philadelphia is not playing up to their potential at the moment, but they are loaded with scoring talent, not really hot on defense and their goaltending leaves some to be desired. While in Toronto, we have a team with little success over the past… God only knows how many years, poor offense (worse outlook with Lupul out), okay defense and scattered showers of decent goaltending.
Just not seeing your reasoning here YG. Though perhaps Montreal being in the “for real” is due to your zealousness as a fan, which, while excusable is not at all rational.
Other than my Florida pick over Washington, and maybe Columbus, I think I made a lot more sense in my predictions than you did LHoffman…. wouldn’t you agree? Here’s some more of what I said when the season was young… look at my prediction about the Islanders
Let me clarify….
Teams that I think will make the playoffs without any problems…
1. Chicago
All the tools needed to dominate, Leadership (Toews) Skill (Kane, Hossa, Sharp), Defense (Kieth, Seabrook)… and Goaltending has answered the critics.
2. San Jose
They will again make the playoffs without any problems, their past playoff failures are not what I measure as a present indication. If anything, their chances of succeeding are greater because of their awareness of failure, This spot could easily be shared by Vancouver.
3. New York Islanders
The maturity of one of the best (Traveres) and the most underrated forward in the league (Molson), and the most under appreciated defenseman (Striet) with a very proven goalie (Nabokov). This team will easily make the playoffs.
4. Montreal
New Coach, New Philosophy, New management, All star Defenseman (Markov), All star goalie (Price), best mix of youth (Paciretty, Suban, Galager, Galchenyek) and veterans (Cole, Gionta, Georges) in the conference, best goals against vs. goals for ratio, and a top power play. Lethal combination of grit, skill and confidence. With the way they support the puck, and force quick transitions, they will make the playoffs (IMO).
5. 7 way tie…
Toronto (well coached, despite their defense)
Pittsburgh (Top end skill despite the lost confidence of Flury)
Vancouver (Great goaltending despite the trade rummers)
New York Rangers (the best line in the NHL despite everything else)
Boston (Could very easily be 4th on this list despite the inexperience in net)
Ottawa (great Chemistry, and superb goaltending despite losing their best player)
Minnesota (Everything is there despite the coaching, and Goaltending)
Teams that will miss the playoffs for sure:
Philadelphia
Washington
Columbus
Calgary
Please don’t be offended by my list… it’s all in good fun (and Hell Ya! I’m bias, aren’t we all?).
