Quoting: Alfie11
Just a general thing to everyone posting, why is NYI the presumptive #1 in the Metro? They’ve finished higher than 4th in their division exactly once in the last 6 years, and literally haven’t won their division since the 80s. I would 100% agree that I think they’ll be the team from their division to reach the final four come playoff time, but they’re not a very good regular season team historically (particularly recent history, they were only 4th in their division this year and 5th the year before, barely squeaking in). In the regular season, the game is a lot more open and superstars shine, hence why McDavid and Draisaitl can drag an ECHL roster to the playoffs with home ice advantage. The Isles are built for playoff success with their defense-minded, lockdown style. I don’t think they’ll win the division, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them flirting with missing the playoffs altogether, like they have for the last two years. If they’re in they’re more likely than not to make the conference finals, but playoff style hockey (which the Isles excel at) is not sustainable for 82 games. I would have Washington (consistently an incredible regular season team) solidly ahead of them, Pittsburgh as well (Crosby+Malkin are the old McDavid+Draisaitl, although they have a slightly better supporting cast, if they’re healthy Sid and Geno aren’t missing the playoffs). If Hart bounces back then Philly could beat the Isles too, and there are arguments for the Canes and even the Rangers being better regular season teams (I’m personally not sold on Bear and DeAngelo replacing Hamilton yet and both their goalies are more band-aid than not, and the Rangers started adding playoff style character guys before they made the playoffs lol so I don’t know if they’re quite there either unless Laf/Kakko step up).
Quoting: Alfie11
I agree they’re very well rounded, but my point is that well rounded teams don’t always see regular season success. Superstars play a much bigger role in the regular season hence why prime Ovie+Backstrom/Sedins/MacKinnon+Rantanen etc. have racked up President’s trophies but not cups, and why Edmonton has finished 2nd in their division two years running. Barzal is excellent, but he’s not in that tier of superstar, and doesn’t have anyone of his calibre to play off of. The Isles will probably make the playoffs, but they’re not going to thrive. They’re the clear #1 in playoff hockey, but I would hesitate to put them higher than #2, more likely 3rd-5th, in the regular season.
I agree that the isles won’t finish 1st (I have them ending up at #2 or #3 in the metro) , but this is a much different team than two years ago. They have 8 forwards who can realistically score 20 goals and their defense should improve without Leddy, who was a complete liability the past two seasons and Trotz still played him 20 min a game. One of the Isles biggest problems in 19-20, 20-21 regular seasons was lack of finishing talent. They’ve needed forwards with elite shots who can score from anywhere inside the offensive zone. Full seasons from Wahlstrom and Palmieri in the top 6 should solve that problem.
Almost all of Pitt/WSH best players are over the age of 30. Both are definitely not locks to make the playoffs, I think one of them will remain a top team, but Father Time is undefeated and eventually one of the core players are going to fall off a cliff. Philly probably wins the division if AV can get out of his own way and not play Risto on the top pair pair. Buchnevich is a huge loss for the Rangers and Kreider isn’t shooting 20% again so I don’t think they make the playoffs this season.
Obviously Barzal isn’t as good as Mackinnon/ prime ovechkin, but he is a superstar and has been a top 20 forward in the league over the last 3 years. He’s good enough to carry a team and this year he should finally be getting a player who can compliment him perfectly (Wahlstrom).