Quoting: ARMCHAIRGMOFTHEYEAR
Very Possible. I think Pitt will have a good regular season and you always have a chance with Crosby in the playoffs. Toronto Vs Oilers is my hopeful prediction but that's obviously not happening. Carolina Vs the AVs is my realistic prediction.
As much guff as I give TOR fans on this board for their loony trades, I feel for them. I'm a BIG fan of Matthews. He's probably my favorite non-Penguin and I'd like to see him go far, but TOR's goaltending moves has me scratching my head. If Murray finds his way to mental clarity then I've seen personally what he can do.
I think the AVS took too much of a step back and other West coast teams took bigger steps forward. It's still totally possible, but they lost their goaltending, #2 center, Nichuskin, Burakovsky and a few decent role players. They struck while the iron was hot, but especially with Nate's contract coming do, I think it's gonna be a few years when the cap opens back up and they can shop again until they can be serious contenders again. That said, if some of their young players on ELC's shine? That's a different story. That's their only possible saving grace IMO.
My top picks for the west are CGY and LAK. The rest of the teams have too many what-ifs behind them for me to really pick. EDM would be my #3, but we have to wait and see how their goaltending pans out. VGK, should IMO, be a beast, but obviously we have to see about Stone's health and how they address their goaltending. I think this will be an exciting season to watch overall.