After TB went from cup contender (dare say favourite in some circles) to missing the dance... (frank) me if had to make predictions professionally in Vegas.

- gravyface

Can never factor in injuries

After TB went from cup contender (dare say favourite in some circles) to missing the dance... (frank) me if had to make predictions professionally in Vegas.

- gravyface

Tampa was a very weird case last season.

They started out pretty strong and started sucking around november.

Imo, their defense killed them. Being slow and unable to quickly send the puck to their talented forwards.

Neither Ben Bishop or Vasilevsky managed to save them.... and both are pretty good goaltenders....

Some would argue that Stamkos would have helped them considerably, but they've been managing without him for a while now because of his health problems.... I think they'll bounce back.

But it won't be because of Girardi.

He skates faster you bumholes!
- Scabeh

and he scored more points with less ice time.

The Atlantic is really hard to predict this year.

Imo, any of Tampa, Florida, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and Boston could win the division, make the playoffs or miss them.

Tampa didn't exactly solve their defensive issues and they will need to stay healthy this time (I'm looking at you Stamkos!). Maybe Sergachev makes the the team but I doubt he'll have a considerable impact right away.

Toronto still has one of the worst defensive unit in the NHL unless one or many young players have an impact, their forward group is down right excellent though and will be hard to contain.

Florida is basically the same team as last year, they'll have to prove it was a "down year" for them but if things go the right way, they have good players at every position.

Montreal is more or less the same team as last year. Alot will depend on how Galchenyuk and Drouin perform and if either ends up playing centre. Their defense is decent and with Price in there, they'll compete every night but without the right offensive support, they could miss the playoffs... If things go right, they could compete for division title.

Boston had a strong finish to last year and have young players coming in that will help them, especially on defense with McAvoy and Carlo who are excellent. A full year of those two will help alot. They're also pretty dangerous offensively so if Rask has a good season....

Ottawa has a good team overall. Karlsson is amazing and they have enough depth offensively to be considered a competitive team.... if Andersen/Condon plays well enough to keep them in the game. Kyle Turris is also underrated as balls around here.

Should be a fun season.
- Scabeh

Tampa kept their intended players together and will have to keep healthy. Perhaps Cooper will be fired this coming season. Sergachev will play between 9 and 39 games. The latter would allow Tampa to pluck the Habs' 2nd round draft pick.

Toronto had a healthy season but can the trend continue? Andersen had 14 OT losses which I expect he and his mates will not repeat. Leafs will improve.

Ottawa and Montreal are weaker than last year. Montreal definitely needs a healthy Price.

Boston will be interesting but can Chara keep going or moving?

Florida, who knows but they will miss big butt Jagr.

Wild card spots will be very interesting with Carolina and Islanders improving.

Definitely will be a good season but lets not wish away the summer yet.

After TB went from cup contender (dare say favourite in some circles) to missing the dance... (frank) me if had to make predictions professionally in Vegas.

- gravyface

Hard to predict players being broken...hopefully the Leafs stay healthy this year.

Tampa was a very weird case last season.

They started out pretty strong and started sucking around november.

Imo, their defense killed them. Being slow and unable to quickly send the puck to their talented forwards.

Neither Ben Bishop or Vasilevsky managed to save them.... and both are pretty good goaltenders....

Some would argue that Stamkos would have helped them considerably, but they've been managing without him for a while now because of his health problems.... I think they'll bounce back.

But it won't be because of Girardi.
- Scabeh

Way too many shots on Tampa's goalies last fall through February. SY claims the lost season not due to Stamkos. Hard to believe Girardi will improve situation unless he can block shots and keep Sustr off the ice.

Hard to predict players being broken...hopefully the Leafs stay healthy this year.
- annoyed

Some are easier to predict to be broken.. I am guessing Lupul broken in the first 5 minutes of camp..

Monday Monday MONDAY

new blog

Some are easier to predict to be broken.. I am guessing Lupul broken in the first 5 minutes of camp..
- bixll

He won't be there...I think he's done.

How was the weekend????

He won't be there...I think he's done.

How was the weekend????
- annoyed

Same ole,, same ole.. Healing well... LOLOL..

After TB went from cup contender (dare say favourite in some circles) to missing the dance... (frank) me if had to make predictions professionally in Vegas.

- gravyface

I think Tampa might have missed their first window of opportunity when they had Bishop in net and their kids on ELCs. They are kind of stuck until the next wave of defensemen and forwards mature. They had 5 players on Canada's World Junior team. I expect they will be favorites again in 2 - 3 years.

He had an up and down season, for a variety of reasons. The playoffs he showed he is a number 1.
- Blazed

It's interesting for a top pairing defenceman... Unless you're Erik Karlsson or another SUPERSTAR defenceman... most top pairing defenceman take a hit by playing against top players all the time.

Unless you're an absolute stud (Karlson, PK, Doughty, Ekblad, Petro, etc. someone who rarely has an off night) most other top d men would probably rather being slotted as a 3-4 pairing. Better stats, less pressure.. when contract time comes your stats are better.

Reilly may (I hope) get there eventually - but most top pairing d men don't appear as good as they probably really are.

Same ole,, same ole.. Healing well... LOLOL..
- bixll

It's interesting for a top pairing defenceman... Unless you're Erik Karlsson or another SUPERSTAR defenceman... most top pairing defenceman take a hit by playing against top players all the time.

Unless you're an absolute stud (Karlson, PK, Doughty, Ekblad, Petro, etc. someone who rarely has an off night) most other top d men would probably rather being slotted as a 3-4 pairing. Better stats, less pressure.. when contract time comes your stats are better.

Reilly may (I hope) get there eventually - but most top pairing d men don't appear as good as they probably really are.
- Bleedz_Blue

ya...good luck with this.

The new way to judge a players worth starts with all opponents are equal.