account deactivated
Finns > Swedes
Some genius every offseason: "Dallas overachieved last season"
Maybe your analysis is just shit?
Maybe your analysis is just shit?
Central Division Predictions
- Thread starter voyageur
- Start date
Don’t see it with Utah. They have almost no natural defenders up front or on the blueline. Below average goaltending. Most their skilled guys are smallish playmakers without any physical presence. They may get a boost like Seattle & Vegas did in their first year but, on paper, this is still a lottery team.
You don’t need Maccelli & Schmaltz when you have Cooley & Keller, IMO. If they want to take a leap, they have redundant assets with value they could weaponize to better balance their roster.
Maybe they prefer to wait until Iginla, Simashev, But & Lamorouix are ready. I wouldn’t blame them. They all bring a nice element that the current roster is presently lacking
You don’t need Maccelli & Schmaltz when you have Cooley & Keller, IMO. If they want to take a leap, they have redundant assets with value they could weaponize to better balance their roster.
Maybe they prefer to wait until Iginla, Simashev, But & Lamorouix are ready. I wouldn’t blame them. They all bring a nice element that the current roster is presently lacking
Last edited:
I suggest that Minnesota is probably the most overrated team in the Central. Okay forwards, meh defence, and putrid goaltending.
Beukeboom Fan
Registered User
Hope he makes it back and is close to what he was a couple years ago. That said, guys who play like him rarely age gracefully. Glad he got his bag and ring.
JasonDemersWasOkay
Awaiting the return of my beloved team
- Nov 14, 2018
- 3,544
- 6,507
Lt Dan
F*** your ice cream!
Jimmy Firecracker
They Fired Sheldon!
Gnashville
HFBoards Hall of Famer
Name a team with 3 40 goals scorers from last year, a Defenseman that was 2nd in the Norris, and a Goalie that was 5th in the Vezina and no one picks them to contend for a division title?
But...Stamkos so bad he can only play on the power play any more, getting spoonfed by Kucherov!!!!
JPT
Registered User
- Jul 4, 2024
- 838
- 1,660
Do you pick them to contend for the division title? I've got them 3rd, maybe 2nd if injuries are limited.
Bender Duster
Registered User
Gnashville
HFBoards Hall of Famer
Utah will be the surprise team in the Central. The biggest question depends on how much Hayton can contribute, if he can bounce back to be the player he was as a 22 yo, 2 seasons ago . Guenther will rise up to challenge Keller as leading scorer. COOLEY will be solid.
Maccelli stats will improve and Doan will surprise some. That 4th line will be a shutdown line -> Kerfoot McBain Stenlund
They had 6 forwards scoring 20 or more goals last season, and that isn't counting Maccelli or Guenther. They will score by committee. Their special teams have also improved.
Look for the goalies stats to look a lot better with the improved overall defense.
I see the Utah Hockey Clubbers as a solid playoff team this year!
Maccelli stats will improve and Doan will surprise some. That 4th line will be a shutdown line -> Kerfoot McBain Stenlund
They had 6 forwards scoring 20 or more goals last season, and that isn't counting Maccelli or Guenther. They will score by committee. Their special teams have also improved.
Look for the goalies stats to look a lot better with the improved overall defense.
I see the Utah Hockey Clubbers as a solid playoff team this year!
The Tourist
Registered User
- Jul 11, 2008
- 7,902
- 3,980
voyageur
Hockey fanatic
- Jul 10, 2011
- 10,438
- 9,785
I have to say I was impressed with the way Minnesota played Winnipeg last night. Trenin looks like a good addition to their checking line. Guerin has added some prospects, and their top 4 d are competitive.
I think I'd have them as a playoff team this year, based on what I saw. Can't predict health though for any team. Jets are already starting with two d-men out. Colorado is starting without some key players. If the Kings were looking to be a wild card team, their chances took a blow with Doughty going down.
I think I'd have them as a playoff team this year, based on what I saw. Can't predict health though for any team. Jets are already starting with two d-men out. Colorado is starting without some key players. If the Kings were looking to be a wild card team, their chances took a blow with Doughty going down.
RandV
It's a wolf v2.0
I don't pay as close attention to the league as I used to but I think a lot of people are writing off Minnesota to early here. Only 87 points last season, but 103 points and 113 points the seasons prior. For what I recall from a casual observance I think both they and Kaprizov had a slow first half or so of the season, but both picked up in the latter half. Taking his game logs and dividing by half he was 13-23-36 in the first 37 games and 33-27-60 in the latter 38.
Based on past results with an elite forward in Kaprizov, some top young talent in Faber, Boldy, Rossi, and a handful of other quality players, they should be up there competing with Nashville and Winnipeg in my opinion.
Bank Shot
Registered User
- Jan 18, 2006
- 11,732
- 7,533
In the case of Stamkos, his 5v5 underlying numbers have been sliding pretty hard over the last couple of seasons. Last year was particularly bad. Guy had a 44 GF% 5v5.
Maybe it was just a real bad luck season, or maybe the wheels are coming off due to age. Pretty risky bet by the Preds.
Around the 10% mark for most teams, this division is off to a torrid start, another night where the Central team wins each matchup. Currently the top 3 teams would all be first place in every other division on points. 5th place Utah is top 3 in every division except vs 10 game/11 Point NJD. And with Colorado recovering from their rough start, its looking like the Wild card positions are going to be highly competitive.
Nashville has not done themselves any favors with the start, but you have to imagine they play better throughout the season. Chicago remains the clear outlier and even that team has been getting wins and staying at least involved in most of their games.
Can the Blues overcome the loss of RT? Is Utah for real or just taking advantage of high emotions and a softer start? Will WPG ever lose a game?
Nashville has not done themselves any favors with the start, but you have to imagine they play better throughout the season. Chicago remains the clear outlier and even that team has been getting wins and staying at least involved in most of their games.
Can the Blues overcome the loss of RT? Is Utah for real or just taking advantage of high emotions and a softer start? Will WPG ever lose a game?
Blues looked like a playoff team the other night when the Jets played them as well. Probably gonna need 95+ points to be a WC2 team this year in the central lol
