Quoting: ConservativeLightningFan91
My personal predictions for this year (not finalized):
Metropolitan:
1) New York Islanders
2) Washington Capitals (After this IMO, it's wide open)
3) Carolina Hurricanes (The offense is too stacked for them to miss the playoffs, even with their problems on D (after Slavin-Pesce) and in net)
4) New York Rangers (WC #2) (I am completely torn on whether the Rangers or Flyers get this WC spot, I'm tentatively leaning towards the former as I see Kakko, Lafreniere and Shesterkin all taking big steps forward this year)
5) Philadelphia Flyers (They could easily make the playoffs if the D allows Hart to rebound from his abysmal McElhinney-esque campaign)
6) New Jersey Devils (They're getting there, but not quite there yet)
7) Pittsburgh Penguins (Time's run out on this group. Malkin can't stay healthy, Crosby's age is catching up to him as well, and Jarry is not a long-term solution in net)
8) Columbus Blue Jackets
Atlantic:
1) Tampa Bay Lightning
2) Boston Bruins
3) Florida Panthers
4) Toronto Maple Leafs (WC #1)
5) Montreal Canadiens (JUST miss)
6) Detroit Red Wings (Ahead of Ottawa due to Ned in goal)
7) Ottawa Senators
8) Buffalo Sabres (Duh)
Central:
1) Colorado Avalanche (Don't worry about the bottom 6, the top 6 will more than make up for it, the D is stellar, and Kuemper will be a Vezina contender)
2) Winnipeg Jets (HUGE and much-needed improvements on D in the off-season make them one of the most well-rounded teams in the conference, but not better than the Avs)
3) St. Louis Blues (Robbed the Rangers blind with the Buchnevich trade and got a steal in Saad, the D has some questions but I like 'em)
4) Chicago Blackhawks (WC #1) (Fleury will be HUGE for this team. If Toews can stay healthy and Kane and Debrincat continue to produce, they'll easily make the playoffs)
5) Minnesota Wild (WC #2) (Just ahead of Dallas due to better D and goaltending)
6) Dallas Stars
7) Nashville Predators
8) Arizona (Sorry, Houston) Coyotes
Pacific:
1) Vegas Golden Knights (After this, the weakest division in the league)
2) Calgary Flames (The offense is absolutely stacked, and Markstrom will have a terrific season (you heard it here first))
3) Edmonton Oilers (The D is absolute hot garbage, but McDavid and Draisaitl aren't missing the playoffs)
4) Vancouver Canucks (Miss playoffs, Benning finally gets fired)
5) Seattle Kraken (Good D and goaltending, but lack of offense)
6) Los Angeles Kings
7) San Jose Sharks
8) Anaheim Ducks
I dont think boston finishes second. I dont doubt they make the playoffs, but second only to tampa?
Goalie depth is very questionable, LD is a problem, defense raises an eyebrow behind McAvoy/Grzelyck, Center depth is also very meh, the only thing they really have is an amazing LW, plus their core is aging, Marchand and Bergeron can only be amazing for so long.
I'm being completely honest and unbiased, I dont see them finishing second, I see them depending on how well the first line can play, competing for third or the wild card. Theres a lot more young, hungry teams waiting and willing to take their spot.
I see the top three being
1. Tampa
2. Florida/Toronto (Depends on how well the leafs adapt without hyman and the play in net, as well as if florida is as good as they look on paper. Im giving florida the advantage here)
3. Toronto/Florida
WC. Boston/Montreal