Still between the NYI and PIT.

So you think the Isles fall off and that’s the spot we’d take? What about Buffalo?

The Atlantic is a beast of a division. I think it's harder than the Metro. I doubt the Metro gets 5 teams in.

I agree and I still can’t see a way that Buffalo isn’t in the playoffs this year. I think they’re going to score for fun and while I don’t see a NJ type of season for them I do see a team that can be better than us or the Isles. I’m hoping Boston dives off the cliff because that’s the only team besides the Isles that might not make it back. I don’t see anyway the others who made it miss out as long as their stars are healthy.

I think that if we make it, one of Buffalo, Ottawa, Isles and Florida will make it.

Sabres are betting everything on a rookie goalie and two ahl goalies. Added a 3rd pair d-man(Clifton), a 5th pair d-man (Johnson) and lost Jack Quinn till at least January.

Theyre not serious until they actually make serious moves.

Florida already made it last year so they are a spot that is taken. So did the Isles, so someone has to go. I’m guessing the Isles could miss out and I’m not sure about Boston after what has happened to them. I think Florida is a playoff team as long as Tkachuk looks like the force he has been. I also can’t see Buffalo missing out. The knock on them is goaltending but you can build a team around average goaltending.

Levi and UPL might not be the tandem but they could trade UPL by the deadline. Losing Quinn isn’t a big loss with all the firepower they have.

The problem is they don't even have average goaltending.

Its a bigger loss than most realize because he was one of the few forwards who was good in his own end. And his replacement, olofsson, is really bad.

They wouldve made the playoffs last year if they had mediocre goaltending, let alone average. Theyre gunna run 3 goalies, and two of them are AHLers. Like theyd have to score 5 a night to make it work lol

Atlantic:
Toronto
Tampa
Buffalo
Florida

Metro:
Devils
Canes
Rangers
Penguins

Metro

Carolina,
NJ
NYR

Atlantic

Toronto
Tampa
Boston

Wild Card

Florida
Ottawa (maybe Buffalo)

Pittsburg 10th in the east

Pretty sure every year since the salary cap has been instituted at least four playoff teams switch from one year to the next. I think some years it's been 8. There will be a ton of surprises. They're always as.

They also aren't a great defensive team. They allow a lot of quality chances.

METRO
Carolina
Jersey
Pittsburgh
NY Rangers
NY Islanders

ATLANTIC
Tampa Bay
Toronto
Boston or Buffalo

That remains to be seen. If it’s bad they can trade UPL.

We aren’t better than the Rangers but otherwise I’d agree.

I would say CAR, NYR, NJD, TOR and TBL are locks to remake the playoffs. FLA and NYI are definitely possible, although maybe not probable, for the Pens to pass. There's also the off chance that BOS really takes a fall down the standings.

Isles and Boston are the two most vulnerable. Buffalo and possibly even Ottawa also will push for the Wildcard

They definitely will. I was trying to base it on who's spot from last year they'd be taking , that's why I didn't include teams like OTT and BUF.

I would guess one of FLA/OTT/BUF take BOS spot in the top 3 in the Atlantic. Which would leave the other two teams, BOS, PIT and NYI fighting for the 2 wild cards. It'll be a battle, but the Pens are without a doubt in that mix with Karlsson added

I think PIT gets higher than 10th in East. They are definitely better than Ottawa and Buffalo. I would also have them above the Isles.

For me it is:
Atlantic

Toronto
Tampa
Boston/Florida

Metro
Carolina
NJ
NY Rangers/Pittsburgh

Wild Card

Boston/Florida
NY Rangers/Pittsburgh

Some teams that will push:
Washington, Ottawa, Buffalo, Isles. I think Buffalo misses because they have well below average goaltending and their defense doesn't look that good. Also Quinn is out for a while and that will most definitely harm them

I see it this way:

Atlantic:

1 Leafs
2 Tampa
3 Florida
4 Buffalo
5 Boston
6 Sens
7 Wings
8 Habs

Metro

1 Canes
2 Devils
3 NYR
4 Pens
5 Isles
6 Caps
7 CBJ
8 Flyers

If each division gets 4 in then we are one of the wildcards. If Boston is better then I expect we could miss out.

I think Boston is better than Buffalo. Boston's defense and goaltending is still among the best of the best, and they still have some offensive superstars in Pasta and Marchand. Buffalos goaltending and defense is shaky so I see Boston being better