Joined: Jan. 2017
Posts: 9,552
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So based on what I'm predicting:
Pacific: Edmonton, Anaheim, Calgary (all locks)
Central: Nashville, Dallas, St. Louis
Wild Card: Chicago, Minnesota
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Only team I missed from the West that has a chance was Winnipeg. If they make it, only one of CHI/MIN/STL is out, and it prolly won't happen. Other than that, no one else has a chance to make it. SJ lost a top 6 winger and #5 dman, and didn't replace them. Pavs, Burns, Jumbo, etc. each got a year older. I don't see a chance there. As for LA, again, no chance. Quick is shaky in goal; the defence outside of Doughty and Muzzin isn't good, and the forward group is also relatively weak compared to other teams.
Metro: Pittsburgh, Washington, Columbus (all locks)
Atlantic: Tampa, Toronto, Ottawa (all locks)
Wild Card: NYR, Montreal
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Ottawa will make it. Their forward group is strong, the defence is set especially with elite Karlsson in charge, and the Anderson-Condon pair is really good. They lost Methot. So what. They have Chabot who can come and fill that role in. Done. Other than that, nothing changed since last year. Anderson might have a full season, Brassard, Dzingel, etc. might have even better years. That's it.
Washington is also a lock. I don't care if they lost Alzner, MJo and Williams. The core is still crazy and intact. Backstorm and Ovi are top 10 NHL forwards undoubtedly. Oshie, Burakovsky, Vrana, etc. are also a strong set of wingers, Kuzy is a 1AC who plays 2C. Carlson is the elite offensive dman, Niskanen and Orlov are top pairing guys and they have a few other young dmen that will come in (which cancels out the loss of Alzner IMO). Add in a top 5 NHL goalie in Holtby. That's an enviable group, despite their losses.
As for Columbus, the young guys only can go up from here. I see Jones/Werenski putting up 50, Wennberg making it clear he's a true 1C, and guys like Bjorkstrand, Anderson will break out. Add in an elite set of wingers and the second best goalie in the league. Lock to make it.
The only question is if MTL makes it or not, and if they don't either Buffalo and Boston is in. With that, the only teams that won't make it are: MTL/BOS, and SJS, and a sliiiiiiight chance one of STL/MIN/CHI misses. That's it. All those other teams will be in again