So far in our Puck Drop Preview series aimed at getting everyone primed for the new 2015-16 NHL season, we’ve profiled all 30 teams and offered our take on the changes they made over the offseason. With opening night puck drop drawing ever closer, it’s time to turn our attention to everyone’s favorite part of the preseason – predictions.
We’ve polled the entire LWOS Hockey department to get their take on how the standings will shake out in 2015-16. Here’s a look at the Eastern Conference.
For the western conference, click here.
Puck Drop Preview: 2015-16 Eastern Conference Predictions
1 – Tampa Bay Lightning (Average rank: 1.2)
Markus Meyer (@Markus_Meyer27): The reigning Eastern Conference champions show no signs of slowing down. With an young, elite-level offence, a blue line led by Norris candidate Victor Hedman and a kingpin in Ben Bishop between the pipes, the Lightning will be tough to stop.
Ken Hill (@LWOSPuckhead): Last season the Lightning showed just how far two legitimate top lines can take a team – all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. As long as “The Triplets” line of Nikita Kucherov, Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat keeps up the pace and generational sniper Steven Stamkos keeps pumping pucks into the back of the net (although a few more in the playoffs couldn’t hurt), a repeat isn’t out of the question.
2 – New York Rangers (Average rank: 3)
Tyler Shea: The Rangers won the Presidents Trophy as the NHL’s best team in 2014-15 and it was no fluke, as they got to the Eastern Conference Final but lost in a hard fought seven-game series versus the Bolts. They lost Martin St. Louis to retirement this summer but added Emerson Etem and Viktor Stalberg to help offset the loss. The team still has one more year of trade deadline acquisition Keith Yandle so it’ll be a good time for him to step up and prove he deserves a contract in New York. Expect the Rangers to once again dominate the league.
3. Washington Capitals (Average rank: 3.8)
Ken Hill: With the best supporting cast he’s had around him since he entered the league a decade ago, many are wondering if this is Alex Ovechkin’s best chance at a Stanley Cup (or even a Conference Final appearance). With a deep defense that was able to afford losing Mike Green, the addition of T.J. “Sochi” Oshie and Justin “Game 7” Williams up front, and Braden Holtby turning into a world-class goaltender, “Ovi” and company could run wild on the East this season.
4. Pittsburgh Penguins (Average rank: 4)
Markus Meyer: After a largely disappointing 2014-15 campaign, the Penguins are poised to rebound and re-establish themselves as a powerhouse in the East. 40 goals seems like a safe bet for Phil Kessel, who will play alongside Sidney Crosby, while the likes of Olli Maatta and Derick Poulliot look to emerge as significant pieces on the Pittsburgh blueline.
5. Montreal Canadiens (Average rank: 5)
Aaron Wrotkowski (@AaronWrotkowski): They didn’t lose much in subtractions and gained a lot in addition. If the Canadiens can fix their powerplay and stop falling asleep in the first period, they could be a Cup contender. Carey Price might not have to be a Hart trophy winner this year if Nathan Beaulieu steps up his game.
6. New York Islanders (Average rank: 5.4)
Markus Meyer: The Islanders surprised many last year, making the playoffs and pushing the Washington Capitals to seven games. This year, look for them to be even better, with continued development from the likes of Anders Lee, Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome. John Tavares will challenge for the Art Ross once again.
7. Columbus Blue Jackets (Average rank: 7.4)
Markus Meyer: After a stellar 2013-14, the Blue Jackets got hammered by injuries last season, resulting in a return to the outside of the post-season. Should they stay healthy, look for Columbus to be a dangerous team in the East, with Ryan Johansen emerging a top center and Sergei Bobrovsky remaining a premier goaltender
8. Detroit Red Wings (Average rank: 7.6)
Tyler Shea: Another season, another post-season appearance by the Red Wings. They just keep on finding ways to be productive and be a playoff-bound team, no matter what shape the team is in. The Wing’s two pillars in Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg are getting older but no worries. The scouting staff managed to find more scorers in all rounds of the drafts. Detroit may drop a bit this season but you can bet on them making another playoff run.
9. Ottawa Senators (Average rank: 9)
Aaron Wrotkowski: The magical run from last season will set expectations high, too high. The Sens have a good team, and some good pieces on the way. But they aren’t improving as fast as the rest of the East and will fall outside the top eight come playoff time.
10. Florida Panthers (Average rank: 9.8)
Markus Meyer: After coming close in 2014-15, the Panthers are poised to potentially score a berth this year. With Calder-winner Aaron Ekblad developing quickly into a top defenceman, Roberto Luongo remaining an extremely solid starter, and young forwards Aleksander Barkov and Nick Bjugstad coming along nicely, the Panthers could wind up doing a bit of damage in the East this year.
11. Buffalo Sabres (Average rank: 11.6)
Tyler Shea: The Sabres had one hell of a summer. They added Ryan O’Reilly, Evander Kane, Zach Bognosian, Jamie McGinn, Robin Lehner, Cody Franson, and Jack Eichel. That was a mouthful, wow. I still have doubts about the goalie situation, which is why they are ranked 11th in the East. With that team in front of the goalie, it should be a cinch to make the playoffs, but when Lehner and Chad Johnson are the top goalies, it doesn’t instill much hope in the playoffs discussion.
12. Philadelphia Flyers (Averare rank: 12)
Brandon Altamonte: The Flyers bottom-six forward group and defence are fairly weak. They need to take some steps (possibly the rumored trading of Luke Schenn) to improve their depth otherwise it will likely be a similar season to 2014-15
13. Boston Bruins (Average rank: 12.4)
Aaron Wrotkowski: Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci and Tuukka Rask have another five years to watch this ship sink unless they speak up. Brett Connolly needs to be worth his price. A lot of doubt on the veterans staying healthy. Even healthy, I have a hard time seeing them in a playoff spot without Milan Lucic.
14. Carolina Hurricanes (Average rank: 14.4)
Markus Meyer: The Hurricanes boast a pretty terrible forward group, lead by Eric Staal, who seems unlikely to best 65 points this season. Good pieces are in place on defense, with Justin Faulk, Haydn Fleury and Noah Hanifin, and Eddie Lack was a nice pick-up, but they won’t be much better this season.
15. Toronto Maple Leafs (Average rank: 14.6)
Aaron Wrotkowski: Now that Kessel has been shipped out, the Leafs are in full rebuild mode. Leafs fans should get comfy in the league’s cellar, as Brendan Shanahan and co. have publicly committed to a full and proper rebuild. There is no quick fix for the mess created in TO for the past five years and “Shanny” has the personnel and support to finally do things right.
16. New Jersey Devils (Average rank: 14.8)
Ken Hill: The slow exodus of talent that began a few years ago with Ilya Kovalchuk and Zach Parise (heck, even losing a million-year-old Jaromir Jagr hurt) while getting nothing in return has left the Devils bereft of talent. Up front there is virtually nothing for opponents to fear, unless you count 33-year-old Mike Cammalleri, the team’s only 20-goal scorer last season. Cory Schneider is clearly a world-class goaltender, who unfortunately is going to see the best years of his career wasted in this quagmire.
For the western conference, click here.
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