I think Islanders are the dark horse of the East this season.

[nbwingsfan]

Regardless of age there's no other team outside the obvious that's ready to surpass them yet. Crosby and Malkin could both miss 40 games yet they still find a way to make the playoffs. And when they're back you and I could play on their wings and contribute enough

Can't see the Isles overtaking them and everything would have to go right for a team such as the Wings or Devs to get in over the Pens.

I disagree but we will see.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

And each year they keep getting older.

I’m not saying they’re going to miss, but I’m not convinced on them making it again this year. Other than Washington they’re the playoff team in the East I have the least confidence in

Because ...? Other than "they're old" there's no actual reason you'd think this. Their "old" guys are still performing at an elite rate and while it's early, they've gotten off to a really strong start. On top of that, they improved their defense corps tremendously with the addition of Petry and Ruutta over Matheson and Marino.

Not to belabor the point but you're not really giving reasons for why a 100+ point team the past handful of years is suddenly going to miss this year because it's certainly not based on on-ice performance or depth of roster.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

And each year they keep getting older.

I’m not saying they’re going to miss, but I’m not convinced on them making it again this year. Other than Washington they’re the playoff team in the East I have the least confidence in

If anything they're better this year. Malkin looks completely rejuvenated now that he's a year+ out from his ACL surgery. Zucker finally healthy. Have Rakell for the full year now. Defense revamped and bigger and harder to push around. Imo this is the best pens team since 16-17.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Because ...? Other than "they're old" there's no actual reason you'd think this. Their "old" guys are still performing at an elite rate and while it's early, they've gotten off to a really strong start. On top of that, they improved their defense corps tremendously with the addition of Petry and Ruutta over Matheson and Marino.

Not to belabor the point but you're not really giving reasons for why a 100+ point team the past handful of years is suddenly going to miss this year because it's certainly not based on on-ice performance or depth of roster.

Because other teams have gotten much better. There’s no real easy points in the East anymore except the Habs and maybe the jackets.

Add that with of the oldest cores in the league and yeah I can see them being pushed out.

If anything they're better this year. Malkin looks completely rejuvenated now that he's a year+ out from his ACL surgery. Zucker finally healthy. Defense revamped and bigger and harder to push around. Imo this is the best pens team since 16-17.

Guess we’ll see.

 

[Devils090]

Said it in our GT last night but I can’t believe they still have Martin and Clutterbuck out there, those two plugs are beyond washed

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Because other teams have gotten much better. There’s no real easy points in the East anymore except the Habs and maybe the jackets.

Add that with of the oldest cores in the league and yeah I can see them being pushed out.


Guess we’ll see.

We'll see is true of every team. For me 16 consecutive playoffs and a fantastic start to the season deserves the benefit of the doubt.

 

[nbwingsfan]

We'll see is true of every team. For me 16 consecutive playoffs and a fantastic start to the season deserves the benefit of the doubt.

Or because you’re a Pens fan.

The Wings made the playoffs for 25 years but we all saw it coming soon.

Seems like the time is coming as soon as this season for the Pens for me

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Because other teams have gotten much better. There’s no real easy points in the East anymore except the Habs and maybe the jackets.

Add that with of the oldest cores in the league and yeah I can see them being pushed out.


Guess we’ll see.

Who has gotten much better? Ottawa's improved up front but their defense is still pretty weak and Forsberg still has to prove he can be a legitimate #1 over a full season. Detroit's still up and coming. New Jersey added Palat and ...? One winger doesn't turn a team that finished as far back as they did into a team that's going to leapfrog a team that finished over 20+ points better. Buffalo's defense is still not very deep and up front their best guys are still young and haven't proven they can be among the truly elite forward groups.

This same thing happens every single season. A team that finishes with 70 points the previous year signs or trades for one big name player and suddenly they're going to be the new playoff team, or a team with a bunch of young players who finishes with 75 points the previous year is suddenly going to be a 105 point team because all their young players improve tremendously over the summer.

Like I said, barring long term injuries to multiple core guys I'll bet you ANYTHING the Pens make the playoffs. They've got a deep roster, an improved back end, and their "old" guys still play at an elite level. None of the teams that missed the playoffs last year can boast all of that.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Or because you’re a Pens fan.

The Wings made the playoffs for 25 years but we all saw it coming soon.

Seems like the time is coming as soon as this season for the Pens for me

Pens fans are more critical of their own team than anyone. Detroit was obvious because their roster was getting worse. The pens is getting better. Imo pens have a better chance of winning the president's trophy than missing the playoffs.

 

[Leafidelity]

Said it in our GT last night but I can’t believe they still have Martin and Clutterbuck out there, those two plugs are beyond washed

Matt Martin looked washed back in 2017

 

[Keneeyo Fato Boiyo]

More like Buffalo. Have you seen the Sabres play this year?? They look completely different and dangerous and I would argue peeps are kinda expecting the Isles to be good....Not sure anyone expected the Sabres to be good

 

[Devils090]

More like Buffalo. Have you seen the Sabres play this year?? They look completely different and dangerous and I would argue peeps are kinda expecting the Isles to be good....Not sure anyone expected the Sabres to be good

Sabres are definitely a team to keep an eye on, seems like Granato has them all buying in and Thompson and Tuch are awesome to watch. Threw on their game soon as the Devils ended last night, fun team.

 

[nbwingsfan]

We still feeling super confident in them or?

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

They're quietly winning the Golfing Cup, just like the Canucks.

 

[eramosat]

well, the dark part was certainly accurate

 

[seabass45]

Let’s see this against a contending team, next weekend should be a good test.

And here we are.

 

[Foppberg]

Calling it:

Avalanche vs Islanders '23 Stanley Cup Finals.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Isles were definitely a wait and see team. So far it's looking like last year was not a fluke.

 

[Taswell]

Aging like fine milk on a summer day.

 

[sinDer]

It's fair to say that NYI looked terribad in both games against the Panthers, especially last night where they looked like boys playing against men.

 

[Flying Dego]

NYI fans high spirits right now

Again maybe they find some Magic to finish 8th but this is a team built to be in the bottom half of the East until further notice.

 

[ElLeetch]

Isles were definitely a wait and see team. So far it's looking like last year was not a fluke.

Their fluke was success during the Covid years.

 

[Gil Gunderson]

It's over

 

[Pure Slaughter Value]

Crash Hard for Bedard!
Collapse for Conor!
Blow for Bedard!

 

[Strait2thecup]

The days of looking at draft rankings in December are coming back aren’t they