Training camp is almost upon us and 99% of free agency is done, so now it’s time to throw out my predictions as always.
I’m going a different route this year on my prediction write ups. I normally write a paragraph or so about each team and why they are placed where they are, but that just becomes real boring and time consuming, especially to readers. This time around I’m going with a simple, self explanatory rating system, that’s easier on me and the readers. I’m taking the 5 most important categories that make up a team (in my opinion) and giving each team a rating in that area, from 1 through 10. Each team total added up can be no more than 50 points, obviously.
Teams are not in order by total points for the most part, so a team with more points can be lower than a team with less points, or vice versa. I’m also taking into account division/conference strength, and of course my gut feeling on where I think that team will land. And that is basically it, very simple. The categories are listed below.
1. Overall Offense & Power Play = Team Forwards (offensive and defensive game combined)
2. Overall Defense & Penalty Kill = Team Defenseman (offensive and defensive game combined)
3. Goaltending = Team goalie(s)
4. Leadership & Experience = Team leadership players and player experience
5. Coaching = Coaching staff
DSA stands for division strength average. It’s the total ratings average of all the teams in each division. I also will do a conference strength average for shi*s and giggles.
Eastern Conference Standings Predictions
1. Montreal Canadiens (DSA: 39.1)
Overall Offense: 10
Overall Defense: 8.5
Goaltending: 8
Leadership: 7.5
Coaching: 9
Total: 43/50
2. Philadelphia Flyers (DSA: 40.2)
Overall Offense: 10
Overall Defense: 8.5
Goaltending: 8.5
Leadership: 8.5
Coaching: 7
Total: 42.5/50
3. Carolina Hurricanes (DSA: 38.6)
Overall Offense: 9.5
Overall Defense: 8
Goaltending: 8.5
Leadership: 8
Coaching: 8
Total: 42/50
4. New Jersey Devils (DSA: 40.2)
Overall Offense: 8
Overall Defense: 8.5
Goaltending: 10
Leadership: 9
Coaching: 7.5
Total: 43/50
5. Washington Capitals (DSA: 38.6)
Overall Offense: 9
Overall Defense: 8
Goaltending: 8
Leadership: 7.5
Coaching: 7
Total: 39.5/50
6. Pittsburgh Penguins (DSA: 40.2)
Overall Offense: 9
Overall Defense: 7.5
Goaltending: 8.5
Leadership: 7
Coaching: 7.5
Total: 39.5/50
7. Tampa Bay Lightning (DSA: 38.6)
Overall Offense: 9.5
Overall Defense: 6.5
Goaltending: 7.5
Leadership: 10
Coaching: 7
Total: 40.5/50
8. New York Rangers (DSA: 40.2)
Overall Offense: 8.5
Overall Defense: 8
Goaltending: 9.5
Leadership: 7
Coaching: 7.5
Total: 40.5/50
9. Buffalo Sabres (DSA: 39.1)
Overall Offense: 9.5
Overall Defense: 6
Goaltending: 8
Leadership: 7
Coaching: 8.5
Total: 40/50
10. Ottawa Senators (DSA: 39.1)
Overall Offense: 9
Overall Defense: 8
Goaltending: 7.5
Leadership: 7.5
Coaching: 7
Total: 39/50
11. Boston Bruins (DSA: 39.1)
Overall Offense: 7.5
Overall Defense: 8.5
Goaltending: 7.5
Leadership: 7.5
Coaching: 8
Total: 39/50
12. Florida Panthers (DSA: 38.6)
Overall Offense: 6.5
Overall Defense: 8
Goaltending: 9
Leadership: 7
Coaching: 6
Total: 36.5/50
13. New York Islanders (DSA: 40.2)
Overall Offense: 6
Overall Defense: 7
Goaltending: 8
Leadership: 8
Coaching: 6.5
Total: 35.5/50
14. Toronto Maple Leafs (DSA: 39.1)
Overall Offense: 6.5
Overall Defense: 7
Goaltending: 7.5
Leadership: 6
Coaching: 8.5
Total: 35/50
15. Atlanta Thrashers (DSA: 38.6)
Overall Offense: 7
Overall Defense: 6
Goaltending: 8.5
Leadership: 7
Coaching: 6
Total: 34.5/50
Division strength rankings:
1. Atlantic (DSA: 40.2)
2. Northeast (DSA: 39.1)
3. Southeast (DSA: 38.6)
Total Eastern Conference team strength average (39.2)
Western Conference Standings Predictions
1. Detroit Red Wings (DSA: 41)
Overall Offense: 10
Overall Defense: 10
Goaltending: 8.5
Leadership: 10
Coaching: 9.5
Total: 48/50
2. San Jose Sharks (DSA: 39.8)
Overall Offense: 9
Overall Defense: 9
Goaltending: 9.5
Leadership: 9
Coaching: 6.5
Total: 43/50
3. Vancouver Canucks (DSA: 40.2)
Overall Offense: 8
Overall Defense: 9
Goaltending: 10
Leadership: 7
Coaching: 7.5
Total: 41.5/50
4. Dallas Stars (DSA: 39.8)
Overall Offense: 8.5
Overall Defense: 9
Goaltending: 9
Leadership: 9
Coaching: 9
Total: 44.5/50
5. Chicago Blackhawks (DSA: 41)
Overall Offense: 8
Overall Defense: 9.5
Goaltending: 9
Leadership: 7
Coaching: 7.5
Total: 41/50
6. Calgary Flames (DSA: 40.2)
Overall Offense: 8
Overall Defense: 9
Goaltending: 9
Leadership: 8
Coaching: 8.5
Total: 42.5/50
7. Edmonton Oilers (DSA: 40.2)
Overall Offense: 8
Overall Defense: 8
Goaltending: 8.5
Leadership: 7
Coaching: 8
Total: 39.5/50
8. Phoenix Coyotes (DSA: 39.8)
Overall Offense: 7.5
Overall Defense: 7.5
Goaltending: 9
Leadership: 7.5
Coaching: 7.5
Total: 39/50
9. Anaheim Ducks (DSA: 39.8)
Overall Offense: 7
Overall Defense: 9
Goaltending: 8.5
Leadership: 9
Coaching: 8.5
Total: 42/50
10. Minnesota Wild (DSA: 40.2)
Overall Offense: 7.5
Overall Defense: 8.5
Goaltending: 8.5
Leadership: 6.5
Coaching: 8.5
Total: 39.5/50
11. Columbus Blue Jackets (DSA: 41)
Overall Offense: 7
Overall Defense: 7
Goaltending: 8.5
Leadership: 8.5
Coaching: 8.5
Total: 39.5/50
12. Colorado Avalanche (DSA: 40.2)
Overall Offense: 8.5
Overall Defense: 8
Goaltending: 6
Leadership: 8.5
Coaching: 7
Total: 38/50
13. Nashville Predators (DSA: 41)
Overall Offense: 7.5
Overall Defense: 8.5
Goaltending: 7.5
Leadership: 7.5
Coaching: 8
Total: 39/50
14. St. Louis Blues (DSA: 41)
Overall Offense: 7
Overall Defense: 7.5
Goaltending: 8.5
Leadership: 7
Coaching: 8
Total: 38/50
15. Los Angeles Kings (DSA: 39.8)
Overall Offense: 8
Overall Defense: 6.5
Goaltending: 6
Leadership: 6.5
Coaching: 8
Total: 35/50
Division strength rankings:
1. Central (DSA: 41)
2. Northwest (DSA: 40.2)
3. Pacific (DSA: 39.8)
Total Western Conference team strength average (40.3)
vancouver 3rd in the west? no way….they dont have any good players besides luongo. doubt they will even make playoffs this year
haha we were 3rd you numb nut
umm ducks 9th place?? what are you on?
I am a Canucks fan and I can even admit that you have them way too high, I’d call it a long shot for them to make the playoffs
Canucks in 3rd? Have you ever strapped on a pair of skates before?
you should all get back on the yellow bus you tards
Canucks in 3rd? Give your head a shake.
You’re a funny guy. You must really hate the Canucks.
OK… first off I am not one of those die hard Leafs fans thats missing a realistic view of the hockey world…. But I do wanna say I really think the leafs are being highly under estimated this season… I dont think that by any means they have a shot at the presidents trophy but they will be in the 7, 8, 9, 10 spot in the eastern conference… NOT 14th… are you kidding me? Toskala will rank amoung the top goalies this season as will the defence… Their GF for may come in under the 200 mark… but don’t be surprised if their GA comes in even lower
I wouldn’t count on it. But you never know, and that’s why predictions are 50% luck.
ITS DEFENSE..NOT DEFENCE
few things hurricanes in 3rd is stretching it , especially with williams out for a while, phili in 2nd is also a bit far fetched bruins in 11th won’t happen especially with a healthier bergeron and a young team, pheonix, edmonton and chicago all over the ducks? wtf are you on!??! and of course canucks in 3rd sorry sister no way
My predictions are done before camp starts, and Williams wasn’t ruled out until after these predictions were made, but that’s fine.
I’ve found out from making predictions over recent years that if you make predictions based on which teams are missing who and how teams perform in pre season that it only further clouds judgment, so that’s why I make mine as soon as I do.
Think of it like how handicappers try to make certain bets because of team/game advantages (injuries, weather ect..) and it usually never helps. That’s because the more you look into something, the more your thinking becomes distorted. I try to avoid that.
its colour not color
here is a clip from mapleleafs.nhl.com
“The Leafs kept things rolling nicely in the second. Mark Bell showed mid-season polish when he collected a loose puck, drifted around a sliding Buffalo defenceman and found Boyd Devereaux for an easy tap-in.”
so tell me how a defencemen plays defense Marion
In America it’s spelled with an S. Pretty much everywhere else it’s spelled with a C, including England.
I can’t see the “Flamers” finishing above the Oilers this year. I seriously think Edmonton has the peices in place to contend.
Only thing I have to say is that Leadership, coaching, team defense, goaltending, and team offense can’t not all be measured as equal values.. I don’t care how much leadership you have with a bunch of 35 year olds, that won’t beat a team like the blackhawks who you gave a 7 to….they have great leadership in toews… age doesn’t mean leadership ask olli jokinen who has been a captain for years and blows at it.
But good try…. this is wrong though..Calgary ahead of Anaheim??? Calgary is going to suck with the exception of Iginla… Kipper stinks to…. I ‘d rather had a tampa bay defensemen in net than Kipper.
Rankings are wrong, Calgary should be third according to point totals. Go Flames Go
Right, but it’s not just based on point totals 😉
calgary sucks? thats the stupidest thing ive heard in a while
ducks ninth are u on crack
I READ THE LEAFS WERE PREDICTED TO FINISH 14TH NOT GONNA HAPPEN WILL BE 6TH 7TH OR 8TH
Let’s see where they are in 2 months before we get all crazy now.
Minnesota and Edmonton should be higher by like two places. Calgary should lead that divison by like 2 points and Vancouver like 5th. Colorado should make it in the playoffs. Montreal like third. Get your head together!!!!!!!!
You are so wrong!!!!!!!!
But thats what might happen in the 2008/2009 NHL Cup!
Lay off the drugs, kid.
Calgary is now sucking mad!!!!!
Who do you think will go in the finals!
If you go under my predictions link towards your left, you can see my blog page. I picked San Jose over Philly.
Rangers are going to be higher than 8th, unless they have a big,big tragedy.
^^The Ottawa Senators say hello. They started out 15 straight games with points last season and made 8th spot. I don’t think the Rangers will implode like that, but I still believe 7 teams can be better than them. It’s way too early to tell.
Vancouver beat Detroit today 4-3 OT. Such ponage! Montreal is doing awesome too! Does anyone know why New York Rangers have played SIX games already?
The Rangers played 2 games overseas in the Czech Republic against Tampa Bay, just like Pittsburgh played two against the Senators in Sweden.
Thanks for the answer and is Buffalo being very under estimayed this yerar! Too bad they whooped Vancouver bad 5-2.
Yeah, Buffalo looks pretty good. I’m still iffy about their D, so I’ll see where they are in a month before I get all crazy over them.
Come on Luongo bREAK RECORD JUST 13:00 MINS LEFT
Close
Whippee, Cancucks r in the lead in the NW division!But, their going to have to watch out or the Wild.
Ok this is just wrong flames 6th??? Noooo wayyy they are going to win the divison by at least 8 points. Sundin is going to suck massively there. and by the time the nucks get Luongo back. The flames will be out of their reach. Oilers,Avs and the wild will not make the playoff this year.
Finals= Flames vs Canadiens (1989 classic matchup)
Flames in 7
I have no idea what to say anymore, lol!
Lots of twists and turns.
So. Bruins in the 11 spot. You must be a modern day Miss Cleo!
Eww, ouch!
I did predict David Krejci to have a breakout year, though 🙂
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
wow…its funny to look back at these. good call on the ducks. i dont think anyone said that they would be out of it as of now. of course there are some bad picks (boston, montreal, pittsburgh, tampa, columbus, florida). Also devils with a 7.5 in coaching?? kind of surprised me cause brent sutter is a great coach
If I was to give Sutter a grade right now I’d give him a 9. At the beginning of the year he was coming off just an above average year and getting smacked in the 1st round of the playoffs.
The last 20 games for most the teams are going to be a big finale, rush and a tiredsome 20.
good predictions. Canucks will win the NW Division
pretty sure that the first few posters were completely wrong….. good standings predictions.
Thanks.
Outside of Boston and STL, It’s not too bad. I can’t say I feel at fault for Dallas’ struggles, though.
And I did predict Columbus as my potential sleeper team in my questions addition. But I also picked Spezza as my outside shot at the Art Ross. you win some you lose some.
I like the predictions. u did really good this year and you were one of the first to post such a list. Although you made some bad calls such as Boston and STL but other than that. Congrats!
Thanks.
And for all the people on here who were talking stuff, make sure to come again to my predictions in September and post yours in the comment section. You’ll see how hard it really is 🙂
Hey puckpassion this year get your head out of your ass and try some real predictions I cannot wait to hear how you thinktyhe bruins will end up.
Hey puckpassion this year get your head out of your ass and try some real predictions I cannot wait to hear how you think the bruins will end up.
lol, ok buddy.
Will you join me in making some predictions?
I love reading through this and seeing all the people who hated the prediction of the canucks in 3rd. And low and behold where now did they finish?
I LOVE how everybody thinks montreal is so damn good. They’re gonna suck this year just like they did last year even though everybody had them in 1st. They’re a horrible team and will continue to be one in this century. Lundqvist is way better than Brodeur and should be rated higher. All be it that Brodeur used to be a 10, his age is beginning to make me think he will no longer be as solid in net making him around a 9. Just look at what happened to him in Round 1. Also, to put Pittsburgh any less than 3rd is foolish and the flyers 2nd? Dream on
This was last years predictions.
yea ik i was saying whoever made these is a dumbass and rated certain teams way to high in certain categories
Easy for you to say…A YEAR AFTER
7 out of the 8 I predicted in the East made it into the playoffs. Let’s see you do better.
….Hmmmm
TorontoGuy here.I love the grit Burke has brought to the team,but there are still alot of Question marks.If the Team hit the ice today,they’d finish no better than 11th.I’m hoping Burke can add some Flash and scoring to the team.So I can raise the Leafs rank.
——————————————————
THE EAST #1. Washington
#2. Boston
#3. Pittsburgh
#4. Philadelphia
#5. New Jersey
#6. Rangers
#7. Buffalo
#8. Ottawa
——————
#9. Montreal
#10.Carolina
#11.Toronto
#12.Tampa Bay
#13.Islanders
#14.Atlanta
#15.Florida
THE WEST #1. Calgary
#2. Chicago
#3. San Jose
#4. Detroit
#5. St.Louis
#6. Vancouver
#7. Dallas
#8. Nashville
—————
#9. Anaheim
#10.Minnesota
#11.Los Angeles
#12.Edmonton
#13.Columbus
#14.Phoenix
#15.Colorado
Barring any major trade’s or Signnings…August 2009
I will update until Oct 2009..should this happen.
Should I feel It will impact the teams standings.
I purposed this idea a few years ago,I believe it would allow everyone to get a taste of playoff hockey.1st 2 more teams need to be added,one to each division.Now we have 8 playoff bound team and 8 that are not.How about a playoff series with the non Stanley cup Contenders.What would they play for? How about the 1st over-all pick in next years draft.16 teams playing the same rounds and games,as thoses playing for the Cup.it’s better than the draft lotto.and teams would give there all every game trying to jockey for home ice in Draft Cup.name it after the Previous #1 pick.Instead of teams going through the motions after there eleminated..for there last dozen or more games..It would generated lots of income for teams.who shouldn’t be team.instead of having the Leafs play there bills.Revenue sharing.BS.why should my dollars pay for phenix players..but that’s another issue..Playoffs for every team is a sweet idea.Hell of alot better than shoot outs in the regular season.
sorry…should read…1st 2 more teams need to be added,one to each Conference.” NOT Division “
Interesting.
My idea would be a playoff play in game between the 8th and 9th seed teams at the end of the year. 8th seed team gets home ice.
lol @ ur dumbass
Yep, there are some classic replies in this one.
It’s been awhile but lets re-visit my predictions..and By the way Edmonton Finished Dead last,30th over all…what a Tool..LOL.. Washington did finish 1st as I thought…and the top four teams I picked in the east…finished in the Top 4…Toronto I said would finish 11th..they were 10th..In the West Detroit and San Jose finished in the top 4…Though Calgary didn’t have the season I thought they would.. Phaneuf to Toronto,was probably the biggest factor…I wished I hit this page with this years playoff Predictions…I Predicted 15 of the 16 rounds,including Boston Winning the Cup. DAMN!!!
If you we’re wondering it was the Tampa / washington series I got wrong… Hey no one’s perfect,I also picked Chicago to make it to the Finals within 5 years.. I think Los Angeles will Make it to the Finals in the next 3 years…I’ll be back to booast..lol…Oh and Toronto finally makes the playoffs this year… Unfortunately they don’t have the depth to drive deep into the playoffs,look for another quarter-final exit
Awesome website you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics discussed in this article? I’d really like to be a part of community where I can get opinions from other experienced people that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Cheers!
Loving the moves made by Brian Burke over the Summer, Gardiner wasn’t a steal..He Mugged Anaheim.. This kid is going to be a star offensive defenseman in the NHL… Colborne is going to be a strong power forward for the leafs,once he makes the jump to the NHL… Kadri’s developement is right on track… and Reimer so much reminds me of a young Ed Belfour(positional sound)… The longest playoff drought in Leafs History is about to end,and I don’t see this club miss them again,in the foreseeable future..Leafs finish 10th over-all..5th in the East..100pt and 45wins..
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