Florida finished 4th in the league, 2nd in their division, first in the 'atlantic' this past season. And going into last season - I guarantee you any prediction of success for Florida probably hinged on "if Bob bounces back, Florida will do ____". But - Bob sucked, and they still performed that well. Why? They didn't exactly have a roster overhaul going into the season last year. Couple years ago Calgary won their conference, while sucking since as well as the year prior. I think you're trying too hard to claim I can't predict my teams will finish 2nd - they absolutely can. Anything can happen in this league. Didn't Colorado go from an all-time bad season to a playoff team a few years ago? It's really not that unrealistic.
Habs did much better against Vegas than Colorado did, yes.
Isles did much better than Habs did against Tampa, yes.
So if you're using that logic to say "see, Isles are way better than Habs", why can't I come back and use similar logic and say "see, Habs are much better than Avs". Because teams have bad series sometimes, and one series shouldn't be used to predict an 82 game season.
My only argument remains here - everyone around here seems convinced Habs won't make the playoffs, and I think more posters have them in 6th in division than in the playoffs. I think that's underselling them a lot, and I think they should be given a tad more respect after their performance in the playoffs. Teams ride playoff momentum into next season all the time. Look no further then the Isles who unexpectedly made playoffs and went really far a couple of years ago, and continued success in following years despite a roster most tend to underestimate. Or - Vegas after their inaugural season way over exceeding, expectations, and then following through with continued success.
What are you talking about? Florida had a huge turnover from two seasons ago to last season. They had nearly half a new roster, including new assistant coaches. And the season before last, they were right there in the hunt for the playoffs, a couple of points behind Toronto, before COVID. So its not like they came out of completely nowhere. And even with Bob being average by how good we consider him to be, the Panthers were still a .610+ team in games that he played. And what did they do this offseason? They got rid of dead weight on the blueline, and added a top six forward, giving them arguably the deepest forward group in the league. So going by what you said, they should do well this season because they didnt have a roster overhaul from last seasons team, all they did was tweak and improve on it.
And teams might ride previous playoff momentum into next season, but you have to look at what they did to their roster, along with the other teams they are fighting with for a playoff spot. The players they lost versus the players they signed doesnt make them significantly better, and losing Price and Weber certainly doesnt help either. If the Habs had the run they had last season, and this offseason re-signed Danault, traded for Eichel, and didnt lose Price or Weber, do you think people in this thread would be placing them 4/5/6? Forgetting about what they did last playoffs, talent wise, I dont think they are more talented than Florida and Tampa, and I have a hard time putting them ahead of Boston and Toronto. Ill take into consideration what they did in the playoffs, but with the moves that were made, and the losses due to injury, that certainly has to be taken into account as well.
I agree that the Habs are in a tough division and i'm not trying to convince others they should be looked at as some giant favorites. I just think other teams have question marks too.
I honestly don't understand why everyone is so certain Florida will be a top team.
1. Huge question marks in nets. Knight is young and unpredictable - Bob has sucked big time now 2 years in a row, including playoffs.
2. Florida has only had one strong regular season in the past 4 years. It was a really good season last year, but recent league history is full of teams who suck for a while, than have a good season, and go back to sucking.
Florida might do great again - i'm not saying it's impossible.
Florida however might also come back down to earth and go back to 'bubble' territory.
Majority seem so certain they will be a top team, and I don't agree with those odds at all. It's possible, but nowhere near certain
If Florida doesnt do good, its because they underachieved. This crap about what they did years ago really needs to stop. New management, improved coaching, roster turnover, a lot happened since Zito took over.
And they dont have "huge" question marks in net. They have question marks just like every team in the division, other than Tampa. But they do have a better percentage than other teams to be good in net. And Id take my chances with Knight and Bob over any team in the division other than the obvious.
