HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Hotstove: Surprise Teams For The 2016-17 NHL Season

James, is that the same team that people have been predicting will turn things around for the past 3 or 4 years?

James, is that the same team that people have been predicting will turn things around for the past 3 or 4 years?
- jmatchett383

Carolina??? I haven't heard too much talk lie that at all.

Colorado is gonna surprise in the West, Duchene and MacKinnon take that next step and lead the Avs into the playoffs.

Carolina??? I haven't heard too much talk lie that at all.
- prock

No; if it was Carolina, I would have said Carolina. I'm referring to his super secret mystery team that he did not name.

No; if it was Carolina, I would have said Carolina. I'm referring to his super secret mystery team that he did not name.
- jmatchett383

They have that kid...whats his name... its right there...

They have that kid...whats his name... its right there...
- geta02it

Vesey!

How late am I for the yearly Rangers miss the playoff predictions from this crack Hockeybuzz blog staff?

Frenchie if Montreal sneaks in through the WC it will be a surprise and something will have gone wrong. the 3 years prior to last season Montreal finished first, tied for second and first in the division. anyone assuming they don't finish top 3 in the division is insane. now they'll likely make a first or second round playoff exit, but they'll coast through the regular season unless Price misses 70 games again.

When credit is due: hats off tanner.

Dont get the Montreal hype though.

When credit is due: hats off tanner.

Dont get the Montreal hype though.
- Cloud

there's no hype. most prognostications will have them fighting for a WC or out of the playoffs. but they have the best goalie in the world who has proven that he can drag the team to 100+ points in the regular season. no one is referring to them as true contenders though.

there's no hype. most prognostications will have them fighting for a WC or out of the playoffs. but they have the best goalie in the world who has proven that he can drag the team to 100+ points in the regular season. no one is referring to them as true contenders though.
- DoubleDown

I still think Corey Schneider is the best goalie in the world. The Atlantic is weak, after TB and FLA anyone could grab that third spot. Likely 5 teams come from the Metro, but Price could steal a few games. Still, there actual lineup is worse than last year and they couldn't score then.

Their only real home is a that Galchenyuk takes another massive step and that if he does, their coach notices.

I still think Corey Schneider is the best goalie in the world. The Atlantic is weak, after TB and FLA anyone could grab that third spot. Likely 5 teams come from the Metro, but Price could steal a few games. Still, there actual lineup is worse than last year and they couldn't score then.

Their only real home is a that Galchenyuk takes another massive step and that if he does, their coach notices.
- JTanner

he could prove to be this year.... "best goalie" is a fluid situation i think.

James, is that the same team that people have been predicting will turn things around for the past 3 or 4 years?
- jmatchett383

Yes, and 50 incorrect predictions and, eventually, 1 correct prediction will provide the perfect opportunity for an "I told you so" moment.

Colorado is gonna surprise in the West, Duchene and MacKinnon take that next step and lead the Avs into the playoffs.
- LeftCoaster

They've both been impressive during the WCH so far.

I can totally agree with Cordell. I think WPG has a good chance of grabbing the last spot in the Central. They're offense should really come together this year plus you have Hellebyuuewwk who I think is going to be one of the top goalies in the NHL for years to come.

I can also agree with French although I don't think MTL making the playoffs would be that much of a surprise. There are a lot of question marks in the Atlantic outside of Tampa and FLA. A season with a healthy Price alone should give them a much bigger chance. I also think Weber is going to add a little more stability.

Tanner - Carolina will definitely be better, but I can't see them finishing any higher than they did last year. It's hard to imagine PHI or NYR could finish below them.

I still think Corey Schneider is the best goalie in the world. The Atlantic is weak, after TB and FLA anyone could grab that third spot. Likely 5 teams come from the Metro, but Price could steal a few games. Still, there actual lineup is worse than last year and they couldn't score then.

Their only real home is a that Galchenyuk takes another massive step and that if he does, their coach notices.
- JTanner

Yup, Habs are much worse than last year. Only added a healthy Price + Radulov + Shaw to a team that was 16th in scoring. Definitely a recipe for finishing last in goals for

How late am I for the yearly Rangers miss the playoff predictions from this crack Hockeybuzz blog staff?
- MidnightMarauder

Super late.

Yup, Habs are much worse than last year. Only added a healthy Price + Radulov + Shaw to a team that was 16th in scoring. Definitely a recipe for finishing last in goals for
- Jaciems

Don't forget that Weber is much better in his own end than Subban.

I still think Corey Schneider is the best goalie in the world. The Atlantic is weak, after TB and FLA anyone could grab that third spot. Likely 5 teams come from the Metro, but Price could steal a few games. Still, there actual lineup is worse than last year and they couldn't score then.

Their only real home is a that Galchenyuk takes another massive step and that if he does, their coach notices.
- JTanner

They'll also need Pacioretty to be on top of his game, along with Galchenyuk. Not a lot of top notch firepower there, they need what they have to be on top of their game.

Schneider is a very, very, very good goalie. Not the best in the world, in my opinion, but not an opinion that deserves criticism either.

They'll also need Pacioretty to be on top of his game, along with Galchenyuk. Not a lot of top notch firepower there, they need what they have to be on top of their game.

Schneider is a very, very, very good goalie. Not the best in the world, in my opinion, but not an opinion that deserves criticism either.
- prock

Have to agree there. It's become popular to say he's the best in the world, but I just don't think he is. I think in general it's hard to say who's really the best.

The top goalies in the NHL all have different attributes that separate them the other top goalies.

I would just like to see how Schneider performs in the playoffs, post-canucks, before really locking him in as "the best."

I'm sure "someone" will pull out some whacky advanced stats to say Schneider is the best in the world.

Have to agree there. It's become popular to say he's the best in the world, but I just don't think he is. I think in general it's hard to say who's really the best.

The top goalies in the NHL all have different attributes that separate them the other top goalies.

I would just like to see how Schneider performs in the playoffs, post-canucks, before really locking him in as "the best."

I'm sure "someone" will pull out some whacky advanced stats to say Schneider is the best in the world.
- Rinosaur

Price? I think he IS the best there is right now, but the group at the top is tight, and it coudl be any of Schneider, Price, Lundqvist, Andersen, or even one of these one-offs like SerBob or Bishop. Maybe Rinne finally gets back to form. He was top 2 or 3 for a few years. Does Holtby keep his play up?

Anyway, if I had to put money, and only choose 1 goalie, it'd be Price.

But there is always a fair bit of variance in top goalies from year to year.

They'll also need Pacioretty to be on top of his game, along with Galchenyuk. Not a lot of top notch firepower there, they need what they have to be on top of their game.

Schneider is a very, very, very good goalie. Not the best in the world, in my opinion, but not an opinion that deserves criticism either.
- prock

you can write in 30-35 g/65 points for Max in pen. no more, no less. Galchenyuk should be good 30 as well and Gallagher can come close to that mark as well. the big questions are Radulov and Weber. if Radulov can product at the clip he did in Nashville and Weber can do the same, Montreal should have enough offence. not a great offence, but enough given their goaltending.

But there is always a fair bit of variance in top goalies from year to year.
- prock

This is why I think it's hard to make a blanket statement of so-and-so is the best goalie in the world.

Price? I think he IS the best there is right now, but the group at the top is tight, and it coudl be any of Schneider, Price, Lundqvist, Andersen, or even one of these one-offs like SerBob or Bishop. Maybe Rinne finally gets back to form. He was top 2 or 3 for a few years. Does Holtby keep his play up?

Anyway, if I had to put money, and only choose 1 goalie, it'd be Price.

But there is always a fair bit of variance in top goalies from year to year.
- prock

well done