Quoting: Billy12Bob
Detroit have a complete new 2nd line, a complete new LD lineup, a much improved AHL (for injury call-ups) , and a much improved goalie tandem. Detroit will compete for a wildcard spot this season and with a bit of luck on the injury front they have maybe 50% chance of getting there.
Copp, Perron, and a full season of Vrána will improve the scoring by 50-60 goals over what our 2nd line managed last year. The improvement on LD and in goal will reduce the goals against by 20-30 goals. That's good enough to sneak in the playoffs with a bit of luck.
50% chance? Let's say 25%. The top of the division is too stacked, and the bottom is all pretty close. Outside Montreal, any team in the Atlantic would be top 4 in either Western conference divisions. The only way in is:
if Boston has any long term injuries to their top 6 forwards.
If Toronto absolutely doesn't get the goaltending and Matthews misses a bunch of time.
I dont see Tampa or Florida not getting in even with a couple significant injuries. I mean, if Vasilevskiy goes down, that still might not be enough to push Tampa out of the playoffs. Florida got worse, but they are still dang good.
Detroit is better than Ottawa. Slight edge on goaltending, and the D should be better too, especially if Seider got even just a tiny bit better. Buffalo is better, but goaltending and Buffalo gonna do Buffalo stuff, so there's that.