Quoting: rangersandislesfan
80+ %
WSH
PIT
NYR
TOR
TBL
NSH
EDM
CGY
SJS
60-79%
CBJ
OTT
STL
51-59%
LAK
ARI
NYI
MIN
50% - none right now
41-49%
CAR
ANA
WPG
DAL
31-40%
MTL
CHI
BUF
21-30%
PHI
BOS
20- %
DET
VAN
Vegas
COL
NJD
FLA
So the Islanders, Kings, and Coyotes have a better chance than Dallas, Montreal, Anaheim, Winnipeg, CHICAGO, and Boston? C'mon man...
First off, Dallas is massively improved from last year. They are stacked up front with Benn, Seguin, Radulov, Spezza, Hanzal, Faksa, etc. They've added Bishop to cover for their biggest weakness, and added Methot to solidy their D core. They are more than likely a playoff team (not to mention that you only have 2 Central teams with a greater than 50% chance of making the playoffs. EDIT: Whoops, missed MIN, so 3 teams, my fault.
Chicago is leveling out, but they still have more than enough talent to make the playoffs. Toews, Kane, Anisimov, Sadd, Panik, Keith, Seabrook, and Crawford.
Montreal has Carey Price and plays in a weak division. They'll make the playoffs. TB is the only team I can guarantee from the Atlantic that should finish higher than them.
Anaheim has one of the best defensive cores in the league, a great young goalie in Gibson, and a pretty solid forward group.
Winnipeg may have the best top 6 in the league, or at least up there. Schiefle, Laine, Wheeler, Little, Perrault, and Ehlers. They've also addressed their main weakness with signing Mason.
How are the Kings, Islanders, or Coyotes higher than any of those teams?