Eklund: EXACTLY What Will Happen in the Central Division...I think BUZZ @10am

Gee. Best projection I have seen ANYWHERE regarding the hawks...wish was true. But, don't buy what your selling. Hawks will be last or 2nd last in the Division. I WISH it wasn't true, but...it is what it is....

I can see the Hawks getting some good results through the season, but I think consistency & depth (plus goaltending if Craw is crook), will keep them near the bottom.

Thé Avs are my dark horse.

Many seem to be jumping on the Blues bandwagon. They made a lot of positive changes, but I'm not ready to say they're the second best team in the Central.I think the division comes down to Nashville and Winnipeg, with Winnipeg winning the division, and ultimately, the Cup.

The top three will be St.Louis Nashville and Winnipeg. 1st 2nd or 3rd it does not matter these teams will be close in the standings all year long.
Ek if you flipped the bottom four around you would a much more accurate prediction.

Blues score like they should with this lineup Allen will play with more confidence.

Chicago only goes as far as Crow takes them.

Winnipeg and Nashville will be right at the top with the Blues

Dallas is not finishing last if anyone finishes last it will be Minny

Blues
Jets
Preds
Stars
Avalanche
Hawks
Wild

As a Blues fan, I think they’ll be a real contender this season, but I think they nab 3rd in the division behind Winnipeg and Nashville. Best case scenario is if ROR and Tarasenko develop true chemistry, the kids turn out to be beasts like they look like they might, and Allen keeps his head in the game. If that happens, they may contend for the division title.

That said, I don’t think the Blues get a cup this year. I think next season, they might have a much better chance for a cup win when they’ve shed some weight from their cap, replaced it with another star, and all the kids have more experience under their belt.

Hawks finish last in the division and claim a lottery pick.

The party has been over for a long time.

The former elite stars still with the team (except for Kane) have nothing left in their heart or their bodies to ever reclaim their former level of performance. DeBrincat and Schmaltz are soft as chinchilla fur with no grit to support them, the bottom six a is group of has beens and wannabes, and the likelihood that Crawford returns at the level of play required to keep the team in games is very low. Ward is a sieve and the rest of the goalies in their system have AHL or less written all over them.

#embracethetank

Hawks will be better than people expect. Especially with a healthy Crawford(Who I am unsure is healthy or not atm). The Core of the team is aging but they are still there.

Hawks finish last in the division and claim a lottery pick.

The party has been over for a long time.

The former elite stars still with the team (except for Kane) have nothing left in their heart or their bodies to ever reclaim their former level of performance. DeBrincat and Schmaltz are soft as chinchilla fur with no grit to support them, the bottom six a is group of has beens and wannabes, and the likelihood that Crawford returns at the level of play required to keep the team in games is very low. Ward is a sieve and the rest of the goalies in their system have AHL or less written all over them.

#embracethetank
- Return of the Roar

This is realistic. It's a stretch to think they can still contend

Habs shouldve won last night, great start, as I was saying

Hawks will be better than people expect. Especially with a healthy Crawford(Who I am unsure is healthy or not atm). The Core of the team is aging but they are still there.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Crawford, not having played an NHL game since 12/2017, and only two days ago even medically cleared to practice......what is the chance of him returning to the form he had before he went on IR? I am going to say really low.

The "Core" no longer has Hossa, Hjalmarsson, or Oduya, who IMHO were key cogs.

Toews won't engage on the boards any more, Keith is saddled with age, a bad knee, and rookie of the moment to partner with, Seabrook is just glacial and no longer uses his body, and Crawford see above.

Kane is the only player left with elite game.

The rest of the roster is comprised of low-middle to low end players that likely wouldn't make the roster of a competitive team.

Time to rebuild.

Avs are back, it has been written therefore it is so

Hawks will be better than people expect. Especially with a healthy Crawford(Who I am unsure is healthy or not atm). The Core of the team is aging but they are still there.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

did you not see their projected lines for tonight? Look at them then come back

Blues score like they should with this lineup Allen will play with more confidence.

Chicago only goes as far as Crow takes them.

Winnipeg and Nashville will be right at the top with the Blues

Dallas is not finishing last if anyone finishes last it will be Minny

Blues
Jets
Preds
Stars
Avalanche
Hawks
Wild
- sycsam

Im not sold on Allen, hes such a rollercoaster of a guy the past few seasons, if he can keep his head out of his ass and preform to his abilities the Blues are a dangerous team.

Without Hutton the Blues wouldnt have gone to game 82 last year as a playoff hopeful. If allens locked in then the Blues are 3rd in the division wiht ease

If I knew Robby Fabbri would be healthy all season I would maybe have them as #1 in this division.

Yes, because Robby freakin Fabbri is the whole key to a chronically under performing team moving into 1st place ahead of the Jets. Please put down the crack pipe.

did you not see their projected lines for tonight? Look at them then come back
- DDM-Coga

They have four #5 defensemen.

Im not sold on Allen, hes such a rollercoaster of a guy the past few seasons, if he can keep his head out of his ass and preform to his abilities the Blues are a dangerous team.

Without Hutton the Blues wouldnt have gone to game 82 last year as a playoff hopeful. If allens locked in then the Blues are 3rd in the division wiht ease
- DDM-Coga

I will state what I have all offseason if the blues score goals for Allen he will play bettr. He tries to be perfect because the team would only score 2 goals or fewer for him and once he let one in he really started flailing about.

Which Allen is the real Allen last Regular season or the guy that stole a playoff series from Minnesota?

We are gonna find out this year

They have four #5 defensemen.
- BINGO!

yeah that roster if rough...and if they dont have crow back. Yikes

Also when are the Canes going to trade for Varly?

4th place! I'll TAKE IT!

yeah that roster if rough...and if they dont have crow back. Yikes

Also when are the Canes going to trade for Varly?
- DDM-Coga

Maybe when both Darling and Mrazek poop the bed.

If the Blues can score more than 2 while Allen is in net he should be fine.

Nashville
St. Louis
Winnipeg

For the top 3 (in no particular order).


Is it 7 yet? Been waiting damn near 6 months. LETS GO BLUES!

Im not sold on Allen, hes such a rollercoaster of a guy the past few seasons, if he can keep his head out of his ass and preform to his abilities the Blues are a dangerous team.

Without Hutton the Blues wouldnt have gone to game 82 last year as a playoff hopeful. If allens locked in then the Blues are 3rd in the division wiht ease
- DDM-Coga

bump

They have four #5 defensemen.
- BINGO!

Thats a stacked third pairing

#depth