our playoff projection relies too much on too many others teams not performing. We are competing for 3rd in pacific or 8th spot and it will shut on us quickly if the 3 non-playoff teams in the Pacific cycle upwards.
The Flames scored 40 more goals then us last year but can't seem to keep the puck out of their own net. Their defense is going to outproduce ours by a wide margin. Their forwards are going to score. They need to find themselves some help in goal and some defensive forward support. They have to re-sign some big RFAs but they have the money to do so. They have a lot of picks to work from as well as a 6th overall. we'll see what the offseason brings them but they are cycling upwards and i have them as a playoff team next year.
The Coyotes are young. They have a stupid amount of signings to make both RFA and UFA. They have a lot more young talent on the way though and money to spend if they so choose to. Mike Smith is erratic and may be a hindrance to them getting anywhere soon.
The Oilers need defense. Who the hell knows if that stupid team will ever figure it out. They figure it out and we aren't touching them. however, with 7 top-7 picks in 7 years i can't even say they are cycling upwards. They should be but they have the loser bug and may well be broken.
The other 3 Pacific teams are all far better than us defensively and offensively but they are getting up there in age. They will have their falling off eventually. It may be next year or a few years down the line. Very hard to project us being better than any of them next year.
Central teams:
I think the Jets are a playoff team this next year and ascend more than any other team in the league. Goaltending may break them again but that team is too easily fixed in my opinion. Their young players are coming into their own. they are adding a rookie game breaker that will be cost controlled and their defense isn't very challenging to add to. They have a ******** of depth young players on their farm to add to any position on their team that needs help. Then they have a second 1st and a high 2nd round pick to possibly make a trade like the Canucks did this offseason.
I think the Wild miss next year. Too much clutter and not enough production. They'll be on the bubble though and can prove to be a hindrance to us sneaking in.
Colorado has too many issues on defense. I think they are on the outside again but how far down? I project them to be at the bottom of the standings next season
We will not touch Nashville. Their top 4 and goaltending are solid and they are signed for years to come.
I think St. Louis and Chicago are solid another year. Chicago may only be a wildcard team but that core is too solid to not be at least on the bubble.
Dallas may well revert back to two seasons ago. They are going to score a lot but how much will they give up? They need defensive help and goaltending needs to be better.
We aren't a good enough team and our playoff hopes in a conference where more than half the teams make it relies on other teams misfortune rather than our own skill.
i have Ducks, Sharks, Kings, Flames, Blues, Predators, Stars, Blackhawks, Jets and Wild all still better than the Canucks next year.
Lots of changes for every team of course.
