loyaltotheend
Registered User
Voted option 1, but Florida could take one of those spots. Tough call.
Pretty good poll, since it's tough to choose
Pretty good poll, since it's tough to choose
I'm one who think the Leafs might even have a lower point total than last year. Yes they got Tavares, but also lost JVR, Bozak, Komarov, and Polak.
Johnson, Kapanen, Dermot, maybe Borgman will get a chance to play big minutes for the first time. Also rookies Lindholm, Ozhignkov and Sparks might be NHLers too.
Leafs might be better at the end of the season that they were last year, but there might be bumps on the road along the way.
Yes the "Tampa, Boston, Leafs and Panthers make the playoffs.
What's the outlook for Florida's defense heading into this season?
Same as last season, only addition and wild card addition is KHL Kiselevich.
So could say they are hoping Matheson& Ekblad will get better and improve the defense.
This would be my biggest concern for people suggesting Florida has outright surpassed Boston. Boston was much better defensively and added a guy who played top-4 minutes in John Moore to play a third pairing role. McAvoy and Carlo taking steps forward seems like a good bet as well.
Also the same people counting on Boston’s core to already be over the hill seem to forget Florida employs a 39 year old starter.
The Panthers don't have D or goaltending concerns? The Leafs D and goaltending is better than Florida's and Toronto just added a superstar #1 C.I think Florida rises up and takes a top 3 spot. The most likely candidate to fall is Toronto because they have the weakest goaltending/defense of the 3. Toronto still likely makes the playoffs again but gets steamrolled by Tampa or 1st in the Metro in the 1st round.
Hey don't forget we actually let in less GA than Tampa last year too! Maybe we might *gasp* have better defense/goaltending than Tampa?!?!The Panthers don't have D or goaltending concerns? The Leafs D and goaltending is better than Florida's and Toronto just added a superstar #1 C.
Not sure why Toronto's D is such a concern when a team like Florida clearly has bigger issues.
Better defense than Tampa?Hey don't forget we actually let in less GA than Tampa last year too! Maybe we might *gasp* have better defense/goaltending than Tampa?!?!
Maybe not but the Leafs aren't bottom 5 like many believe.Better defense than Tampa?
Lol!
I don’t think ‘many’ have said they are bottom 5. I’d say they are about middle of the pack.Maybe not but the Leafs aren't bottom 5 like many believe.
Their GA was better than Tampa all year.
I mean that is a pretty reasonable take I feel like most Leaf fans would agree with....There are definitely a number of posters that seem to think the Leafs are bottom tier defensively or need to get a norris calibre defensemen in order to compete which is where the arguments begin. If the Leafs are able to settle in the 10-15 range in goals against with a top 5 offense in the league they can compete for a cup....If it slips to the back half of the league that's where it becomes a tougher task.I don’t think ‘many’ have said they are bottom 5. I’d say they are about middle of the pack.
Maybe not but the Leafs aren't bottom 5 like many believe.
Their GA was better than Tampa all year.
Hey don't forget we actually let in less GA than Tampa last year too! Maybe we might *gasp* have better defense/goaltending than Tampa?!?!
I'm going by results buddy, unlike you. Results say Toronto > Tampa.Tampa has a Norris winning defenseman and a Vezina finalist goaltender. Of course you would think Toronto is better.
I'm going by results buddy, unlike you. Results say Toronto > Tampa.
Agreed. Florida is the dark horse. I have trouble seeing them unseat any of the top 3 but I think the Bruins are the most likely candidate for dropping. A key injury probably impacts them the most IMO. Injuries could definitely impact things.Yes, I think Leafs finish either 1st or 2nd in Atlantic. Either way they aren't finishing any lower than 3rd and the same goes for the Bruins and Lightning.
Although it wouldn't surprise me to see the Panthers finish top 3, I mean they finished with 96 points, they aren't a bad team if a few more bounces went their way FLA is a 100 point team themselves.
I'm going by results buddy, unlike you. Results say Toronto > Tampa.