TOP 3 TO MAKE POSTSEASON Carolina - Halo is still building up his forces of evil and clearly last yr's almost perfect unbeaten record (only 4 loses in 84 game schedule) was strategic and his roster only seems to have gotten better.
Flyers - Didn't lose much to FA and added some much needed support to challenge the Canes.
Pens - If SDP draftee goalie Mikko Koskinen wins the backup role in Oil counrty, Pittsburgh might have a shot at locking up a playoff spot this year. Malkin and Crosby told me so.
Wildcards & IN-THE-MIX Isls - If Robin Lehner wins the starting gig with the NHL Islanders, Johnny's team will be a serious contender. If not, NYI will be fighting for a shot at the post-season right down to the final wk of the season. Rangers - Some additions and subtractions helped and seemed to have also hurt the team. Caps - Ovie, K.Connor, Nichushkin, Landeskog, Granlund, Toffoli, Butcher, Schultz, and Suter all say they're good for a playoff berth. Adam Werner & Kari Lehtonen say, "NOT SO FAR JONATHAN!" Jackets - Plenty of talent on the roster that Blkhwkfn has rebuilt over the past season and a half. If McElhinney, Neuvirth & Korpisalo pull their weight, Columbus is in like Flinn! If not, they'll be like a rock - at the bottom of the Metro Division.
Longshot to be relevant Devils - The team is currently for sale. Alex Lyon is penciled in as the starter after NJ dealt Cory Schneider (traded to FNHL ) who they got for Chad Johnson & Jake Allen (traded to fav trade partner FNHL ) over the Summer. Zetterberg isn't playing due to back issues. Pacioretty is on the NHL Habs' trade block. Gostisbehere & Van Riemsdyk were just sent off to FNHL . Not much left to talk about aside from the team's future potential. They do have RNH, meh; Skinner who's now in Buffalo ; Zuccar-Jello! Woohooo! Free Agency will bring in some new blood but the silent fire sale might be too much to recover from.
PPG also had a very good prediction in the offseason for the Metropolitan Division with the exception of who are #1 currently and looking to get stronger. Of course PPG left a caveat about goaltenders.
I can take a shot at predicting the future for the Atlantic.
RedWings #1 Good owner. Actively managed team. Mainly adds. Very little subtraction here. Seems to be perennial contender in the Atlantic. Has plenty of 1st round draft picks to use to build his team now and in the future.
Bruins #2 Good owner. Winning history with 2 championships. Core of roster still in place.
Canadiens #3 Active and relatively new motivated owner. Has all the right pieces to compete and win this year.
Maple Leafs #4 Good active owner. Hellebuyck might carry team. Blueline might lack depth. Plenty of scoring up front to challenge for Top 3 finish, easily in mix for Wildcard.
Lightning #5 Active owner. Evolving roster. Blueline might lack experience. MiLR being rebuilt. If Cory Schneider plays approx 50 games TB bumps up to Top 3. Huge trade for Tavares to compliment Stamkos.
Sabres #6 Active owner. Continuing rebuilding project started in 2017-18. Some good prospects on the MiLR. If Tristan Jarry and Thatcher Demko get semi-regular NHL PT, watch out!
Senators #7 Well managed team. Thin on the W. D lacks depth. Lots of good prospects in the MiLR. Recently landed a 1B goalie in Kinkaid. Darkhorse to climb into a Wildcard spot by mid-season.
Panthers #8 Good owner. Not very active. Some good players but inconsistent roster. Big deep MiLR with talent. Too many holes to plug as the season starts.
Beef came close to nailing it aside from the flipflop on and this prediction is pretty accurate so far.
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Carolina - Halo is still building up his forces of evil and clearly last yr's almost perfect unbeaten record (only 4 loses in 84 game schedule) was strategic and his roster only seems to have gotten better.
Flyers - Didn't lose much to FA and added some much needed support to challenge the Canes.
Pens - If SDP draftee goalie Mikko Koskinen wins the backup role in Oil counrty, Pittsburgh might have a shot at locking up a playoff spot this year. Malkin and Crosby told me so.
Isls - If Robin Lehner wins the starting gig with the NHL Islanders, Johnny's team will be a serious contender. If not, NYI will be fighting for a shot at the post-season right down to the final wk of the season.
Rangers - Some additions and subtractions helped and seemed to have also hurt the team. 
Caps - Ovie, K.Connor, Nichushkin, Landeskog, Granlund, Toffoli, Butcher, Schultz, and Suter all say they're good for a playoff berth. Adam Werner & Kari Lehtonen say, "NOT SO FAR JONATHAN!"
Jackets - Plenty of talent on the roster that Blkhwkfn has rebuilt over the past season and a half. If McElhinney, Neuvirth & Korpisalo pull their weight, Columbus is in like Flinn! If not, they'll be like a rock - at the bottom of the Metro Division.
Devils - The team is currently for sale. Alex Lyon is penciled in as the starter after NJ dealt Cory Schneider (traded to FNHL 
) who they got for Chad Johnson & Jake Allen (traded to fav trade partner FNHL 
. Not much left to talk about aside from the team's future potential. They do have RNH, meh; Skinner who's now in Buffalo 
; Zuccar-Jello! Woohooo! Free Agency will bring in some new blood but the silent fire sale might be too much to recover from.
Bruins #2
Canadiens #3
Maple Leafs #4
Sabres #6
Senators #7
Panthers #8
