Todd Cordell: Revisiting my 2017-18 Eastern Conference predictions

It was a long year Todd. I could barely watch.

It was a long year Todd. I could barely watch.
- Feds91Stammer

Me neither. I think the Wings were near the bottom of my most-watched list.

Side note, I dont think Eichel is as good as people think. And def not $10 mil a year good.

Me neither. I think the Wings were near the bottom of my most-watched list.
- ToddCordellVAN

I average 70+ games of theirs a year. This year it was less than 10.

Side note, I dont think Eichel is as good as people think. And def not $10 mil a year good.
- Leniwm1

I’m not a fan of his

I average 70+ games of theirs a year. This year it was less than 10.
- Feds91Stammer

No one on the Devils blog has any sympathy for Detroit. I still get PTSD flashbacks from watching 70+ games of the 14-15 team that featured Steve Bernier on the top pp, Stoatesariello, and Adam Henrique leading the team in scoring with 43 points. The Devils would have Connor McDavid right now if Schneider didn't put up a .925 sv% that season.

No one on the Devils blog has any sympathy for Detroit. I still get PTSD flashbacks from watching 70+ games of the 14-15 team that featured Steve Bernier on the top pp, Stoatesariello, and Adam Henrique leading the team in scoring with 43 points. The Devils would have Connor McDavid right now if Schneider didn't put up a .925 sv% that season.
- CaptCrankypants

Nobody is looking for sympathy...

Nobody is looking for sympathy...
- Feds91Stammer

Sympathy For The Devil

Nobody is looking for sympathy...
- Feds91Stammer

WHERE IS MR UNDERWOOD????

WHERE IS MR UNDERWOOD????
- smellmyfinger

I hear that he may be coming back very soon

Side note, I dont think Eichel is as good as people think. And def not $10 mil a year good.

Eichel sure looks like a star player to me. His ppg is fantastic, and he can battle in the corners with the best of them. Just needs to quit spraining his ankles and play a healthy 82 games to prove he is worth the big $$$

I hear that he may be coming back very soon
- Feds91Stammer

This makes me tingly in special places.

The Devils are a really weird case. Their offense was respectable, as I thought it'd be. The defense certainly had its share of issues. Cory Schneider had the worst year of his career. And yet the Devils drastically out-performed expectations. Taylor Hall playing at a MVP level was a big factor, no doubt, but I'm still not entirely sure how the Devils were as good as they were. I was way off on them.

-Todd Cordell

This is why the Devils need to keep adding quality pieces. They certainly seemed to over performed almost all season. Vegas is another team that is clearly greater then the sum of their parts. Eventually you expect things to even out a bit. So just because we snuck into the playoffs this year I sure wouldn't bank on it next year.

I'm guessing Schneider bounces back but I don't think you can expect more from anyone else. The kids (like Nico and Zacha) should tick up but I wouldn't expect much more from them. Shero needs to add some legit guys like Maroon and not done players like Stafford and Hayes.

I don't know much about NJ's prospect pipeline- what's the story on D help coming up?

I don't know much about NJ's prospect pipeline- what's the story on D help coming up?
- OzBolts

Signed a KHL guy last week. Was good enough to crack the Russian men's lineup for the gold medal, but realistically he will be a fringe NHL/AHL player. Otherwise I have low expectations for the D prospects in our system. Trades and Free agency are the brightest avenues at the moment.

I don't know much about NJ's prospect pipeline- what's the story on D help coming up?
- OzBolts

Nothing too spectacular. Steven Santini is probably the best they have but was sent down midway during the season. Then you have Kapla a college free agent signing and really not much else of note as far as guys ready to step in.

Serious question...

Why is Barry Melrose still employed and on TV?

Horrible player, horrible coach and a horrible,horribly biased and ignorant commentator.

Serious question...

Why is Barry Melrose still employed and on TV?

Horrible player, horrible coach and a horrible,horribly biased and ignorant commentator.
- Leniwm1

Many of the national broadcasters (except for Doc) are biased. Its sad but they are just drinking the cool-aid that the NHL made them. I watched most of the Caps/Pens and Caps/TB series and they seem to always be against the Caps.

Serious question...

Why is Barry Melrose still employed and on TV?

Horrible player, horrible coach and a horrible,horribly biased and ignorant commentator.
- Leniwm1

Because people like his hair