I’m really excited about the Leafs this year at 79.5. I’m a big believer in teams carrying momentum from the end of one year to the next. When you look back to how the Leafs performed last March/April, (once they brought some of the kids up), they played at a point a game pace. Or nearly. In their last 18 games they recorded 17 points. All this while they were supposedly tanking the season in order to position themselves for the Austin Matthews sweepstakes.
Another year under a Mike Babcock tenure. Add in Austin Matthews, Mitch Marner, Matt Martin, and a full healthy year for William Nylander and how can they not improve dramatically over the 198 goals they scored last year or 69 points?
Unfortunately a new goaltender tandem offers more questions than answers. How will Nikita Zaitsev transition to the NHL? And the blue line as a whole will be the biggest question in my mind. Can a good offense be the best defense?
All these mysteries is why we’re getting such a reasonable season point total. If Anderson and Enroth perform to their career numbers and the defense in front of them reasonably well, hitting a point game should be easy.
Another year under a Mike Babcock tenure. Add in Austin Matthews, Mitch Marner, Matt Martin, and a full healthy year for William Nylander and how can they not improve dramatically over the 198 goals they scored last year or 69 points?
Unfortunately a new goaltender tandem offers more questions than answers. How will Nikita Zaitsev transition to the NHL? And the blue line as a whole will be the biggest question in my mind. Can a good offense be the best defense?
All these mysteries is why we’re getting such a reasonable season point total. If Anderson and Enroth perform to their career numbers and the defense in front of them reasonably well, hitting a point game should be easy.
They also picked up Roman Polak. The human automatic "I'll make a dumb play every game". He very well could have cost the Sharks the Cup last year. He was a liability everytime he stepped on the ice. For your sake I hope he never makes if off the 3rd pairing.
Im not sold on the Leafs yet. Their guys are all inexperienced still playing against established NHL players. There's a reason that point total is so low. But they are in a weak division. I'm scared myself.
I wrote this up last week. im excited for the Wild
Wild 93.5
[FONT="]Last season 87 pts.[/FONT]
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Make no doubt about it. Bruce Boudreau is the story here. Big hockey town just crying out for some leadership and a winner. And they got it now in Boudreau. Bruce not popular for any playoff success but he certainly has a tendency for leading teams in the regular season to success leading the Ducks to 116, 109 and 103 points the last 3 seasons. And to 108, 121, 107 and 92 in his last season in Washington when he lost the room and Ovechkin. And he has some talent here along with a deep defense and a capable goaltender. And all those seasons are more successful than what the bookmaker is asking us to surpass here in 93.5 points. This teams nickname should be "middle of the road" not the "Wild". This is another big team and Eric Stahl arrives and he's another big body. So it's not like Bruce is taking over a small speedy team here. Word is fast and speedy is the way to build a team in today's NHL. We're only one year removed from big and tough being the model. This team is in Bruce's wheelhouse. This is a real good opportunity for him and I can see why it took only a few days after he was fired in Anaheim to land in Minnesota. I say Chicago and St. Louis are on the down swing. And Nashville's whole makeup has changed with Subban on board. Great opportunity here for the Wild to call. I don't even think 93 gets you in the playoffs in the West this year. 94 is doable for sure here. They've already been in the playoffs 4 straight years playing in the central. He's not going to get them a cup. But he is capable of surpassing this total. Now lets add the fact Scott Stevens is in charge of the defense this year. If you look at his seasons coach the D in NJ, his defense tandems were always right at the top for 3 seasons in gaa and overall keeping the puck out of the net. And that was with an elder Brodour. He has some work to do but im confident they well excel. Dubnyk is an excellent goaltender one season removed from tearing up the league after the trade from Phoenix. Leaning over.
Wild 93.5
[FONT="]Last season 87 pts.[/FONT]
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Make no doubt about it. Bruce Boudreau is the story here. Big hockey town just crying out for some leadership and a winner. And they got it now in Boudreau. Bruce not popular for any playoff success but he certainly has a tendency for leading teams in the regular season to success leading the Ducks to 116, 109 and 103 points the last 3 seasons. And to 108, 121, 107 and 92 in his last season in Washington when he lost the room and Ovechkin. And he has some talent here along with a deep defense and a capable goaltender. And all those seasons are more successful than what the bookmaker is asking us to surpass here in 93.5 points. This teams nickname should be "middle of the road" not the "Wild". This is another big team and Eric Stahl arrives and he's another big body. So it's not like Bruce is taking over a small speedy team here. Word is fast and speedy is the way to build a team in today's NHL. We're only one year removed from big and tough being the model. This team is in Bruce's wheelhouse. This is a real good opportunity for him and I can see why it took only a few days after he was fired in Anaheim to land in Minnesota. I say Chicago and St. Louis are on the down swing. And Nashville's whole makeup has changed with Subban on board. Great opportunity here for the Wild to call. I don't even think 93 gets you in the playoffs in the West this year. 94 is doable for sure here. They've already been in the playoffs 4 straight years playing in the central. He's not going to get them a cup. But he is capable of surpassing this total. Now lets add the fact Scott Stevens is in charge of the defense this year. If you look at his seasons coach the D in NJ, his defense tandems were always right at the top for 3 seasons in gaa and overall keeping the puck out of the net. And that was with an elder Brodour. He has some work to do but im confident they well excel. Dubnyk is an excellent goaltender one season removed from tearing up the league after the trade from Phoenix. Leaning over.
Blackhawks 102.5
[FONT="]Last season 103 pts.[/FONT]
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This team is getting old. Face it. 1st round knockout last season and they picked up and an older Brian Cambell and lost Shaw and Teravainen. Wont be as many bottom dwellers in the West this year to kick around which was what got them reg season points last 3-4-5 seasons. These Hawks teams are built for the playoffs. I think they know to just secure a playoff spot this time around and tool up at the deadline. Not to mention they were a healthy bunch LY losing only 119 games to injury. 2nd best the the league. Its never smart betting against the Hawks, but were only talking whether they surpass last seasons totals. I dont see them hitting 103 or more this time. Only 3 of the 14 healthiest teams LY didn't make the playoffs. Most times when your old your not at your healthiest. They are also the oldest team in the league. Bet under on this one.
[FONT="]Last season 103 pts.[/FONT]
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This team is getting old. Face it. 1st round knockout last season and they picked up and an older Brian Cambell and lost Shaw and Teravainen. Wont be as many bottom dwellers in the West this year to kick around which was what got them reg season points last 3-4-5 seasons. These Hawks teams are built for the playoffs. I think they know to just secure a playoff spot this time around and tool up at the deadline. Not to mention they were a healthy bunch LY losing only 119 games to injury. 2nd best the the league. Its never smart betting against the Hawks, but were only talking whether they surpass last seasons totals. I dont see them hitting 103 or more this time. Only 3 of the 14 healthiest teams LY didn't make the playoffs. Most times when your old your not at your healthiest. They are also the oldest team in the league. Bet under on this one.
Red Wings 89.5
[FONT="]Last season 93 pts.[/FONT]
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They adjusted their season point total but not enough. This team is not going to make the playoffs and they squeezed all the blood out of this turnip last year just to make the playoffs for the 25th straight year. Datsyuks gone, Zetterburgs been a shell of his former self, Kronwall missed the World Cup,with injuries. In fact both did. The defense is a nightmare. A 3rd season with brand new assistant coaches to start the year. There's one way and one way only this team makes the playoffs and surpasses 90 points. If Mrazek stands on his head. And he faltered down the stretch last year. This is a mediocre team in transition on the fly. There's no more rabbits in their hat to pull out this time. I have strong feelings here they go under this total.
[FONT="]Last season 93 pts.[/FONT]
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They adjusted their season point total but not enough. This team is not going to make the playoffs and they squeezed all the blood out of this turnip last year just to make the playoffs for the 25th straight year. Datsyuks gone, Zetterburgs been a shell of his former self, Kronwall missed the World Cup,with injuries. In fact both did. The defense is a nightmare. A 3rd season with brand new assistant coaches to start the year. There's one way and one way only this team makes the playoffs and surpasses 90 points. If Mrazek stands on his head. And he faltered down the stretch last year. This is a mediocre team in transition on the fly. There's no more rabbits in their hat to pull out this time. I have strong feelings here they go under this total.
Oilers 88.5
[FONT="]Last season 70 pts.[/FONT]
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Here's a team on the rise. Emerging star, great coach, great GM, brand new building, defence improved, got some muscle to protect their future. They hit rock bottom last year again, but the difference is they now have a GM in place to take that young talent and build a team who has experience doing just that. Connor McDavid is the new face of hockey and the USA barely knows it. Evidence by Edmonton getting very little National exposure in TV games TY. That's ok. They'll know soon enough. They shipped Hall out and won't miss a beat on offence and greatly improved their defense. This team is now primed for success IMO. 2nd youngest team in the league but it doesn't matter. They now have some leadership. 10 years in a row missing the playoffs. That ends this year. Unfortunately the bookmaker has this number pegged pretty good at 88.5. Just enjoy the transformation here.
[FONT="]Last season 70 pts.[/FONT]
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Here's a team on the rise. Emerging star, great coach, great GM, brand new building, defence improved, got some muscle to protect their future. They hit rock bottom last year again, but the difference is they now have a GM in place to take that young talent and build a team who has experience doing just that. Connor McDavid is the new face of hockey and the USA barely knows it. Evidence by Edmonton getting very little National exposure in TV games TY. That's ok. They'll know soon enough. They shipped Hall out and won't miss a beat on offence and greatly improved their defense. This team is now primed for success IMO. 2nd youngest team in the league but it doesn't matter. They now have some leadership. 10 years in a row missing the playoffs. That ends this year. Unfortunately the bookmaker has this number pegged pretty good at 88.5. Just enjoy the transformation here.
Good points about the Chicago fattening up on the bottom dwellers of the west last few years. Wont be so easy this year.
Also agree that many of the top tier teams save it for the playoffs, now a days, and just coast through the regular season ala L.A. Kings.
As great as Hall was in Edmonton there can be no question getting a top defenseman was high on Oiler’s wish list. Only question is, is Adam Larson a top pairing blue liner? I’m still a big Darnell Nurse fan and think he comes into his own this year.
Another need was a physical presence to protect the youngsters. It’ll be interesting to see how Lucic keeps up with the speed of these guys.
Also agree that many of the top tier teams save it for the playoffs, now a days, and just coast through the regular season ala L.A. Kings.
As great as Hall was in Edmonton there can be no question getting a top defenseman was high on Oiler’s wish list. Only question is, is Adam Larson a top pairing blue liner? I’m still a big Darnell Nurse fan and think he comes into his own this year.
Another need was a physical presence to protect the youngsters. It’ll be interesting to see how Lucic keeps up with the speed of these guys.
Hurricanes 78.5
[FONT="]Last season 86 pts.[/FONT]
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This is one I really like. This team had the worst SOS last year and lost a league high 16 games in ot last season. If they can get some offence they are going to be a playoff team. Their team defence and PK are above average and they were the 2nd best Corsi team in the league last season. Play over with confidence.
[FONT="]Last season 86 pts.[/FONT]
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This is one I really like. This team had the worst SOS last year and lost a league high 16 games in ot last season. If they can get some offence they are going to be a playoff team. Their team defence and PK are above average and they were the 2nd best Corsi team in the league last season. Play over with confidence.
Bushay on the radio
https://m.soundcloud.com/eye-on-gaming/bushay-previews-the-2016-17-nhl-season
https://m.soundcloud.com/eye-on-gaming/bushay-previews-the-2016-17-nhl-season
Westgate numbers on hockey eve.
Ducks............98.5
Coyotes..........78.5
Bruins............91.5
Sabres............86.5
Flames...........88.5
Hurricanes.......79.5
Blackhawks....101.5
Avalanche.......88.5
Blue Jackets.....84.5
Stars..............102.5
Red Wings........88.5
Oilers..............88.5
Panthers...........98
Kings...............98.5
Wild.................94.5
Canadians..........98.5
Preds................97.5
Devils...............86.5
Islanders...........94
Rangers............93.5
Sens................84.5
Flyers...............91.5
Penguins............101.5
Sharks..............99.5
Blues................100.5
Lightning...........105.5
Maple Leafs.........79
Canucks..............77.5
Caps...............106.5
Jets....................86
Ducks............98.5
Coyotes..........78.5
Bruins............91.5
Sabres............86.5
Flames...........88.5
Hurricanes.......79.5
Blackhawks....101.5
Avalanche.......88.5
Blue Jackets.....84.5
Stars..............102.5
Red Wings........88.5
Oilers..............88.5
Panthers...........98
Kings...............98.5
Wild.................94.5
Canadians..........98.5
Preds................97.5
Devils...............86.5
Islanders...........94
Rangers............93.5
Sens................84.5
Flyers...............91.5
Penguins............101.5
Sharks..............99.5
Blues................100.5
Lightning...........105.5
Maple Leafs.........79
Canucks..............77.5
Caps...............106.5
Jets....................86
