2023 HFBoards Stanley Cup Favourite #5

[M2Beezy]

Well that last one went sideways. A lot of negative energy in that last poll as many posters became frustrated with a certain fanbase packing the results. Happens every year, I guess now its out of the way and we can get this thing back on track. Anyways who ya got at 5?

1 Colorado 65% 2023 HFBoards Stanley Cup Favourite #1
2 Tampa 70% 2023 HFBoards Stanley Cup Favourite #2
3 Carolina 41% 2023 HFBoards Stanley Cup Favourite #3
4 TIE: NYR TOR 22% 2023 HFBoards Stanley Cup Favourite #4
4 Toronto 51% 2023 HFBoards Stanley Cup Favourite #4 RUNOFF: Rangers VS Leafs

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[Lavar Ball]

Edmonton/Rags

 

[Rengorlex]

Edit: never mind, made a mistake.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Rangers.
Then Calgary.

 

[Xirik]

I think Florida had a good learning experience and have a chance to go far.

After that its the Blues.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

I wouldn't even have had the Leafs as 4th most likely to win a round lmao

 

[EdJovanovski]

Rangers should’ve automatically got 5th after going to a tie breaker with the Leafs who won by one rigged vote

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

I'm a bit surprised people think so highly of the Rangers. They're too heavily reliant on Shesterkin to be considered a top 5 Cup contender, IMO. The first time they played a team in the playoffs who actually had their #1 goalie for the entire series, they lost. Hell, they almost lost to a team who was playing their #3 goalie for the vast majority of the series.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

I'm a bit surprised people think so highly of the Rangers. They're too heavily reliant on Shesterkin to be considered a top 5 Cup contender, IMO. The first time they played a team in the playoffs who actually had their #1 goalie for the entire series, they lost. Hell, they almost lost to a team who was playing their #3 goalie for the vast majority of the series.

They were also one of, if not the youngest team in the playoffs? All the kids will continue to get better.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

They were also one of, if not the youngest team in the playoffs? All the kids will continue to get better.

On defense, sure. Up front, their key guys aren't young. Panarin, Zibanejad and Kreider are all in the 29-31 years old range. And they were the ones driving the bus offensively. If anything, those three are reaching an age where it's more likely to see some regression rather than see continued improvements.

But the point remains, in terms of *team* play they weren't that impressive at 5on5. They can make you pay if you put them on the PP, plus Shesterkin can steal games where they're being badly outshot in. But the overall Rangers roster didn't play like a top 5 Cup contender.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

On defense, sure. Up front, their key guys aren't young. Panarin, Zibanejad and Kreider are all in the 29-31 years old range. And they were the ones driving the bus offensively. If anything, those three are reaching an age where it's more likely to see some regression rather than see continued improvements.

But the point remains, in terms of *team* play they weren't that impressive at 5on5. They can make you pay if you put them on the PP, plus Shesterkin can steal games where they're being badly outshot in. But the overall Rangers roster didn't play like a top 5 Cup contender.

What about Chytil? Kakko? Laf? All of them should improve. 29-31 is prime years still, they shouldn't be regressing (Kreider though I agree, that was a fluke season). Trochek should be an upgrade over Strome as well.

Defense like you said was young but will get better. Esp Miller and Schneider, so hopefully Igor doesn't need to stand on his head as much.

 

[Clint Eastwood]

I'm gonna be a sheep and follow the rest voting the Rangers here. Shesterkin is a beast. Their defense is really solid and their forwards should continue to get better.

Panarin and Zibanejad are beasts. Kreider will likely regress but he's still a really good player. Having Halak/Domingue as a backup will no doubt cost them some points in the standings though.

 

[wetcoast]

Rangers should’ve automatically got 5th after going to a tie breaker with the Leafs who won by one rigged vote

You forgot to mention the most important reason as the Rangers now have the Hart and Conn Smythe favorite in Kravtsov.

Took the Blues just a really well constructed team built for the playoffs.

 

[EdJovanovski]

I'm a bit surprised people think so highly of the Rangers. They're too heavily reliant on Shesterkin to be considered a top 5 Cup contender, IMO. The first time they played a team in the playoffs who actually had their #1 goalie for the entire series, they lost. Hell, they almost lost to a team who was playing their #3 goalie for the vast majority of the series.

Don’t underestimate what I dub ‘The Kravtsov Effect’

 

[Candyman]

I'll take our regular season champs here. Florida with Matthew Tkachuk is scary.

 

[leafsfan5]

I'll take our regular season champs here. Florida with Matthew Tkachuk is scary.

That defense is scary as well, but not for the opposition

I went Edmonton here

 

[Bouboumaster]

Toronto lol
They won't even make it past the 1st round, as always

 

[Candyman]

That defense is scary as well, but not for the opposition

I went Edmonton here

If you score 8 goals a game and allow 6 you still win.

 

[leafsfan5]

If you score 8 goals a game and allow 6 you still win.

This strategy was attempted by them last year. It didn't work and it never does. You need to learn how to play defense to win

Tampa/Toronto/Boston all beat them in a series

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Calgary's a tempting choice because of their depth, but there's just something about that roster that screams paper tiger. Markstrom turning into a sieve in that Oilers series didn't exactly inspire confidence, either.

 

[Love]

Edmonton is the most overrated team in the NHL

 

[Candyman]

This strategy was attempted by them last year. It didn't work and it never does. You need to learn how to play defense to win

Tampa/Toronto/Boston all beat them in a series.

Speed didn't used to win championships either, but now here we are in a league faster than ever and scoring more than the past 20 years. I'm not saying they will win, but to say they're less likely than say Toronto is abusrd. At least Florida can make it past round 1.

 

[Eggtimer]

I thought the Blues played the Avs harder than anyone ??
I think they still have a shot . If they add at the deadline or somehow add a top 4 D they will be very competitive

 

[Mobiandi]

Vegas quite easily

 

[Gurglesons]

People are really that high on the Rangers eh?

Calgary's a tempting choice because of their depth, but there's just something about that roster that screams paper tiger. Markstrom turning into a sieve in that Oilers series didn't exactly inspire confidence, either.

I think the switch to Huberdeau and Kadri is actually making me feel more comfortable picking them especially with the addition of Weegar.

Their defense was a big reason I wasn’t sold on them last year. Weegar isn’t what analytics people think he is, but is a legitimate top four D and Sutter I think will get the best out of him ala Voynov.

That gives them a D of..

Hanafin - Anderson
Weegar - Tanev
Zadorov - Kylington

Versus last year where Zadorov - Gudbdanson was a defacto second pairing.

Kadri plays an actual hard nosed game compared to Tkachuk who just talks a lot.

Huberdeau and Lindholm IMO is going to be the best line duo in the league.