Atlantic Standings Predictions Thread

[danpantz]

I don’t think so. They would be missing their biggest piece, but I think the improvements in goals against would carry them through the missing Matthews goals pretty well.

The team is more balanced this year, and Matthews brings a lot more than goals, but I think the defense is the best it’s looked in …. 20 years? God how sad is that? And the goaltending is going to be twice as good as it was the last 3 years with Samsonov in net.

Of course, that’s just on paper and anything can happen once they all hit the ice.

I think the Leafs have to be the odds on favorites to win the Atlantic, even if Matthews misses a week or two to start the season.

They are the only team who didn’t lose any pieces and got better at all the positions they struggled with last year.

The big dogs in the Atlantic have all taken major hits, except the Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs are the only team who got better compared to Florida, Boston and tampa

How did the Bruins get worse by signing a #1 center and a middle pair d-man

Unless they don’t get Swayman signed they are definitely better than they were last year.

 

[Baksfamous112]

1. Boston
2. Tampa Bay
3. Toronto
WC1. Florida
WC2. Buffalo
6. Montreal
7. Detroit
8. Ottawa

 

[The Waffler]

The cup is Ottawa’s to lose, that much I know for sure.

 

[Blowfish]

Sabres have a real head coach with experience. They could actually make it this year. I know you have heard this before, but their last real head coach was Bylsma. This team is going to have much more consistency.

Any new "prospect" kids making the line up this year?

I don’t think so. They would be missing their biggest piece, but I think the improvements in goals against would carry them through the missing Matthews goals pretty well.

The team is more balanced this year, and Matthews brings a lot more than goals, but I think the defense is the best it’s looked in …. 20 years? God how sad is that? And the goaltending is going to be twice as good as it was the last 3 years with Samsonov in net.

Of course, that’s just on paper and anything can happen once they all hit the ice.

I think the Leafs have to be the odds on favorites to win the Atlantic, even if Matthews misses a week or two to start the season.

They are the only team who didn’t lose any pieces and got better at all the positions they struggled with last year.

The big dogs in the Atlantic have all taken major hits, except the Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs are the only team who got better compared to Florida, Boston and tampa

Have the leafs finally addressed goaltending, D, and heart? Always the same question every year.

 

[TageGod]

Any new "prospect" kids making the line up this year?

Looks like Kulich will be on the roster, likely first injury goes in.

 

[Blowfish]

Looks like Kulich will be on the roster, likely first injury goes in.

Sabres have a plethora of prospects - I like the outlook for Kulich. The Czech forward is moving in every direction on the ice with great speed, using boards for sneaky manoeuvres and he was far the best skater on the ice in every game I have seen so far. He worked smart with the boards with either sending the puck out of the defensive zone or just making a pass. Zone entries also didn’t seem like a problem for him

 

[Sting]

The cup is Ottawa’s to lose, that much I know for sure.

Not according to this thread. They're either last or second last in most people's lists. Should be interesting to see how things actually shape up.

 

[Strangle]

How did the Bruins get worse by signing a #1 center and a middle pair d-man

Unless they don’t get Swayman signed they are definitely better than they were last year.

They don’t have swayman signed, do they? Can’t say they improved when they don’t have either of their number 1 goalies and are staring korpisalo in the face

Any new "prospect" kids making the line up this year?


Have the leafs finally addressed goaltending, D, and heart? Always the same question every year.

We’ll see, won’t we?

That what makes this so much fun. We don’t know yet

But as I said, the D is the best it’s looked in about 20 years

When is Boston going to fix their Goaltending? Hopefully soon, eh?

 

[The Waffler]

Not according to this thread. They're either last or second last in most people's lists. Should be interesting to see how things actually shape up.

Great point.

Makes me want to double down on my original position though haha

 

[danpantz]

They don’t have swayman signed, do they? Can’t say they improved when they don’t have either of their number 1 goalies and are staring korpisalo in the face

And if he resigns or the goaltending ends up fine because the defense is still very good?

They still worse?

 

[FerrisRox]

And if he resigns or the goaltending ends up fine because the defense is still very good?

I wouldn't be surprised, at all, if the Bruins didn't miss a beat with Korpisalo in net. He had a bad year, he's not a bad goaltender and the Bruins D and system is a lot friendlier on puck stoppers than Ottawa.

 

[Menzinger]

And if he resigns or the goaltending ends up fine because the defense is still very good?

They still worse?

There's a big gap between being 'fine' and goaltending being a strength of the team

Even if Korpisalo doesn't fall flat on his face, is there a single Bruins diehard who would say with a straight face that the goaltending is close to being on par with what it was the previous season?

 

[Bouboumaster]

Stanley Cup final this year: Edmonton vs Montréal

Montréal wins it, at the end

 

[Golden_Jet]

I wouldn't be surprised, at all, if the Bruins didn't miss a beat with Korpisalo in net. He had a bad year, he's not a bad goaltender and the Bruins D and system is a lot friendlier on puck stoppers than Ottawa.

Ya possibly, the laser eye surgery could make a big difference for him.

 

[Score08]

Queue the "Will Bergeron come back from retirement cause this is totally the year" articles

Why ?

 

[dgibb10]

Ya possibly, the laser eye surgery could make a big difference for him.

 

[Strangle]

And if he resigns or the goaltending ends up fine because the defense is still very good?

They still worse?

Let’s see, you think they’ll be at more than the 109 points they were last year and I think they’ll be less.

Let’s revisit after and see who’s right

Yes, I think they’re worse

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Let’s see, you think they’ll be at more than the 109 points they were last year and I think they’ll be less.

Let’s revisit after and see who’s right

Yes, I think they’re worse

Nylander and Matthews injured so Leafs will be under 100 points.

 

[Rob Brown]

Nylander and Matthews injured so Leafs will be under 100 points.

Nylander is reportedly fine and Matthews has been practicing this week.

 

[Golden_Jet]

View attachment 910141

What does that mean, and who is it

 

[dgibb10]

What does that mean, and who is it

Jameis Winston, NFL QB.

Threw a bunch of interceptions, a bunch of people were convinced he'd become good again after he got eye surgery and that his poor play was due to his eye problems.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Jameis Winston, NFL QB.

Threw a bunch of interceptions, a bunch of people were convinced he'd become good again after he got eye surgery and that his poor play was due to his eye problems.

And did he, or didn’t he?

 

[dgibb10]

And did he, or didn’t he?

He did not.

 

[Suntouchable13]

I think Toronto is one team that is sneaky old and slow. Look at their D, and upfront they want to add Patches while also still having the declining JT. The top 3 guys upfront are not old, but they have never been fast skaters. It really shows in the ploffs.

 

[b in vancouver]

Ah, the annual flood of Sens fans proclaiming this is the year.

A tale as old as time.

Nah,
That honour is shared between Buffalo and Toronto. Summer is those two fan bases favourite time of the season before they realize it's the same old/same old and the light fades from their eyes.
Toss in a. Heavy dose of 'this is the year The Bruins fall apart', and ´Tampa cheats',
Pretty much describes every off season Atlantic thread for the past dozen years.