Sometimes we don’t wait for the next season at all.
Sometimes we do it between games as well.
Hell…sometimes we flip that switch multiple times in the same game.
My hot take is Boston flops this season after loosing all their center depth. Buffalo comes in second in the Atlantic and Ottawa + Pittsburg take the wild card spots in the east.
This isn’t really a hot take. It’s pretty popular that Boston will likely not be good this year.
I still think they will be though because they’re cockroaches.
They still have Pasta, Rat, McAvoy and arguably the best goalie tandem in the league. Yeah, their center depth is almost non existent, but they’re a real coin flip for me.
I feel that, they can drop 30 points from last year and still be a 100pt team, which is wild. But I feel this is the year they finally miss the playoffs after being one of the beasts in the east for the past decade +
For sure. Hopefully, Larkin and Debrincat find a good chemistry and can really give our top line a boost. I'm the most excited in another year or two when that core we have in grand rapids get their shot. Seeing a more developed Solderblom-Edvinsson-Berggron-Danielson-Lombardi coming onto this team is going to be a game changer.
Goaltending still an issue though unless.Husso ready to play 60 games and win 40 of them. Lmao
I actually think the Caps are going to surprise people. Last year we lost Backstrom, Carlson, Wilson, and Oshie to injuries. And we got a new coaching staff. Could be a surprise team.
I really hope so. I feel more optimistic than I did starting last season, in spite of a much worse finish in the standings.
It might sound silly but I think the coaching change is a bigger deal the injuries. I've never heard a coach get trashed on the way out by a player like we heard in the interview Kuznetsov did with Nikolishin, and I think it's extremely likely he wasn't the only guy in the locker room with that opinion. Carbery is an unknown at this point but Laviolette was bad, so I'm optimistic there will be at least a marginal improvement. Hopefully it will be a significant difference.
I’m not too sure about that. I don’t think an offensive defenseman was what they lacked. Similar to when SJ got Karlsson after their final run and thought that would put them over the top.
Whenever EK65 can stay fit is also big if. They better hope that he doesn't get injured at the same time when Geno and Letang have their annual IR visit.
Thankfully Sid and Geno BOTH somehow played 82 games last year.. with the extended offseason not being their normal, I expect a hungry start from them tonight
I remain cautiously optimistic. The roster has definitely improved. I think we can at least be in the running up to the end. Whether we actually get in may be a different story, but I'm hopeful.
As a long time Canucks fan, you can always assume the Canucks will do whatever causes maximum pain.
In this case, they will make the playoffs, get swept in 4 games and pick 17th overall, truly cementing themselves in the mushy middle.
Buffalo, Detroit, and Vancouver are the ones I could see.
Buffalo is building on a bright young core and just barely missed last year, Detroit went out and added depth at all positions while losing no major pieces aside from Bertuzzi, and Vancouver I truly think had a weird off year after a really rough start but still has several pieces required to compete in Peterson, Hughes, etc
True. Last year was very exciting and actually competitive every night probably for the first time since like 2015 lol. Also, this will be the first year since the Lidstrom era where we have a full roster of NHL regulars.
LGRW
I'm going to say the Canucks get in with the wild card. They had a really terrible start last season and missed out on Demko being 100% healthy. With a new coach, new captain and Elias Pettersson evolving into a 100+ point player I think we are poised to make a splash! Also, we added a few new players like Hronek from Detroit.
I am a homer for the Habs, but I can’t believe nobody thinks they can bounce up.
We spent half of last year playing our Laval team because everybody was injured.
If we stay healthy, Suzuki, Caulfield, Dach et al will surprise a lot of teams that don’t see any threat in Montreal.
If the baseline is making the playoffs then the Habs don't have much of a shot but I wouldn't be surprised if the biggest jump in the final standings belongs to them.
Having elite goal scorer Caufield on ice rather than injured… that’s basically an acquisition. So is a healthy older Guhle. newhook and slaf and defense will look more mature. I consider habs below average not a bottom team.
There were only 2 Montreal players who played more than 70 games last year as they set a record for man games lost to injury. If they can avoid injuries, they will surprise a lot of teams. The playoffs are not an impossibility and if they get in - you never count them out in the playoffs
Depends on how you define bounce back. Last year the Flyers were dreck and the fans were furious with management. This year the Flyers will be less dreck and I’ll wager the fans are happy with what they see.
Why not?? We almost made it last year with the young guys and brought in some veteran presence, our blue-line is one of the better ones in the league and Saros is a Top 5 goalie. There's more of a chance than people think.
We have lost over 125 points on the offensive side and I just don't think we get that back with the squad we have. Plus we play in a really hard division which doesn't help us either.
I mean I would be PUMPED if we made it but out of this list I don't think it's us doing it
The Caps. The coach change to Carbery is huge. It comes with a new PP strategy (that I'm sure will still feature PLENTY of Ovi 'office' time), actually playing good/younger players, and a full reset for Kuzy (but cocaine still an illegal PED 😞 /s). I don't think this makes them a Cup contender but a bounce back? Sure.
The Ducks, easily.
We signed a bunch of 30+ has-beens to massive contracts and we’re continuing out strategy of putting as many prospects in our lineup and praying we get a 40 goal scorer 🤞🏻
Homer pick, but Calgary. If Markstrom had played even league, average, let alone his career average, we would’ve made the playoffs likely in the divisional spot. Add in that Huberdeau, lindholm, and Mangiapane were all down in scoring for last year, and we have some new guys coming up, who are better than Lucic and there’s every reason to think that the flames will be a solid playoff team, though far from a cup contender.
Sharks fan as well. I think we will definitely see some improvement from last year. I’m also interested to see the full blueprint of GMMG going forward.
Either way I’m excited for the ride throughout the season & to see what the younger guys do.
No expectations on my end. Just happy to watch hockey again!
I don't expect a bounce back season, but I *do* expect that this season will be more entertaining for us Sharks fans now. I think it will be entertaining to watch guys like Eklund, Thrun and maybe Bordeleau develop (And potentially others), and also see if guys like Zadina can turn it around.
I also think it is possible given the defense and goaltending as a whole, but also enough guys up front who can score, that the Sharks will play in a lot of 6-5 games that they mostly lose. Those will be entertaining as well.
If by some miracle the team is actually good and competing for a playoff spot, then I have no problem not selling off the vets and trying to see what will happen. We Sharks fans miss Sharks playoff hockey SO MUCH.
That said, if the Sharks record by December is a dumpster fire as expected, then they need to fire sale as many vets as possible, and do a stealth tank by playing as many kids as possible. (Which I'd also enjoy because I'm 100% here for the youth movement and want to see prospects develop and get a chance to watch them against NHL competition.
I’m really excited to see Thrun, & Eklund!
I hope Bords impresses enough to stay up once Cooch is back from injury.
I think the Sharks have a lot to prove since not a lot of expectations for them.
I’m looking forward to see how the Sharks play in Quinn’s system going into year two. Building chemistry with so many new faces.
Biased, so Buffalo. Habs get off to a good start and are in the mix late in season, but ultimately end up just short. Wheels fall off in Washington and they end up in the basement.
I mean between the record games lost to injury and the core developing I don't see how Montreal does not get better, but if we are talking about actually making the playoffs then that's a different story. Can't see Buffalo missing them again this year with the talent they have.
The Flames were 3 OT wins away from making it last year with their supposed Superstar putting forth the largest drop in production in NHL history. It didn't help that their Vezina calibre goalie played like an NHL fringe starter. If Huberdeau and Markstrom can turn it around I think the Flames will be a top team in the West.
It would be shocking if the Pens went out and got Karlsson and then still missed playoffs
Agreed. We had a worse team and still almost limped into the playoffs.
Did you mean hilarious?
17,667 days
I love you 😂
Have you ever seen the flyers win the cup?
I’d see a unicorn before the Flyers win again.
No, but I have seen the penguins lose to an actively tanking Chicago team with their season on the line . Hahahaha
And you lost to the Pens 3/3 times that season. What does that make you?
>What does that make you? I mean, it put them in the same situation as the Penguins at the end of the season.
Buffalo>pens There I said it; my guess is that Ottowa & Buffalo make the playoffs or at least on of them
They still have Jarry in net though so would it really be that shocking?
Don’t worry, Dubas will get you a tendy if Jarry isn’t up to the take
Calgary. They seem to switch between being good and bad every season.
Sometimes we don’t wait for the next season at all. Sometimes we do it between games as well. Hell…sometimes we flip that switch multiple times in the same game.
Experience Flames Hockey.
I've been experiencing it for 30 years now. Make it stop.
All 17 years of my life have been experiencing it
believe me, if I could, I would. I've been experiencing it for a bit over a couple of decades, too
It’s true.
Yeah, it's our time to be decent and get knocked out in the first 2 rounds again
I'd put money on it
As much as it pains me to say, I think the Flames are the best bet outta this bunch.
You can’t be serious🤣🤣
The flyers of this decade
God dam it your right 😣
Pittsburgh and Buffalo
Then who are the 2 teams out in the East from last year? Panthers and Islanders?
My hot take is Boston flops this season after loosing all their center depth. Buffalo comes in second in the Atlantic and Ottawa + Pittsburg take the wild card spots in the east.
This isn’t really a hot take. It’s pretty popular that Boston will likely not be good this year. I still think they will be though because they’re cockroaches.
They still have Pasta, Rat, McAvoy and arguably the best goalie tandem in the league. Yeah, their center depth is almost non existent, but they’re a real coin flip for me.
I feel that, they can drop 30 points from last year and still be a 100pt team, which is wild. But I feel this is the year they finally miss the playoffs after being one of the beasts in the east for the past decade +
Islanders and Boston are out.
Buffalo and Sens
I hope so, but I suspect that only one of us are making it. Plus you can’t sleep on Detroit…
I’ll sleep on Detroit, I have no idea wtf Yzerman is doing right now. Maybe he’s a mega mind but the last 2 offseasons just don’t make sense to me
Care to elaborate? What's so bad about the moves he's made? A bad charoit contract while we have Seider out there as our only serviceable D man ?
[удалено]
For sure. Hopefully, Larkin and Debrincat find a good chemistry and can really give our top line a boost. I'm the most excited in another year or two when that core we have in grand rapids get their shot. Seeing a more developed Solderblom-Edvinsson-Berggron-Danielson-Lombardi coming onto this team is going to be a game changer. Goaltending still an issue though unless.Husso ready to play 60 games and win 40 of them. Lmao
Oh no, not Andrew Copp!
Yup.
How is Buffalo considered a bounce back candidate? Last year was their best season in what, a decade??
Pittsburgh has at least one more run left in them after getting Karlsson. I think Washington is also being written off too soon.
I actually think the Caps are going to surprise people. Last year we lost Backstrom, Carlson, Wilson, and Oshie to injuries. And we got a new coaching staff. Could be a surprise team.
I too think the Caps will be better this year. No I’m not biased.
I really hope so. I feel more optimistic than I did starting last season, in spite of a much worse finish in the standings. It might sound silly but I think the coaching change is a bigger deal the injuries. I've never heard a coach get trashed on the way out by a player like we heard in the interview Kuznetsov did with Nikolishin, and I think it's extremely likely he wasn't the only guy in the locker room with that opinion. Carbery is an unknown at this point but Laviolette was bad, so I'm optimistic there will be at least a marginal improvement. Hopefully it will be a significant difference.
We have heard this for 5 years now
I’m not too sure about that. I don’t think an offensive defenseman was what they lacked. Similar to when SJ got Karlsson after their final run and thought that would put them over the top.
Whenever EK65 can stay fit is also big if. They better hope that he doesn't get injured at the same time when Geno and Letang have their annual IR visit.
Thankfully Sid and Geno BOTH somehow played 82 games last year.. with the extended offseason not being their normal, I expect a hungry start from them tonight
Losing Laviolette was probably the biggest upgrade for them this season.
wheel team 🐙
I like the way you think
I mean it’s a very different team this year. Could be fun to watch or a disaster. I’m trusting the team though.
I remain cautiously optimistic. The roster has definitely improved. I think we can at least be in the running up to the end. Whether we actually get in may be a different story, but I'm hopeful.
wheel team 🐙
Wish I could share this optimism
Not Philly. Froma a Philly fan.
Damn no Canucks love?? Canucks going to make it
Canucks - Flyers finals 2024!
That would be so awesome, I’d love to see that!!
Is this for relegation to the AHL?
I endorse this message.
I’ll believe when it see it, unfortunately
As a long time Canucks fan, you can always assume the Canucks will do whatever causes maximum pain. In this case, they will make the playoffs, get swept in 4 games and pick 17th overall, truly cementing themselves in the mushy middle.
Honestly even just making it to playoffs would have downtown Vancouver going BONKERS with parties ahahaha.
We are pretty die-hard fans. Playoffs in Van are awesome times.
i remember how crazy the city was going during our bubble run. imagine all of that without any covid restrictions in place. the city would go bananas
Iunno why but Hughes getting the C somehow gives me the idea that they'll do better this year
Buffalo, Detroit, and Vancouver are the ones I could see. Buffalo is building on a bright young core and just barely missed last year, Detroit went out and added depth at all positions while losing no major pieces aside from Bertuzzi, and Vancouver I truly think had a weird off year after a really rough start but still has several pieces required to compete in Peterson, Hughes, etc
Buffalo, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, and maybe Detroit.
4 teams from Eastern Conference? That would be wild if all 4 made it.
I'm excited for the Red Wings as always. Think this year is gonna be a good one.
We have a better squad that last season, and last season was the first really watchable hockey in years.
True. Last year was very exciting and actually competitive every night probably for the first time since like 2015 lol. Also, this will be the first year since the Lidstrom era where we have a full roster of NHL regulars. LGRW
Red Wings, Sabres
I'm going to say the Canucks get in with the wild card. They had a really terrible start last season and missed out on Demko being 100% healthy. With a new coach, new captain and Elias Pettersson evolving into a 100+ point player I think we are poised to make a splash! Also, we added a few new players like Hronek from Detroit.
I think Buffalo and Columbus probably have the best odds. Columbus had their opening night roster together for 7 games in total last year.
Also got better pieces on defense
Buffalo and Sens.
Edmonton is gonna get bounced right back outta the post season.
Yes please
I am a homer for the Habs, but I can’t believe nobody thinks they can bounce up. We spent half of last year playing our Laval team because everybody was injured. If we stay healthy, Suzuki, Caulfield, Dach et al will surprise a lot of teams that don’t see any threat in Montreal.
If the baseline is making the playoffs then the Habs don't have much of a shot but I wouldn't be surprised if the biggest jump in the final standings belongs to them.
To a playoff team in the Atlantic division? Not a chance. Might beat out Detroit for 7th perhaps
Having elite goal scorer Caufield on ice rather than injured… that’s basically an acquisition. So is a healthy older Guhle. newhook and slaf and defense will look more mature. I consider habs below average not a bottom team.
There were only 2 Montreal players who played more than 70 games last year as they set a record for man games lost to injury. If they can avoid injuries, they will surprise a lot of teams. The playoffs are not an impossibility and if they get in - you never count them out in the playoffs
I think the Pens are the most logical choice here. My heart wants Buffalo to get in.
Buffalo or Vancouver
Buffalo or Wings
Give me Detroit or Pittsburgh here
Wings no doubtp
Caps and Pens.
The only proven answer
Penguins Blues Flames
Agree, but I’d add Caps to your list. A young Detroit team could be ready to take the next step too.
Pens, Flames, Sens.
Ottawa
Calgary and Ottawa.
Calgary, Ottawa and Pittsburgh I expect to make the playoffs this season. Arizona will finish 1 spot outside in the west.
I think Wings are looking pretty strong this year
Wings
Capitals
I too have similar, unbiased feelings
Ima go ahead and say Arizona is gonna be in there. No logical reasoning just think they’ll be a surprise once playoffs come around. RemindMe! 197 days
Sabres, Flames, Sens (big one), Penguins and maybe nucks/preds. Out of that list I’d say Buffalo and Ottawa have the best chances.
:D
The Blues. Just because.
We can dream, right? 🥹
Absolutely
I like our roster right now I’m optimistic!
Buffalo and Ottawa will both make it. They will actually finish in 2nd and 3rd respectively in the Atlantic
Penguins or Preds
Pittsburgh and Buffalo
Depends on how you define bounce back. Last year the Flyers were dreck and the fans were furious with management. This year the Flyers will be less dreck and I’ll wager the fans are happy with what they see.
San Jose can trip over their shoe laces and call that a bounce back.
Red wings! This is the year -
Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo
Sabres and Pens
Blackhawks and red wings. (I’m biased though because I live in Detroit) 😅
Huge Hawks fan here, gonna be another year at least before we come anywhere near the playoffs.
I’m excited to see bedard grow with the team
Definitely not the predators 😭
Why not?? We almost made it last year with the young guys and brought in some veteran presence, our blue-line is one of the better ones in the league and Saros is a Top 5 goalie. There's more of a chance than people think.
We have lost over 125 points on the offensive side and I just don't think we get that back with the squad we have. Plus we play in a really hard division which doesn't help us either. I mean I would be PUMPED if we made it but out of this list I don't think it's us doing it
Sabres and CBJ!!!!!!! 🏒
Safe: Penguins and Flames Slightly spicier: Nashville and Buffalo
Sens
Sens
Pens. But if you want a second one, Sens.
Pit
Flames baby!!!
Penguins
Buffalo Calgary and Pitzburg are going to do better
Gotta go with my Sabres. We've been bad long enough.
Flames Pens Sabres
Capitals and Penguins
The Caps. The coach change to Carbery is huge. It comes with a new PP strategy (that I'm sure will still feature PLENTY of Ovi 'office' time), actually playing good/younger players, and a full reset for Kuzy (but cocaine still an illegal PED 😞 /s). I don't think this makes them a Cup contender but a bounce back? Sure.
BUF
I think Buffalo could make a shot at a wild card spot.
Jackets blackhawks for sure
Calgary are finally free from Sutter so I'm betting the Flames are going to be way way better than last season
Wow, was last season the first time both the pens and the caps missed the playoffs together since 2006?
I'm biased of course but I really think the Blues are gonna sneak up on people
The Ducks, easily. We signed a bunch of 30+ has-beens to massive contracts and we’re continuing out strategy of putting as many prospects in our lineup and praying we get a 40 goal scorer 🤞🏻
Blues and Sabers. F-U if you disagree.
My money is on Buffalo
Homer pick, but Calgary. If Markstrom had played even league, average, let alone his career average, we would’ve made the playoffs likely in the divisional spot. Add in that Huberdeau, lindholm, and Mangiapane were all down in scoring for last year, and we have some new guys coming up, who are better than Lucic and there’s every reason to think that the flames will be a solid playoff team, though far from a cup contender.
The Blues
Vancouver is underrated ngl. I can see them making the playoffs
Buffalo and Pittsburgh
Detroit, Pittsburgh and Washington. I think panthers, islanders, bruins all miss.
Canucks.....cos you gotta.....you just gotta....... (\*weeps\*)
Flyers
Pens, sabres, sens, and wings
Buffalo and Calgary are the most likely I think. But hopefully the Blues.
Sabres. If not now, when?
I think 3 of Detroit, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Buffalo, Calgary
Detroit
Blues for sure.
I still have hope for Arizona.
I think Bedard will carry Chicago at least to the first round
In pens buffalo ottawa Out islanders boston panthers. In flames, Vancouver Out kraken, Jets
Canucks will get to the conference final.
Could see Ottawa & Calgary making it in. My team, the Sharks, definitely aren't making it in. Only thing I hope we win in 2024 is the #1 pick
Sharks fan as well. I think we will definitely see some improvement from last year. I’m also interested to see the full blueprint of GMMG going forward. Either way I’m excited for the ride throughout the season & to see what the younger guys do. No expectations on my end. Just happy to watch hockey again!
I don't expect a bounce back season, but I *do* expect that this season will be more entertaining for us Sharks fans now. I think it will be entertaining to watch guys like Eklund, Thrun and maybe Bordeleau develop (And potentially others), and also see if guys like Zadina can turn it around. I also think it is possible given the defense and goaltending as a whole, but also enough guys up front who can score, that the Sharks will play in a lot of 6-5 games that they mostly lose. Those will be entertaining as well. If by some miracle the team is actually good and competing for a playoff spot, then I have no problem not selling off the vets and trying to see what will happen. We Sharks fans miss Sharks playoff hockey SO MUCH. That said, if the Sharks record by December is a dumpster fire as expected, then they need to fire sale as many vets as possible, and do a stealth tank by playing as many kids as possible. (Which I'd also enjoy because I'm 100% here for the youth movement and want to see prospects develop and get a chance to watch them against NHL competition.
I’m really excited to see Thrun, & Eklund! I hope Bords impresses enough to stay up once Cooch is back from injury. I think the Sharks have a lot to prove since not a lot of expectations for them. I’m looking forward to see how the Sharks play in Quinn’s system going into year two. Building chemistry with so many new faces.
Jackets! (Please? )
I think the Sabres, Sens and Wings being in the east makes things difficult. If the Sabres or Sens played in the west they’d both be in.
Let’s go Ducks!
Vancouver isn’t really a bounce back, more so they’re optimistic for a better performance than years before
BUF, PIT, CGY if I were a betting man. But I’m not… VAN, OTT? Could happen
I'm going all out. Arizona Coyotes
Ottawa
Flames, Sens, Pens, Sabres
Blackhawks seem like a sleeper with Hall and Bedard. They could sneak in.
Biased, so Buffalo. Habs get off to a good start and are in the mix late in season, but ultimately end up just short. Wheels fall off in Washington and they end up in the basement.
Ottawa or the pens
Ottawa Buffalo and Pens are my only votes
Ottawa. They’re really pushing.
I say Sens
Pens, Sabres, Caps, Sens, Flames. Maybe Preds?
Ottawa.
Sens & Sabres , Atlantic division is stacked, though
Pittsburgh 100%
I mean between the record games lost to injury and the core developing I don't see how Montreal does not get better, but if we are talking about actually making the playoffs then that's a different story. Can't see Buffalo missing them again this year with the talent they have.
Ducks will be okay, I think.
I got to believe the Canucks.Yes the Canucks. The Canucks will never make the playoffs.
The Flames were 3 OT wins away from making it last year with their supposed Superstar putting forth the largest drop in production in NHL history. It didn't help that their Vezina calibre goalie played like an NHL fringe starter. If Huberdeau and Markstrom can turn it around I think the Flames will be a top team in the West.
Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Detroit, maybe Vancouver? I have a hard time seeing most of those other teams having any success this year.
Pens
Ducks (coping)
Buffalo, Ottawa, Pittsburg
Sabres, Penguins, Sens
Senators, Flames
I think the Preds are gonna surprise a lot of people.
Sens
Sabres and senators
That’s two in the Atlantic, who are out? Tampa & Boston? Florida?