HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Hotstove: Eastern Conference Bold Predictions

Ryan, I REALLY want you to be wrong about the Canes, but also, I can't stop dreaming about the potential of a Staal-Staal-Semin, Skinner-McDavid-Lindholm top six.... especially if it means Buffalo doesn't get McDavid.

"Kadri's an f'in joke" -Crosby

I like McDonaugh, but I doubt hes anywhere close to winning a norris. He is solid defensively, but not enough upside to his game to surpass the likes of Doughty, Keith, Peitrangelo, Karlsson, Subban, Chara, Webber... I see him maybe joining those players as top D caliber this season, but not winning the Norris...

Hey Michael Stuart I want some of your good stuff you're smokin'

I dont see the Rangers on top I think they may not even make it this year.

Ryan, I REALLY want you to be wrong about the Canes, but also, I can't stop dreaming about the potential of a Staal-Staal-Semin, Skinner-McDavid-Lindholm top six.... especially if it means Buffalo doesn't get McDavid.
- BINGO!

It's tough isn't it? You don't want to root against your team, you want the playoffs badly but at the same time you know deep down what the better option long term is.

At any rate, It wouldn't shock me to see a team at say 9th pick win the lottery this year.

Recent history suggests if you want the #1 pick don't finish last

Meltzer and French's predictions are pretty safe

I like McDonaugh, but I doubt hes anywhere close to winning a norris. He is solid defensively, but not enough upside to his game to surpass the likes of Doughty, Keith, Peitrangelo, Karlsson, Subban, Chara, Webber... I see him maybe joining those players as top D caliber this season, but not winning the Norris...
- PtotheY

He finished 9th in the voting last year I think

It's tough isn't it? You don't want to root against your team, you want the playoffs badly but at the same time you know deep down what the better option long term is.

At any rate, It wouldn't shock me to see a team at say 9th pick win the lottery this year.

Recent history suggests if you want the #1 pick don't finish last
- Sabresfan-365

Edmonton just has a deal in place with the NHL, no matter where they finish they get a 50% chance for #1 pick and an 80% chance for a top 5 selection. Given that this upcoming draft has 2 top tier prospects, I expect them to get at least 1 of the 2 in not both by some miracle.

I really like your first prediction.

But we know that won't happen.

I agree that most of these predictions could come to fruition except 2 of them . (1) I don't buy that Howard is an elite goalie and attribute his stats to the team defense Detroit plays. (2) I believe this years Rangers team is not as good on paper as last year's and think they will take a step back and finish 4th in the Metro.

"Kadri's an f'in joke" -Crosby
- TheMussel

Yeah well Crosby never saw Kadri "skate around the ice" in this year's first pre-season game.

In order of plausibility, I'd go:

Meltzer (Rangers 1st)
Chiasson (Tavares 100 pts)
Stuart (Jackets win playoff rounds)
Wilson (Sabres not last)
French (McDonagh norris)
Cordell (Howard vezina finalist)
Tanner (Kadri star player)

I like McDonaugh, but I doubt hes anywhere close to winning a norris. He is solid defensively, but not enough upside to his game to surpass the likes of Doughty, Keith, Peitrangelo, Karlsson, Subban, Chara, Webber... I see him maybe joining those players as top D caliber this season, but not winning the Norris...
- PtotheY

in the Conference final, McDonagh had 10 points and Subban had two. He finished 8th in Norris voting last year.

It's tough isn't it? You don't want to root against your team, you want the playoffs badly but at the same time you know deep down what the better option long term is.

At any rate, It wouldn't shock me to see a team at say 9th pick win the lottery this year.

Recent history suggests if you want the #1 pick don't finish last
- Sabresfan-365

I don't think the team is QUITE bad enough to finish last. there's enough forward talent to win some games (And Sekea/Faulk have picked up in preseason where they were to end last year)...

JR put Francis in a tough spot by resigning Khudobin. Anton is a really good goalie, but his presence means the team will still be able to hang around in games. Do you blow it up, let Ward get all the starts for two years and tank, or do you let Khudobin hold you in games and continue picking around the 10 spot for the next couple years?

I agree that most of these predictions could come to fruition except 2 of them . (1) I don't buy that Howard is an elite goalie and attribute his stats to the team defense Detroit plays. (2) I believe this years Rangers team is not as good on paper as last year's and think they will take a step back and finish 4th in the Metro.
- Crushers68

Well, they are supposed to be bold. Also: Detroit's defense and/or team defense isn't near as good as most people think.

I don't think the team is QUITE bad enough to finish last. there's enough forward talent to win some games (And Sekea/Faulk have picked up in preseason where they were to end last year)...

JR put Francis in a tough spot by resigning Khudobin. Anton is a really good goalie, but his presence means the team will still be able to hang around in games. Do you blow it up, let Ward get all the starts for two years and tank, or do you let Khudobin hold you in games and continue picking around the 10 spot for the next couple years?
- BINGO!

Ward's fallen off that badly?

Well, they are supposed to be bold. Also: Detroit's defense and/or team defense isn't near as good as most people think.
- Todd.Cordell

Not like it was 3 or 4 years ago. Losing Lidstrom, Rafalski, Stuart hurt on the backend.

In order of plausibility, I'd go:

Meltzer (Rangers 1st)
Chiasson (Tavares 100 pts)
Stuart (Jackets win playoff rounds)
Wilson (Sabres not last)
French (McDonagh norris)
Cordell (Howard vezina finalist)
Tanner (Kadri star player)
- Streit2ThePoint

SWAP JACKETS AND KADRI.

JACKETS DONT HAVE THERE STAR SIGNED YET AND HORTON WILL PLAY 10 GAMES THIS YEAR.

I dont see the Rangers on top I think they may not even make it this year.
- jake24242

wow, really?

Ward's fallen off that badly?
- rangerdanger94

He's terrible. He struggled to maintain his consistency during the regular season at the best of times, but since his spate of injuries, he's caught Robert Esche disease.

Yeah, uh Kadri is not getting a sniff of 82 points and Columbus is not winning 2 playoff rounds.

McDonagh, I can believe.

Edmonton just has a deal in place with the NHL, no matter where they finish they get a 50% chance for #1 pick and an 80% chance for a top 5 selection. Given that this upcoming draft has 2 top tier prospects, I expect them to get at least 1 of the 2 in not both by some miracle.
- nords21

wow, really?
- BulliesPhan87

Dark Souls