James Tanner: Big Questions Heading into 2014-15 + Some Predictions Some of the most pressing questions from around the NHL as training camps get set to open.

Ovechkin get 70 goals in Trotz's system?

Penguins haven't been an actual favorite for the last 3 seasons or so, just to those who love to lick Crosby's jock.

And the Caps will not be a top 5 team, not with Ovi as the leader. I don't think they'll even make the playoffs

"The Ducks finished so high last year riding one line and going on a crazy, luck dependent winning streak"

You keep believing that desert boy...

You keep believing that desert boy...
- NickPapajorgio

I agree. Ducks had great depth. I won my hockey pool on the strength of perry and getzlaf, but it killed me seeing the number of goals from their 2nd 3rd liners on a reg basis (because I didn't have them in my pool lol).

I'll disagree on TB. I think that Cooper will have a harder time coaching now that he's not surprising teams anymore and I don't think it's reasonable to think bishop has the same success he had last year. Not that bishop will b bad. Just won't be THAT good again and that will drop TB into 3rd in division or wildcard territory IMO.

Hawks and Wings SCF. Original Six match up.

Hawks and Wings SCF. Original Six match up.
- YzermanIsTheMan

And you say tanner is crazy

And you say tanner is crazy
- Yeti1181

When Tampa was good it was because if there D and the trap system, combined with one of the best players in the NHL in Stamkoes.

They will not be a Cup favorite BUT a good regular season team. Just like Pitt, Wash, San Jose, etc.

Typical "hipster" pick. Everyone that WISHES for turnover will make Tampa the sexy pick this year along with Dallas.
Buffalo, Ottawa....everyone said the same about these two teams over the last three teams.

And somehow the argument that "just because" is good enough to unseat the Bruins.

These new things called "advanced stats" are showing why teams like Bos, LA, St. Louis, and Chicago are on top, hell even NY Rags.

To simply say that teams that have been tops in the NHL in GA and GF AND possession are going to somehow drop off it delusional.
Why...? Because they are going to forget how to be good?

Pens, Wash, San Jose, etc. are teams that rely on ALL talent not a system and will drop off with time.

LA, Chi, St. Louis, Bos, NY, etc. have skill, but have systems too.....these teams will not be going anywhere.

Less luck is needed when you have a possession and D system....maybe people will start to smarten up and realize that it's not all about top picked talent and superstars.....because if it was Edmonton would be the team to beat.

Jim

You think Edmonton makes the playoffs? Who are they displacing? Minny.. Colorado? You think they have a better chance than Van?

When Tampa was good it was because if there D and the trap system, combined with one of the best players in the NHL in Stamkoes.

They will not be a Cup favorite BUT a good regular season team. Just like Pitt, Wash, San Jose, etc.

Typical "hipster" pick. Everyone that WISHES for turnover will make Tampa the sexy pick this year along with Dallas.
Buffalo, Ottawa....everyone said the same about these two teams over the last three teams.

And somehow the argument that "just because" is good enough to unseat the Bruins.

These new things called "advanced stats" are showing why teams like Bos, LA, St. Louis, and Chicago are on top, hell even NY Rags.

To simply say that teams that have been tops in the NHL in GA and GF AND possession are going to somehow drop off it delusional.
Why...? Because they are going to forget how to be good?

Pens, Wash, San Jose, etc. are teams that rely on ALL talent not a system and will drop off with time.

LA, Chi, St. Louis, Bos, NY, etc. have skill, but have systems too.....these teams will not be going anywhere.

Less luck is needed when you have a possession and D system....maybe people will start to smarten up and realize that it's not all about top picked talent and superstars.....because if it was Edmonton would be the team to beat.
- JIwasinskiJr

Tampa will be a great team because they have a top 5 defender and the 2nd best player in the world. Not to mention a great goalie and great depth.

And Fancy stats wise NYR isn't an elite team. Did you actually watch the Cup Finals? The Kings out possessed them badly every game except the one the Rangers won

Jim

You think Edmonton makes the playoffs? Who are they displacing? Minny.. Colorado? You think they have a better chance than Van?
- kneughter

Colorado could have an off year as that seems to be their pattern and not really sold on minny. Edmonton is in tough and will continue as they are in tough conference/division.

Colorado could have an off year as that seems to be their pattern and not really sold on minny. Edmonton is in tough and will continue as they are in tough conference/division.
- Yeti1181

Excuse me sir... my question was directed towards my friend Jimmy.

But I do agree with your assessment... I think Van has a good chance at squeaking in

Jim

You think Edmonton makes the playoffs? Who are they displacing? Minny.. Colorado? You think they have a better chance than Van?
- kneughter

I think this is the year the Oilers finally make use of all those sweet picks. In my opinion, no team with Eberle, Hall and RNH will ever miss the playoffs again.

Here's my top 8 for the West - not in any order, just the teams I think - today - will make the playoffs.

Stl, Chi, LA, Ana, Dal, AZ, Edm, Col

I think Van, Nash, Cal, MN, SJ, Wpg all miss.

Tampa will be a great team because they have a top 5 defender and the 2nd best player in the world. Not to mention a great goalie and great depth.

And Fancy stats wise NYR isn't an elite team. Did you actually watch the Cup Finals? The Kings out possessed them badly every game except the one the Rangers won
- Danformo

That's a pretty weak argument as to why they arent elite stats wise because they didn't out posses the Stanley Cup champs in the Stanley Cup final

Excuse me sir... my question was directed towards my friend Jimmy.

But I do agree with your assessment... I think Van has a good chance at squeaking in
- kneughter

I just want to fit in here

Tampa will be a great team because they have a top 5 defender and the 2nd best player in the world. Not to mention a great goalie and great depth.

And Fancy stats wise NYR isn't an elite team. Did you actually watch the Cup Finals? The Kings out possessed them badly every game except the one the Rangers won
- Danformo

For the love of god.....did the Rangers make it to the Cup finals....?

Yes, they did. And, if you look at possession stats they were top ten in the NHL.

So, being a good possession team, having the best goalie in the world, and a little luck...they mad it to the finals...no surprise.

And, top 5 defender.....? What are you smoking....? Even if that was true, how did it work out for Shea Weber, arguably the best D man in the NHL?

Great goalie, MAYBE.....remember Andersson? Need more than one season.

How is having one of the top players in the world working out for the Caps...?

All I am saying is that teams that have been on top AND lead in GA and Possession stats are STILL GOING TO BE THIS YEAR.

That's a pretty weak argument as to why they arent elite stats wise because they didn't out posses the Stanley Cup champs in the Stanley Cup final
- Yeti1181

Yes, but to call the Rangers an elite team? The BlackHawks, Sharks, Ducks, Kings were elite
NYR are a step below

For the love of god.....did the Rangers make it to the Cup finals....?

Yes, they did. And, if you look at possession stats they were top ten in the NHL.

So, being a good possession team, having the best goalie in the world, and a little luck...they mad it to the finals...no surprise.

And, top 5 defender.....? What are you smoking....? Even if that was true, how did it work out for Shea Weber, arguably the best D man in the NHL?

Great goalie, MAYBE.....remember Andersson? Need more than one season.

How is having one of the top players in the world working out for the Caps...?

All I am saying is that teams that have been on top AND lead in GA and Possession stats are STILL GOING TO BE THIS YEAR.
- JIwasinskiJr

So were the Lightning.

I think this is the year the Oilers finally make use of all those sweet picks. In my opinion, no team with Eberle, Hall and RNH will ever miss the playoffs again.

Here's my top 8 for the West - not in any order, just the teams I think - today - will make the playoffs.

Stl, Chi, LA, Ana, Dal, AZ, Edm, Col

I think Van, Nash, Cal, MN, SJ, Wpg all miss.
- James_Tanner

Anh has a much better chance of regressing than SJS, they gained a good 2nd line center and lost 2 good 3rd line C. They have two very young and inexperienced goaltenders and a Defense that is questionable. They lost depth on the wings and will be replacing it with youth which is always a gamble. Also like you mentioned they rode some insane shooting % last year. SJS might of faltered in the playoffs but they are a better built team from the forwards down.

Edmonton while they got better are not going to improve by 25 points in arguably the toughest division.
Min, Van, Col and Anh and Dal battle for the bottom spots and Stl, Chi, La, SJS are locks. Ari, Nash, Wpg, Cal, Edm are still in the bottom 5 slots.

So were the Lightning.
- Michael_Stuart

so were the canucks.......

I just want to fit in here
- Yeti1181

If he only knew

Anh has a much better chance of regressing than SJS, they gained a good 2nd line center and lost 2 good 3rd line C. They have two very young and inexperienced goaltenders and a Defense that is questionable. They lost depth on the wings and will be replacing it with youth which is always a gamble. Also like you mentioned they rode some insane shooting % last year. SJS might of faltered in the playoffs but they are a better built team from the forwards down.

Edmonton while they got better are not going to improve by 25 points in arguably the toughest division.
Min, Van, Col and Anh and Dal battle for the bottom spots and Stl, Chi, La, SJS are locks. Ari, Nash, Wpg, Cal, Edm are still in the bottom 5 slots.
- belcherbd

Edm is either:

a .500 team

or

blow it open and really provide a challenge to the top teams in the conference.

so were the canucks.......
- belcherbd

And the Habs were bottom 10 in corsi/fenwick and I wouldn't say they are a bad team or a exceptionally lucky one. New stats are just a tool in the big tool box. Not the end all be all, but it's trendy and that's why everyone is arguing over these stats.

For the love of god.....did the Rangers make it to the Cup finals....?

Yes, they did. And, if you look at possession stats they were top ten in the NHL.

So, being a good possession team, having the best goalie in the world, and a little luck...they mad it to the finals...no surprise.

And, top 5 defender.....? What are you smoking....? Even if that was true, how did it work out for Shea Weber, arguably the best D man in the NHL?

Great goalie, MAYBE.....remember Andersson? Need more than one season.

How is having one of the top players in the world working out for the Caps...?

All I am saying is that teams that have been on top AND lead in GA and Possession stats are STILL GOING TO BE THIS YEAR.
- JIwasinskiJr

I'm sorry but Hedman had a better season than almost every defender in the league, while the teams Best player was injured for a great portion.
Please go look at Hedman's fancy stats, 5v5 stats, and everything else before you get back to me.