I don't want to say the Islanders. They have some really nice pieces. But I have to say them, because they just don't have enough depth at any position.
I don't want to say the Islanders. They have some really nice pieces. But I have to say them, because they just don't have enough depth at any position.
CAR/WSH is going to be interesting. WSH lost a top six forward, CAR added two.
Add Philly to the 1st category. there is no doubt they belong there. Don't think that 5-0 sweep will happen again this season. Giroux one year older and wiser, just a very good team. And aslong you score more then getting against, you will win the matches.
i picked Toronto. remember, the Islanders didn't finish last this past year. if Okposo can play like he did the whole 2nd half of the season (guy was on pace for 30ish goals), the Islanders actually have a shot at finishing 11th or something or possibly push for a playoff spot. they also have Strome coming up, the possibility of those 2 Russian kids (Kabanov and Petrov) coming over and some d-men moving up. i mean, as much as they've sucked through the last decade, you guys are selling them short.
it could all just be wishful thinking on my part, but i really want them to do well against us and renew the rivalry.
Add Philly to the 1st category. there is no doubt they belong there. Don't think that 5-0 sweep will happen again this season. Giroux one year older and wiser, just a very good team. And aslong you score more then getting against, you will win the matches.
Islanders. Johnny Roastbeef behind the bench. Too many young players. They could be a very good team but not right now. That organization hasn't won a playoff series since 1993.
Was between Laughs and Fishies. Went with the Fishies. Lost PAP, got Boyes, and nothing else. We all know JT will be good, but I think a lot of us are forgetting about Hamonic. Still, they will be a one line, one D pair team. No depth, nothing.
Definitely Montreal. I guess the Ranger-Islander rivalry is the reason everyone here thinks the Isles.
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"Trust me I'm an expert, I watched 13 rangers games on NHL center Ice this year through streaming." -Starburst
"I don't even understand what the point of all this arguing is. Are you guys hoping that the other side is going to have an epiphany and go 'Oh, OH! You're right, we ARE going to lose this series!'" -Crease
Teams will take them lightly and all of a sudden the Isles beat a few teams they shouldnt. And no matter how bad they are they always seem to take a few from their closest rivals.
My horse is the Leafs. I think their team is just slightly better than the Isles and even that may be a stretch. I'm a fan of Burke and Carlyle and appreciate what they did in Anaheim, but I think this Leafs team has a chance to be a real stinker in an unspectacular yet tight Conference.
Toronto had a worse record than the Isles the last quarter of the season, team should be gutted, even though they have no guts
Islanders. Johnny Roastbeef behind the bench. Too many young players. They could be a very good team but not right now. That organization hasn't won a playoff series since 1993.
that's another problem the Islanders have. i'm still wondering why they haven't made Doug Weight the coach yet.
Toronto and Montreal will be better coached teams than the Islanders. Both Canadian teams fired their coaches last season. Carlyle or Thierren or Capuano. Toronto could still end up with Luongo. Gillis needs to move that player at some point before the season begins(whenever it begins). Montreal was a mess off the ice with Gauthier firing coaches and then trading players during games. The whole French-English stuff with Cunneyworth.
Although I want to say the Isles, truth be told it's gotta be the hapless Habs. Adding Armstrong and Prust isn't enough to turn that team around. MaxPack & Pleks keep their offensive production, Desharnais and Cole don't. Subban rebounds into a top4, though any team that relies on Kaberle to be in their top4 and always injured Markov, is in trouble. I don't care how good Price is, you need a defense in front of you.
In the end.
Forwards are slightly in Isles favor with be best overall being Tavares. A pp/g player keeps you from getting shutouts and can be counted on to break a losing streak. The Habs have no one like that.
Tavares > Pleks
Moulson > Cole
Okposo < MaxPack
Grabner = Desharnais
Boyes = Bourque
Neilson = Prust
Niederreitter < Armstrong, if Armstrong plays, else it's Eller who still probably edges Nino unless NN can turn things up his 2nd year.
Strome > Kristo
Defense are Isles favor again. Though i think Streit has less of an injury concern than Markov.
Obivious edge in Goal goes to Habs. DP's best years might be on par with Price, but he's far from playing like that. Still, with the horrendous defense that will be in front of Price, he'll be standing on his head in order to have descent stats.
I have to go with the Canadiens for the worst team in the East. The Islanders play against the Atlantic at least somewhat respectably. Montreal looks to be just dreadful this year, well... except when they play the Rangers at home
PS: Looking ahead, I wonder who's gonna be #1 in this poll
