Post subject: NHL Megathread (2020-21 Season, Offseason, Trade Rumors)
If we can do it for basketball...
It looks like the season will go ahead... still some questions about whether the Provincial governments will allow for the Canadian teams to play in their arenas (minus fans of course). The new division alignments, modified schedule, shortened season and upcoming expansion draft (go Kraken) will make this a unique year for sure.
My amateur predictions:
Canadian Division:
This division has no clear front runner. Should be some great rivalries (Flames/Oilers, Flames/Canucks, Leafs/Habs).
1. Toronto - maybe not playing Boston will benefit them. So much firepower, and improving D.
2. Calgary - Bounce back seasons up front with a legit starting goalie means they yo-yo back up.
3. Vancouver - Petterson and Hughes are borderline superstars.
4. Winnipeg - return to health means playoffs.
5. Edmonton - could get in, but losing Klefbom hurts. Improving on D, but still weak on the wings and terrible goaltending.
6. Montreal - could also squeak in. It all hinges on what kind of season Price has.
7. Ottawa - headed in right direction, but not a contender yet.
Western Division:
Top heavy. Drops off quick.
1. Colorado - MacKinnon is so good. Maybe the best in the world.
2. Vegas - what the hell are they doing with their cap? No matter, this team is still stacked. Win now mode.
3. Dallas - stingy D gets them in. Will struggle to score.
4. SJ - Dubnyk has to be better than Jones was last year. These guys aren't that bad.
5. Minnesota - epitome of mediocre.
6. Anaheim - like Dallas, but younger and not as good.
7. Arizona - what the hell are they doing? Seems like they never have a plan.
8. LA - stinky.
Southern Division:
Weakest of the 4.
1. TB - Champs won't skip a beat. The cap is their greatest threat.
2. StL - Still super strong. Will rival TB.
3. Car - Like Dallas, but will score more.
4. Fla - If Bobrovsky bounces back, they'll get in.
5. CLB - Not that bad, but nothing exciting.
6. Nas - some bad trades have set these guys back. Could still challenge, but should be better than that.
7. Chi - retooling well, but goaltending is atrocious (Malcom Subban?)
8. Det - rebuilding. Could be last again.
Eastern Division:
Toughest of them all. This division will be war. 6 or 7 teams could get into the playoffs.
1. Bos - I'm not confident about this - it depends how Marchand and Pastrnak come back from injury.
2. Phi - If the kids tkae another step, watch out.
3. Buf - That's right. Adding Staal and Hall gets Eichel in. Finally.
4. NYR - Too much young talent to ignore.
5. Was - I feel weird putting them here, but the core is aging.
6. NYI - Overachieve their talent - coaching is that good.
7. Pit - They need better talent around Crosby and Malkin.
8. NJ - Ouch. Will be on the receiving end of a punishing division.
Playoffs - too early, but if I were to guess... I'd say Tampa repeats over Colorado. _________________ Finnegan was super bad-ass.
Post subject: Re: NHL Megathread (2020-21 Season, Offseason, Trade Rumors)
junodog4 wrote:
If we can do it for basketball...
It looks like the season will go ahead... still some questions about whether the Provincial governments will allow for the Canadian teams to play in their arenas (minus fans of course). The new division alignments, modified schedule, shortened season and upcoming expansion draft (go Kraken) will make this a unique year for sure.
My amateur predictions:
Canadian Division:
This division has no clear front runner. Should be some great rivalries (Flames/Oilers, Flames/Canucks, Leafs/Habs).
1. Toronto - maybe not playing Boston will benefit them. So much firepower, and improving D.
2. Calgary - Bounce back seasons up front with a legit starting goalie means they yo-yo back up.
3. Vancouver - Petterson and Hughes are borderline superstars.
4. Winnipeg - return to health means playoffs.
5. Edmonton - could get in, but losing Klefbom hurts. Improving on D, but still weak on the wings and terrible goaltending.
6. Montreal - could also squeak in. It all hinges on what kind of season Price has.
7. Ottawa - headed in right direction, but not a contender yet.
Western Division:
Top heavy. Drops off quick.
1. Colorado - MacKinnon is so good. Maybe the best in the world.
2. Vegas - what the hell are they doing with their cap? No matter, this team is still stacked. Win now mode.
3. Dallas - stingy D gets them in. Will struggle to score.
4. SJ - Dubnyk has to be better than Jones was last year. These guys aren't that bad.
5. Minnesota - epitome of mediocre.
6. Anaheim - like Dallas, but younger and not as good.
7. Arizona - what the hell are they doing? Seems like they never have a plan.
8. LA - stinky.
Southern Division:
Weakest of the 4.
1. TB - Champs won't skip a beat. The cap is their greatest threat.
2. StL - Still super strong. Will rival TB.
3. Car - Like Dallas, but will score more.
4. Fla - If Bobrovsky bounces back, they'll get in.
5. CLB - Not that bad, but nothing exciting.
6. Nas - some bad trades have set these guys back. Could still challenge, but should be better than that.
7. Chi - retooling well, but goaltending is atrocious (Malcom Subban?)
8. Det - rebuilding. Could be last again.
Eastern Division:
Toughest of them all. This division will be war. 6 or 7 teams could get into the playoffs.
1. Bos - I'm not confident about this - it depends how Marchand and Pastrnak come back from injury.
2. Phi - If the kids tkae another step, watch out.
3. Buf - That's right. Adding Staal and Hall gets Eichel in. Finally.
4. NYR - Too much young talent to ignore.
5. Was - I feel weird putting them here, but the core is aging.
6. NYI - Overachieve their talent - coaching is that good.
7. Pit - They need better talent around Crosby and Malkin.
8. NJ - Ouch. Will be on the receiving end of a punishing division.
Playoffs - too early, but if I were to guess... I'd say Tampa repeats over Colorado.
Just as bad as my NBA picks. I was too high on Phi, Cgy and Van. Was way off on the Sabres trainwreck. Underestimated Pit and Edm.
Playoffs:
Tor vs Mtl - Tor in 5
Edm vs Win - Edm in 7
Tor vs Edm - Tor in 5
Col vs StL - Col in 5
LV vs Min - LV in 5
Col vs LV - Col in 7 (top 2 teams right here)
Pit vs NYI - Pit in 6
Bos vs Was - Bos in 6
Pit vs Bos - Bos in 5
Car vs Nas - Car in 4
TB vs Fla - TB in 6
Car vs TB - TB in 6
Final 4:
Col vs Bos - Col in 6
TB vs Tor - TB in 5
Final - Col vs TB - Colorado wins in 6. _________________ Finnegan was super bad-ass.
Since the Kraken (oof) are finally coming to the NHL, it's like the 90s again I'm back on the hockey bandwagon. It's funny though it seems like some things never change, ie The Maple Leafs choking at game 7. Is this the year Canada finally wins a stanley cup, and wouldn't that suck if there are no fans around to actually witness it first-hand? Or I guess is the Lightning going to do the rare re-peat, or Colorado? or Carolina?
So... I really have no idea how the conference finals are going to play out. To the total contrary of a northern buddy, I'm actually excited at the possibility of a Montreal-Islanders stanley cup. Hey, efficiency can be sexy (also a new Habs fan and plenty of Long Island history, so there ya go). But there's a good case for any team making it this year.
After the Caps got knocked out, I was cheering on the Leafs. Would've loved to see them finally win one. Now I'm not sure who I'm left with. I was rooting for the Habs over Vegas, but I'm not sure I'll root for them in the final. I guess go Isles? I'm not a huge fan of seeing repeat wins, and Tampa did pull a 2-sport victory season with the NFL as well.
I guess I'm rooting for Isles over Habs, but Habs over Lightning. Either way, should be a good series. _________________ 51 Washington, D.C. albums!
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