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Todd Cordell
I think the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to make the playoffs. I love their revamped forward core and all the kids they have set to become full time NHLers. I think Auston Matthews, William Nylander and co. will be able to make an impact right away.
I have some concerns about the back half of Toronto's defense but Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner and Nikita Zaitsev should be able to handle a lot of minutes.
With Frederik Andersen and Jhonas Enroth the Leafs have also improved in goal; although not as much as some people may suggest.
The Leafs also have the NHL's best coach, who will be able to get the most out of the talent he has to work with, and they play in the NHL's weakest division, which will definitely help their cause.
My backup prediction is that Detriot's long playoff streak will be snapped this season. I am not at all sold on their defense.
James Tanner
My prediction for the Atlantic Division was going to be that the Lightning and Panthers are the two best teams in the NHL.
Then it was going to be that the Leafs would come in third, having much more depth and a better defense than is widely acknowledged.
But then last night I watched Auston Matthews look more dangerous for an entire game than either Alex Ovechkin or Vladimir Tarasenko.
So my new prediction is that Auston Matthews finishes top ten in scoring in his rookie season. It's already clear that he's not only extremely talented, but that his skating and puck handling are already comparable to the NHL's best players.
6'2 and 220 and he moves around the ice like that? 80 points, bank on it.
Peter Tessier
The Atlantic division presents some rather intriguing storylines for the upcoming season. That's if things go right and wrong, thus a bold prediction entails a few things happening.
First the Leafs are going to make the playoffs and Detroit will slide down, and perhaps quite far but Tampa is going to rise up and dominate. Panthers may have been a one hit wonder last year. The Habs and Bruins will battle it out for a spot and the Sens will pray for something bad to happen to some one else so they have a shot.
How's that for convoluted? Notice I didn't say anything about the Sabres? They'll still be brutal.
No stunning prediction there but that's because so much could be going on with this group.
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