Predict the Atlantic Standings
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Fatass
Registered User
- Apr 17, 2017
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Yup. Leafs will win the division this season. It’s the next season after this one where they will take a big drop. This year they for sure should push all their chips in.
ProfessorFink22
Registered User
- May 28, 2020
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Toronto - They look great, Samsonov is legit, and people get sick of parroting the line 'it doesn't matter until the playoffs'. Bertuzzi and Domi turn out great.
Tampa - After three years of SC finals, their core was reminded last year how much they hate losing, they are in higher gear than last year in the regular season.
Buffalo - Not at all a hot take, but their window is finally opening.
Ottawa - Pinto and Norris are both very impressive, Batherson claims the role of 'most underrated player in the NHL' and runs with it. Their D-core looks really well balanced with Zub and Hamonic playing well to balance out the bigger names.
Florida - I think the hangover is too much to overcome, and if their top d-men like Ekblad can't be healthy they are in trouble. 5 Atlantic teams make the playoffs, though, so they are the 8 seed again, 'exactly where they want to be'.
Boston - I'm drinking the koolaide regarding their drop off to the fullest degree. They are good enough to be higher in every other division, but are just out. I see them having some real trouble scoring enough goals.
Detroit - Pedestrian defense and lack of scoring from forwards. I just don't see what others see when they compare this core to Buffalo or Ottawa, sorry.
Montreal - They just get beat up by a really strong division, in all honesty. I'm not sure Caufield and Suzuki is a core that can get you there. I think the defence falls apart, too, especially if they trade Petry.
Tampa - After three years of SC finals, their core was reminded last year how much they hate losing, they are in higher gear than last year in the regular season.
Buffalo - Not at all a hot take, but their window is finally opening.
Ottawa - Pinto and Norris are both very impressive, Batherson claims the role of 'most underrated player in the NHL' and runs with it. Their D-core looks really well balanced with Zub and Hamonic playing well to balance out the bigger names.
Florida - I think the hangover is too much to overcome, and if their top d-men like Ekblad can't be healthy they are in trouble. 5 Atlantic teams make the playoffs, though, so they are the 8 seed again, 'exactly where they want to be'.
Boston - I'm drinking the koolaide regarding their drop off to the fullest degree. They are good enough to be higher in every other division, but are just out. I see them having some real trouble scoring enough goals.
Detroit - Pedestrian defense and lack of scoring from forwards. I just don't see what others see when they compare this core to Buffalo or Ottawa, sorry.
Montreal - They just get beat up by a really strong division, in all honesty. I'm not sure Caufield and Suzuki is a core that can get you there. I think the defence falls apart, too, especially if they trade Petry.
Mr Positive
Cap Crunch Incoming
- Nov 20, 2013
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The injury part of that is definitely true. Maybe the Panthers will need a similar miracle finish to get in this year. You have to think between the three of Ott Det and Buff at least one will take a leap forward
Ianturnedbull
Registered User
- Jun 11, 2022
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Toronto - Elite
Boston - Elite Lite
Tampa - Lesser Elite
Florida - Elite Wildcard
Ottawa - Not Even Elite
Buffalo - Future Elite Young Stars
Detroit - Will be big on very few nights
Montreal - Elite Smoked Meat, but an embarrassing Hockey Team
Boston - Elite Lite
Tampa - Lesser Elite
Florida - Elite Wildcard
Ottawa - Not Even Elite
Buffalo - Future Elite Young Stars
Detroit - Will be big on very few nights
Montreal - Elite Smoked Meat, but an embarrassing Hockey Team
kvladimir
Registered User
- Dec 1, 2010
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BUF and OTT break out, DET breaks down. Still very bad news for FLA, TBL, maybe BOS:
1. TOR
2. BOS
3. OTT
4. BUF
5. TBL
6. FLA
7. MTL
8. DET
Separation of only 10 points between 2nd and 6th, mind you
1. TOR
2. BOS
3. OTT
4. BUF
5. TBL
6. FLA
7. MTL
8. DET
Separation of only 10 points between 2nd and 6th, mind you
HockeyVirus
Woll stan.
- Nov 15, 2020
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Yeah nonsense. Dubas took over and tried to build 4 lines of speed and skill and that didn't work, that much is true. But almost immediately he realized this and brought in almost nothing but grinding type players. This was the guy who paid a first for Foligno years ago for his grit for god sakes.
Last year at the deadline Dubas adds tons of toughness which made a big difference against Tampa and now Dubas haters pretend that never happened. Reaves is not going to do shit for the Leafs. Bertuzzi is a good add but not because he is going to be terrorizing other teams, he's just a good player. Max Domi will fight but again, nothing that scares other teams.
Leaf fans are in for a rude awakening if they think adding 3 guys after losing Schenn, Accari, etc makes us any tougher. The Leafs were legit a tough team last year. No amount of supporting cast is going to make the core fight or anything like that.
But with all of that said, toughness is irrelevant in the regular season which this thread is about. I don't think the Leafs are soft anymore with their roster construction and how they play so some folks needs to get a new scouting report, but they also are certainly not terrorizing teams either. Just pretty average toughness.
Dr Pepper
Registered User
Florida
Tampa
Toronto
Buffalo
Boston
Ottawa
Detroit
Montreal
Tampa
Toronto
Buffalo
Boston
Ottawa
Detroit
Montreal
Dread Clawz
LAWSonic Boom
Uh no, because you asked me something that had nothing to do with my previous post. Plus I thought you and I had already "talked in circles" about this subject in another thread yesterday. Or so you said
HockeyVirus
Woll stan.
- Nov 15, 2020
- 19,422
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Serious question. How many Panthers games did you watch last year? And what do you think they have done to be better than being a fluke away from making the playoffs other than lose players to free agency to be a better team?
Now add in their injuries to start the year...
Dr Pepper
Registered User
Honest answer? Only their games against the Leafs, which I'm sure you caught as well.
And what they've done is give the team the idea that they're capable of going on a deep playoff run at full strength.
Are they headed back to the finals? Who knows, I'm not sure if I'd go that far but on paper I'd say there's a chance they end up atop the Atlantic by season's end.
I don't think that's really too hot a take.
norrisnick
The best...
- Apr 14, 2005
- 31,195
- 16,516
So you've got, a President's trophy with a playoff loss to the 2-time defending Cup Champs and an 8th place finish with a run to the Cup Final. And it's the 8th place finish you're desparately clinging to?
HockeyVirus
Woll stan.
- Nov 15, 2020
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That presidents trophy run is irrelevant. Different core, different coaching, why not use their 90's final run as evidence while we are at it?
They got worse over this offseason after being gifted a playoff spot. I am not clinging to anything, I am just able to view their team with an objective lens given I have no emotional attachment to their team and I watched about 75% of their regular season last year, maybe a bit less.
I saw them at their worst and I saw them at their best (last few games of season and playoffs). Based on what I saw, their entire late season run was covering the flaws of the team by A) unsustainable goaltending by Lyon and then Bob and B) because of that, being able to outscore their problems that plagued them all year.
In March POMO is the worst coach ever, fire everyone. In April he is the GOAT coach and the roster has no flaws.
Panthaz89
Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Panthers fan
Are we talking only the Leafs series? Their starter and backup are still meh they should expect to lose the goaltending battle against the Panthers in every series. Its always easy to get more shots on net when you are playing from behind for 90% of the series. They should know how many times the Lightning let up on them in round 1 with multiple big goal leads where the Lightning fell asleep but I guess you won't whine how Vasilevsky played terrible in round 1 will you.
Satanphonehome
Registered User
- Jan 4, 2015
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I think the Leafs are the safest bet to make the playoffs, but I can’t agree they are a sure thing.
Their additions overall lack discipline. They go their own way, tend to take bad penalties and break down defensively.
I though Samsonov was pretty good last year but historically he’s been anything but steady. I’m not bullish on the fallback options.
This is not a particularly fast team on paper; Id say that’s where the changes will be noticed most and something that could be exploited.
You have to wonder about the “team” focus. There’s not a lot of guys who have grown together and have been to war with each other. They’ve got older guys who are fading, or might be considered to be playing out the string, or, conversely, are comfortable. And their core is all thinking about their own contracts and that of the guy next to him. The team has a real mercenary feel and “me-first” could become an issue.
You wonder about the GM’s loyalty to the coach and to certain players and how players and staff will be angling to cement themselves in a new power structure.
I wouldn’t be holding 8 years of being good up as evidence there will be a 9th. Lot of team’s windows close before that time.
And that leads to final issue: the division is good. You aren’t going to get the gimmes you were getting before.
As much as you want to lean into their past, the Sabres and Sens are coming. They’ve got talent and hunger. As much as Tampa and Boston are aging, they’ve got talent and tradition. Florida has the divisions most successful team over the past 2 years. Detroit isnt sexy, but they’re deep. Look past any at your peril.
On paper, I’m picking the Leafs to make the playoffs. But they better be prepared to earn it. Unprepared or distracted in the Atlantic this year equals death.
Their additions overall lack discipline. They go their own way, tend to take bad penalties and break down defensively.
I though Samsonov was pretty good last year but historically he’s been anything but steady. I’m not bullish on the fallback options.
This is not a particularly fast team on paper; Id say that’s where the changes will be noticed most and something that could be exploited.
You have to wonder about the “team” focus. There’s not a lot of guys who have grown together and have been to war with each other. They’ve got older guys who are fading, or might be considered to be playing out the string, or, conversely, are comfortable. And their core is all thinking about their own contracts and that of the guy next to him. The team has a real mercenary feel and “me-first” could become an issue.
You wonder about the GM’s loyalty to the coach and to certain players and how players and staff will be angling to cement themselves in a new power structure.
I wouldn’t be holding 8 years of being good up as evidence there will be a 9th. Lot of team’s windows close before that time.
And that leads to final issue: the division is good. You aren’t going to get the gimmes you were getting before.
As much as you want to lean into their past, the Sabres and Sens are coming. They’ve got talent and hunger. As much as Tampa and Boston are aging, they’ve got talent and tradition. Florida has the divisions most successful team over the past 2 years. Detroit isnt sexy, but they’re deep. Look past any at your peril.
On paper, I’m picking the Leafs to make the playoffs. But they better be prepared to earn it. Unprepared or distracted in the Atlantic this year equals death.
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Golden_Jet
Registered User
- Sep 21, 2005
- 26,072
- 13,472
I'm all for it and over it but I’m also not backing down. I have time since I make my own schedule though and it it’s not the season, if you don’t like it, don’t read it? I don’t go into threads I don’t give af about.
Toronto
Tampa
Buffalo
Detroit
Boston
____
Ottawa
Florida
Montreal
Tampa
Buffalo
Detroit
Boston
____
Ottawa
Florida
Montreal
- Oct 30, 2006
- 2,899
- 1,869
lomiller1
Registered User
- Jan 13, 2015
- 6,409
- 2,968
This division is near completely unpredictable so I may as well go all in on a few hot takes.
In Playoffs
Buffalo
Florida
Toronto
Detroit
Out of Playoffs
Tampa
Ottawa
Boston
Montreal
In Playoffs
Buffalo
Florida
Toronto
Detroit
Out of Playoffs
Tampa
Ottawa
Boston
Montreal
Bourne Endeavor
Registered User
The Atlantic is damn near impossible to predict imo. The only team I feel is a guaranteed lock for the playoffs are the Leafs. Tampa is like 90% a lock but they aren't nearly as much the juggernaut they once were. Florida is... hard to pinpoint. Are they going to be playoff Panthers or last year "barely even make it" Panthers.
With the loss of Bergeron and Krejci, and Hall being shipped out, Boston actually looks vulnerable for the first time in a decade. I'd be really surprised if none of Ottawa, Detroit or Buffalo didn't battle it out with them for the wildcard spot. Of course, this is the Bruins. Watch them contend with the Leafs division lead because reasons.
Montreal is like the Leafs but opposite: guaranteed to be dead last.
With the loss of Bergeron and Krejci, and Hall being shipped out, Boston actually looks vulnerable for the first time in a decade. I'd be really surprised if none of Ottawa, Detroit or Buffalo didn't battle it out with them for the wildcard spot. Of course, this is the Bruins. Watch them contend with the Leafs division lead because reasons.
Montreal is like the Leafs but opposite: guaranteed to be dead last.
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