Some bad takes from the OP:
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Vegas: The question this year will be whether they even make the playoffs. Forget winning the Cup.
Philadelphia Flyers: they have a lot of very young players who could easily break out. Can they get goaltending?
Columbus Blue Jackets: once Panarin and Bobrovsky are traded, this number will be hilarious.
Calgary Flames: trading Hamilton was a cut off your nose to spite your face move, and James Neal is just not the difference maker people seem to think
Montreal Canadiens: This team needs to hire opposite-Constanza, because I basically hate every move they make. Kotkaniemi was wrong and Domi for Galchenyuk was insane.
Buffalo Sabres: count me as a believer in the Sabres. That is mighty high end talent they have.
New York Islanders: I like the team a lot more than the GM, who is clueless about everything. Expect a sell off at the deadline.
Arizona Coyotes: I picked them below as a playoff team. I am not sure why.
Some good takes from the OP:
Quote:
Los Angeles Kings: old teams with average goalies like Quick don't win.
Chicago Blackhawks: enjoy that cap, boys. This is your team for a good while, and it's not getting better.
Minnesota Wild: their window is officially closed. A truly competent management would tear this down now.
New Jersey Devils: Cory Schneider might be the most overrated player in the league. I love me some Taylor Hall but I can't see him making this happen again.
Florida Panthers: The popular breakout team pick every year. At some point, you have to accept they are what they are, which is not good enough.
Carolina Hurricanes: I actually like them better now that Darling is out for a while. He's not the answer in net, and they need to find the answer.
Award takes, all of which were horrifically wrong:
Quote:
Art Ross: Auston Matthews - PP points will be racked up
Rocket Richard: Connor McDavid - no one else on this team can score
Hart: Connor McDavid - if they make the playoffs, he's a lock
Norris: PK Subban - I would pick him every year just for the quotes
Calder: Kailer Yamamoto - he'll be with McDavid soon enough
Vezina: Carey Price - his W/L record will be horrific but the analytics guys will win the argument based on SV% and HDSV%
Playoff team predictions: East: 5/8
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Eastern Conference Playoff teams (no particular order):
Washington
Pittsburgh
Leafs
Panthers
Sabres
Flyers
Bruins
Lightning
West: 5/8
Quote:
Western Conference Playoff teams (no particular order):
Predators
Jets
Blues
Stars
Sharks
Oilers
Coyotes
Kings
On to the playoffs!