Sean Maloughney: Ranking an All Canadian Division

The Jets D core remains virtually the same?? Well not really, Demelo only played 13 games after being acquired at the deadline and he absolutely helped, a full season Of Demelo won’t hurt. Heinola and Samberg are two very good prospects that are both good enough to start the year on the team. So I do have hope for improvement

Wide open division, even Ottawa isn't guarenteed to be last.

I see Montreal still as weak and Toronto still with big holes. Having those 1 2 is strange imo. But just as good as anything because Predicting that division is hopeless.

Edmonton
Winnipeg
Calgary
Toronto
Vancouver
Montreal
Ottawa

How Many teams make the playoffs from the Canadian Division, 4 of 7?

Montreal ahead of Oilers, Nucks and Flames? All 3 of them? Gimmie a break, they finished like 12th in the east last year.

They're also the only of the 4 teams to take serious steps forward regarding their roster.

Edmonton improved it depth up front, but did not address the goaltending.
Kelfbom out and Barrie in is a downgrade defensively.
$10m spent on 3 players (Neal, Kass, Chai) that don't fit the top 9.
PP should remain top 10, but PK will drop.

CGY gets a starter for once.
Rittich was fine to start but tailed off.
Marky had a decent season and strong playoff.
Replaced 2/3 of the 4th line that couldn't score much.
Added a decent depth piece in Leivo.
Downgraded from Brodie, but Hamonic was more of a problem.
Valimaki and Nesterov are better than 3rd pairing.

Toronto is still dependent on Freddie.
Added Jumbo Joe and Simmonds.
Should have no issues scoring.
Replaced Barrie with Brodie, which helps defensively.

Each of those three improved, but it comes down to records in all-Canadian games.
Last season was a mixed bag for the Oilers, Flames and Leafs.
Flames 3-1 in games against the Oilers, 2-1 against Van and 2-0 against the Leafs.
Oilers 2-2 against Nucks and 1-1 against the Leafs.

Overall, I would rank them:
Leafs
Flames
Oilers
Habs
Jets
Nucks

A competitive division but every teams has holes or issues & definitely warts. It could end up in any order other than the Sens still in the basement.

Sens will be spoilers & could be the team that derails at least one team from doing as good as they expect.

I start with the Leafs at 1st whether I like it or not. Offence will power them but team D play could still make them drop as far as 4th. Classic regular season team that isn’t well built to play in the crunch.

Habs I also pick as 2nd but tbh almost any team could be ranked here outside of the Sens. Placed here only cuz imo the most balanced team. Age & injuries & they could drop as low as 5th.

3rd is a pick em between the other 6 other than the Sens. Oilers get my nod but could be anywhere from 1st to 4th. In goal they are below average.

4th is where any of the above could drop to but I put it as a toss up for Vancouver & Calgary. I just don’t see the Flames getting out of neutral. 3rd at best. The Canucks took a hit on losing good vets. Flames are in win now mode but are mediocre. Canucks need prospects to make an impact which is asking a lot could be as high as 2nd. Pick em for either for 4th & 5th.

6th is Winnipeg. My pick that could be most underrated & could be either dominant or big struggles. Helly needs a Vezina season. Very easily could come in 2nd.

7th is the Sens. The most fun bottom feeder in the NHL. The kids make this the reason. Much too young & inexperienced at C. The D could make them spoilers & the young guns growth will be their focus.

Canucks 5th, funny they'll probably win the division. Toffoli didnt even play in playoffs, Demko played better in playoffs, and there defense is better this year. Pettersson and Hughes 1 year more experienced. Holtby under Ian Clark may return to form.

Toronto
Vancouver
Calgary
Edmonton
Winnipeg
Montreal
Ottawa

Edmonton improved it depth up front, but did not address the goaltending.
Kelfbom out and Barrie in is a downgrade defensively.
$10m spent on 3 players (Neal, Kass, Chai) that don't fit the top 9.
PP should remain top 10, but PK will drop.

CGY gets a starter for once.
Rittich was fine to start but tailed off.
Marky had a decent season and strong playoff.
Replaced 2/3 of the 4th line that couldn't score much.
Added a decent depth piece in Leivo.
Downgraded from Brodie, but Hamonic was more of a problem.
Valimaki and Nesterov are better than 3rd pairing.

Toronto is still dependent on Freddie.
Added Jumbo Joe and Simmonds.
Should have no issues scoring.
Replaced Barrie with Brodie, which helps defensively.

Each of those three improved, but it comes down to records in all-Canadian games.
Last season was a mixed bag for the Oilers, Flames and Leafs.
Flames 3-1 in games against the Oilers, 2-1 against Van and 2-0 against the Leafs.
Oilers 2-2 against Nucks and 1-1 against the Leafs.

Overall, I would rank them:
Leafs
Flames
Oilers
Habs
Jets
Nucks
- Traveldude

Dunno man, this is mostly opinions and not facts. We added 3 top 9 forwards in Kahun, Turris and Jesse P. Not sure why you care about our fourth liners? We also added Ennis and Yamo who were not here last October who will play top 6. We have the same goalies as last year when we finished top Canadian team and 2nd in the pacific. Kosk finished with the exact same numbers as your hero Markstrom.

Edmonton improved it depth up front, but did not address the goaltending.
Kelfbom out and Barrie in is a downgrade defensively.
$10m spent on 3 players (Neal, Kass, Chai) that don't fit the top 9.
PP should remain top 10, but PK will drop.

CGY gets a starter for once.
Rittich was fine to start but tailed off.
Marky had a decent season and strong playoff.
Replaced 2/3 of the 4th line that couldn't score much.
Added a decent depth piece in Leivo.
Downgraded from Brodie, but Hamonic was more of a problem.
Valimaki and Nesterov are better than 3rd pairing.

Toronto is still dependent on Freddie.
Added Jumbo Joe and Simmonds.
Should have no issues scoring.
Replaced Barrie with Brodie, which helps defensively.

Each of those three improved, but it comes down to records in all-Canadian games.
Last season was a mixed bag for the Oilers, Flames and Leafs.
Flames 3-1 in games against the Oilers, 2-1 against Van and 2-0 against the Leafs.
Oilers 2-2 against Nucks and 1-1 against the Leafs.

Overall, I would rank them:
Leafs
Flames
Oilers
Habs
Jets
Nucks
- Traveldude

Valimaki is a complete unknown at this time. He looked to be a potential top 4 before his injury. But it is unknown how he will show up. Nesterov who? The guy who's career high in the NHL is 13 points, is an upgrade on Brodie (career low is 14 points in his 2nd season) or Hamonic, who has a reputation of being one of the tougher guys league wide to play against... but the guy from the KHL will be better. Might i interest you in one Anton Belov if thats the case.

Valimaki is a complete unknown at this time. He looked to be a potential top 4 before his injury. But it is unknown how he will show up. Nesterov who? The guy who's career high in the NHL is 13 points, is an upgrade on Brodie (career low is 14 points in his 2nd season) or Hamonic, who has a reputation of being one of the tougher guys league wide to play against... but the guy from the KHL will be better. Might i interest you in one Anton Belov if thats the case.
- wreckage

In fairness, Valimaki is lighting up the Liiga so there's at least some cause for his excitement. Doesn't mean I'd call it an upgrade but, if he can be done with his injuries, Valimaki could make the loss of Brodie tolerable while Tanev replacing Hamonic should be at least a wash.

Calgary
Toronto
Edmonton
Vancouver
Winnipeg
Ottawa
Montreal

Book it!

Edmonton
Toronto
Vancouver
Calgary
Winnipeg
Ottawa
Montreal

Book it!
- K-man25

Bang on Kman!!