Who knows? The landscape could change dramatically. Missy is settling in about where I figured they’d be, around 3-4 in the East. Petes will tumble a bit and open the door for Ottawa. Ottawa has played a lot of the good western teams already so they have a few out of the way.
I don’t think Kingston is a serious threat. Their defence and goaltending is suspect and when they line up against up tempo teams, they tend to fold. They do have picks in hand so they could actually do something this year and be a player if they choose to. I think they are more likely to tinker a bit.
Is the West artificially better than the east based on perception or on ice results? Who knows? It is a little too early to tell.
the big problem is the impressive teams tend to be the ones that loaded up last year and are carrying that swagger into this season. Fine but most will sell. Are the teams we are pointing to as the true contenders that good? I really don’t see one team head and shoulders above right now. Even Kitchener is suspect. Half of their goals come from their top 4. Is that sustainable? Can a team have two 50+ goal scorers? If they expose a gap, can they truly fill it? They seem better this year than last, go figure.
It is a very odd season. Confusing is an understatement.
I really can’t see Ottawa sliding in there. Sudbury has to have the inside track on that.
I think if Ottawa does something, it is more likely to be with Zito coming home…or staying home So to speak considering he is chilling in Ottawa figuring out his next steps. Problem is I assume his conditional picks (3rd and 5th) are for him returning as an OA. I’m not sure Ottawa will go there.