Predictions, predictions, predictions. Yes, it’s time to try and determine the rankings again. Every year, before season starts, fans devour every bit of predictions they can get and, of course, those poor writers they don’t agree with are considered amateurs or out of their minds.
So for a writer, predictions are horrible to do. Because there is honestly no way to know how a season will turn out. When a few predictions are off, it screws up the entire thing and we look like we don’t know what we’re talking about.
But predictions are always based on actual rosters, expectations and on the previous year’s results, not on possible injuries, under-performances and trades. It’s like walking on egg shells.
As an example, last season, on paper, the Lightning didn’t look so bad. They even had some analysts and experts thinking they would get back into the playoffs right away thanks to the « new, improved » roster changes over the summer. Well…they were very wrong. The Lightning crumbled to the bottom…again.
Did anyone expect Colorado to have their worst season since the start of the franchise in 1995-96? I don’t think so. But injuries to both Joe Sakic and Paul Statsny, underperformance by both goaltenders and a weak defense did the trick and Colorado crumbled.
The same goes for Boston. On paper, Boston didn’t look so strong. But the combination of young emerging talent, team effort and great coaching helped them rise to the top of the conference. And Montreal two years ago…same thing. Nobody saw it coming.
So predictions are technically impossible. But for the sake of it, and because it’s fun to argue with people about it. I’ll give it a shot. My predictions are based, of course, on current rosters and possible rookies, injuries and last year’s results.
I’m going to focus on the first 8 teams, those who « should » make the playoffs. Keep in mind, things can change quickly... and most likely will!
Top 8 Eastern Conference teams
1-Philadelphia Flyers
Their top six of Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Daniel Briere, Simon Gagne, Scott Hartnell and Claude Giroux all have 60-70 points potential and more. They just added a huge scary, snarling monster like Chris Pronger to an already impressive defense corp. With those tweaks, they should rise a few spots in the rankings.
They were fifth last year, tied with Pittsburgh with 99 points. Add to that a more consistent goalie in Ray Emery, well at least more than Marty Biron and the Flyers can only go up the rankings.
2-Washington Capitals
They have the two best offensive weapons of the NHL at their position: Ovechkin up front and Mike Green at the blueline. Add to that another 40 goals scorer in Alex Semin and a 90 points playmaker Niklas Backstrom, the veteran experience of Mike Knuble and Brendan Morrison, a rookie goalie waiting to prove himself like Varlamov and a great supporting cast…and you’ve got a very scary team.
Just imagine if one of their youngsters suddenly break out?!
We're going to send you the most entertaining NHL articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
10 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete