I just think those teams are significantly better than you guys minus goaltending. I can see goaltending winning you games early on but eventually I see you guys fading. Devils making the playoffs relies on Schneider playing the best hockey in his life. #1 in the league
- mighty13duck

Considering devils gave up the fewest shots in league last year and were top 5 in possession I don't think the Devils will be as bad as people are saying yeah most likely not 2nd but 3rd isnt too far out of the question

yeah kovy ditched but we are much deeper and have a much better goalie situation from last year

I mean the isles make the playoffs for the first time in a decade and apparently they are almost locks even though they have big ?s in goal and mediocre d

#2 The NJ Devils

Their best player is unquestionably... debatable.
- Eklund

Considering devils gave up the fewest shots in league last year and were top 5 in possession I don't think the Devils will be as bad as people are saying yeah most likely not 2nd but 3rd isnt too far out of the question

yeah kovy ditched but we are much deeper and have a much better goalie situation from last year

I mean the isles make the playoffs for the first time in a decade and apparently they are almost locks even though they have big ?s in goal and mediocre d
- dmarsden2988

It's called Playoff Muscles and they are similar to Beer Muscles, not always used wisely. That said, if the Isles get any semblence of good goaltending from Nabby they should be a playoff team. Also, dont short change us, its the 3rd time in the past decade that we made the playoffs.

Considering devils gave up the fewest shots in league last year and were top 5 in possession I don't think the Devils will be as bad as people are saying yeah most likely not 2nd but 3rd isnt too far out of the question

yeah kovy ditched but we are much deeper and have a much better goalie situation from last year

I mean the isles make the playoffs for the first time in a decade and apparently they are almost locks even though they have big ?s in goal and mediocre d
- dmarsden2988

their offense is unquestionably one of the best in the league, that is why. and believe me, no one is giving the isles a lock for the playoffs.

Pretty good blog, but give us your real take on the Flyers. C'mon, you know just as well as I do that they'll go undefeated this season.

Where were the Ek factors? The "revenge factor," "desperation factor," "faith in goaltending factor," etc.

Yeah puck possession is so boring, I wish I was a fan of a team that spent the entire game with 4 guys back in their zone and one hanging out at the red line.
- shvingter88

There's still time. Or do you not make your own decisions.

Out: Kovy(10 goals), Clarkson(15 goals), Ponikarovsky(1 goal), Tallinder, Hedberg
In: Jagr(16 goals), Ryder(16 goals), Brunner(12 goals), Clowe (3 goals), Schneider

So...adding balance, adding goals, and acquiring a 27 year old top 10 goalie (that played more like a top 5 during 4 games of the preseason), makes predicting the Devils to be anything more than a struggling team laughable? Ummm...OK.

Also, just so I know, are the people claiming the Devils won't overcome the loss of Kovy the same people that called him overpaid, one-dimensional, a cancer, a turnover machine, heartless, and a bad fit for the past 3 years?

...and the Devils must now be playing the trap again because of how good Schneider looked in the preseason?

...Cool. Got it. Learned a lot here today.

Considering devils gave up the fewest shots in league last year and were top 5 in possession I don't think the Devils will be as bad as people are saying yeah most likely not 2nd but 3rd isnt too far out of the question

yeah kovy ditched but we are much deeper and have a much better goalie situation from last year

I mean the isles make the playoffs for the first time in a decade and apparently they are almost locks even though they have big ?s in goal and mediocre d
- dmarsden2988

They also scored the 3rd least goals in the league averaging 2.29 GpG while also being one of the worst 5x5 teams in goals for/against in the league. I'm not saying they're a lottery team but I see very little reason to believe their additions will leapfrog them past the Rangers, Islanders and Flyers.
I guess that's why they play the games...

Xxkeaner17xX

http://www.thehockeynews....s-in-each-conference.html

Debate!!

Out: Kovy(10 goals), Clarkson(15 goals), Ponikarovsky(1 goal), Tallinder, Hedberg
In: Jagr(16 goals), Ryder(16 goals), Brunner(12 goals), Clowe (3 goals), Schneider

So...adding balance, adding goals, and acquiring a 27 year old top 10 goalie (that played more like a top 5 during 4 games of the preseason), makes predicting the Devils to be anything more than a struggling team laughable? Ummm...OK.

Also, just so I know, are the people claiming the Devils won't overcome the loss of Kovy the same people that called him overpaid, one-dimensional, a cancer, a turnover machine, heartless, and a bad fit for the past 3 years?

...and the Devils must now be playing the trap again because of how good Schneider looked in the preseason?

...Cool. Got it. Learned a lot here today.
- beezer34

I get where you're coming from but the comparables in goals scored by outgoing and incoming players is a meaningless comparision. Jagr-played the powerplay in BOSTON. Did anyone notice how awful he was in the playoffs? The guy can barely skate now. Clowe...soft melon...trouble staying healthy, overrated IMO. Ryder, streaky guy but should be a good addition.
Are you guys better? Maybe, though still say the addition of Jagr and Clowe doesn't come close to the loss of Clarkson and Kovy.
Schneider is going to have to carry the load much in the way Marty had done in the past. The kid has been good in Van but we'll see how that translates to the regular season in NJ.

Xxkeaner17xX

I get where you're coming from but the comparables in goals scored by outgoing and incoming players is a meaningless comparision. Jagr-played the powerplay in BOSTON. Did anyone notice how awful he was in the playoffs? The guy can barely skate now. Clowe...soft melon...trouble staying healthy, overrated IMO. Ryder, streaky guy but should be a good addition.
Are you guys better? Maybe, though still say the addition of Jagr and Clowe doesn't come close to the loss of Clarkson and Kovy.
Schneider is going to have to carry the load much in the way Marty had done in the past. The kid has been good in Van but we'll see how that translates to the regular season in NJ.

Xxkeaner17xX
- keaner17

Clowe replaces Clarkson fine and I think Jagr, Brunner and Ryder can collectively replace Kovy.

Clowe replaces Clarkson fine and I think Jagr, Brunner and Ryder can collectively replace Kovy.
- rmdevil313

Unfortunately there's no way to stuff Jagr Brunner and Ryder in the same jersey and expect them to add their collective talents together. Kovy is a dynamic player that other teams have to account for. A guy who can change a game. I don't see any of those three as anythng close to that. As for Clowe, we'll have to agree to disagree there. I don't think he's quite close to the overall talent Clarkson brought. we'll see.

Xxkeaner17xX

Where were the Ek factors? The "revenge factor," "desperation factor," "faith in goaltending factor," etc.


- RealityChecker

EK FACTORS:
"When you look at teams who win playoff series there are 3 Factors that always seem to separate those who have success from those who go down hard: Goaltending, Special Teams, Depth Scoring."

In a complete shock to the hockey world, it turns out that the team that has better goaltending, more scoring and better special teams almost always wins the playoff series. Ek's factors were eye opening to me, and I assume to everyone else as well. All this time I thought it was just things like who had a better jersey or which team had more trolls on hockeybuzz that would determine the outcome of a playoff series. Never thought it had anything to do with goaltending and scoring.

I get where you're coming from but the comparables in goals scored by outgoing and incoming players is a meaningless comparision. Jagr-played the powerplay in BOSTON. Did anyone notice how awful he was in the playoffs? The guy can barely skate now. Clowe...soft melon...trouble staying healthy, overrated IMO. Ryder, streaky guy but should be a good addition.
Are you guys better? Maybe, though still say the addition of Jagr and Clowe doesn't come close to the loss of Clarkson and Kovy.
Schneider is going to have to carry the load much in the way Marty had done in the past. The kid has been good in Van but we'll see how that translates to the regular season in NJ.

Xxkeaner17xX
- keaner17

You do realize that the same sort of criticizing you did of the incoming players could be done for the players exiting, right? I'll just mention how only 3 of Kovy's 10 goals were 5v5, how Clarkson had notoriously long cold streaks that lasted around 20 games in which he was actively hurting the team, and how during the 13 games Hedberg played while Marty was hurt, his gaa was around a 3, and sv% was in the mid 8's.

EK FACTORS:
"When you look at teams who win playoff series there are 3 Factors that always seem to separate those who have success from those who go down hard: Goaltending, Special Teams, Depth Scoring."

In a complete shock to the hockey world, it turns out that the team that has better goaltending, more scoring and better special teams almost always wins the playoff series. Ek's factors were eye opening to me, and I assume to everyone else as well. All this time I thought it was just things like who had a better jersey or which team had more trolls on hockeybuzz that would determine the outcome of a playoff series. Never thought it had anything to do with goaltending and scoring.
- hankthetank

It's very simple....
Bruins versus Coyotes- A Bear obviously would kill a Coyote -Pick Bruins
Blackhawks versus Bruins- duh, Indians used to hunt a lot...pretty sure they win
Flyers versus Islanders- They can friggin' Fly...the Islanders are stuck on an Island like Allen Hale, minus the two hot chicks and coconut cream pie
Devils versus Rangers- Do you really think a Ranger can defeat El Diablo?

I'm still trying to understand the dynamic of the Mighty Ducks winning...anything.


Xxkeaner17xX

Unfortunately there's no way to stuff Jagr Brunner and Ryder in the same jersey and expect them to add their collective talents together. Kovy is a dynamic player that other teams have to account for. A guy who can change a game. I don't see any of those three as anythng close to that. As for Clowe, we'll have to agree to disagree there. I don't think he's quite close to the overall talent Clarkson brought. we'll see.

Xxkeaner17xX
- keaner17

Clarkson has all of 2 seasons in which he had or was on pace for 20 goals and 40 points. Clowe has hit 50 points 3 times, something Clarkson has never done. Clarkson hit the UFA jackpot, so people are overrating how important he was. I loved him as a player, but he had 5 goals in the last 30 some games of the season. Even in one of his best seasons he still only had a .5 points per game clip, slightly better than Clowe's .48 in his worst season. Clowe has a terrible contract but should have no problem replacing Clarkson if he's healthy.

And sure you can't have those 3 replace the same jersey. Jagr replaces Kovy, Ryder replaces D'agostini and Brunner replaces some other scrub we were dressing last season.

You do realize that the same sort of criticizing you did of the incoming players could be done for the players exiting, right? I'll just mention how only 3 of Kovy's 10 goals were 5v5, how Clarkson had notoriously long cold streaks that lasted around 20 games in which he was actively hurting the team, and how during the 13 games Hedberg played while Marty was hurt, his gaa was around a 3, and sv% was in the mid 8's.
- beezer34

As I said, I'm not saying you guys didn't improve your overall squad, but you've lost two big time players who are individually not being replaced. I simply don't see your improvements helping you to leapfrog to the second spot in the division. Time will tell.

Xxkeaner17xX

Clarkson has all of 2 seasons in which he had or was on pace for 20 goals and 40 points. Clowe has hit 50 points 3 times, something Clarkson has never done. Clarkson hit the UFA jackpot, so people are overrating how important he was. I loved him as a player, but he had 5 goals in the last 30 some games of the season. Even in one of his best seasons he still only had a .5 points per game clip, slightly better than Clowe's .48 in his worst season. Clowe has a terrible contract but should have no problem replacing Clarkson if he's healthy.

And sure you can't have those 3 replace the same jersey. Jagr replaces Kovy, Ryder replaces D'agostini and Brunner replaces some other scrub we were dressing last season.
- rmdevil313

Good point. Jagr is a younger, faster version of Kovalchuk who puts up way more goals.

Good point. Jagr is a younger, faster version of Kovalchuk who puts up way more goals.
- hankthetank

Totally what I meant.

Clarkson has all of 2 seasons in which he had or was on pace for 20 goals and 40 points. Clowe has hit 50 points 3 times, something Clarkson has never done. Clarkson hit the UFA jackpot, so people are overrating how important he was. I loved him as a player, but he had 5 goals in the last 30 some games of the season. Even in one of his best seasons he still only had a .5 points per game clip, slightly better than Clowe's .48 in his worst season. Clowe has a terrible contract but should have no problem replacing Clarkson if he's healthy.

And sure you can't have those 3 replace the same jersey. Jagr replaces Kovy, Ryder replaces D'agostini and Brunner replaces some other scrub we were dressing last season.
- rmdevil313

My daughter can skate faster than Jaromir at this point. People seem to overlook how much better of a two way player Kovy had become. As I said, you guys may have improved overall, but you take a big step back if you're expecting Jagr to replace Kovy. I've never been a fan of either Clowe or Clarkson but definitely prefer what Clarkson brings. Personally I was glad my Isles didn't sign either one of them.

We'll see...

Xxkeaner17xX

Good point. Jagr is a younger, faster version of Kovalchuk who puts up way more goals.
- hankthetank

I think you had as many goals as Jagr in the playoffs last year

My daughter can skate faster than Jaromir at this point. People seem to overlook how much better of a two way player Kovy had become. As I said, you guys may have improved overall, but you take a big step back if you're expecting Jagr to replace Kovy. I've never been a fan of either Clowe or Clarkson but definitely prefer what Clarkson brings. Personally I was glad my Isles didn't sign either one of them.

We'll see...

Xxkeaner17xX
- keaner17

I didn't realize I wasn't clear enough, but as I said, we replaced Kovy with more, less talented scoring options. You said 3 players can't replace 1 so I was just using this to show that yes we lose on Jagr replacing Kovy but Ryder and Brunner are much better than Ponikarovsky and D'agostini and other borderline NHL players we were dressing last year.

1. Pittsburgh
2. Rangers
3. Islanders
4. Flyers
5. Capitals
6. Blue Jackets
7. Devils
8. Carolina
- latorrem1

See I think the Crapitals will finish a bit higher than that if they can stay healthy. We obviously can't take injuries into account here, I have them finishing ahead of Philly and the Isles.

I didn't realize I wasn't clear enough, but as I said, we replaced Kovy with more, less talented scoring options. You said 3 players can't replace 1 so I was just using this to show that yes we lose on Jagr replacing Kovy but Ryder and Brunner are much better than Ponikarovsky and D'agostini and other borderline NHL players we were dressing last year.
- rmdevil313

I get what your saying but I simply don't think that approach works. It's like assuming the Caps would be better if they dealt Ovie and got two guys who combined for more goals. You still do not have that dynamic presence once Ovie is gone on the TOP LINE. Jagr skates like he's in mud. Kovy is an elite talent who has been replaced by a guy who was comparable 15 years ago. Again, is the team deeper? Sure..are they so drastically better that they just passed the Flyers, Rangers and Isles? nah. Not all three.

Xxkeaner17xX