My way too early standings predictions after free agency has come and gone
Atlantic
1) Toronto – They’re running back the strong regular season core, improved the defense, new coach, and the potential of some strong youth contributing this year.
2) Florida – Defense downgraded a bit and perhaps some wear and tear from 2 cup final runs, but they could still win the division. To me this is an easy top 2.
3) Tampa – As long as Kucherov, Hedman, Point and Vasi are at the top of their game, this team is a playoff contender.
4) Buffalo – This might be the year they finally get in. Nice work improving the bottom 6, lots of skill here. Goaltending is a question though.
5) Boston – I think they over-achieved last year and start to slide further this year. Lindholm and Big Z were both bad contracts.
6) Detroit – Deep team, has a wildcard shot, but nothing wows me here either.
7) Ottawa – So much skill, but just seems like a team of spare parts. Might need to pick a few core players and re-tool around it.
8) Montreal – Rebuilding until proven otherwise.
Metro
1) NY Rangers – Still just an incredibly deep team. Don’t see much changing here.
2) NJ Devils – Massively underachieved last year. Deep up front and on the back end. Curious which Markstrom they get in net.
3) Carolina – Lost a lot of skill, but Rod just gets so much out of players, and honestly, it’s a weak division beneath them.
4) Washington – I just have a weird feeling Dubois has a big season.
5) NY Islanders – Dobson is phenomenal, great top line, but I always struggle with the depth of this team.
6) Flyers – Overachieved to start last season. Though they could surprise.
7) Penguins – Dubas has wrecked an already aging team
8) Columbus – Some nice young pieces, but I just don’t see it.
Central
1) Dallas – Just too good of a team to bet against.
2) Nashville – Might give Dallas a push. They were a great team last year that just lacked the ability to finish. That should change.
3) Colorado – You just can’t put Makar/Mackinnon lower than this, no matter how deep the division.
4) Utah – Beefed up the defense on a team with some young studs up front. Keller is a star and I think Cooley breaks out
5) Winnipeg – Still probably a wildcard team, but I think they come down a bit.
6) Chicago – Bedard has a huge year, possibly 100 points, but doesn’t have the support yet.
7) Minnesota – Not terrible but nothing special.
8) St. Louis – The year they embrace a full rebuild. Might trade a RHD further west.
Pacific
1) Edmonton – Deepest forward group in the cap era, and Savoie is their first callup.
2) Vancouver – They come back down to earth a bit, but they’re still a strong team
3) Vegas – I don’t see them as a top contender in the west (until they do their cap nonsense) but the competition below them isn’t exactly dazzling.
4) Seattle – They will push and fight the Jets/Yeti’s for the last wildcard
5) LA – Mediocrity finally gets the best of them.
6) Calgary – Bad team that fails to tank for a top 5 pick
7) Anaheim – Like Ottawa, just seems like a team of odd parts. Amazing young talent though, so they could surprise.
8) San Jose – Bright future with their top 2 picks this year and Will Smith. Still a couple ugly years ahead through.
