Now that everyone's roster is pretty well set. Here are my power rankings:
18.
- Key pieces: McDavid, Lehner, Zibanejad, S. Jones.
winter had a great summer having his pickings in the draft. Also have acquired a goalie for the future and picked up a couple good players in free agency but LA is still a work in progress from their Gilly days. They may improve on last season but I can't see them being a contender for a playoff spot yet.
2014-15 Record - 1-2117.
- Key pieces: - P. Kane, Huberdeau, Tarasenko, Tavares, Stone, Pavelski.
Pittsburgh has some great pieces on offense but the big questions come in net. When Gibson finally takes over in Anaheim will be when the Pens see a jump in the rankings. Kane's investigation isn't helping either. May be hard for the Pens to challenge this year or come close to their output from last year.
2014-15 Record - 10-1216.
- Key pieces: Kessel, Letang, Steen, Forsberg.
Tampa has two projected backups which may hurt them this year. Their top players are getting PAID which is hurting the depth up front. There are bright spots in their lineup but still work to be done to improve on their 5-17 record from last year.
2014-15 Record - 5-1715.
- Key pieces: Palat, Schenn, Soderberg, Aktinson, Chara, Suter, Stars goalies.
Stars have done a lot with their ample cap space this off-season added many pieces for now and the future. Even though Dallas has gotten all the Stars goalie starts I believe goaltending is still a huge question mark for this team.
2014-15 Record - 7-1514.
- Key pieces: Toews, Ladd, Pearson, Subban, Giroux, Jets goalies.
I still can not figure out how Montreal is not better. Their depth isn't great but have some absolute studs. Le Canadiens are in the same boat as Dallas in goal with guaranteed starts but still a question mark there. They get the up due to the more mature lineup on Dallas. Look for the Habs to improve on their record this coming season.
2014-15 Record - 2-2013.
- Key pieces: Couture, Krejci, Sharp, Tatar, Toffoli, Faulk, M. Jones.
Washington is a team in limbo. Many young players in the lineup that have high potential but haven't yet hit their stride. When they do hit that stride they may be a team to watch out for. Jones and Kuemper make up the goaltending duo who will keep Washington in matchups but not win them the matchups. Washington's fate is to finish nearly the same unless the young guns fire it up this year.
2014-15 Record - 7-1512.
- Key pieces: Parise, Marleau, Monahan, Price, Johansen, Keith, E. Kane.
Columbus has some great pieces and the best goalie in the game so you think they would be ranked higher but unfortunately they aren't. Price is there by himself unless Martin Jones faulters in San Jose. There is a solid mix of players here but need to add to that goaltending to push them into playoffs contention this year or they will be destined for the same record as last year.
2014-15 Record - 11-1111.
- Key pieces: Wheeler, Iginla, Kesler, Bishop, Smith.
The Flames aren't burning bright in Calgary but their goaltending will keep them in games. The Flames don't have that stud but have a rounded enough lineup to keep them competitive night in and night out. If Smith can return to form, they may even challenge for a playoff spot this season.
2014-15 Record - 11-1110.
- Key pieces: Plekanec, Spezza, Vanek, Edler, 3 headed monster in net.
If I had to describe the Canucks forward is one word it would be meh! But if I had to describe the Canucks goalies in one word it would be wow! It is highly possible that the Canucks are running 3 high quality starters this season but that doesn't come without their questions like does Dubnyk re-do his run from last year and does Anderson keep his starting job. If Vancouver can run 3 starting goalies throughout the season then the average lineup up front could be enough to get them into the playoffs.
2014-15 Record - 9-139.
- Key pieces: Datsyuk, Callahan, Perry, OEL, Wideman, Crawford, Howard.
I always tend to underestimate Walt and he proves me wrong every year and I think he likes it that way. He has some great players again and knows how to run a lineup to optimize scoring so he can definitely tinker this roster for success. But I do have my question marks for repeat performances in Callahan, Beleskey and others. Flyers goalies got be wondering too as Crawford makes me wonder from his average playoff performance and Howard has been average in the regular season as well. Sorry for the low rating Walt.
2014-15 Record - 18-48.
- Key pieces: Benn, Carlson Seabrook, MacKinnon, Landeskog, Duchene, Schneider, Holtby.
The Rangers have powered themselves up my rankings after acquiring Schneider this off-season. Their two goalies are monsters for getting starts and points and make me forget about everyone after their star players. Although the Rangers do have a lot of average players I think their studs and goalies will elevate them this season.
2014-15 Record - 9-137.
- Key pieces: Johnson, Marchard, Hartnell, Gallagher, Simmonds, Weber, Giordano, Bob, Fleury.
Although I wouldn't trust these two goalies in the playoffs, I love them as regular season monsters. Jean has slowly made smart trades to make this team into a slick looking team. The only hole I can find is the defense which I believe is an easy fix to turn the Leafs into a (dare I say it) cup contender.
2014-15 Record - 13-96.
- Key pieces: Bergeron, Getzlaf, Malkin, Gaudreau, Ryan, Hossa, Oshie, Doughty, Saad, Pietrangelo, Bernier, Quick.
Anaheim has found themselves in a cap crunch throughout the season but featuring one of the best minor league systems has saved Tyler's rear end as he has dealt away some stud players but also been able to get a pretty penny in return. Quick is the stability on the back end but Bernier is a question mark in Toronto as the real life Leafs won't e great even if he is. The Ducks off course with their high powered offense can't be discounted though as they are a perennial contender in the Backyard.
2014-15 Record - 18-45.
- Key pieces: Crosby, O'Reilly, Nyquist, Nash, Kronwall, , Granlund, Foligno, F. Anderson, Flames goalies.
Ian has came in and made some great moves with a depleted squad but it doesn't hurt when your building around Crosby. Detroit prospects that originated on the team are finally starting to flourish and the goaltending situation is a pretty good one in Michigan. The role players on this team are the difference as they can sometimes be go to players. Detroit is going to be a tough game every night this season.
2014-15 Record - 13-94.
- Key pieces: Hornqvist, Backas, Kunitz, Kreider, Shattenkirk, Lundqvist, Mason.
This isn't the Chicago of 2013-14 but they ain't no slouch either. The Hawks have quality through their lineup but also don't show it through a superstar caliber player. They are going to complete night in and night out by grinding away point after point. Strong goaltending is again key but comes with some questions. I don't love nor trust Mason and Talbot is going to be a first year starter which Edmonton has tried before. One thing we learned from last season is never count them out.
2014-15 Record - 16-63.
- Key pieces: Stamkos, Seguin, van Riemsdyk, Skinner, Rielly, Yandle, Varlamov, Halak.
The Bruins are my sleeper pick for the cup this season. For years they have been on the edge of making/missing the playoffs and I believe with the additions this year they are set to contend. When a team adds JVR and Stamkos in an off-season, it can never be bad. Rob also brought in Jimmy Hayes and Reto Berra as two quality players who will contribute greatly. With a little tinkering this team could be the one to watch this season.
2014-15 Record - 11-112.
- Key pieces: Ovechkin, Hall, Eberle, Zetterberg, Backstorm Kopitar, Pacioretty, Little, Ekblad, Miller, Carolina starters.
Of course right! I have to give myself props. But in all honesty I have added two top end players in the off-season in Ovie and Kopi without losing much from my show team. Only area of improvement would be on the defense but still a quality grouping that will be sent out each night. Miller and the Carolina goalies should put out more quality starts then I got last year but Edmonton is going full out offensive attack on your butts this season!
2014-15 Record - 19-31.
- Key pieces: Carter, RNH, Neal, Schwartz, Vorachek, Kucherov, Burns, Karlsson, E. Johnson, Luongo, Rask.
And your 2016 Stanley Cup Champions are the St. Louis Blues, maybe! The Blues appear to have what it takes to win it all. After coming so close last season, they will look for revenge on the league and hopefully take home a title before Roberto hits the old folks home in Florida. The Blues have one of the most well rounded lineups in the league with a collection superstars and depth players to go with a solid goaltending crew. Will this be the year someone other than Chicago wins it all?
2014-15 Record - 18-4Hope you enjoyed and let the debating begin. Feel free to criticize me but this is exactly how the season will finish so there is no reason haha!
