Eastern Conference Predictions 2014-2015

Atlantic
1. Tampa Bay - X
2. Boston - X
3. Detroit - X
4. Florida
5. Montreal
6. Toronto
7. Ottawa
8. Buffalo

Metro
1. NYR - X
2. Columbus - X
3. Pittsburgh - X
4. Philadelphia - X
5. NYI - X
6. New Jersey
7. Washington
8. Carolina
- Streit2ThePoint

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CBus is pretty high, how any goals does Hartsy score? 40? 50? A million!!?

I think the Devils could be a playoff team as well. M-Cam scored close to 30 goals last year in under 70 games I believe for an awful Calgary team.
- PLindbergh31

You have to figure that no longer being obligated to start Brodeur 50% of the time is going to make a huge difference by itself.

Doubt they go 0-12 in SO's again too.... 3 goals on 43 attempts... crazy.

OT: Johnny Winter, Blues Legend, Dies at 70.

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CBus is pretty high, how any goals does Hartsy score? 40? 50? A million!!?
- coffee junkie

60 goals... all vs the Flyers

I think they played well last year and I believe the only move they made was umberger for hartnell. I think they'll be a good team this year

You have to figure that no longer being obligated to start Brodeur 50% of the time is going to make a huge difference by itself.

Doubt they go 0-12 in SO's again too.... 3 goals on 43 attempts... crazy.
- Tomahawk

Their shootout futility last year was mind boggling. And yes, Schneider getting 65 starts will be an improvement over Brodeur.

OT: Johnny Winter, Blues Legend, Dies at 70.
- wolfhounds

Edgar is still alive. Carrying the torch for albinos.

Their shootout futility last year was mind boggling. And yes, Schneider getting 65 starts will be an improvement over Brodeur.
- PLindbergh31

Well, Schneider was lights-out the only other time he was handed the starter's reins after taking over for a former Vezina winner.

60 goals... all vs the Flyers

I think they played well last year and I believe the only move they made was umberger for hartnell. I think they'll be a good team this year
- Streit2ThePoint

How? They play a fast, skating, up-temp style where the defensemen pinch and join the rush. I've heard that Hartnell's slow, can't skate, and takes nothing but bad penalties. They've obviously put themselves into a lottery position with his acquisition.

Seriously, if Hartnell couldn't keep up with the Flyers, who many on here characterized as "a slow team" then how will "a fast team" like Columbus benefit from having a skater as bad as Hartnell?

I think a lot of fans are underrating the Flyers. Because they haven't made a splash this off season. Well the Flyers made their splash early in adding MacDonald to improve the defense. And a minor moves such as bringing back Emery, signing Bellemare, and adding Schultz as a 7th D man. We'll see how the major off season move of trading Hartnell for Umberger plays out. But a team can also improve internally. A full training camp under Berube can help to improve the team's overall play 5 on 5 and defensively. The natural progression of player growth with players such as B Schenn, Couturier, Raffl, can also improve a team by leaps and bounds. Vetaran players such a Luke Schenn and Voracek can improve and take a step. Voracek could blossom into a bona fide All Star. So I think any thought that this team hasn't improved is premature, and selling them short at this point.

I think a lot of fans are underrating the Flyers. Because they haven't made a splash this off season. Well the Flyers made their splash early in adding MacDonald to improve the defense. And a minor moves such as bringing back Emery, signing Bellemare, and adding Schultz as a 7th D man. We'll see how the major off season move of trading Hartnell for Umberger plays out. But a team can also improve internally. A full training camp under Berube can help to improve the team's overall play 5 on 5 and defensively. The natural progression of player growth with players such as B Schenn, Couturier, Raffl, can also improve a team by leaps and bounds. Vetaran players such a Luke Schenn and Voracek can improve and take a step. Voracek could blossom into a bona fide All Star. So I think any thought that this team hasn't improved is premature, and selling them short at this point.
- MJL

Agreed.

In a sense the team is very similar to the one that was bumped in 7 games to the Rangers. However, had Mason played the entire series I could have seen the Flyers getting passed them and then, who knows.

You only have to get to the dance and then anything can happen. I'm looking forward to how Hextall will continue to shape and mold this team and see where it goes.

How so? He had less ice time than their top 3 centers (Forsberg, Primeau/Nedved, Handzus) as well as Gagne, Knuble, and Kapanen. That makes him 8th.

He was 4th on the team is SH TOI/G, not ATOI.
- jmatchett383

http://www.nhl.com/ice/pl...eOnIce&viewName=timeOnIce

Primeau played a whopping 9 games, Nedved 28, Handzus and Forsberg I will give you (even though Foppa only played in 60 games)..

Total TOI for the entire season.. Richards was 4th.

How? They play a fast, skating, up-temp style where the defensemen pinch and join the rush. I've heard that Hartnell's slow, can't skate, and takes nothing but bad penalties. They've obviously put themselves into a lottery position with his acquisition.

Seriously, if Hartnell couldn't keep up with the Flyers, who many on here characterized as "a slow team" then how will "a fast team" like Columbus benefit from having a skater as bad as Hartnell?
- jmatchett383

They won't benefit much with Hartnell except maybe on PP. I think Columbus will still be better this year than they were last year though.

Agreed.

In a sense the team is very similar to the one that was bumped in 7 games to the Rangers. However, had Mason played the entire series I could have seen the Flyers getting passed them and then, who knows.

You only have to get to the dance and then anything can happen. I'm looking forward to how Hextall will continue to shape and mold this team and see where it goes.
- hockeylover

The Flyers were grossly outplayed at even strength in that series. Teams who lose the 5v5 battle and rely on goaltending and special teams normally don't make it very far in the playoffs.

Frankly, the Flyers were fortunate Mason stood on his head and stole some games and kept them in game 7. With almost any other goalie, that game would have looked a lot like those playoff Sabers series clinchers.

I think a lot of fans are underrating the Flyers. Because they haven't made a splash this off season. Well the Flyers made their splash early in adding MacDonald to improve the defense. And a minor moves such as bringing back Emery, signing Bellemare, and adding Schultz as a 7th D man. We'll see how the major off season move of trading Hartnell for Umberger plays out. But a team can also improve internally. A full training camp under Berube can help to improve the team's overall play 5 on 5 and defensively. The natural progression of player growth with players such as B Schenn, Couturier, Raffl, can also improve a team by leaps and bounds. Vetaran players such a Luke Schenn and Voracek can improve and take a step. Voracek could blossom into a bona fide All Star. So I think any thought that this team hasn't improved is premature, and selling them short at this point.
- MJL

Overpaying MacDonald in both years, and money is akin to this splash...

http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=20062PHIFAFALL&sort=timeOnIce&viewName=timeOnIce

Primeau played a whopping 9 games, Nedved 28, Handzus and Forsberg I will give you (even though Foppa only played in 60 games)..

Total TOI for the entire season.. Richards was 4th.
- jak521

I'm talking TOI/GP, since TOI is slanted towards healthier players. But sure, let's use total TOI which proves that Mike Richards was counted on more than Peter Forsberg that season and doesn't take into account that a lot of Richards' time was on the PK.

They won't benefit much with Hartnell except maybe on PP. I think Columbus will still be better this year than they were last year though.
- mcefalu

How???

They traded speed demon 2-way extraordinaire RJ Umberger for slow, horrible, bad penalty machine Hartnell. That's like 57 steps backwards.

I'd be more than fine with Laughton proving himself in the AHL. In my mind, Akeson deserves a shot. I don't see a favourable position with LeCavalier in the top 6 as it takes away from bSchenn and Couturier. If LeCavalier can prove himself defensively I am by all means in favour of him moving up, but as of now the minutes and opportunity should go to younger players.

Bottom lines in my eyes:
Raffl-Umberger-Akeson
Bellamere-LeCavalier-Rinaldo
- flyer_nutter

From my understanding Umburger hasn't played center since his first go around with the Flyers.

That is something I worry about happening to Laughton if they try him as 4th liner. I would like to see him tried at 1st and 2nd line wing in pre-season to see how he does. Given he showed more offensive growth in his game this past junior season, I'd like to "keep it rolling" rather than stiffle it with a defense, defense, defense mentality. I agree that has caused Coots to regress a bit.
- juiced

From my understanding the Flyers want Laughton to grow at center the same way Couturier has. I'm also under the belief that we have more proven, skilled and natural wings on the club who should see the top six before Laughton does.

The Flyers were grossly outplayed at even strength in that series. Teams who lose the 5v5 battle and rely on goaltending and special teams normally don't make it very far in the playoffs.

Frankly, the Flyers were fortunate Mason stood on his head and stole some games and kept them in game 7. With almost any other goalie, that game would have looked a lot like those playoff Sabers series clinchers.
- PhillySportsGuy

It can also be said that teams match up better or worse against certain teams. The Flyers did not match up well against the Rangers, similar to how the Penguins do not match up well against the Flyers.

My point was that they still pushed a team that they did not match up well against and a team that outplayed them 5 on 5 to 7 games without their number 1 goalie for 4 of those games.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=20062PHIFAFALL&sort=timeOnIce&viewName=timeOnIce

Primeau played a whopping 9 games, Nedved 28, Handzus and Forsberg I will give you (even though Foppa only played in 60 games)..

Total TOI for the entire season.. Richards was 4th.
- jak521

I think, ultimately, this argument is about whether placing a player on the 4th line stunts his growth. I don't believe it hurts certain players like Richards, Couturier or Laughton. Those guys needs to develop their defensive skills too. The 4th line breaks them in and allows the coach to monitor their TOI against tougher opponents.

If the Hawks placed a guy like Teravainen on the 4th line, it wouldn't help his development. He's simply not meant to play in those types of roles.

I don't believe Couturier's pedestrian offensive numbers are due to stunted growth; I think they're due to a lack of offensive opportunity. If he's given better zone starts, lesser QoC and some PP time, his offensive numbers will increase.

I am very high on Courturier, but he isn't at the level, yet, of being able to match up against top lines while, also, providing the team with some 2nd line scoring. Those types of players are very special and hard to find. I'm hoping Couturier is one of them soon.

I'm talking TOI/GP, since TOI is slanted towards healthier players. But sure, let's use total TOI which proves that Mike Richards was counted on more than Peter Forsberg that season and doesn't take into account that a lot of Richards' time was on the PK.
- jmatchett383

Your vague description of Richards as a 4th liner is not taking into account the fact that our #1 center missed 1/4th of the season, our #2 center was Michael Handzus and that Peter Nedved and Primeau combined played 37 games. Richards was much more than just a 4th line center. He played the 4th most amount of minutes out of all the Flyers forwards. Health was a factor, but he played all over the lineup and in all situations. 1:46 a game on the PP, 4+ minutes on the PK and despite being a rookie, he was 7th among all forwards in even strength toi.

Pretty amazing numbers for a 4th liner.

Your vague description of Richards as a 4th liner is not taking into account the fact that our #1 center missed 1/4th of the season, our #2 center was Michael Handzus and that Peter Nedved and Primeau combined played 37 games. Richards was much more than just a 4th line center. He played the 4th most amount of minutes out of all the Flyers forwards. Health was a factor, but he played all over the lineup and in all situations. 1:46 a game on the PP, 4+ minutes on the PK and despite being a rookie, he was 7th among all forwards in even strength toi.

Pretty amazing numbers for a 4th liner.
- jak521

They are, I agree. He was a fantastic 4th liner and PKer that season.

It can also be said that teams match up better or worse against certain teams. The Flyers did not match up well against the Rangers, similar to how the Penguins do not match up well against the Flyers.

My point was that they still pushed a team that they did not match up well against and a team that outplayed them 5 on 5 to 7 games without their number 1 goalie for 4 of those games.
- hockeylover

I agree about matchups. I just believe this team is seriously flawed and I don't think it's of the right mindset to believe this team was close to being a Cup contender because they almost beat the Rangers.

You can make a case the Flyers got worse this season. The Pens, Jackets, Rangers and Isles all improved. Washington probably improved too, but not significantly.

I think a lot of fans are underrating the Flyers. Because they haven't made a splash this off season. Well the Flyers made their splash early in adding MacDonald to improve the defense. And a minor moves such as bringing back Emery, signing Bellemare, and adding Schultz as a 7th D man. We'll see how the major off season move of trading Hartnell for Umberger plays out. But a team can also improve internally. A full training camp under Berube can help to improve the team's overall play 5 on 5 and defensively. The natural progression of player growth with players such as B Schenn, Couturier, Raffl, can also improve a team by leaps and bounds. Vetaran players such a Luke Schenn and Voracek can improve and take a step. Voracek could blossom into a bona fide All Star. So I think any thought that this team hasn't improved is premature, and selling them short at this point.
- MJL

While I don't disagree, Voracek has seen the majority of his time with Giroux and is entering his 7th season in the NHL. While I do not believe it's impossible for Voracek to have an eye popping season, most players would have had a true break out season by now. At the moment I have more faith in Brayden Schenn's development. Voracek is more of a playmaking winger. He has to find it from within to shoot more, rather then the coaching staff remind him to do so.

I think I do underrate this current team. Sure Schenn, Couturier and Raffl could take big steps but we have no choice but to bank on this now. I believe the Flyers are only as good as their offseason.I don't believe the Flyers D is as bad as some might suggest especially with MacDonald added to the fold but I feel the Umburger deal was a piss pour idea. I don't believe Umburger alone makes us tougher to play against.

I agree about matchups. I just believe this team is seriously flawed and I don't think it's of the right mindset to believe this team was close to being a Cup contender because they almost beat the Rangers.

You can make a case the Flyers got worse this season. The Pens, Jackets, Rangers and Isles all improved. Washington probably improved too, but not significantly.
- PhillySportsGuy

¶1: 100% agree
¶2: Probably true.

Keep building toward the future... it'll take the next couple of seasons to transition there... I wouldn't put too much emphasis on winning for now. Try to make the PO's, but don't take any wild/desperate stabs.

Overpaying MacDonald in both years, and money is akin to this splash...


- PLindbergh31

where are they now.... Kyle Wellwood