I kinda start to not want to vote because the complexion of the 15 - 10 is not at all what I expected! It looks too similar to this year's standings and it's becoming a bit phewy to me But enough of my btching. I guess I'm going to have to go with NJD here again but I thought TBL should be 7, OTT 8 and NJD 9. If NJD isn't 8th and OTT is and I have to go with NJD again, I quit
People really think Carolina has improved this much? I know Semin and Staal are good players, but can we believe in their defense? They remind me of Tampa a lot, but with a better goalie and a worse defense. It almost made me take Tampa over them, but Lindback or whoever is in nets will not amount to Ward. Carolina isn't better than Ottawa or New Jersey at this point in time. Remember, this is power rankings, not final standings.
Florida missing the playoffs with the young core they have and the potential to add in an even better goaltender? That's unlikely.
Montreal will likely be better than they were last year. Seems like their poor play was an aberration.
Toronto will not be 2nd to last either and I doubt the Sabres will miss the playoffs again. They've made some solid moves and they were a cusp team last season.
Can see Montreal and Toronto fighting for a low playoff seeding. Sabres will make the playoffs if you ask me.
See Penguins sustaining a 1st seed lead this year with better performances from Fleury and with Crosby being in the lineup consistently for an entire season. See the next 2 divisions having close point totals to each other. Don't think the Bruins will be that good this year. They are aging and they were so successful because of how dominant their goalie's were. Now they have 1 of the 2, no guarantee of the back up being any good, no guarantee of Rask being able to perform as well as he did the last 2 years as a starter. Injuries have plagued them recently, injuries will likely continue to plague them. Buffalo has improved too and I think Miller will put on a hell of a performance this season. Think Hurricanes win the South too. Can see Cam Ward having a comeback season as well, in addition to Miller. Defense is still a little spotty but they've solidified their offense. Dale Hunter was a savior for the Caps organization, as a head coach. With him gone I can't see the players responding the same way they did to him to the new coach. Still too many me first players, think they just miss the playoffs. As for having the Rangers in 4th, think they'll be dominant, more dominant in more games, but also less dominant in the games they lose. Last year, the reason we were so far ahead in the standings was due to how even the team was, defensively. To add more scoring we've weakened the bottom 2 lines, which were primarily defensively responsible lines that Torts could trust. We'll put up more goals but also have more lack luster performances, during the regular season (playoffs we have a better suited roster for). Flyers will still be dominant, expect similar things from them, strong offense, weak defense. Look for Senators to maybe move up in the standings this year, depending on health and Anderson's performance. If he can be dominant again they'll have a good playoff seeding. If he can't they might miss the playoffs altogether. The rest of the standings are a crap shoot if you ask me. Bruins have enough fire power to still make playoffs but they could be placed higher or lower depending on health and the performance of Rask.
People really think Carolina has improved this much? I know Semin and Staal are good players, but can we believe in their defense? They remind me of Tampa a lot, but with a better goalie and a worse defense. It almost made me take Tampa over them, but Lindback or whoever is in nets will not amount to Ward. Carolina isn't better than Ottawa or New Jersey at this point in time. Remember, this is power rankings, not final standings.
With a healthy Skinner, a rebound in Ward and the new additions, they should be able to take their 10th place ish team to 8th or 7th. Two Staals, semin, Skinner and their other top 6 guys that they've retained... they'll be more than fine. Their D isn't stellar but they've made minor changes (whether that will have an impact, I don't know) and Ward should be better than Lindback and Anderson as far as power ranking is concerned.
Between the Sens, Canes and Devils who will occupy the next 3 spots for the most part, it is my belief that the Canes will be able to push the hardest with what they have.
Between this thread and the prospects thread I find myself disagreeing with the majority SO much on this board these days. I feel like it's not usually like this...
Devils will always perform above peoples expectations
Yes, but people here were expecting them to be a team outside the playoffs. That's not going to happen. New Jersey is still a good team. Kovalchuk will be the guy this time, but I believe he's more suited to be the guy now than he was in Atlanta or when he first came to NJ. A lot hinges on Brodeur, but as we saw in the last playoffs, Marty is still a good goalie. He's good enough to get them back to the playoffs.
#9--Kind of wondering what the Sabres did to improve so much. Sign John Scott? Personally I think the Devils don't make the playoffs--they might make a good run at a spot but we shall see.
By our vote, 3 teams in the NE division will be placed 9-14, so i can't see Ottawa not having a semi-decent record.
I can't see the Devils faltering too much, based on history, and i think Carolina will actually be better than Washington this year(goaltending being a big factor).
Don't think the Bruins will be that good this year. They are aging and they were so successful because of how dominant their goalie's were. Now they have 1 of the 2, no guarantee of the back up being any good, no guarantee of Rask being able to perform as well as he did the last 2 years as a starter. Injuries have plagued them recently, injuries will likely continue to plague them. .
Chara is their only significant player in 30s. Seguin is 20, Lucic 24, Rask 25, Bergeron 27, Krejci 26, Horton 27, Marchand 24. Barring a horrible run of injuries Bruins will win the division and be a top-3 seed in East.
We should cruise our way to a playoff spot, because the East looks easy as ****.
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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
But enough of my btching. I guess I'm going to have to go with NJD here again but I thought TBL should be 7, OTT 8 and NJD 9. If NJD isn't 8th and OTT is and I have to go with NJD again, I quit 
