Ty Anderson: The NHL Predictions Blog

Bruins fans: We'll have a 10 questions to answer in 2013 blog tomorrow.

Ty Anderson: The NHL Predictions Blog
- tyanderson

I like that you have Buffalo and Islanders finishing 7th and 8th. Interesting, and I hope they both make it.

You sure went against the grain with these predictions didn't you. Some interesting choices.

Jonas Hiller is an all-star calibre goaltender when healthy and there are no reasons to think he isn't healthy coming into the season.

Jonas Hiller is an all-star calibre goaltender when healthy and there are no reasons to think he isn't healthy coming into the season.
- Frank_Grimes

I hear this a lot, but I honestly have not seen it since 2008-09, anyways. Flash in the pan or legit? I'm still trying to decide. Even so, I'm not enamored with how Anaheim stacks up against their division this year. I'd love to be wrong though, 'cause I need one more Teemu playoff run. Don't want. Need.

Jonas Hiller is an all-star calibre goaltender when healthy and there are no reasons to think he isn't healthy coming into the season.
- Frank_Grimes

He's been to one all star game. Jonas Hiller is a solid starting goalie but he isn't quite up there with the best in the league.

You sure went against the grain with these predictions didn't you. Some interesting choices.
- SteveTambellini

I feel like an idiot going with a 1 vs. 1 for the Cup, but I mean, that's how much better I think the Kings and Rangers are than the rest of the conference, especially in a shortened season.

I feel like an idiot going with a 1 vs. 1 for the Cup, but I mean, that's how much better I think the Kings and Rangers are than the rest of the conference, especially in a shortened season.
- tyanderson

I 100% agree with the Rangers, but I think the Kings make an early exit from the playoffs this year. I'd go with either Vancouver or St. Louis out of the west. I'm really really liking how St. Louis looks this year.

I strongly disagree with your choices, but I admire them because you didn't go with the stereotypical picks. I don't think Nashville has any chance to make the WCF. Heck, I don't even see them in the playoffs. But again, I respect the boldness

Tyler Seguin better have a solid year, I picked him second in my draft.

I hear this a lot, but I honestly have not seen it since 2008-09, anyways. Flash in the pan or legit? I'm still trying to decide. Even so, I'm not enamored with how Anaheim stacks up against their division this year. I'd love to be wrong though, 'cause I need one more Teemu playoff run. Don't want. Need.
- tyanderson

Anaheim will make the playoffs this year...

My personal predictions would look something like this:

East

1. Rangers
2. Bruins
3. Capitals
4. Penguins
5. Flyers
6. Hurricanes
7. Senators
8. Jets
9. Sabres
10. Devils
11. Panthers
12. Lightning
13. Canadiens
14. Leafs
15. Islanders

West

1. Blues
2. Canucks
3. Sharks
4. Kings
5. Wild
6. Blackhawks
7. Oilers
8. Wings
9. Predators
10. Stars
11. Ducks
12. Coyotes
13. Avalanche
14. Flames
15. Blue Jackets


The west is so much harder to predict though. I am pretty confident in my choices for 1-4 and 13-15. Between 5-12 is a complete crapshoot.

My personal predictions would look something like this:

East

1. Rangers
2. Bruins
3. Capitals
4. Penguins
5. Flyers
6. Hurricanes
7. Senators
8. Jets
9. Sabres
10. Devils
11. Panthers
12. Lightning
13. Canadiens
14. Leafs
15. Islanders

West

1. Blues
2. Canucks
3. Sharks
4. Kings
5. Wild
6. Blackhawks
7. Oilers
8. Wings
9. Predators
10. Stars
11. Ducks
12. Coyotes
13. Avalanche
14. Flames
15. Blue Jackets


The west is so much harder to predict though. I am pretty confident in my choices for 1-4 and 13-15. Between 5-12 is a complete crapshoot.
- SteveTambellini

unless nabokov dies i highly doubt isles would finish last

Ty Anderson: The NHL Predictions Blog
- tyanderson

Rags Kings is my pick too.

You do realize that there are now 9 teams older than the Wings right?

Wings will have some challenges yes, I agree. I also agree that the Wings lost a big piece with Lidstrom.

But Stuart's play and holstrom's 4th line prescence can and most likely will be replaced. Kronwall will have to step up, that is quite possible. Furthermore improvements to offense and an improvement in goal may go unnoticed this summer but may surprise.

---

Many are calling for a Wings demise, I am kinda expecting it... but the more I look up stats from last year, it is quite possible that the Wings do what they did the last two years... end in 4th-5th and lose in the 1st or 2nd round.

**quicky fact, Wings led the Western Conference last year after 48games. Lidstrom also has 34pts, lowest since 2004... the 34 pts may be able to be recovered by comittee**.

I think Rask will fill in quite nicely for Thomas, I've seen a lot of other Sabres fans on here trying to say he's going to be the Achilles heel so desperately needed to beat the Bruins, but I saw flashes of great net minding a couple of years ago at a Sabres/Bruins showdown I attended, and he ended up backstopping you guys to a 4-3 (I believe) shootout win.

He'll probably takes you guys far, not a far fetched idea to see the Bruins in 3rd, well, I think now it should be coined 'Garth fetched idea'.

Gotta love everyone picking jersey to miss playoffs again, I'll enjoy them proving the naysayers wrong yet again...one day the rest of the league will learn not to underestimate NJ

Not everyone. I can see Jersey placing 4th or 5th easy.

I mean, that's the thing about predictions, we base them off of recent success and additions to the teams.

Well... intelligent people do.

I know the Leafs are close. Watch 'em take 7th.

Not everyone. I can see Jersey placing 4th or 5th easy.

I mean, that's the thing about predictions, we base them off of recent success and additions to the teams.

Well... intelligent people do.

I know the Leafs are close. Watch 'em take 7th.
- TSchiefer

Well it's just annoying reading the section about the devils playing over their heads in the playoffs, they knocked off the flyers AND the rangers in 5 and 6. I just don't see what New Jersey can do to be respected like the rangers and the bruins.

Well it's just annoying reading the section about the devils playing over their heads in the playoffs, they knocked off the flyers AND the rangers in 5 and 6. I just don't see what New Jersey can do to be respected like the rangers and the bruins.
- Xnightwish

I feel ya. Buffalo is treated the same. I mean, our case isn't help by the rabid homer fans and Gartharenko's seriously misguided blogs.

I bleed blue and gold just as much as the next fan, but I'm also realistic about our chances.

Forget about what everyone else says. The Devils will do the talking. And then everyone will be making excuses about why everything else is to fault for their predictions being wrong.

I like the ones that make lists of names of people on here so in 4 months they can come back and be king of the hockey internets. What they don't know, is that no one really cares.

don't underestimate the devils.... and i hate those (frank)ers.... lou lamouriello flat out knows how to put a team together..... go flyers

Tyler Seguin better have a solid year, I picked him second in my draft.
- LeftCoaster

in the second round? right? not second overall. 2nd overall would make you.....

correction. young master dougie is 19.

in the second round? right? not second overall. 2nd overall would make you.....
- flyerscup2011

...Brian Burke???

If Seguin struggles, you can always trade him for Kessel.