was a tossup for me between Montreal and Toronto...went with Toronto. I'll always choose the team with the crappier goaltending to finish below the team with an all-star goalie.
Still shocked that so many people think the Isles will remain all the way on the bottom of the East. They've got good goaltending, they've got a very good first line now and their defense is passable, that's a lot more than I can say for Toronto. If the Isles do end up in 15th in the East it is only because the other teams in the Atlantic are very good. But in all honesty I could easily see the Isles step past the Devils this season.
I feel like I'm sticking too much to the script but looking up and down the list, every team has someone, Stamkos, Miller etc. to keep them out of the 14th spot. For a team to be 14th or 15th, there needs to be failure at almost every turn, offense, defense, goaltending. Devils, Canadiens, Jets, Lightning have some pieces but the Leafs could hit a wall at all three stops.
Look at the Leafs roster. Look at Montreal's roster.
Goal is only area of advantage for Montreal.
Burke could still end up with Luongo.
Toronto was in a playoff spot in early February before the roof caved in.
This x1000.
How in the hell is toronto losing to both MTL and NJ??? Marty is one year older. Devils lost Parise and what will probably be underrated as a loss, Larry Robinson. Toronto did not have a terrible team last year. They have some solid players on that team. Better depth than both MTL and NJ. Kessel, JVR, Lupul, Grabovski, Kulemin, Phaneuf, are losing to those two teams? C'mon guys. At least put some thought into this.
Went with Montreal. Unless Galchenyuk is going to make the squad and make an impact, they didn't bring anyone in. Still have Kaberle and Markov on the blueline, although Markov is only a game or two away from being out. Kaberle is terrible. No significant forward additions or additions in general (Prust can only do so much on the bottom lines).
Toronto added JVR. Another explosive, powerful winger. They really need an impact center and have been looking for one since Sundin left town. Leaf fans are still looking at Kadri to step up and take the top center spot. I don't know if he honestly can. They also need a goalie. Luongo is really their only chance at getting an impact goalie.
both teams are flawed, but I'm taking the team that is still employing Scott Gomez.
Florida hasn't added much, but they will have Huberdeau and Markstrom coming aboard. Some more skill for them, but youth. They have the best farm system in the NHL, so I seriously doubt they fall this far. They will be in playoff contention.
I don't think it's that tough of a decision. Toronto is the better team, has better talent. You know Burke is not going to stand idle and watch yet another piss poor season of goaltending. The eastern conference has too many lethal scorers. He needs a legitimate goaltender in net who can stop the puck. He will get one. And toronto will separate themselves from some of these bottom teams.
Montreal has a pretty solid team I don't know why people expect them to finish so low again. I feel like them tanking this year was like NJ last year. Toronto on the other hand...
