Pete Picks the East
My thoughts on how the Eastern Conference shakes down by the end of the season.
16. Buffalo. There must be a some interpretation of Buffalo meaning bad or pathetic. Perhaps it translates into McDavid or Eichel? Whatever the case is the Sabres are going to redefine the concept of 'tank'. Good luck at the draft lottery!
15. Carolina. All kinds of trouble there and no clear vision on how it's fixed. Can you fix a player who can't stay un-concussed? Only time for broken legs and buyouts for ugly contracts like your Semin and you too Ward. You've got a a shot too if you play your cards right Carolina.
14. Ottawa. You know what I like about the Senators? They keep losing players and no seems to be replacing them- said no one ever. (that's two blogs where I've used that joke). Seriously though does Anderson look like the 2013 goalie who stopped pucks like Neo did bullets in the Matrix? Thank god for Karlsson and Ryan.
13. New Jersey. I will be wrong about this but because no one ever knows what's going on with Jersey but if they play Schneider like they should and Sweet Lou finds another prospect who comes out of nowhere then they could be okay...but if not watch out.
12. Toronto. It could have been Florida but I think Luongo really helps them so it's now the Leafs, or maybe the Flyers should be here. Frankly I'm doing you a favour Leafs fans picking them low only to have them surprise you and me! Just like they did against Boston that warm May night in the third period. Thank me later.
11. Florida. If all the rumours are true that this comes to an end soon in the southern most NHL market perhaps the players wake up and say 'hey we better be good this year, this lifestyle rocks', yeah right. There's no magical switch but there is some action happening in south Florida will they be there to see it starts to really take shape though?
10. Philadelphia. This is a team that has more fans wanting to dump Homer's hot garbage on other teams than the Leafs. It's only a matter of time before AMAC is strung from the rafters and goaltending blows up again right? You have to cheer for a Flyers meltdown as that's when Snyder is at his best as puppet master. The ingredients are all there so stay tuned.
9. Washington. Let's see how this works in DC...find the dead weight from other teams they are cutting loose and sign them to bigger badder contracts. Peeeeeerefect! once again there is talent there but it's inconsistent and only an Ovechkin funk away from being terribad. If not they'll be mediocrbad and that keeps them close.
8. Detroit. The Wings will never die, they just go to the Eastern Conference and regroup. Some say you should never count out a Mike Babcock team and they may be right. I say you should never count out the weakness of the East and Babcock probably knows that too.
7. Columbus. Not much better but not any worse. Stay the course, a thousand points of light....oh thank God we resigned Johansen. It's really the same as it ever was but could be better if everyone stays healthy.
6. NY Islanders. Garth Snow is nuts. Charles Wang is crazy. Yet they have Halak, Boychuk, Leddy, Kulemin, and Grabovski to compliment Tavares, Grabner, Hamonic, Bailey, Okposo and Strome. Welcome to the Wiserhood.
5. Montreal. Oh the sweet sound of playoff success finally appeared and so did Subban's contract extension. I really wonder if 9 million gets what you think it should in the market today? It might if the Price is alright.
4. Boston. Hear that sound? Yeah that one. It's the aging body of Zdeno Chara creaking into another season having to carry even more of the defensive load. Wouldn't it be nice if the Bruins had a young up and coming star who, a dynamic player who could take some pressure away from the defense, like that guy Dallas has, Seguin.
3. NY Rangers. A full year of Marty St. Louis is better than a full year of Callahan right? Probably and with the best dressed guy in the NHL in net along with analytics guru coach Vigneault the Rangers still have life after the SCF whoopin'. Why did they sign Tanner Glass to a 3 year deal though?
2. Pittsburgh. Crosby and Malkin, Malkin and Crosby, either way you slice it these two can carry a team, even one with Fleury in net. That's why they have Greiss right? Adding the 'Hoff to the blue line could do wonders for the PP and transition game- jsut ask the Canucks how much they still miss him. New coach, new attitude and a new lease on the East.
1. Tampa Bay. Whaaaaaat? Yeah really, no really. Does anyone realize how good Hedman actually is and that they have this kid named Drouin who could be feeding Stamkos and Palat plus Callahan. They also got this guy named Garrison from Vancouver who can fire the puck, the one thing he couldn't do in Vancouver but did well in Florida before. These guys are probably better than people believe, how much better is another question, this year we find out.
So there you have my WAG, wild ass guesstimates, on the east. Like, or hate them it matters not, now it's time to debate them!
So the bonus thoughts
Team most likely to surprise: Islanders
Team most likely to disappoint: Boston
Team most likely yo eat itself from within: Maple Leafs
Team most likely to do something stupid: tie Leafs and Islanders
Team most likely to be exactly what everyone thinks: Columbus