Hello Hockey World!
As I have said before...I hate making predictions, but I am just so damn good at them (See Nashville #3 in the Central)
Today, we will look at the division which for many years now has been considered the worst in the NHL. Is it still the worst? I am not so sure. This division has some rising teams but I am not sure any of them are as good as the top teams in the other three divisions.
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— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) January 5, 2021
#8 Seattle.
The Vegas Knights were NOT an expansion team. The Seattle Kraken were an expansion team and still are one. They finished 16 points behind anyone else in this division. They could cut that deficit in half, but still be 8th. You will want to watch the more often however. They don't have the goaltending to be any better. They don't have Marc Andre Fleury.
#7. San Jose
The Sharks are a sexy pick to finish better than expected, but I am not convinced at all. Meier and Hertl are still on the rise. But their depth is still a few years away and their goaltending is very much below average.
The top 6 teams in the divison are truly UNPREDICTABLE. All could surprise, all could fall apart.
#6. The LA Kings.
Someone has to be 6th, and I do this after they might have been my favorite team in this division last season. They were very good last year and Jonathan Quick, one of my all-time favorite goalies, was reborn. In the playoffs they looked strong and ran into a very tough Edmonton Team that needed to win at all costs. They took them down to the wire. But at the end of the day, when I look at the other 5 teams the Kings lack something. The Kings top scoring was the aging Kopitar with 67 points. They only had three players with over 50 points. Only 5 over 40 points. Thats not enough scoring and too much pressure on Quick. They could be only a few points out of the playoffs.
#5. Vegas
I actually like them more than last year's version. And I put them here with a large caveat. I believe Eichel will score 100 points. And I actually believe in Logan Thompson as a starter. However, the offensive depth after Eichel and Stone is very suspect. They just don't have enough.
#4. Anaheim Ducks
Every year, a young team that plays fast outperforms all expectations. The Ducks are that team this season. MacTavish is a budding Superstar, years above where he should be. I love the line of Terry, Zegras, and Vatrano. I love alot of their young forwards and their top 4 is really solid as Drysdale will become a star soon for sure. Surprised the Rocco Grimaldi didn't make this team after tearing it up in the preseason. Sounds like he is may get an AHL job with the Ducks, but I wouldn't be shocked to see him land somewhere.
#3. Calgary Flames
The Flames did a hell of a job replacing Gaudreau and Tkachuk. They will be better defensively with Weager. They will be just gritty with Kadri. Kadri will add yet another level to the battle of Alberta!
#2. Vancouver Canucks.
I believed in them heavy last year. I am back on the bandwagon. For sure. I can't wait to see a Petterson playing with Kuzmenko. They have the best THREE lines in the division. For sure. Quinn Hughes will be a finalist for the Norris. I can see Demko as a Vezina Finalist.
#1. Edmonton Oilers.
They HAVE A GOALIE. Jack Campbell is the perfect fit for this team after showing he can play strong behing a team that plays the same style in Toronto. His backup, Skinner, is also about to make a big difference too. But mostly, I put them here because I believe the best player in the NHL found another level in the playoffs last year and is going to truly dominate.
What are your thoughts?