Predict the Atlantic Standings

[North Cole]

Nope - my mission is to always get critics who shit on the Leafs, to be accurate. Hate all you want but be accurate, no lies, no misinformation. I don't think that's unreasonable.

Well I didn't shit on the Leafs. I think it's unreasonable to only clean up one side of the misinformation but at least you're clear thats your agenda, guess you don't care about your own credibility.

 

[topshelf15]

Ottawa's defence doesn't just have some questions. It looks horrible on paper quite frankly. Well below average and surely the main reason why most sport books and fans have the Sens missing the playoffs.

Ottawa has 2 quality top-4 defenders in Chabot and Zub. Sanderson is a nice add but you realize he has never played in the NHL and has been consistently injured for the last year or two. Implying he is just going to jump into the top-4 at the NHL level for 82 games when he's played probably 30 games a season is being way to confident in a rookies transition.

The rest of the d-core is hardly worth mentioning. A bunch of #6 guys who hopefully won't hurt the team too much. Improvements are a must for this team to make any sort of impact in the playoffs.

Again its my opinion...I dont think our defense is as bad as most are making it out...Add in the much improved top 9 and we should have the puck far more in the offensive zone,which will cut down d zone time...

 

[Pinto Bean]

Again its my opinion...I dont think our defense is as bad as most are making it out...Add in the much improved top 9 and we should have the puck far more in the offensive zone,which will cut down d zone time...

It's a fair opinion. It's just an opinion blinded by hope and positivity.

Where as my opinion comes from the history of those involved in the Sens d-core. Zub and Chabot have rightfully earned the title as sure fire top-4 guys. Holden, Hamonic, etc have earned the right to be called #6 guys. And finally, Sanderson has been regularly hurt for some time and has never even sniffed the pro-game which leads to me having the opinion that his transition may not be as smooth as you make it seem.

 

[topshelf15]

It's a fair opinion. It's just an opinion blinded by hope and positivity.

Where as my opinion comes from the history of those involved in the Sens d-core. Zub and Chabot have rightfully earned the title as sure fire top-4 guys. Holden, Hamonic, etc have earned the right to be called #6 guys. And finally, Sanderson has been regularly hurt for some time and has never even sniffed the pro-game which leads to me having the opinion that his transition may not be as smooth as you make it seem.

There have been many examples of less than stellar defense,s being carried by deep forward groups....So its not as you say a opinion blinded by hope and positivity...Florida was one of them last season...

 

[Leafidelity]

As a Sens fan I wish we had that goaltending the last 2 years instead of Murray

You had better than we did last year

Season s% average

OTT: .904

TOR: .900

 

[GOALOFSSON]

I could see Buffalo taking a step back because I think they are going to get killed in net.

Buffalo literally improved in net, yet it could cause them to take a step back somehow?

With Quinn, Peterka, Power, and a large chunk of games added from Tuch, Samuelsson, Mitts, and Krebs?

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

There have been many examples of less than stellar defense,s being carried by deep forward groups....So its not as you say a opinion blinded by hope and positivity...Florida was one of them last season...

Florida also had one of the better offensive group of defensemen though and Senators don't have that.

FLA had 4 guys finish right around top 40 in points among all defensemen.

Ekblad finished 9th despite missing 21 games
Weegar finished 27th
Montour finished 40th
Forsling finished 41st

Chabot finished 36th for reference.

Yes your better offense should help improve Chabots numbers but looking at your defense, it doesn't scream shutdown or full of offense either.

Think you're expecting too much from Sanderson as a rookie who's never played in NHL or anything close to 82 games in a season.

Yes we lost Weegar now but Forsling and Montours numbers should stay the same when given bigger roles/more minutes.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Florida also had one of the better offensive group of defensemen though and Senators don't have that.

FLA had 4 guys finish right around top 40 in points among all defensemen.

Ekblad finished 9th despite missing 21 games
Weegar finished 27th
Montour finished 40th
Forsling finished 41st

Chabot finished 36th for reference.

Yes your better offense should help improve Chabots numbers but looking at your defense, it doesn't scream shutdown or full of offense either.

Think you're expecting too much from Sanderson as a rookie who's never played in NHL or anything close to 82 games in a season.

Yes we lost Weegar now but Forsling and Montours numbers should stay the same when given bigger roles/more minutes.

I noticed you mentioned Ekblad missed 21 games, but ever mentioned Chabot missing 23. Probably just an oversight.

 

[topshelf15]

Florida also had one of the better offensive group of defensemen though and Senators don't have that.

FLA had 4 guys finish right around top 40 in points among all defensemen.

Ekblad finished 9th despite missing 21 games
Weegar finished 27th
Montour finished 40th
Forsling finished 41st

Chabot finished 36th for reference.
Yes your better offense should help improve Chabots numbers but looking at your defense doesn't scream shutdown or full of offense either.

Yes we lost Weegar now but Forsling and Montours numbers should improve/stay the same when given bigger roles.

Yes and why do you think they finished so high in point totals???Exactly my point,your forwards carried that team...That season one one of the highest scoring by a team in years...Yet Ottawa cant do the same thing with a very deep top 9...Come on dude

 

[GCK]

You had better than we did last year

Season s% average

OTT: .904

TOR: .900

Forsberg

 

[Beezeral]

Yes and why do you think they finished so high in point totals???Exactly my point,your forwards carried that team...That season one one of the highest scoring by a team in years...Yet Ottawa cant do the same thing with a very deep top 9...Come on dude

The Panthers had a historically great offense with a good defense last year.

The Senators have a good offense and a below average at best defense this year. Your comparison of the two teams is based on hope and dreams not anything substantial.

Still waiting for the Forwards you want compared by the way...

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

I noticed you mentioned Ekblad missed 21 games, but ever mentioned Chabot missing 23. Probably just an oversight.

OK and Florida still had other guys step up with Barkov, Lundell and Marchment out for stretches as well.

This isn't an attack on Chabot, it's an attack on your limited offense from defense.

You think Hamonic, Sanderson, Zaitsev, Brannstrom and others will provide 30-40pts each?

Yes and why do you think they finished so high in point totals???Exactly my point,your forwards carried that team...That season one one of the highest scoring by a team in years...Yet Ottawa cant do the same thing with a very deep top 9...Come on dude

No they likely can't because Chabot is your only decent defenseman capable of offense...

Feel free to propose some predictions for offensive numbers from your defense?
How many points will Hamonic, Sanderson, Zaitsev, Brannstrom and Holden provide?

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Buffalo literally improved in net, yet it could cause them to take a step back somehow?

With Quinn, Peterka, Power, and a large chunk of games added from Tuch, Samuelsson, Mitts, and Krebs?

I think Buffalo has the weakest tandem in the east and that includes Philly who last time I checked their backup was trapped in Russia

 

[Golden_Jet]

The Panthers had a historically great offense with a good defense last year.

The Senators have a good offense and a below average at best defense this year. Your comparison of the two teams is based on hope and dreams not anything substantial.

Still waiting for the Forwards you want compared by the way...

I’ll play
I’m not ranking them, as 1-12, too hard.
Ottawa’s top 4 lines probably to start season.

Tkachuk Norris Batherson
DeBrincat Stutzle Giroux
Formenton Pinto Joseph
Kelly Greig / Kastelic Watson

What’s Florida’s predicted opening night lineup for forwards.

 

[GOALOFSSON]

I think Buffalo has the weakest tandem in the east and that includes Philly who last time I checked their backup was trapped in Russia

I don't know if it will be that bad, but it's still better than last year even if only by a small margin (and really we need to see how Comrie will play) so I don't see how it could possibly cause us to take a step back, since it was actually worse last year.

That's in a vacuum, when considering the other vast additions to the team, there's just really no way we'll "take a step back".

 

[Golden_Jet]

I don't know if it will be that bad, but it's still better than last year even if only by a small margin (and really we need to see how Comrie will play) so I don't see how it could possibly cause us to take a step back, since it was actually worse last year.

That's in a vacuum, when considering the other vast additions to the team, there's just really no way we'll "take a step back".

Unless a key Sabre gets accidentally injured ala Aaron Dell antics, via revenge.

 

[Maurice of Orange]

I’ll play
I’m not ranking them, as 1-12, too hard.
Ottawa’s top 4 lines probably to start season.

Tkachuk Norris Batherson
DeBrincat Stutzle Giroux
Formenton Pinto Joseph
Kelly Greig / Kastelic Watson

What’s Florida’s predicted opening night lineup for forwards.

Line 1 LW Verhaeghe C Barkov RW Tkachuk
Line 2 LW Bennett C Lundell RW Reinhart
Line 3 LW Balcers C Luostarinen RW Hornqvist
Line 4 LW Cousins C White RW Lomberg
Extra: LW Heponiemi, RW Duclair + injured

Ottawa’s is a little different
Line 1 LW Tkachuk C Norris RW DeBrincat
Line 2 LW Giroux C Stutzle RW Batherson
Line 3 LW Formenton C Pinto RW Joseph
Line 4 LW Kelly C Kastelic RW Watson
Extra: C Gambrell

 

[topshelf15]

Line 1 LW Verhaeghe C Barkov RW Tkachuk
Line 2 LW Bennett C Lundell RW Reinhart
Line 3 LW Balcers C Luostarinen RW Hornqvist
Line 4 LW Cousins C White RW Lomberg
Extra: LW Heponiemi, RW Duclair + injured

Ottawa’s is a little different
Line 1 LW Tkachuk C Norris RW DeBrincat
Line 2 LW Giroux C Stutzle RW Batherson
Line 3 LW Formenton C Pinto RW Joseph
Line 4 LW Kelly C Kastelic RW Watson
Extra: C Gambrell

OK and Florida still had other guys step up with Barkov, Lundell and Marchment out for stretches as well.

This isn't an attack on Chabot, it's an attack on your limited offense from defense.

You think Hamonic, Sanderson, Zaitsev, Brannstrom and others will provide 30-40pts each?



No they likely can't because Chabot is your only decent defenseman capable of offense...

Feel free to propose some predictions for offensive numbers from your defense?
How many points will Hamonic, Sanderson, Zaitsev, Brannstrom and Holden provide?

Lol...

OK and Florida still had other guys step up with Barkov, Lundell and Marchment out for stretches as well.

This isn't an attack on Chabot, it's an attack on your limited offense from defense.

You think Hamonic, Sanderson, Zaitsev, Brannstrom and others will provide 30-40pts each?



No they likely can't because Chabot is your only decent defenseman capable of offense...

Feel free to propose some predictions for offensive numbers from your defense?
How many points will Hamonic, Sanderson, Zaitsev, Brannstrom and Holden provide?

To produce offense from defense does take the forwards being able to make plays,does it not???Healthy our top 9 would have produced more offense last season...But you seem want to disregard the amount of injuries to key players in our top 9 by comparision to FLD last season...This season our top 9 is better and deeper,which should have the team produce much better from the defense no??

 

[topshelf15]

Line 1 LW Verhaeghe C Barkov RW Tkachuk
Line 2 LW Bennett C Lundell RW Reinhart
Line 3 LW Balcers C Luostarinen RW Hornqvist
Line 4 LW Cousins C White RW Lomberg
Extra: LW Heponiemi, RW Duclair + injured

Ottawa’s is a little different
Line 1 LW Tkachuk C Norris RW DeBrincat
Line 2 LW Giroux C Stutzle RW Batherson
Line 3 LW Formenton C Pinto RW Joseph
Line 4 LW Kelly C Kastelic RW Watson
Extra: C Gambrell

Its deeper and better than FLD...This isnt me being a homer either,Batherson is likely on Tkachuks line BTW to feed the shooter Norris...Debrincat is for Stu on the 2nd line

 

[Maurice of Orange]

I think Buffalo has the weakest tandem in the east and that includes Philly who last time I checked their backup was trapped in Russia

Ivan Fedotov is still trapped in the arctic near Polyarny inlet where the Soviet high seas fleet is stationed. It’s cold and a hard place.

Just ask the captain of the ballistic missile submarine Red October Marko Ramius

 

[Maurice of Orange]

Its deeper and better than FLD...This isnt me being a homer either,Batherson is likely on Tkachuks line BTW to feed the shooter Norris...Debrincat is for Stu on the 2nd line

I have no idea how either lineup will turn out because I don’t have a horse in this race, that’s for Florida’s and Ottawa’s natives to scrap over.

 

[topshelf15]

The Panthers had a historically great offense with a good defense last year.

The Senators have a good offense and a below average at best defense this year. Your comparison of the two teams is based on hope and dreams not anything substantial.

Still waiting for the Forwards you want compared by the way...

They didnt have a good defense....They had an average to below average defense,carried by a deep group of forwards....Hense why when they were swept by an actual defense in TB and struggled against a powerhouse defensive team in Washington...Look they had a great regular season but are a much shallower team both up front and on defense in comparision to last season...

 

[ScottyMascotty]

They didnt have a good defense....They had an average to below average defense,carried by a deep group of forwards....Hense why when they were swept by an actual defense in TB and struggled against a powerhouse defensive team in Washington...Look they had a great regular season but are a much shallower team both up front and on defense in comparision to last season...

The struggles were caused by bad coaching & exceptional performance from Vasy.

Defense personnel was good, it's just run & gun style sometimes made it look worse. But they also contributed to that high-scoring offence.

Losing Weegar can hurt, yes. But isn't he solely responsible for some brutal game-altering defensive breakdowns in the playoffs?

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

Lol...

To produce offense from defense does take the forwards being able to make plays,does it not???Healthy our top 9 would have produced more offense last season...But you seem want to disregard the amount of injuries to key players in our top 9 by comparision to FLD last season...This season our top 9 is better and deeper,which should have the team produce much better from the defense no??

Lol bookmark my stuff and call me out later.
Yes I'm saying Hamonic, Zub, Zaitsev and Brannstrom are not going to be putting up 30-40pts each and definitely think you're overrating your young core who may have ups and downs.

 

[Halakitlikethat]

Tampa
Buffalo
Boston
Florida
Ottawa
Toronto
Detroit
Montreal

Folk are severely under-rating the Sabres and over-rating Florida and Toronto. Sabres and Ottawa will be drastically better this year.

Toronto Boston and Florida are in for a rude awakening.

This would for sure make things interesting, but find it pretty unlikely .but would love to see it !
In my view , torontos goaltending issues are way over stated. They don’t need anyone to steal games , just not suck . We’ll see how the new guys work out . Other than that, they are bringing back the same team . I think they are the best team in the division.