Eklund: Sunday Summer Poll: After Pens and Caps, Who Is Nest in the Metro?

Big if unfalse.

Big if unfalse.
- storm88

hehe

Gotta go with Rangers until proven otherwise. I love the Isle, but they have to make a lengthy playoff run before I choose them over the Rags.

The Devils and Flyers are getting close but not quite there

The Devils aren't THAT close. I mean, they're maybe closer to being as good as the Flyers, but not the Islanders or Rangers. They took a step back defensively in trading Larsson, but got better offensively with Hall.

The Flyers also grossly underachieved this year despite making the playoffs.

All this being said, I believe it will once again be a toss-up between the Isles and Rangers, but it's more dependent upon the Rangers X-factors: Will Girardi return to form? Will Henry be stronger this year? Will their young players like Fast, Miller and Lindberg make leaps in their games in-turn making them stronger? And of course the Vesey factor.

I think the Islanders took more steps forward this year, but there are less question marks. You kind of know what you're getting in the moves they made. In spite of losing Okposo, they added all-around scoring and got physically tougher.

I think the Rangers got better and the Islander got a bit worse. Rangers picked up Buchnevich and Vesey along with good 4th line guys like Gerbe and Jooris just heart and soul guys will make our fourth line much better than it was. Girardi no reason he doesn't return to form he played hurt all last year and was hurt towards the end of the year before that. Nash had one bad year I have no doubt he bounces back either. Islanders lost Okposo and Martin and only got Ladd. The lost chemistry of Traverse and Okposo and losing Martin who was awesome and clearing space on the ice will be sadly missed by the Islanders. I don't think they got that much worse but I definitely did not see them get any better. As for the Rangers, I think Vesey working with Hayes on the 3rd line will make our third line awesome and bring out the best in Hayes along with adding more younger talent and the speed we picked up with Grabner Buchnevich and Vesey will make the Rangers tough to beat this year.

I think the Rangers got better and the Islander got a bit worse. Rangers picked up Buchnevich and Vesey along with good 4th line guys like Gerbe and Jooris just heart and soul guys will make our fourth line much better than it was. Girardi no reason he doesn't return to form he played hurt all last year and was hurt towards the end of the year before that. Nash had one bad year I have no doubt he bounces back either. Islanders lost Okposo and Martin and only got Ladd. The lost chemistry of Traverse and Okposo and losing Martin who was awesome and clearing space on the ice will be sadly missed by the Islanders. I don't think they got that much worse but I definitely did not see them get any better. As for the Rangers, I think Vesey working with Hayes on the 3rd line will make our third line awesome and bring out the best in Hayes along with adding more younger talent and the speed we picked up with Grabner Buchnevich and Vesey will make the Rangers tough to beat this year.
- RangerFan1110

The Islanders lost Okposo and Nielsen, but gained Ladd, Chimera and Parenteau. That not only adds spread out scoring for the Isles, they also got physically tougher to play against with Ladd and Chimera.

The Rangers on the other hand? The things you point out are all question marks. I agree Nash SHOULD have a stronger season, but will Girardi? Will Staal be a force? Will Henry have a better season or has he really hit the back-nine of the career? Will Vesey have ANY impact?

I like the Gerbe and Grabner signings to bolster your bottom six, but to say the Rangers got better is more questionable than the Isles who added/replaced the team with proven talent.

Eklund: Sunday Summer Poll: After Pens and Caps, Who Is Nest in the Metro?
- Eklund

Rangers followed closely by the Islanders

The Devils aren't THAT close. I mean, they're maybe closer to being as good as the Flyers, but not the Islanders or Rangers. They took a step back defensively in trading Larsson, but got better offensively with Hall.

The Flyers also grossly underachieved this year despite making the playoffs.

All this being said, I believe it will once again be a toss-up between the Isles and Rangers, but it's more dependent upon the Rangers X-factors: Will Girardi return to form? Will Henry be stronger this year? Will their young players like Fast, Miller and Lindberg make leaps in their games in-turn making them stronger? And of course the Vesey factor.

I think the Islanders took more steps forward this year, but there are less question marks. You kind of know what you're getting in the moves they made. In spite of losing Okposo, they added all-around scoring and got physically tougher.
- Rinosaur

How did the flyers under achieve?
How are the isles better when every free agent the signed is worse than one they lost?

How did the flyers under achieve?
How are the isles better when every free agent the signed is worse than one they lost?
- muffin_man

1) The Flyers underachieved by having a sub-par season. How they played in the latter part of the season is more indicative of how good they are than how they started. I think they should have finished higher in the standings and could next year.

Right now I think the Rangers and Islanders will duke it out for the 3rd spot again, but I think if the Flyers start as strong as they finished they could very well be right in the mix with those guys.

On paper the Flyers have all the tools to be a force, but a lot of their big guys just didn't come out strong to start the season. I think you can count more on the fact they will be better.

2) How did the Islanders get worse? Yes, Nielsen and Okposo are very good players. Parenteau may not get much respect, but he will still likely kick in about fifteen to twenty goals, fifteen to twenty from Chimera and possibly around thirty goals from Ladd.

Chimera and Ladd are also very tough players that add some toughness they didn't have before.

Brock Nelson should slide nicely into Nielsen's spot with the Isles younger players getting a chance to step up now in the 3rd & 4th C roles.

EDIT:
There's usually some surprises every year, but I suspect we will see the standings finish similar to last year. The Atlantic though, I expect to be quite different.

Flyers!

Young guys have a year under their belt, surely The ass grabber & his red headed (overpaid) mate will have better seasons than last year. They got into the playoffs when all thought they had no chance. I think they'll have a solid season.

Rags - declining & relying on Vesey & Buch who are unknowns that have never played on NHL ice to impact them enough to cover their deficiencies in offence is a stretch. Nash - is Nash so who knows only that he'll disappear in the playoffs IF they get there. Lundqvist - showed he's frustrated last season & let his guard down, be a huge question on him this season especially if the youth movement go MIA.

Islanders - huge underachievers through last season 82 games comp, lucky they had the refs in their pocket against the Panthers.

The rest - looking forward to see what the canes do, Blue Jackets - 1 word Torts, Devils - identity crisis, are they going to attack or defend again. Until they establish that who knows what they'll do. Hall will score but Lovejob won't stop enough goals & their youth movement will need a season or 2 to get going.

So pour moi les Flyers are the ones that are going to be huge pains in the arse AGAIN! (who is the oldest Pen player? He'll have to watch his back against Voracek now Scuds is no longer with us!)

What a stupid poll question. Does the answer really matter?

The Rangers success all hinges on Henrik and the defense regaining their form.

Offensively, lets be honest, has there been a year in the last 5 years where we didnt have a bunch of question marks about what if this and what if that and what if he and he should do this. All that aside, it never mattered. They made the ECF 2 years in a row, the SCF once and lost to the Stanley Cup champions in the playoffs last year (and rightfully so, the Pens looked like the best team in the NHL when Sullivan took over).

The Islanders should be better, and the 2 local teams should be up each others asses all year. However, its the Islanders and until I see some consistency from them defensively and in net I cant give them the edge over the Rangers.

Did the Devils really loose that much in losing Larsson? At the time of the trade seemed like people were quite fine with letting him go. Like the Rangers... its the back stop, Schneider, that will and carry them into a playoff position. Unlike Greiss, Schneider can and has stolen games, and I think theyll be a lot closer to the 3rd spot in the Metro than people think.

Flyers have a ton of talent but could use some consistency in net.

Regardless, theres a case that can be made for every team, its going to be really tight... maybe 2-6 points separating 3rd thru 6th.

This is very exciting.

What a stupid poll question. Does the answer really matter?
- RFawkes

Well punk...........did EK fire 5 bullets or 6? What's it going to be? Go ahead punk, make my day...........

This is very exciting.
- gergeswillems

Ok, let's get back to Vesey...

What a stupid poll question. Does the answer really matter?
- RFawkes

It's a way for EK to get people to possibly talk about the flyers. He'll undoubtedly have them ranked 1st in the metro when he does his preseason rankings.

Ok, let's get back to Vesey...
- Rinosaur

This would be even more exciting.

With out breaking down every team in the Metro but addressing NYR & NYI.

I think the Islanders have gotten better. Not sure Ladd is a significant down grade from Okposo, not exactly comparable, Ladd does things that Okposo can't do as well. Losing Nielsen is probably the toughest loss to replace but enough C's in the system to replace him & NYI hits a ton even with out Martin who provides little else although reliable. Ladd & Chimera are both willing hitters. Nelson & Cizikas are both ready for added responsibility & numerous young players have far more to give, Strome, Lee, Nelson, Cziskas, Leddy, Prince, Quine, Hickey, De Hann, etc & several rookies are ready to challenge for regular roles, Poluck, Barzal, De Colle & ?

I think NYI will be a better team but that doesn't necessarily guarantee them more points in the eastern standings nor even a change in positional rankings from last year. I see the standings much tighter in the NHL moving forward for all teams. The days of teams being as bad as Tor or Buf the last 2 years with the possible exception of Las Vegas coming in next season is changing due to the new entry draft lottery rules & current rebuilds of those teams that have been really bad historically. Although Ladd, Chimera & Parenteau may not appear to be as good as Okposo, Nielsen or Martin, it may have actually made for a better balance in NYI there by making them a better team due to the roles the younger players are ready to assume & Okposo & Nielsen were blocking them out. I like Zibanejad to outscore Brassard next season he only had 7 less last season. He's right on the cusp of breaking through & his 7 GWG's last season puts him in pretty elite company.

As for NYR I've never bought the "there window is closing argument". Even before trading Brassard for Zibanejad the Rangers were very young after letting Boyle & Moore walk replacing them with Skjei & potentially Jooris although Lindberg may play as the #4 C when healthy; currently expected to miss 6 months from date of surgery, & back up to speed. A ton of NYR's roster even before signing Vesey or trading for Zinbanejad was young. Miller, Fast, Kreider, Hayes & Lindberg. The vast majority of the core is under 30, Stepan, Zuccarello, McDonaugh & Staal or just slightly over, Nash, Girardi & Klein. Even Lundqvist having turned 34 in March isn't old by goalie standards. Stud goalies have played well into their late 30's. The current group includes, Luongo & Miller & has included Brodeur, Roy, etc who have all been incredibly effective till 38. Lundqvist can easily maintain his ranking for 4 maybe 5 more years as 1 of the games best goalies.

The additions of depth players like Grabner who's speed will help the PK, Gerbe, Jooris & Clendening were all acquired cheap & address specific needs & roles for peanuts but factor in the added development of all the kids & the addition of Vesey & Zibanejad & the future looks very bright form the Rangers including next season.

Possible line combinations for both teams. Move players around as so inclined.

Ladd, Tavares, Parenteau.
Lee, Nelson, Strome.
Kulemin, Grabovksi; if healthy/Barzal until so, Bailey.
Chimera, Cziskas, Clutterbuck.

Leddy, Hamonic.
De Hann, Boychuk.
Hickey, Pulock.
Pelch, Mayfield.

Halak/Griess/Berube.

Kreider, Stepan, Zuccarello.
Miller, Zinabejad, Nash.
Vesey, Hayes, Fast.
Gerbe, Jooris/Lindberg when healthy, Grabner.

McDonaugh, Girardi.
Stall, Klein.
Holden, Skjei.
McIlrath, Clendening.

Lunqqvist/Raanta.

Those are 2 really good teams & I can't see both not making the top 6 in the east baring a significant injury. Pittsburgh, Washington, TB & Flo being the other 4. I have concerns that NYR may only dress 1 right handed D as a regular but I played my off D right up until university at which point my coach turned me into a C as he didn't think my size would play well at D. Still getting a dozen or so games at D as injuries warranted.

It's a way for EK to get people to possibly talk about the flyers. He'll undoubtedly have them ranked 1st in the metro when he does his preseason rankings.
- mw630

Just remember...according to Ek...Joe Thornton had a great Stanley Cup Final.

Probably the Leafs.

Wow - glad to see the Flyers getting some respect from their main rivals' fans. That being said - I gotta put the Rangers next after the Pens and Caps... and the Flyers have to take the next step if they want to catch the Isles. The Devils could definitely make a jump up to serious playoff contention. Not sure about the 'Canes and the Jackets - they have some up side to them, but I'm pretty sure it won't be enough to get up into the top-3 of the division.

Wow - glad to see the Flyers getting some respect from their main rivals' fans. That being said - I gotta put the Rangers next after the Pens and Caps... and the Flyers have to take the next step if they want to catch the Isles. The Devils could definitely make a jump up to serious playoff contention. Not sure about the 'Canes and the Jackets - they have some up side to them, but I'm pretty sure it won't be enough to get up into the top-3 of the division.
- copelal

Provorov could make an impact if he's ready to make the jump to the NHL. Much like Ghost did last year. Do you think he makes the Flyers this year?