Damn, crazy prediction for Seattle that high.
I suppose it is, although it looks more surprising on paper. Even if they were to finish 2nd, we're potentially talking about a few points separating them and teams behind them and then come playoff time you'd probably favor the likes of Vegas.
But I do really like the lineup
McCann - Beniers - Eberle
Schwartz - Stephenson - Burakovsky
Tolvanen - Gourde - Bjorkstrand
Kartye - Wright - Tanev
Dunn - Larsson
Oleksiak - Montour
Evans - Borgen
Grubauer
Daccord
If Beniers bounces back and maybe even plays his best hockey to date like a 3rd year player should, Burakovsky gets back to form after his injuries and the rest just play the way they are able to, Seattle is back to having the same strengths as a team they had 2 years ago with balanced scoring and a team that rolls lines, except this time they have Stephenson and Montour added to the mix, two guys who fill roles this team really needed. Wright is a wild card as well potentially adding more talent and depth to the fold.
I have no idea what to expect from Bylsma these days but he should be a pretty good motivator, on top of a disappointing last season, so the hunger should be there right from training camp.
I had a deja vu with the 18-19 Flames that won the Pacific division after missing the playoffs, I remember liking that team too to bounce back strong but went with a conservative prediction in the standings like everyone else. This time I decided to go out on a bit of a limb.