In this edition of the hotstove we share our Stanley Cup predictions for the upcoming season.
Todd Cordell I have Tampa Bay playing, and beating, San Jose in seven games.
The Lightning's offense was already incredibly good with Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and co. leading the charge. This season it will be even better as Jonathan Drouin seems poised to break out in a big way and youngster Brayden Point also looks ready to contribute.
There are some questions in terms of depth on defense but Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman will have no problems carrying the load and Ben Bishop/Andrei Vasilevskiy are always there to bail the team out when necessary.
Reaching the Stanley Cup Final in consecutive years is nearly impossible but I think San Jose has the team to do it. They are loaded with star power and their only notable off-season moves were signing speedster Mikkel Boedker, who tallied 51 points last season, and replacing Roman Polak with the underrated David Schlemko.
I think they can and will go deep into the playoffs but ultimately fall just short once again.
Note: I seriously considered Nashville but did not choose them as I don't have faith in Pekka Rinne.
Jason Lewis I'll take Nashville in the West and Washington in the East.
Both are well put together teams, Nashville from the back out, and Washington up front. Nashville reminds me a lot of the 2011-12 Kings with the way they are put together, but I think the overwhelming offense and all-around power of Washington will be able to see of any challengers this year. Especially if Pittsburgh suffers a bit of a hangover or has injury problems.
James Tanner My pick for the Stanley Cup in 2017 is the St. Louis Blues.
They have, in my opinion, the deepest roster in the NHL - tons of firepower, a solid mix of players in their primes and getting better, and are deep at all three positions.
Also, Ken Hitchcock is retiring and nothing beats a good final season victory/ romance.
I think their victim in the Final will be the Capitals, as one of O.V's teams is due for some post-season success.
Peter Tessier From the East Corner we have the Tampa Bay Lightning. From the West Corner we have the Nashville Predators.
The Ligtning with no distractions and a core locked up come out playing determined hockey and push through a less than settled Eastern Conference.
The Predators with PK Subban are a rejuvenated team and get the best for their new stud defence man and the benefit of Ryan Johansen from the start too.
In the end the Lightning take it and claim there 2nd Championship.
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