Predictions for the DRW 2014-15 Season!

[number9 3,297]

The bruins who lost to Mtl who then lost to nyr are a powerhouse? Do people even watch hockey? Stop cherry picking stats fact is most teams got better in the easy and Detroit stayed the same...

Most teams in our division got worse or stayed the same this year. Are you watching the offseason?

[number9 3,297]

Looking at the playoff teams WE ARE IN THE BASEMENT. Stop ignoring it. We were 8th. So many people here think were a top 4 team in either conference when was the last time that happened? Stop drinking the damn kool aid and face facts. Until we do better were a fringe playoff team. That's what's been proven these last several seasons.

With the ridiculous season we had last year, this team is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, toss up in the league this year. Could stay healthy and finish with good playoff position. Could go through the same injuries and squeak in or miss the playoffs. Anyone certain of where this team will finish is either crazy or possesses a crystal ball. Which are you?

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

The bruins who lost to Mtl who then lost to nyr are a powerhouse? Do people even watch hockey? Stop cherry picking stats fact is most teams got better in the easy and Detroit stayed the same...

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=725369

Review what happened in our division. My opinion:

Boston, Senators: Definitely worse

Panthers, Sabres: Will still be competing for McDavid

Leafs: Got Frattin, Robidas and 2 KHL players and dumped 7 regulars - Who knows.

Habs, Tampa: Probably a bit better, but nothing to blow you away, I don't think. Some will say Tampa's additions of Stralman and Garrison makes them a lot better, but I think the St. Louis-Callahan trade counteracts that improvement somewhat.

Who do you include "most teams got better"?

We did nothing, but health improvements and youth developing can go a long way toward improvement.

[Dabura 12,207]

Looking at the playoff teams WE ARE IN THE BASEMENT. Stop ignoring it. We were 8th. So many people here think were a top 4 team in either conference when was the last time that happened? Stop drinking the damn kool aid and face facts. Until we do better were a fringe playoff team. That's what's been proven these last several seasons.

Troll harder.

[Guest DeGraa55]

With the ridiculous season we had last year, this team is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, toss up in the league this year. Could stay healthy and finish with good playoff position. Could go through the same injuries and squeak in or miss the playoffs. Anyone certain of where this team will finish is either crazy or possesses a crystal ball. Which are you?

But it's not JUST last year. I agree IF WE STAY healthy we could be good. But we haven't. These past few years have shown that WONT be the case. Were injury prone and until that changes that's what fans should be saying.

Not IF this or IF that. FACTS are mean.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=725369

Review what happened in our division. My opinion:

Boston, Senators: Definitely worse

Panthers, Sabres: Will still be competing for McDavid

Leafs: Got Frattin, Robidas and 2 KHL players and dumped 7 regulars - Who knows.

Habs, Tampa: Probably a bit better, but nothing to blow you away, I don't think. Some will say Tampa's additions of Stralman and Garrison makes them a lot better, but I think the St. Louis-Callahan trade counteracts that improvement somewhat.

Who do you include "most teams got better"?

We did nothing, but health improvements and youth developing can go a long way toward improvement.

Were competing with the leafs for the last few playoff spots. On your list Tampa Boston and Mtl are all better. Yes boston go worse but are still better.

[HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878]

Looking at the playoff teams WE ARE IN THE BASEMENT. Stop ignoring it. We were 8th. So many people here think were a top 4 team in either conference when was the last time that happened? Stop drinking the damn kool aid and face facts. Until we do better were a fringe playoff team. That's what's been proven these last several seasons.

LOL this is funny

[number9 3,297]

But it's not JUST last year. I agree IF WE STAY healthy we could be good. But we haven't. These past few years have shown that WONT be the case. Were injury prone and until that changes that's what fans should be saying.

Not IF this or IF that. FACTS are mean.

Were competing with the leafs for the last few playoff spots. On your list Tampa Boston and Mtl are all better. Yes boston go worse but are still better.

Yes LGW is very aware of your "FACTS" har har har

[Guest DeGraa55]

Yes LGW is very aware of your "FACTS" har har har

Laugh all you want but luckily facts are facts can't get around it.

[kliq 3,755]

I don’t see us taking the division, but I could see if the kids continue to step up, the vets can stay healthy, and Howard can play like the goalie he was in the 2010, 2012, and 2013 regular seasons, we could finish in the #2 or #3 spot in our division.

At that point, I could see us taking the first round, but ultimately falling to an elite team in the second.

But who knows, in today’s NHL with such parody, a team can go from final 4, to non playoff team (ie. Tampa Bay) or vice versa overnight.

[Guest DeGraa55]

LOL this is funny

Ya the fact we barely made the playoffs is funny.

[number9 3,297]

Laugh all you want but luckily facts are facts can't get around it.

What facts have you presented?

I'll quote a rational individual I know: "Troll Harder"

Ya the fact we barely made the playoffs is funny.

I guess you didn't catch it, but that's not what he's laughing at bud

[Dabura 12,207]

To be clear...

I don't necessarily believe things are going to go especially well for the Wings this season. The point I'm trying to make is this: for all the issues the Wings have, the teams that are, generally, considered tops in the East really aren't much better than the Wings, maybe not even better at all when you really get down to it (unless we're talking about the Bruins, who are among the best in the league because they have Chara, Bergeron, Rask, Lucic, Krejci, et al.)

I'm not justifying Ken Holland's inaction. If anything, I feel the conference being wide open almost makes him beholden to bring in a quality player or two that could give us a shot in the arm and maybe help us gain an edge over the other playoff-worthy teams.

Nor am I saying there aren't some very good teams in the East. I do think the Habs are slightly better than the Wings, but the key word is "slightly." It wasn't so long ago that we were all jacked up about a possible first-round date with the Penguins. We truly felt the Wings could take the Penguins out, and Penguins fans were praying for Columbus, and then the Hurricanes happened. Hell, like I said before, it wasn't so long ago that we took out an excellent Ducks team and almost did the same to an even better Blackhawks team, all with a roster that I feel was inferior to what we have now.

And y'know what else? A part of me wants us to finish in the basement so we can, hopefully, snag a genuinely elite prospect, maybe even one who could make an immediate impact. Hell, I probably wouldn't be totally opposed to tanking for a shot at a generational talent. So it's not like I'm in denial about where we stand. I just think this Wings team is better than this past season says we are. So much went wrong for us, but we squeaked into the playoffs. What if so much were to go right for us this season? Answer: we wouldn't be squeaking into the playoffs. What if even just a couple of the things that went wrong for us in 2013-14 were to go right for us in 2014-15? Answer: we wouldn't be squeaking into the playoffs.

I'm cautiously optimistic. I think that's the way to go.

[Guest DeGraa55]

To be clear...

I don't necessarily believe things are going to go especially well for the Wings this season. The point I'm trying to make is this: for all the issues the Wings have, the teams that are, generally, considered tops in the East really aren't much better than the Wings, maybe not even better at all when you really get down to it (unless we're talking about the Bruins, who are among the best in the league because they have Chara, Bergeron, Rask, Lucic, Krejci, et al.)

I'm not justifying Ken Holland's inaction. If anything, I feel the conference being wide open almost makes him beholden to bring in a quality player or two that could give us a shot in the arm and maybe help us gain an edge over the other playoff-worthy teams.

Nor am I saying there aren't some very good teams in the East. I do think the Habs are slightly better than the Wings, but the key word is "slightly." It wasn't so long ago that we were all jacked up about a possible first-round date with the Penguins. We truly felt the Wings could take the Penguins out, and Penguins fans were praying for Columbus, and then the Hurricanes happened. Hell, like I said before, it wasn't so long ago that we took out an excellent Ducks team and almost did the same to an even better Blackhawks team, all with a roster that I feel was inferior to what we have now.

And y'know what else? A part of me wants us to finish in the basement so we can, hopefully, snag a genuinely elite prospect, maybe even one who could make an immediate impact. Hell, I probably wouldn't be totally opposed to tanking for a shot at a generational talent. So it's not like I'm in denial about where we stand. I just think this Wings team is better than this past season says we are. So much went wrong for us, but we squeaked into the playoffs. What if so much were to go right for us this season? Answer: we wouldn't be squeaking into the playoffs. What if even just a couple of the things that went wrong for us in 2013-14 were to go right for us in 2014-15? Answer: we wouldn't be squeaking into the playoffs.

I'm cautiously optimistic. I think that's the way to go.

I completely agree. If things went right and people stay healthy we could be a top team.

BUT when we've been injury prone why do people think it'll change this season? I like it to...but I'm a see it to believe it kind of guy. Enough of the crap "o joe blow feels good" we have ears that enough. Show me such and such player can stay healthy then I'll believe it.

I'm a big Howard fan and I believe he can be better that alone helps us out. But it'll take more then just him.

[kliq 3,755]

I completely agree. If things went right and people stay healthy we could be a top team.

BUT when we've been injury prone why do people think it'll change this season? I like it to...but I'm a see it to believe it kind of guy. Enough of the crap "o joe blow feels good" we have ears that enough. Show me such and such player can stay healthy then I'll believe it.

I'm a big Howard fan and I believe he can be better that alone helps us out. But it'll take more then just him.

I think the reason for the optimism by some (myself included), is that for the first time in a long time, alot of the guys we are counting on are young guys with little to no injury history. Yes Datsyuk and Z could very well get hurt again, but as last year showed, even without them we can put a pretty good team on the ice.

Edited August 2, 2014 by kliq

[wings4thecup06 504]

I completely agree. If things went right and people stay healthy we could be a top team.

BUT when we've been injury prone why do people think it'll change this season? I like it to...but I'm a see it to believe it kind of guy. Enough of the crap "o joe blow feels good" we have ears that enough. Show me such and such player can stay healthy then I'll believe it.

I'm a big Howard fan and I believe he can be better that alone helps us out. But it'll take more then just him.

So you've essentially gone and just contradicted yourself. You say that we are 'a basement team', now we're a top team? All in the span of one page of a forum thread?

Words in CAPS aside, you're opinion that we are a mediocre team and the fact that you think that everyone in the east has got better while we have 'stayed the same', is precisely that. Opinion. I believe that lots of teams in the East didn't get better. Some stayed the same, and some got worse. That is my opinion.

Let's have a brief look at the playoff teams from last season in the East and those on the bubble who missed out:

Bruins - Lost Iginla, lost Thornton. Are still over the cap and haven't yet signed Reilly Smith or Torey Krug yet, so they're going to have to move someone. While still an elite team, losing a 30 goal scorer and a key 4th line component doesn't make them better, it means they got worse

Tampa - IMO the team in the East that improved the most. Added Brenden Morrow and Brian Boyle up front to replace Purcell and Thompson most likely. They re-signedCallahan. Solidified their backup position by signing Nabokov. Big addition on the backend is Stralman, and they acquired a reclamation project in Garrison. With a healthy Bishop and possible Drouin addition, they definitely improved.

Montreal - Subtractions - Gorges, Briere, Vanek, Gionta. Acquisitions, PA Parenteau, Gilbert and Malhotra. And they haven't got the Subban mess sorted out yet, which if they don't agree to a long term deal before the arbiter awards the 1 year deal each side proposed, then they'll have the entire thing hanging over their heads. No way this team improved.

Pittsburgh - Losses - Niskanen, Orpik, Neal, Engellend, Jokinen. Acquisitions, Spaling, Hornqvist, Downie, Comeau, Ehrhoff. Are they better? I really don't see how. Spaling and Hornqvist don't make up for the loss of Neal, and neither does Ehrhoff over both Orpik and Niskanen. Even if they didn't get worse, they certainly didn't improve.

NYR - Losses - Boyle, Richards, Stralman, Pouliot, Dorsett. Acquisitions - Stempniak, Hunwick, Dan Boyle, Glass. So they lost arguably their best line in the postseason, their top D man and only really got reclamation projects and Dan Boyle, who as we all know is on the way out. Am I missing something here? Because I don't see how the Rangers improved either. In fact I think they got worse

Philadelphia - Losses - Downie, Gervais, Hartnell. Acquisitions - Stortini, Nick Schultz, Umberger. While they didn't improve, they didn't get worse either.

Columbus - Losses - Nick Schultz, Skille, Comeau, MacKenzie, Nikitin, Umberger. Acquisitions - Hartnell, D'Amigo. Can you honestly sit here and say that they improved as well?

Detroit - Losses - Legwand. Acquisitions - None. Re-signed Cleary and Quincey. So we didn't get in worse IMO, but I would argue that we got slightly better IF Pavel and Hank stay healthy and the kids contribute. The reason I'm optimistic is that at no point last year did we see this team with Pavel and Hank healthy play with the likes of Nyquist, Sheahan, Tatar, Jurco and co. And this is the key. Our top players stay healthy so that those young guys have less pressure and contribute more. A return to form from Howie will also help, as would 60 decent games out of Weiss. While I'm not oblivious to the fact that all that might not happen, I'm still optimistic that even if some of those things happen, we'll be a good team. So right now we definitely didn't get worse, but we could get better pending health.

Washington - Key losses - Grabovski, Halak. Additions - Niskanen, Orpik, Justin Peters. So they got better on the backend, and the loss of Grabovski will probably be replaced by a full season out of Kuznetsov. So they got slightly better, although their goaltending is slightly shaky

NJ - Losses - Fayne, Volchenkov. Acquisitions - Clemmensen, Havlat, Cammalleri. So they lost on the backend but improved their secondary scoring upfront, while also re-signing Jagr. So they got slightly better.

Ottawa - Losses - Spezza, Hemsky. Acquisitions - Legwand, Chiasson, Guptill. No way these guys got better. Legwand and Chiasson do not replace Spezza and Hemsky. These guys might be challenging for McDavid.

Toronto - Losses - McClement, Kulemin, Raymond, Bolland, D'amigo, Gunnarsson. Acquisitions - Winnik, Booth, Santorelli, Robidas, Polak, Frattin. They kind of replaced what they lost. They might have got slightly better on the backend, but other than that, I don't really see much improvement here from the Leafs. Probably stayed the same.

Now, this is just my opinion, but by my count, that makes 5 teams on that list that I think got worse (Boston, Montreal, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Rangers), 3 that got better (Tampa, Washington, New Jersey) and 4 that stayed put (Detroit, Columbus, Philadelphia, Toronto).

With that in mind, I'd have to say that if healthy, the Wings have a decent shot here.

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

So you've essentially gone and just contradicted yourself. You say that we are 'a basement team', now we're a top team? All in the span of one page of a forum thread?

Words in CAPS aside, you're opinion that we are a mediocre team and the fact that you think that everyone in the east has got better while we have 'stayed the same', is precisely that. Opinion. I believe that lots of teams in the East didn't get better. Some stayed the same, and some got worse. That is my opinion.

Let's have a brief look at the playoff teams from last season in the East and those on the bubble who missed out:

Bruins - Lost Iginla, lost Thornton. Are still over the cap and haven't yet signed Reilly Smith or Torey Krug yet, so they're going to have to move someone. While still an elite team, losing a 30 goal scorer and a key 4th line component doesn't make them better, it means they got worse

Tampa - IMO the team in the East that improved the most. Added Brenden Morrow and Brian Boyle up front to replace Purcell and Thompson most likely. They re-signedCallahan. Solidified their backup position by signing Nabokov. Big addition on the backend is Stralman, and they acquired a reclamation project in Garrison. With a healthy Bishop and possible Drouin addition, they definitely improved.

Montreal - Subtractions - Gorges, Briere, Vanek, Gionta. Acquisitions, PA Parenteau, Gilbert and Malhotra. And they haven't got the Subban mess sorted out yet, which if they don't agree to a long term deal before the arbiter awards the 1 year deal each side proposed, then they'll have the entire thing hanging over their heads. No way this team improved.

Pittsburgh - Losses - Niskanen, Orpik, Neal, Engellend, Jokinen. Acquisitions, Spaling, Hornqvist, Downie, Comeau, Ehrhoff. Are they better? I really don't see how. Spaling and Hornqvist don't make up for the loss of Neal, and neither does Ehrhoff over both Orpik and Niskanen. Even if they didn't get worse, they certainly didn't improve.

NYR - Losses - Boyle, Richards, Stralman, Pouliot, Dorsett. Acquisitions - Stempniak, Hunwick, Dan Boyle, Glass. So they lost arguably their best line in the postseason, their top D man and only really got reclamation projects and Dan Boyle, who as we all know is on the way out. Am I missing something here? Because I don't see how the Rangers improved either. In fact I think they got worse

Philadelphia - Losses - Downie, Gervais, Hartnell. Acquisitions - Stortini, Nick Schultz, Umberger. While they didn't improve, they didn't get worse either.

Columbus - Losses - Nick Schultz, Skille, Comeau, MacKenzie, Nikitin, Umberger. Acquisitions - Hartnell, D'Amigo. Can you honestly sit here and say that they improved as well?

Detroit - Losses - Legwand. Acquisitions - None. Re-signed Cleary and Quincey. So we didn't get in worse IMO, but I would argue that we got slightly better IF Pavel and Hank stay healthy and the kids contribute. The reason I'm optimistic is that at no point last year did we see this team with Pavel and Hank healthy play with the likes of Nyquist, Sheahan, Tatar, Jurco and co. And this is the key. Our top players stay healthy so that those young guys have less pressure and contribute more. A return to form from Howie will also help, as would 60 decent games out of Weiss. While I'm not oblivious to the fact that all that might not happen, I'm still optimistic that even if some of those things happen, we'll be a good team. So right now we definitely didn't get worse, but we could get better pending health.

Washington - Key losses - Grabovski, Halak. Additions - Niskanen, Orpik, Justin Peters. So they got better on the backend, and the loss of Grabovski will probably be replaced by a full season out of Kuznetsov. So they got slightly better, although their goaltending is slightly shaky

NJ - Losses - Fayne, Volchenkov. Acquisitions - Clemmensen, Havlat, Cammalleri. So they lost on the backend but improved their secondary scoring upfront, while also re-signing Jagr. So they got slightly better.

Ottawa - Losses - Spezza, Hemsky. Acquisitions - Legwand, Chiasson, Guptill. No way these guys got better. Legwand and Chiasson do not replace Spezza and Hemsky. These guys might be challenging for McDavid.

Toronto - Losses - McClement, Kulemin, Raymond, Bolland, D'amigo, Gunnarsson. Acquisitions - Winnik, Booth, Santorelli, Robidas, Polak, Frattin. They kind of replaced what they lost. They might have got slightly better on the backend, but other than that, I don't really see much improvement here from the Leafs. Probably stayed the same.

Now, this is just my opinion, but by my count, that makes 5 teams on that list that I think got worse (Boston, Montreal, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Rangers), 3 that got better (Tampa, Washington, New Jersey) and 4 that stayed put (Detroit, Columbus, Philadelphia, Toronto).

With that in mind, I'd have to say that if healthy, the Wings have a decent shot here.

Not to mention that the most improved team in the NHL the past 2 seasons is Dallas, and they're in the west and only on the rise now, so with half the teams in the East losing out and the Wings making the playoffs last year regardless of what we had, things don't look that bad.

[Dabura 12,207]

Not to mention that the most improved team in the NHL the past 2 seasons is Dallas, and they're in the west and only on the rise now, so with half the teams in the East losing out and the Wings making the playoffs last year regardless of what we had, things don't look that bad.

I think you could also make a case for the Lightning, Canadiens, Blue Jackets, Avalanche.

[kliq 3,755]

So you've essentially gone and just contradicted yourself. You say that we are 'a basement team', now we're a top team? All in the span of one page of a forum thread?

Words in CAPS aside, you're opinion that we are a mediocre team and the fact that you think that everyone in the east has got better while we have 'stayed the same', is precisely that. Opinion. I believe that lots of teams in the East didn't get better. Some stayed the same, and some got worse. That is my opinion.

Let's have a brief look at the playoff teams from last season in the East and those on the bubble who missed out:

Tampa - IMO the team in the East that improved the most. Added Brenden Morrow and Brian Boyle up front to replace Purcell and Thompson most likely. They re-signedCallahan. Solidified their backup position by signing Nabokov. Big addition on the backend is Stralman, and they acquired a reclamation project in Garrison. With a healthy Bishop and possible Drouin addition, they definitely improved.

I pretty much agree with all of your assessments, and Tampa Bay on paper definitely looks improved. However, I believe they are only improved if Bishop again has a vezina caliber year. I believe he will be good this year, but I think its more likely he is a top 15 goalie next year, not a top 3.

Edited August 2, 2014 by kliq

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

I think you could also make a case for the Lightning, Canadiens, Blue Jackets, Avalanche.

Tampa is definitely the best on that list. They'll be fun to watch for sure. I'll cheer for them more cause Stevie Y built them.

[Dabura 12,207]

Tampa is definitely the best on that list. They'll be fun to watch for sure. I'll cheer for them more cause Stevie Y built them.

I think both the Bolts and Habs are going to be scary in a few years. But the Habs are probably closer right now. Price is arguably the best goalie in the league. Subban's one of the best defensemen in the league and is only going to get better. (I love P.K. Subban. I just do.) Pacioretty's basically a 40-goal scorer and he, like Subban, is only 25. Galchenyuk is a serious talent, Gallagher's good, Eller's a solid 3C who may become a solid 2C. And they also have Markov, who's very underrated, IMHO. If they find a really legit 1C, they're gonna be scary.

Man, I hate the Atlantic Division already. #IWantTheMetro

Edited August 2, 2014 by Dabura

[Guest DeGraa55]

So you've essentially gone and just contradicted yourself. You say that we are 'a basement team', now we're a top team? All in the span of one page of a forum thread?

Words in CAPS aside, you're opinion that we are a mediocre team and the fact that you think that everyone in the east has got better while we have 'stayed the same', is precisely that. Opinion. I believe that lots of teams in the East didn't get better. Some stayed the same, and some got worse. That is my opinion.

Let's have a brief look at the playoff teams from last season in the East and those on the bubble who missed out:

Bruins - Lost Iginla, lost Thornton. Are still over the cap and haven't yet signed Reilly Smith or Torey Krug yet, so they're going to have to move someone. While still an elite team, losing a 30 goal scorer and a key 4th line component doesn't make them better, it means they got worse

Tampa - IMO the team in the East that improved the most. Added Brenden Morrow and Brian Boyle up front to replace Purcell and Thompson most likely. They re-signedCallahan. Solidified their backup position by signing Nabokov. Big addition on the backend is Stralman, and they acquired a reclamation project in Garrison. With a healthy Bishop and possible Drouin addition, they definitely improved.

Montreal - Subtractions - Gorges, Briere, Vanek, Gionta. Acquisitions, PA Parenteau, Gilbert and Malhotra. And they haven't got the Subban mess sorted out yet, which if they don't agree to a long term deal before the arbiter awards the 1 year deal each side proposed, then they'll have the entire thing hanging over their heads. No way this team improved.

Pittsburgh - Losses - Niskanen, Orpik, Neal, Engellend, Jokinen. Acquisitions, Spaling, Hornqvist, Downie, Comeau, Ehrhoff. Are they better? I really don't see how. Spaling and Hornqvist don't make up for the loss of Neal, and neither does Ehrhoff over both Orpik and Niskanen. Even if they didn't get worse, they certainly didn't improve.

NYR - Losses - Boyle, Richards, Stralman, Pouliot, Dorsett. Acquisitions - Stempniak, Hunwick, Dan Boyle, Glass. So they lost arguably their best line in the postseason, their top D man and only really got reclamation projects and Dan Boyle, who as we all know is on the way out. Am I missing something here? Because I don't see how the Rangers improved either. In fact I think they got worse

Philadelphia - Losses - Downie, Gervais, Hartnell. Acquisitions - Stortini, Nick Schultz, Umberger. While they didn't improve, they didn't get worse either.

Columbus - Losses - Nick Schultz, Skille, Comeau, MacKenzie, Nikitin, Umberger. Acquisitions - Hartnell, D'Amigo. Can you honestly sit here and say that they improved as well?

Detroit - Losses - Legwand. Acquisitions - None. Re-signed Cleary and Quincey. So we didn't get in worse IMO, but I would argue that we got slightly better IF Pavel and Hank stay healthy and the kids contribute. The reason I'm optimistic is that at no point last year did we see this team with Pavel and Hank healthy play with the likes of Nyquist, Sheahan, Tatar, Jurco and co. And this is the key. Our top players stay healthy so that those young guys have less pressure and contribute more. A return to form from Howie will also help, as would 60 decent games out of Weiss. While I'm not oblivious to the fact that all that might not happen, I'm still optimistic that even if some of those things happen, we'll be a good team. So right now we definitely didn't get worse, but we could get better pending health.

Washington - Key losses - Grabovski, Halak. Additions - Niskanen, Orpik, Justin Peters. So they got better on the backend, and the loss of Grabovski will probably be replaced by a full season out of Kuznetsov. So they got slightly better, although their goaltending is slightly shaky

NJ - Losses - Fayne, Volchenkov. Acquisitions - Clemmensen, Havlat, Cammalleri. So they lost on the backend but improved their secondary scoring upfront, while also re-signing Jagr. So they got slightly better.

Ottawa - Losses - Spezza, Hemsky. Acquisitions - Legwand, Chiasson, Guptill. No way these guys got better. Legwand and Chiasson do not replace Spezza and Hemsky. These guys might be challenging for McDavid.

Toronto - Losses - McClement, Kulemin, Raymond, Bolland, D'amigo, Gunnarsson. Acquisitions - Winnik, Booth, Santorelli, Robidas, Polak, Frattin. They kind of replaced what they lost. They might have got slightly better on the backend, but other than that, I don't really see much improvement here from the Leafs. Probably stayed the same.

Now, this is just my opinion, but by my count, that makes 5 teams on that list that I think got worse (Boston, Montreal, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Rangers), 3 that got better (Tampa, Washington, New Jersey) and 4 that stayed put (Detroit, Columbus, Philadelphia, Toronto).

With that in mind, I'd have to say that if healthy, the Wings have a decent shot here.

No contradiction. My opinion is based off the fact they've been injury prone and barely making the playoffs these last few years. But IF that changed and they stay healthy then yes I think they can be good. I just dot think that'll happen base don't their recent track record.

Now as far as each team. I think boston Mtl and Pittsburgh got a little worse but are still ahead if us talent and health wise. Washington will be one of the most improved teams I think. Much better coach and two defenseman added.

Teams like the rangers philly and Tampa will be about the same. They didn't make many changes.

Then the teams with question marks. Columbus can they continue their success? Teams like us, Carolina and NYI can they stay healthy? Can they play up to their full potential? The islanders don't have much but they were in the playoff hunt until taveres was hurt.

Toronto. Which Toronto shows up lol they can be good or not.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

I like you, frank, but I just can't get behind this. You're saying that at our best - which, as 2013 showed, is really quite good - we barely squeak into the playoffs in the weak East, and, to me, that's giving the conference way too much credit. I get that there's this narrative that we're barely clinging to life and THIS is the season that the playoff streak comes to an end, but I think it's largely just that - a narrative. Had we added Datsyuk in free agency, people would be saying, "Holy s***, Zetterberg and Datsyuk?! And they've got all these young studs like Nyquist?! This team's gonna be GREAT!" In fact, going into last season, a lot of the "experts" had us down for second or third in the Atlantic. Did we learn this past season that the conference is super-tough? No, we got destroyed by stupid-ass injuries - and, even then, we still made the playoffs.

The Bruins are an elite contender. They're a team built to win the Cup, and I'm not sure we stand a chance against them in the playoffs even with a healthy roster. But the Bruins are the only powerhouse in the Eastern Conference. Behind them are the Penguins, who feasted on a terrible division and didn't seem like world-beaters any of the times we played them; maybe the Rangers, who were lucky to make it to the Finals and are probably a weaker team this season (losing Pouliot and Boyle and Stralman is a big blow for them and they know it); maybe the Canadiens, who were terrible for stretches this past season and are, I think, entirely dependent on their goalie (look at their roster. Tell me, with a straight face, that they're much deeper and much more formidable than us); maybe the Lightning, who are setting themselves up for great success in the future but aren't there yet and very likely overachieved this past season because Bishop played out of his mind (remember: they lost him for the first round and the Habs streamrolled them); and I'm not even going to mention the Flyers or Capitals or Leafs or Senators or Devils or Hurricanes.

I believe the East is wide, wide open. I don't believe the Wings are truly a fringe team.

Think of all the points we pissed away. We get a few of those back, and we're not an 8th seed.

I can't imagine we don't substantially improve on this past season.

I like your way of reacting too. Sadly I'm a bit too drunk for a long response but I'll try my best without too much mistakes

I love the way Gus, Tatar, Sheahan and Jurco played this year but we have to keep one thing in mind, othere teams are now aware of Nyquist, Tatar their best defenders nowadays know how dangerous both of them are. Other coaches will adjust theiir gameplan and nobody knows if both might have a bit of a sophomore slump because of that (happened to the best of them so no big deal just saying). As awesome Z and Pasha are - and they are unbelievable awesome so glad we have them - they need someone to protect them and more importantly create space on the ice, as of right now the RedWings don't have such a player.

Hockey isn't played on paper, otherwise it would be Chess and that's great but personally I'd rather go in with very low expectations and can only be positively surprised instead of hoping for - given our shaky defense - an unrealistic great finish. Too each their own and I'll honestly admit I wouldn't be against ending the st reak if it means McDavid or Jake Eichel both are going to become two absolute superstars for ~ 15 years and they would fix our center problem for the future.

The Bruins in my mind took a step back by losing Thoirnton, Iginla the Pens will have to hope that Ehrhoff can bring what Niskanen did if he does I think they might be better than the Bruins this season. Like I said the Rangers have McDonagh and an impressive goaltender so they are going to be in the mix again. The Bolts at least to me did have the best offseason in the east, I agree with you they aren't there yet but they are getting closer each year unreal what Yzerman has accomplished there.

Habs I fully agree and the only reason I see them above us is their goalie, otherwise they aren't better in fact their forward depth is worse than ours. The Caps added a great coach, an awsome defender in Niskanen and physical tank in Orpik so on paper they are clearly better. A lot of the Flyers season will hang on to the play off Mason if he falls back to just being average they might have trouble making the playoffs, their defense just isn't and hasn't been good enough since Pronger left - very comparable to us and Lids

[number9 3,297]

No contradiction. My opinion is based off the fact they've been injury prone and barely making the playoffs these last few years. But IF that changed and they stay healthy then yes I think they can be good. I just dot think that'll happen base don't their recent track record.

Now as far as each team. I think boston Mtl and Pittsburgh got a little worse but are still ahead if us talent and health wise. Washington will be one of the most improved teams I think. Much better coach and two defenseman added.

Teams like the rangers philly and Tampa will be about the same. They didn't make many changes.

Then the teams with question marks. Columbus can they continue their success? Teams like us, Carolina and NYI can they stay healthy? Can they play up to their full potential? The islanders don't have much but they were in the playoff hunt until taveres was hurt.

Toronto. Which Toronto shows up lol they can be good or not.

"Facts are facts"

"WE ARE IN THE BASEMENT"

[sjr2012 439]

I think its fair to say it could go either way with what has transpired the last few years truth is a lot of ppl said we would finish 2nd in the atlantic and that was after we acquired Weiss and Alfie but only because they thought we had a good core and superb goaltending Howie was bad last year but can you really blame him or the D? same with Weiss Injury and Z and D along with everyone else that got hurt if we had a complete team most of the year no major flaws I think we could flirt with the top of the Division every year is rouellete you don't know what your going to get you could get an off year by Towes and Kane a Hot streak by Glendening and a Howard that is a Hasek it all depends on how the team adapts no matter what I will support them weather they go 82-0 or 0-82 but in the end it all comes down to how everyone performs I think we see a red wings team that has something to prove and we do come out hot

Edited August 3, 2014 by sjr2012

[Guest DeGraa55]

"Facts are facts"

"WE ARE IN THE BASEMENT"

You quoted half of it LOL.

8th out of 8 is basement buddy.

I think its fair to say it could go either way with what has transpired the last few years truth is a lot of ppl said we would finish 2nd in the atlantic and that was after we acquired Weiss and Alfie but only because they thought we had a good core and superb goaltending Howie was bad last year but can you really blame him or the D? same with Weiss Injury and Z and D along with everyone else that got hurt if we had a complete team most of the year no major flaws I think we could flirt with the top of the Division every year is rouellete you don't know what your going to get you could get an off year by Towes and Kane a Hot streak by Glendening and a Howard that is a Hasek it all depends on how the team adapts no matter what I will support them weather they go 82-0 or 0-82 but in the end it all comes down to how everyone performs I think we see a red wings team that has something to prove and we do come out hot

Ya it's funny a lot of people were saying we would do that well. Meanwhile I said we would finish....where we did.

I was happy with the Weiss signing then and still ain't. By the could do better. He is just one of many question marks.