We're pretty much on the same page. CGY got career seasons from everyone. They're gonna regress. VAN is my team to watch. They've improved a lot on paper this summer. At the very least, they'll be playing meaningful games come March.

What makes you think Calgary misses?

I CALLED IT LMAOOOO

Looks like the tables have turned for the Sens too. Last years they gave up a lottery pick, this year it’s looking like they’ll get one.

@AndrewLadd, you are right.

Physic

Is byfeild as good as Byram

Better.

They can't keep pucks out of their own net and their SH% is low. Not sure if the goaltending will get substantially better, but the shooting percentages should go up as time goes on. The Pacific is pretty jumbled, and one hot streak is all they need to get right back in it. But the odds are stacked against them, given the history of teams being more than seven points out of a playoff spot after a month.

I think they can push for a wild card spot, but it's looking more and more likely that their not making the playoffs. They're in a worse place than St Louis was last year.

Could you imagine the Sens getting a top 3 pick from San Jose

Yeah the Sharks looked really good last night almost blowing a 3 goal lead in the final 3 mins. lol.

*Physics

You right

****, did I spell it wrong

Winners of 6 in a row. Beating some pretty good teams including the Oilers, Preds and Hawks. Really dominated the Oilers (granted it was Mike Smith)

I'm not saying they'll make the playoffs but they're one win away from fourth in the pacific and four points from 3rd, 6 points out of 2nd. The top six has picked it up ten-fold and the defense, since the return of Simek has been vastly improved and on top of everything, Jones has been pretty strong despite still having a low save percentage he has made some massive saves at key moments. Vlasic and Karlsson are both a plus +8 in their last five games, Vlasic in particular has returned to form making some very high end defensive plays and keeping McDavid off the scoresheet (he was on the ice with Connor nearly every shift)

Being that it's not even December and SJ is six points out of 2nd in the division and no team has been hotter in the last two weeks I'd say making the playoffs is a pretty strong possibility. And, if they make an upgrade, trade for a top six RW then I'd say they'll make a convincing run for the division. Also, getting a new backup couldn't hurt as Jones has started 6 in a row, looks the coaching staff has lost faith in Dell who has been pretty terrible for the last year.

Labanc, Meier and Hertl in particular have really stepped up. Hertl is now a point per game player and Meier is playing like a real top power forward finally. Kane has been doing it all year with 12 goals now. Couture has been better and now has 21 points in 21 games.

Simek's return cant be overlooked. He's not a Norris candidate by any means. But he allows the D Pairs to be what they really should be. It's not easy partnering with Burns and Simek fills that role with ease. He brings a physical edge and wins a lot of battles along the walls. The real surprise this year is the strong play of Mario Ferraro, playing on his off-side with Dillon. He's been super physical, he's quick and very responsible. Ferraro will definitely be a staple on the Sharks D for many years to come.

As a Sharks fan i have felt the low's of the season and watched every game with critical eyes. This is not the same team the league saw three weeks back. Not really even close.

I did make this comment before the Sharks began their recent surge. I must admit I'm surprised, especially with the way they've committed to defense. I didn't think they had it in them. Still a long ways to go, but the fact that the West is so bunched together w/ so many teams hovering around .500 will help them tremendously. It might only take 85-86 points to sneak into the playoffs and obviously anything can happen once they get there.

I know the Sharks still have some issues to overcome, but look at teams like NSH, WPG, CGY, and even Vegas. All 4 are underachieving big time right now and these teams are all playing particularly poor hockey right now. How bad has Rinne been lately?

I understand your point but I could make the same case for SJ. They started poorly and are now beginning to play like the team they should be. We'll see how it all unfolds of course, this six game win streak could be a flash in the pan but I am willing to wager that a team featuring Karlsson, Burns, Couture, Meier, Hertl and Kane probably isn't going to slump like they did 3 weeks ago again.

I might've misread that comment. Rinne has been awful, Vegas is losing a lot of close games and Calgary might actually be that bad this year. The Sharks lucked out that the west has been underachieving. VAN will slow down I think and Edmonton is one trade away from being absolutely a contender. Interesting times are ahead.