2016-17 Standings Predictions (Pre-Season Edition)

My picks are as follows...

* Playoffs

Pacific

1. * Los Angeles Kings - Elite talent at all positions should carry the day in the Pacific.
2. * San Jose Sharks - Smart GM and a return to health.
3. * Edmonton Oilers - McJesus and a revamped D will make them a contender.
4. * Calgary Flames - Young talent - especially Monahan and Gaudreau - will carry this team.
5. Vancouver Canucks - Depth at center will start to blossom half way through the season and a late season playoff push is possible.
6. Anaheim Ducks - Solid young wingers but will they make the team? Also, expect Kesler to get traded soon.
7. Arizona Coyotes - Flirting with the cap floor and developing an arsenal of top prospects for the future.

Central

1. * St. Louis Blues - Last season was not a fluke.
2. * Nashville Predators - This season could be the Filip Forsberg show.
3. * Chicago Blackhawks - McDonagh, Freddy Andersen, and the return of P. Kane will go a long way to returning the iHawks to the playoffs.
4. * Minnesota Wild - Following up a great first season by bringing back a similar roster minus Granlund but plus a bunch of solid prospects.
5. Dallas Stars - This team is loaded with tested, veteran talent but goaltending could be an issue here.
6. Colorado Avalanche - They have elite talent but will instability in the front office and on the blueline cost them the playoffs?
7. Winnipeg Jets - Dax has rebuilt the D and Hutch could be a keeper in goal. Would not be surprised if the Jets make a push for the last playoff spot.

Atlantic

1. * Ottawa Senators - The top-6 forwards are ridiculous and they have Karlsson on the back end.
2. * Detroit Red Wings - Like their rNHL counterpart, the Red Wings are well-managed and are loaded with smart, hardworking, and likable players.
3. * Tampa Bay Lightning - Led the iNHL from front to back last season and will have another great year. When Lindholm returns, watch out.
4. * Boston Bruins - Out to prove the iNHL world wrong, the Bruins have surprising depth at all positions.
5. * Montreal Canadiens - Last season's bold moves are going to pay off this season. If the Canadiens get decent goaltending, they'll be dangerous come playoff time.
6. Hartford Whalers - Loaded with generational and high-end, young talent, the return to Hartford may also see a return to the playoffs for the Whalers.
7. Buffalo Sabres - Check out their defense - it's shockingly deep. Plus, a combo of Datsyuk and Eichel is pretty dirty. This team will cause trouble.
8. Toronto Maple Leafs - They've acquired some young talent but growing pains could mean another high draft pick (and another top prospect).

Metropolitan

1. * Pittsburgh Penguins - I am betting on big seasons from Crosby, Malkin, Kessel, and Letang, but also from Mike Hoffman and rookie Daniel Sprong.
2. * New Jersey Devils - The defensive structure combined with better goaltending will see another strong season for the iDevils.
3. * Washington Capitals - Arguably even more dangerous than last season, the iCaps are a definite Cup contender.
4. Philadelphia Flyers - The forwards (Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Couturier) are elite and in their prime, but can the defense hold up against injury?
5. New York Islanders - Tavares could lead the league in scoring and Josh Ho-Sang is a sleeper pick for rookie of the year. Adding The King will go a long way to returning the Isles to the playoffs as well.
6. New York Rangers - The top-9 forwards are going to score a lot of goals and draw even more penalties but how much will the loss of King Henrik hurt?
7. Columbus Blue Jackets - RNH could blow up playing with Rick Nash (and vice versa). But swapping Bouwmeester for Zboril (though a big win in the future) will hurt the blueline in the short term.
8. Carolina Hurricanes - They have the best stable of D prospects in the league but might not have the offensive depth to make a run this season.