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Lockout Schmockout. Whole NHL Predictions/Whacky Predictions

January 19, 2013, 11:05 AM ET [263 Comments]
Eklund
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Ok, so here's the thing about being a rumor guy: If you are chasing rumors you can tend to run out of time for everything else...I got through two in depth divisions, but was afraid of to do the Northeast due to all the rumors and well...it's game day and I have a always done predictions, so here is the Cliff Note version of the entire NHL for ya!...I decided to combine my picks with my thirty whacky predictions for all teams (it's a short preseason..so here we go!)

Starting back with the best division in hockey...the Atlantic.
for the full story on my Atlantic Predictions Go Here. So here is just my whacky predictions on the Atantic and their place of finish.

The Atlantic
#1. NY Rangers
The Ranger top offensive scorer will NOT be one of the big three, but rather be a surprise.
#2. Flyers
Ilya Bryzgalov, playing for his career in the face of a buyout next summer, will rebound and cause debate this next summer if the Flyers should bring him back or buy him out and sign a returning Tim Thomas.
#3. Penguins
Crosby will score at a record pace making some wonder if he will match Gretzky's 50 goals in 48 games...
#4 NJ
The Devils will start off 8-0-2.
#5 NY Islanders
The Isles will make the playoffs as a record 5 teams from the Atlantic get in.

Northeast

#1 Buffalo
The Sabres will be back with vengeance. Having two top tier goalies combined with the unbalanced schedule (The Sabres are always tough against other Northeast Teams) will help them beat out the Bruins by a point.
#2 Boston
The Bruins will be a very tough team, but will battle injuries at times causing them to fall to #2 and squeak in to the playoffs...However look out come playoff time.
#3. Montreal
The Canadiens will start off very hot, but fall just short of the 8th spot. However, the future looks VERY bright for this squad. I would not be shocked to see a coaching move if a coach they really like suddenly were to become available.
#4. Toronto
The Leafs will struggle a bit getting going, but it won't because of their goaltending..which will be VERY good...although who dominates in net still TBA?
#5. Ottawa
The Sens will fall back a bit, but Jason Spezza will have his best season to date...The Sens will move Gonchar.

Southeast

Carolina
The Hurricanes made some really strong personnel decisions this off-season...Adding Jordan Staal will prove to be enormous, but it will be the addition this past week of backup Dan Ellis who be the difference after a Cam Ward injury.
Florida
They will battle Carolina for the top spot this season. The Southeast is coming on strong, but not quite there yet.
Washington
The Caps offense will be back and Ovechkin will be Ovechkin again. But depending on Holtby and the young goal corps is risky.
Winnipeg
The Jets will need to sure up their defense and goal. They are still young and this team is being built the right way. I do see a major trade this year with the Jets which will key them into a very successful 2013-14 and beyond.
Tampa
This is a team in search of something. I am not sold on Lindback as a #1 in this system. Interesting to see what happens coach-wise here...could see Boucher end the season coaching for a team in the Northeast.

The Pacific

1. San Jose
Couture and Thornton will dominate the scoring scene this season. The Sharks will win the Pacific going away...but the playoffs...it's all about the playoffs.
2. Los Angeles
The Kings will fight their streaky nature in the regular season and Bernier, who once asked to be dealt, will be a factor for them. However if the Kings get hot going into the playoffs sky is the limit again.
3. Anaheim
I could see the Getzlaf, Perry, Ryan line being the best line in hockey again...One of Getzlaf/Perry will sign long term, but the other could be the biggest UFA of the summer.
4. Dallas
Derek Roy will be the team MVP. Both Whitney and Jagr will get strong returns at the trade deadline for the Stars as they build.
5. Phoenix
Keith Yandle will be moved mid-season for young players who will help get Phoenix back into the playoffs next season.

Northwest

1. Minnesota
It is rare a team makes all the right moves to take them over the top, but I am putting the Wild here for more reasons than the Suter/Parise signings. I wrote a blog last year talking about how I see the Wild as the next Kings. A team with all the pieces waiting to explode...that was before the UFA signings. I love the Wild this year.
2. Vancouver
So few of the Canucks played during the lockout and that worries me. The Canucks still have all kinds of talent of course and depth. I am also worried about the Luongo factor hanging aroung too long. It is easy to say they should keep him. It does benefit teams to have two goalies in the compressed season...just think in a town like Vancouver the relationship with Luongo was weird enough BEFORE all this crap.
3. Edmonton
If the Oilers make the right moves they could shoot to the top in a year or two. This will be the first year we see the beginnings of what should be Dynasty 2. But they need a goalie...badly. And they need to move some forward depth for a basic steady d-man. They are great trading partners with Buffalo.
4. Colorado
The Avs are on the rise and I like the additions of players like Parenteau. The Avs need to be a feared team again, and they are getting there.
5. Calgary
While they won't admit it, a down year might be good for this franchise long term. There is a ton coming for the Flames and they tend to always be a bubble type team. This may be the year they fall off enough to get that one key piece.

The Central
1. Nashville
Last year in this blog my whacky prediction was the Kings would win the Stanley Cup. This year I am picking the Predators to raise the trophy. The reason? Many. Trotz system is a stable factor in a shortened season. The Preds are the biggest and most durable team in the West...maybe the NHL. Mason, while a backup, brings strong leadership to the room, Weber knows he is a Pred for life....but mostly Rinne is a monster in goal.
2. St Louis
The Blues will be right there again and they will be solid having spent a year behind Hitch. I am very curious if the goaltending duo can be as dominant though...
3. Chicago
The Hawks will be looking to add a goalie at some point here. They are way too talented to not be running away in the standings.
4. Detroit
Even though I have the Red Wings where I have them I am not one of the people who sees them as falling apart after the retirement of Lidstrom. I just cant put them in front of the other three teams in this division (although I could see a very points separating the Wings and Hawks.
5. Columbus
My whacky pick...they start off like gangbusters. They have some really strong talent. NEXT year they are a playoff team. Also...look for them to be the surprise team in the Luongo race.

.....

Playoff Teams

East

1. NY Rangers
2. Buffalo
3. Carolina
4. Philadelphia
5. Pittsburgh
6. Boston
7. New Jersey
8. NY Islanders

West

1. Minnesota
2. San Jose
3. Nashville
4. St. Louis
5. Vancouver
6. Los Angeles
7. Edmonton
8. Chicago


*****

Whew! DONE!

I apologize to those I didn't get in the playoffs and remember....I am usually completely wrong...or scary right!

check out last year...HERE

highlights from last year...

Buff: Jhonas Enroth will emerge as more than a #2 goalie, and either challenge Ryan Miller for more playing time or create an outcry as to why he's not playing more.

Dallas: Rumors of the team relocating to Kansas City will emerge, but the team will rally behind Jamie Benn, who will score regular ESPN highlight goals. They will stay in contention much longer than anyone expects, but will fall short.

LA: The big story here will be the goaltending and defense as the Kings will allow the fewest goals this season in the NHL. the Kings will shock the world and knock off at least two teams in the playoffs and could find a way to raise their first Stanley Cup.

St. Louis: The return of Halak and the combination of dynamic youth and grizzled vets means the Blues will win the Central Division.


ENJOY THE GAMES!
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