HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Atlantic Division bold predictions for the 2017-18 season

NHL.com sucks, Stamkos isn't the 7th best center in the NHL lol

Crosby
McDavid
Malkin
Backstrom
Seguin
Tavares
Bergeron
Kopitar

maybe even Scheifele, Getzlaf, Thornton, and a few others

all better than Stammer, he's top definitely in that 10-15 range though.

NHL.com sucks, Stamkos isn't the 7th best center in the NHL lol

Crosby
McDavid
Malkin
Backstrom
Seguin
Tavares
Bergeron
Kopitar

maybe even Scheifele, Getzlaf, Thornton, and a few others

all better than Stammer, he's top definitely in that 10-15 range though.
- j.boyd919

Come on, Crosby, MacDavid, Matthews, Stamkos and Malkin is a clear top five. I don't know how anyone could even argue it. You can put Bergeron in this top five as a tie.

Everyone else including Tavares is down a significant drop off to the next tier.

I can't seriously believe anyone thinks the Lightning have a better team than Toronto.

I can't seriously believe anyone thinks the Lightning have a better team than Toronto.
- James_Tanner

Yea, and how is Cody Franson not in the mix, amirite?

You need to play defence to win in this NHL.

I have seen no evidence that the Leafs can play serious D.

Not unlike the early promise shown a few years ago by the Avs and the Oilers. The stronger you are on the attack the more vulnerable you become to the counter. If the Leafs start scoring goals in huge numbers, they will be giving up just as many in their own end.

Leafs are going to have to do what the Oilers had to do and that is trade offensive gold for defensive steel.

Come on, Crosby, MacDavid, Matthews, Stamkos and Malkin is a clear top five. I don't know how anyone could even argue it. You can put Bergeron in this top five as a tie.

Everyone else including Tavares is down a significant drop off to the next tier.
- James_Tanner

Mr Tanner - Matthews clear top 5 after 1.... exactly 1 year - Please put the pipe down. Although he is a very good young C - his game is not at this time worthy of top 5 and for sure not the " Clear top 5" - come on have some perspective..

I can't seriously believe anyone thinks the Lightning have a better team than Toronto.
- James_Tanner

I cant believe how much credit you give a kid for one good season.
Matthews is an awesome player, but Jonathan Cheechoo once scored 50 goals, don't think anyone considers him a top winger in the league, because he could only do it once. If Matthews comes out and duplicates his rookie season, then you are bang on the kid is awesome, but lets wait before he say hes top 5 in the league.

Come on, Crosby, MacDavid, Matthews, Stamkos and Malkin is a clear top five. I don't know how anyone could even argue it. You can put Bergeron in this top five as a tie.

Everyone else including Tavares is down a significant drop off to the next tier.
- James_Tanner

Dear sweet baby jesus

*Legend

Bold = Dumb

You need to play defence to win in this NHL.

I have seen no evidence that the Leafs can play serious D.

Not unlike the early promise shown a few years ago by the Avs and the Oilers. The stronger you are on the attack the more vulnerable you become to the counter. If the Leafs start scoring goals in huge numbers, they will be giving up just as many in their own end.

Leafs are going to have to do what the Oilers had to do and that is Make the worst trade in NHL history and pretend that it was what improved the team as opposed to just getting healthy .
- spatso

I fixed that for you.

NHL.com sucks, Stamkos isn't the 7th best center in the NHL lol

Crosby
McDavid
Malkin
Backstrom
Seguin
Tavares
Bergeron
Kopitar

maybe even Scheifele, Getzlaf, Thornton, and a few others

all better than Stammer, he's top definitely in that 10-15 range though.
- j.boyd919

I'm taking a healthy Stamkos over these guys. Key is him staying healthy.

Mr Tanner - Matthews clear top 5 after 1.... exactly 1 year - Please put the pipe down. Although he is a very good young C - his game is not at this time worthy of top 5 and for sure not the " Clear top 5" - come on have some perspective..
- dozerD10

He led the NHL in 5v5 goals. He did it while getting less ice time than any comparable forward. He did it with two rookies on his line. And he had an expected-goal number that was in line with reality, meaning he didn't just get lucky.

He also led the league in pucks retrieved in the offensive zone. 60 + points and I believe his linemates shot about 5% and that he had very few secondary assists.

There are at least eight or nine reasons why his game should take significant leap forward this year. I think he's easily a top 5 centre right now. Next step is for him to become the second best player in the NHL.

I cant believe how much credit you give a kid for one good season.
Matthews is an awesome player, but Jonathan Cheechoo once scored 50 goals, don't think anyone considers him a top winger in the league, because he could only do it once. If Matthews comes out and duplicates his rookie season, then you are bang on the kid is awesome, but lets wait before he say hes top 5 in the league.
- Sabres1523

Meh, fans of teams have been doin this for donkey's years. Eichel, McDaivd, Laine, Hall, Stamkos, Crosby are/were all considered superstars after just one year in the NHL.

I can't seriously believe anyone thinks the Lightning have a better team than Toronto.
- James_Tanner

It probably has something to do with Tampa having serious firepower up front (even if it's not quite on par with Toronto), a solid goaltender and a defense that the Leafs would cream their pants for.
For someone who puts all his faith in statistics, you sure take a lot for granted when it comes to the Leafs. Yes, they scored goals like almost no other team last year, but they gave up just as many. Yes, their back end SEEMS to be improved (or, at least more experienced), but they haven't proven it yet. And how many times have rookies had great years, then fallen off the next? You are counting on 3 of them (minimum) to just carry on with no thought that they may stumble.

Dear sweet baby jesus
- Iggysbff

I can't seriously believe anyone thinks the Lightning have a better team than Toronto.
- James_Tanner

I think they do.

I'm taking a healthy Stamkos over these guys. Key is him staying healthy.
- tomburton99

That would be a bad idea. Stamkos does not play a strong defensive game nor does he really make the players around him better.

Come on, Crosby, MacDavid, Matthews, Stamkos and Malkin is a clear top five. I don't know how anyone could even argue it. You can put Bergeron in this top five as a tie.

Everyone else including Tavares is down a significant drop off to the next tier.
- James_Tanner

Stamkos as a top 10C is a stretch.

He led the NHL in 5v5 goals. He did it while getting less ice time than any comparable forward. He did it with two rookies on his line. And he had an expected-goal number that was in line with reality, meaning he didn't just get lucky.

He also led the league in pucks retrieved in the offensive zone. 60 + points and I believe his linemates shot about 5% and that he had very few secondary assists.

There are at least eight or nine reasons why his game should take significant leap forward this year. I think he's easily a top 5 centre right now. Next step is for him to become the second best player in the NHL.
- James_Tanner

That is a well reasoned and solid position - Let's see if he can come close to that again before announcing him as top 5 - Like many of those other Centers have done throughout their careers - which I believe is the mark of top 5... barring a generational talent such as Sid or 97 who Matthews is not.

Stamkos as a top 10C is a stretch.
- Feds91Stammer

I think he's a hell of a player but the guy had only just reached his previous levels of production last season before he got injured again.

Tremendous talent but missing 115 games in 4 years is probably a serious detriment.

Tanner ... as good as you want to say Matthews is that's JUST YOUR OPINION and after reading some of your work , well Its just an opinion and nothing more ... and besides you know what they say about and compare opinions to don't you ? ...

Matthews is an awesome player who had a terrific rookie year , and yes we cannot tease the Leaf fans any more because they have definitely turned the corner with their youth and management that can finally be called management and not a JOKE !!! ... HOWEVER , there are other teams in the league and players in the league besides the Leafs ...
PEACE

That is a well reasoned and solid position - Let's see if he can come close to that again before announcing him as top 5 - Like many of those other Centers have done throughout their careers - which I believe is the mark of top 5... barring a generational talent such as Sid or 97 who Matthews is not.
- dozerD10

You don't think Matthews is "generational" in the sense of Crosby or McDavid? I really do think he'll be a Hall of Famer on par with both of them at the end of his career.

I can't seriously believe anyone thinks the Lightning have a better team than Toronto.
- James_Tanner

Hedman and stralman make a big difference from whatever pair the leafs put forward

Kucherov could very well outscore Matthews. Stamkos too.
And the emergence of Brayden point is nothing to scoff at either

It's close, but I like Tampa top to bottom more.

It probably has something to do with Tampa having serious firepower up front (even if it's not quite on par with Toronto), a solid goaltender and a defense that the Leafs would cream their pants for.
For someone who puts all his faith in statistics, you sure take a lot for granted when it comes to the Leafs. Yes, they scored goals like almost no other team last year, but they gave up just as many. Yes, their back end SEEMS to be improved (or, at least more experienced), but they haven't proven it yet. And how many times have rookies had great years, then fallen off the next? You are counting on 3 of them (minimum) to just carry on with no thought that they may stumble.
- Tonybere

This sums up my feelings pretty well. Leafs have a great young team. They're offense is better, but Tampa's is close. Tampa has a much better defense too. Vas is a bit of a wild card but he's solid.


On the argument of a potential sophmore slump for the young leafs stars. Possible, but for all three is unlikely. Guy's of Mathews caliber don't tend to get those though.

It's most likely

Tampa
Toronto

Although any of the teams of Toronto Montreal Ottawa Boston Florida could take 2-4