I think the Canes finish in the Metro's top 3
- Rinosaur

1. pens
2. caps/jackets
3. rangers/islanders/hurricanes

Generally when someone says a team won the East/West it means they got to the Stanley Cup Final.

In the NFL when a team is AFC or NFC champs it means they're in the Super Bowl, not that they had the best regular season record.
- Wetbandit1

I was more trying to give a little dig about the #1 team not making it to the cup.

James Tanner: Get Out Your Wallet: Tanner's 2017-18 NHL Predictions
These are going to come true!
- james_tanner1

Seems about right.

1. pens
2. caps/jackets
3. rangers/islanders/hurricanes
- rbaurle51

I mean, you've picked all the teams that will be fighting for the those four spots and I can't say exactly what the order will be.

I will say this:
1) I think the only thing that stop CBJ from being #1 will be if Bobrovsky has a bad year which is entirely possible; he's been VERY inconsistent throughout his career, but when he's on? Can't see them not being in 1st.

2) I've said this a lot already, but I just have to believe fatigue will catch up to the Pens at some point this season resulting in a gnarly little rut.

3) The Islanders and Rangers should be in the mix, but I'm also really unsure how their changes will be.

Rangers: Vastly improved defense should make life easier for Hank to shine. No legit #1 center COULD hurt their scoring. If Zib can emerge as a true #1, then they should be a serious team to contend with.

Islanders: Losing Hamonic will hurt, but Eberle will help. The Islanders had a bad season and still only missed by a little. They should be neck-in-neck with team fighting for that 3rd spot.

Really like the trade for AZ. Robbery.

Salary dump by Tallon. I can't beleive Chayak fell for it! Demers would have been at best 7th D in Florida.

If you read this click bait blog and strongly agree with any of it you have to realize that you are accepting the rest of the blog as at least plausible... Which you really shouldn't. I think the even the "even a broken clock is right twice a day" saying is too generous for blogs like this.

I sure as heck hope this blog dude Tanner is not getting any money for his drivel.
Go back to the video game console James listen to your first pressing of Superchunk and think you are the coolest thing off King St.

Salary dump by Tallon. I can't beleive Chayak fell for it! Demers would have been at best 7th D in Florida.
- caper_12

Thats one way to look at it, I guess.

The Panthers retained 12.5 percent of Jason Demers' remaining salary.

Is this Tanner guy a comedian or just stupid? Also, I've never seen a blogger on ANY platform respond to so many comments in his thread. And many of them extremely immature. This is extremely unprofessional, and will certainly limit your chances of one day blogging or writing for a REAL website.

Me, on the other hand, I'm a random dude hitting up a comment thread, so I am happy to tell you you're an insecure hack with zero talent or intelligence.

And please don't reply to this, because I won't be here to read it. In fact, I'll never click on another piece of writing associated with YOUR name.

Suck a whole bag of 'em, numb nuts.

Is this Tanner guy a comedian or just stupid? Also, I've never seen a blogger on ANY platform respond to so many comments in his thread. And many of them extremely immature. This is extremely unprofessional, and will certainly limit your chances of one day blogging or writing for a REAL website.

Me, on the other hand, I'm a random dude hitting up a comment thread, so I am happy to tell you you're an insecure hack with zero talent or intelligence.

And please don't reply to this, because I won't be here to read it. In fact, I'll never click on another piece of writing associated with YOUR name.

Suck a whole bag of 'em, numb nuts.
- PavohnDatsvares

get a life

Well, since they're in different divisions, it's entirely possible. #1 teams miss the cup quite frequently.
- Rinosaur

Winning the East means going to the Cup Finals, genius

I'll have some of what ever you are smoking.

Predictions are much more hilarious when made under the influence of crack.

I mean, you've picked all the teams that will be fighting for the those four spots and I can't say exactly what the order will be.

I will say this:
1) I think the only thing that stop CBJ from being #1 will be if Bobrovsky has a bad year which is entirely possible; he's been VERY inconsistent throughout his career, but when he's on? Can't see them not being in 1st.

2) I've said this a lot already, but I just have to believe fatigue will catch up to the Pens at some point this season resulting in a gnarly little rut.

3) The Islanders and Rangers should be in the mix, but I'm also really unsure how their changes will be.

Rangers: Vastly improved defense should make life easier for Hank to shine. No legit #1 center COULD hurt their scoring. If Zib can emerge as a true #1, then they should be a serious team to contend with.

Islanders: Losing Hamonic will hurt, but Eberle will help. The Islanders had a bad season and still only missed by a little. They should be neck-in-neck with team fighting for that 3rd spot.
- Rinosaur

The Penguins get a healthy Letang back. Murray is the undisputed starter and the whole team plays with confidence when hes in net. They have a nice infusion of some young and hungry players in Sprong, Aston Reese and Blueger. They have Jarry, Taylor, Bengsston, Simon, DiPauli, Archibald etc to step in for injuries. There is really no way they don't end up in first as long as they don't blow their search for a 3C and don't sign McClement to be 4C. But even if they do that's not going to make or break their season. The Blue Jackets have a good team but they don't have a true 1C and the contract talks with Anderson are at a standstill right now. They have a nice defence for sure but right now they are weak down the middle. The Hurricanes have the same problem which is why they will be lucky to be a wild card team.

Is this Tanner guy a comedian or just stupid? Also, I've never seen a blogger on ANY platform respond to so many comments in his thread. And many of them extremely immature. This is extremely unprofessional, and will certainly limit your chances of one day blogging or writing for a REAL website.

Me, on the other hand, I'm a random dude hitting up a comment thread, so I am happy to tell you you're an insecure hack with zero talent or intelligence.

And please don't reply to this, because I won't be here to read it. In fact, I'll never click on another piece of writing associated with YOUR name.

Suck a whole bag of 'em, numb nuts.
- PavohnDatsvares

This is kind of extreme and over the top.

As far as predictions, it's all in fun and really who gets close to all of them correct? Next to impossible. It's just food for thought.

The Penguins get a healthy Letang back. Murray is the undisputed starter and the whole team plays with confidence when hes in net. They have a nice infusion of some young and hungry players in Sprong, Aston Reese and Blueger. They have Jarry, Taylor, Bengsston, Simon, DiPauli, Archibald etc to step in for injuries. There is really no way they don't end up in first as long as they don't blow their search for a 3C and don't sign McClement to be 4C. But even if they do that's not going to make or break their season. The Blue Jackets have a good team but they don't have a true 1C and the contract talks with Anderson are at a standstill right now. They have a nice defence for sure but right now they are weak down the middle. The Hurricanes have the same problem which is why they will be lucky to be a wild card team.
- Dcoms

Solid points, I think Columbus and Pitts will fight it out for first, and it will come down to Bob. A of people mention his inconsistancy which is a very good point, but I don't think he's had this good a team in front of him for so long, and the young players on Columbus are only going to improve.

I think Wennberg has the potential to be a number one center.

Predictions are much more hilarious when made under the influence of crack.
- GalacticStone

Winning the East means going to the Cup Finals, genius
- StargateSG1

Calm down, cheech. It doesn't necessarily mean that. It can be construed as you thought or as simply finishing top of the east in the regular season.

1) No - Carolina will be good but will take a WC spot

2) Not even close - Toronto will miss the Playoffs Matthews struggles

3) No - Wont even be in the running......

4) Probably not - Calagary will have a good team but not convinced they will rank higher that Edmonton or Dallas

5) 50/50 - Rinne is inconsistent so I can see him having a poor year

6) Likely - Black hawks are still very much a good team but they have a lot of new guys on D. Seabrook and Kieth are getting older. Going to be hard competing with Dallas, Minny Nashville and Winnipeg

7) Not in this reality - LA is not a playoff team and Arizona is not remotely close to a playoff team, I dont see either remotely able to compete with San Jose or Anaheim

8) Pass me some of what you are smoking - Matthews is not on Crosby's and McDavid's level. Again he will struggle this season after a fantastic rookie season.

Well, to be fair, you said both the Sens and Blackhawks would miss the playoffs last year, so that's two right there.
- Wetbandit1

Impossible! Pretty sure I went 10/10 last year in predictions.

If you read this click bait blog and strongly agree with any of it you have to realize that you are accepting the rest of the blog as at least plausible... Which you really shouldn't. I think the even the "even a broken clock is right twice a day" saying is too generous for blogs like this.
- Aerchon

I stand by my picks. It's a lot more interesting than the Pittsburgh/Edmonton/Crosby/McDavid/ Karlsson predictions that make up every other similar blog.

The NHL is in full parity and those two teams just are not that much better than anyone else. I see no reason why Calgary and Carolina can't move into the upper echelon of teams. The Leafs should probably be the SC favorite, as far as I can tell they have the best overall roster in the NHL.

I stand by my picks. It's a lot more interesting than the Pittsburgh/Edmonton/Crosby/McDavid/ Karlsson predictions that make up every other similar blog.

The NHL is in full parity and those two teams just are not that much better than anyone else. I see no reason why Calgary and Carolina can't move into the upper echelon of teams. The Leafs should probably be the SC favorite, as far as I can tell they have the best overall roster in the NHL.
- james_tanner1

Being more interesting doesnt make it true just bold and\or idiotic. It would be interesting if the Flyers were leading the Metro by Jan 1st like Eklund predicted but the fact is there is a 90% chance they will finish among the bottom of the league.

I stand by my picks. It's a lot more interesting than the Pittsburgh/Edmonton/Crosby/McDavid/ Karlsson predictions that make up every other similar blog.

The NHL is in full parity and those two teams just are not that much better than anyone else. I see no reason why Calgary and Carolina can't move into the upper echelon of teams. The Leafs should probably be the SC favorite, as far as I can tell they have the best overall roster in the NHL.
- james_tanner1

And I am pretty sure that you'd fail multiple drug tests, if you ever had to get a real job.