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Hotstove: Eastern Conference Bold Predictions

September 26, 2014, 10:02 AM ET [47 Comments]
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Welcome to another edition of the Hockeybuzz hotstove.

In this one each member of the hotstove will make a bold prediction pertaining to a player/coach/team in the Eastern Conference.

Todd Cordell: Jimmy Howard will be a Vezina finalist

Over the last few seasons Jimmy Howard has oddly taken a lot of the blame for the Detroit Red Wings' lack of success; at least compared to what is expected from them.

That blame couldn't be more misplaced, though. While most see him as an average goaltender, the reality is he's been one of the league's best for a few years now, and is one of the main reasons they've continued to squeeze into the playoffs.

As Travis Yost pointed out in his latest at TSN.ca, Howard is 3rd in the NHL in even-strength save percentage over the last few seasons. The two players ahead of him? Tuukka Rask and Henrik Lundqvist.

Howard has quietly developed into an elite goaltender, and if he can get some help and put together a few more wins, his resume could put him in the conversation for a Vezina Trophy.

James Tanner: Nazem Kadri will emerge as a star

I predict that Nazem Kadri breaks out into a star player this season. The 23 year old Leaf's centre has had a strange beginning to his career: Although he has played in parts of 5 seasons so far, and he played all 48 during the lockout season, he has actually only played something approximating a full year once, which was last year when he played 78 games.

Along with being bounced frequently between the NHL and the AHL, he was publicly called out at times by his coach for being bad without the puck, not playing a complete game etc etc etc. These stories were spun by the media and it being Toronto, things got a little crazy. Add in the fact that he is the Leafs first player of the Muslim religion and background and that he is almost aggressively confident in interviews and it seems like there has been a never ending tabloid-style whirlwind of media coverage surrounding him for years.

I mention all this because it's easy to be distracted by the non-hockey stuff going on, and forget that he's only really played one full season of NHL hockey. He's 23. He will be looking to earn a promotion to the Leafs top line. It seems like the organization is finally going to stop micromanaging him and let him play his game. And his game is unreal. Kadri possesses some of the best hands and instincts in the NHL. He'll never be the kind of complete player that Johnathan Toews is, but he can do things at top speed that would impress Crosby.

In his first game of the pre-season, Kadri skated around the ice, and although half the guys in the game aren't even NHL players, he had an air of confidence about him and seemed to be able to do whatever he wanted with the puck. He already has one almost point-per-game season to his credit (44 in 48). This year he'll add another one - 30 goals, 52 assists.

Ryan Wilson: The Buffalo Sabres will not finish with worst record in Eastern Conference

That honor will go to the Carolina Hurricanes. With Jordan Staal out 3-4 months a team that was thin to begin with loses a very underrated piece of their puzzle. Jordan Staal crushes it playing the tough minutes. Sure his offense doesn't match his salary, but there is no denying his ability to eat up minutes against the league's best and come out on top. Jordan Staal can't be replaced and it will cripple Carolina.

Buffalo acquired too many mediocre veteran players and while that normally will stunt team improvement, this will actually raise the quality of their team. Jonas Enroth is an underrated goalie to this point and should steal a few games as well. For a while it looked like a one pony race for the worst team in the conference, but it isn't looking that way anymore. Im sure it will go over well with the Buffalo faithful if Carolina of all teams snakes McDavid/Eichel from them.

Tim Chiasson: John Tavares will hit 100 points

John Tavares is the reason Islanders fans wake up in the morning. Once hailed as "The Next-Next One"(after Crosby was "The Next One"), he’s been a leader and he’s been a point producer, but he hasn't been the point producer that was expected of him when he came out of junior yet. There were enormous expectations for him when he entered the league and he’s produced at a great rate on horrible teams. This is his year to take over on the ice and dominate like Stamkos and Crosby do. The Islanders have the best team they've had since Tavares arrived and he’s going to capitalize on that in a big way. Injury held him back last season but with that in his rear view mirror he’s poised to make the Islanders relevant again. This is the season that JT hits the 100 point mark.

Bill Meltzer: Rangers will win the Metro

My bold prediction for the Eastern Conference is that Pittsburgh will not win the Metro; the Rangers will. The Rangers got off to a mediocre start last year during that endless road trip while MSG was beyond renovated. As the season moved along, the Rangers got better and better. During the offseason. the Penguins lost some key pieces. With the major exception of the Ehrhoff signing, they lost more than they gained. Also, this is a transitional year behind the bench and in the GM chair.

Michael Stuart: The Columbus Blue Jackets will win *TWO* rounds in the playoffs

That’s right, friends. I’m predicting that a team that has never won a playoff series will make it all the way to the Eastern Conference Final this season. As noted in my division predictions here at the Hotstove, I believe that the Metropolitan is wide open. I also believe that the Blue Jackets are good enough to finish in the second or third spot. From there, the road to the ECF shouldn’t be impossible.

The Blue Jackets gave Pittsburgh a good scare last year. Having had a taste of playoff hockey, Columbus is in prime position to make some noise in the 2015 postseason.

Adam French: Ryan McDonagh will win the Norris

Ryan McDonagh will put up 56ish points and win the Norris trophy. Ryan McDonagh might have finally emerged in the eyes of everybody after that playoff performance. He was incredible, other than Doughty, there were none better. You might ask then, "well why isn't Doughty winning the award?" Simply because it's about who has the best regular season and the Kings don't generate enough offense in the season to get him on the media writers check list. The Norris has become the Best Offensive Defenseman or at other times, The Best Offensive Defenseman...that can defend too! Notice Chara only ever won when he had a massive season offensively. McDonagh to me exemplifies two-way ability, but his offensive totals have been hampered by a lack of a puck moving partner to aid him on the PP. Girardi, Stralman, Staal, slowfoot Richards, these aren't big threats on the point. You know who is? Dan Boyle. I think the grizzled ex-Shark helps McDonagh take his offense to the next level. He won't lead the league in scoring for defensemen, but he will put up enough points to get into the media's eyes, then his defensive merits will separate him from the competition.

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