Canadian standings predictions

At this point, I have no idea, this is fine. All the Canadian teams are pretty even (even Ottawa, though I'd be suprised if they don't finish last in the canadian division).

I think you’re underestimating the Flames tbh. They just added the guy who finished 4th in Vezina voting. Not sold that Winnipeg adding Stastny over Little makes them that much better than Calgary when they still haven’t addressed their defence. Also not sold that the Habs upgrades take them from 24th to better than a couple playoff teams this year, I think they should be fairly low on this list in the wild card conversation

The jets had little for 7 games. It’s more like adding stastny period and they have a lot of young talent who could turn around their back end fast. If heinola or Samberg both aren’t ready for top 4 (very unlikely at this point) the jets just go out and get a top 4 ld rental. Won’t cost more than a first. Then they are easily top 3.

I’m also not sold on the habs. Their power play didn’t get better and that was arguably their weakest point. They don’t have high end talent either (like that one superstar aside from price)

You are sleeping on the canucks and too high in the Canadiens imo. Demko proved he can play in the playoffs and they have holtby to ease him into the starting role. And they upgraded the d by adding Schmidt (easily their 2nd best d-man) and they have more talented kids coming up. Montreal lacks that one great talent to be a top3 seed imo. Even Vegas had guys like marscheshault (butchered that one) and karlsson. I don’t see any stars on montreal other than price

I just don’t think their young guys are quite ready to make a major impact and while yes, they could get a rental, they haven’t yet so it’s gonna be another long year of relying on Helle at this point and we can’t guarantee that they go out and do that. I also don’t think Stastny is necessarily a solid #2 anymore but he IS still an upgrade and their wingers are fantastic so it should still be a better team overall. I think they’re for sure top 4 in Canada, I’d say #3, and a playoff team, but I think they need a serious D upgrade (or Heinola and/or Samberg to play outstanding) to be better than Calgary.

I agree with you on the Habs, they should drop to 5 or 6 on this list. Domi out and a couple good wingers in should add a bit to their offense, especially if Suzuki and KK continue to develop, but you’re right in that they don’t really have a difference maker outside Price and adding 10-20 goals to this team up front mainly just makes them into competitors for a wildcard, not even guaranteed a playoff spot imo.

As for the Canucks, I don’t think a 3-game sample size should be taken as an indicator of how Demko will play all season given he was underwhelming for most of this year, and while I think Holtby can bounce back, Vancouver gives up a lot of shots and he hasn’t been that great for a couple years, so they’re definitely worse in net imo. Schmidt is an upgrade on Tanev but losing Stecher isn’t great, and losing Toffoli and not replacing him up front makes them worse offensively. It’s mostly cap issues, but I think they’re worse than last season, I’d probably have them at 4 in Canada.

Leafs/Flames/Jets/Canucks/Oilers/Habs/Sens