HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Hotstove: Predicting Disappointment Teams For The 2016-17 NHL Season

I think it's the Rangers, they're in deep trouble and will probably miss the playoffs.

I was going to say Chicago and NYR but everyone I know already thinks they'll miss the playoffs, so that's not much of a disappointment.

Uncharacteristicaly mild take from James Tanner. Be better.

Hawks

Kings & Ducks could be in this conversation as well!

It's hard to pick a specific team, because it's, you know, hockey. I think the sheer number of young up and coming teams is going to destabilize the standings all year. Add to this a few teams that have been on the play-off bubble for a while, and it's going to be a hard year to predict anything.
Arizona, Buffalo, Calgary, Colorado, Carolina, Columbus, Edmonton, New Jersey, Philladelphia, and Toronto ALL project to be better this year than last. All those points have to come from somewhere.
Some of the traditionally good teams are going to slip, even if they are still considered elite.
Whether you like the salary cap or not, it's making for some pretty solid parity.

I think it's the Rangers, they're in deep trouble and will probably miss the playoffs.
- LeftCoaster

This will be a fun thread.

It's hard to pick a specific team, because it's, you know, hockey. I think the sheer number of young up and coming teams is going to destabilize the standings all year. Add to this a few teams that have been on the play-off bubble for a while, and it's going to be a hard year to predict anything.
Arizona, Buffalo, Calgary, Colorado, Carolina, Columbus, Edmonton, New Jersey, Philladelphia, and Toronto ALL project to be better this year than last. All those points have to come from somewhere.
Some of the traditionally good teams are going to slip, even if they are still considered elite.
Whether you like the salary cap or not, it's making for some pretty solid parity.
- oldstyle

You have to figure 1 or 2 of these teams will surprise and make the playoffs which will in turn push one of the more favored teams out.

Kings, Ducks, and SJ! The long tooth leaders on SJ had a short summer and a WCH, not good. Kings lost Lucic, not good. Anaheim lost Anderson and Boudreau, not good. Add any of these 3 teams to the underperformers for 2016-2017 and you'd be correct.

You have to figure 1 or 2 of these teams will surprise and make the playoffs which will in turn push one of the more favored teams out.
- Cptmjl

I think Buffalo makes it. They have the forward depth to and Risto will be a bonafied 1D lynch pin this season. They'll muscle out Detroit and end their streak.

Think Edmonton and Toronto need a year of jelling together before they make it. Edmonton also needs a 1D to emerge.

Calgary and the Peg should make it. I think the Peg muscles out the Hawks.

CBus won't don't anything under Torts. The Flyers will give NYR serious fits for that last wild card spot. Anyone's ball game at this point there.

This will be a fun thread.
- Cptmjl

So many teams could go the wrong direction this year, Detroit is another one, they lost Datsyuk and their best player is 37 years old.

And all the "John Jaeckel is a homer" posters crawl back into their holes.

I think Buffalo makes it. They have the forward depth to and Risto will be a bonafied 1D lynch pin this season. They'll muscle out Detroit and end their streak.

Think Edmonton and Toronto need a year of jelling together before they make it. Edmonton also needs a 1D to emerge.

Calgary and the Peg should make it. I think the Peg muscles out the Hawks.

CBus won't don't anything under Torts. The Flyers will give NYR serious fits for that last wild card spot. Anyone's ball game at this point there.
- Victoro311

I don't see buffalo making it with their defense and goaltending. You're counting on Lehner staying healthy which seems to be tough for him to do. Even if he does how good is he? If he doesn't you have Anders (frank)ing Nilsson till he is healthy. They'll be better just not that much better IMO.

JJ Sure is a glass 1/2 empty type guy he has been predicting the HAWKS downfall all summer . Then again he did say the HAWKS were going to deal MVP Kane after his Fraudulent rape allegations last year , and said the HAWKS would not lose Saad so there is that . I believe by the HAWKS strengthening their D and keeping Crow they have improved . Shaw and TT were tough losses .But a hole up front is easier to fill then one on the backend IMO

I think it's the Rangers, they're in deep trouble and will probably miss the playoffs.
- LeftCoaster

I predict the Rangers will have a season reasonably similar to last year, so +/- 100 points.
IF, they miss the playoffs it will be because teams like the Flyers, Canes, Devils and Sabres make significant progress. If those teams falter at all, I think NYR still makes it.

JJ Sure is a glass 1/2 empty type guy he has been predicting the HAWKS downfall all summer . Then again he did say the HAWKS were going to deal MVP Kane after his Fraudulent rape allegations last year , and said the HAWKS would not lose Saad so there is that . I believe by the HAWKS strengthening their D and keeping Crow they have improved . Shaw and TT were tough losses .But a hole up front is easier to fill then one on the backend IMO
- oldduffman

Well every year the Hawks get counted out they win it all again. I've heard this almost as many times as, "This year the Oilers make the playoffs without a doubt. Look at all of that talent.".

I don't see buffalo making it with their defense and goaltending. You're counting on Lehner staying healthy which seems to be tough for him to do. Even if he does how good is he? If he doesn't you have Anders (frank)ing Nilsson till he is healthy. They'll be better just not that much better IMO.
- Cptmjl

Dallas won the central on worse goaltending and comparable defense. Not claiming Buffalo's firepower is on par with Dallas's yet but we saw flashes of something special last year and the addition of Okposo makes them even stronger.

I see no reason they can't challenge a declining Detroit and a Therrien lead Montreal that traded Subban for Webber.

Dallas won the central on worse goaltending and comparable defense. Not claiming Buffalo's firepower is on par with Dallas's yet but we saw flashes of something special last year and the addition of Okposo makes them even stronger.

I see no reason they can't challenge a declining Detroit and a Therrien lead Montreal that traded Subban for Webber.
- Victoro311

Agreed to disagree but they can surprise. Stranger things have happened. Okposo will add depth. If Risto has a great season and someone else steps up who knows. If any of them have a sophomore slump or Lehner goes down again they'll be a lottery team again.

Guys... how could NYR be a let down... they got Vessey

Guys... how could NYR be a let down... they got Vessey
- HabsDreamer

They got a pretty good prospect for "free". To me that can never be viewed as a bad thing.

Agreed to disagree but they can surprise. Stranger things have happened. Okposo will add depth. If Risto has a great season and someone else steps up who knows. If any of them have a sophomore slump or Lehner goes down again they'll be a lottery team again.
- Cptmjl

More to come, as they say around these parts.

1 of the Cali teams will be out and I predict it will be ANA. Replacing Boudreau with Carlyle is a step back, IMO. G is all on Gibson now. He's a good goalie but can he handle it all by himself? And they haven't yet made any positive moves in the fwd core. Although a trade from the D may change that.

Guys... how could NYR be a let down... they got Vessey
- HabsDreamer

wait... did JJ just say the blackhawks will disappoint?