Hey, guys. It’s time for another long article, so buckle down. We’re going to be giving you the rundown for every team before the season. There are a few injuries that’ll affect a few teams. Other than that, each team will be starting about where we expected them to at the end of last season.

We’re gonna take it by division, starting with the division champion and going to the division loser. I’ll then give you the full 30 team rundown heading into the playoffs. You’ll see where each team will be for the playoffs.

The Atlantic (no, not the one endorsing Hillary)

Tampa Bay Lightning – 112 points. 

This is a team with a great offense, a stellar defense, and elite goaltending. That’s everything they need. Honestly, if this team stays healthy, they could have a long run in the playoffs. It’s there for them. The Bishop trade is an inevitability, but they’ll get a lot back for him, and there’s no reason to do it now. Stevie Y has assembled a great team.

Florida Panthers – 101

The Panthers will be missing Huberdeau, their number one wing, for half the season. That sucks for them, but they’re strong enough, young enough, and good enough to overcome it. There are no excuses for this team that won the division last year. They can do a lot of good in the division. Plus, it’s a weak division and this is a strong team.

Buffalo Sabres – 95 

This is another young team with a promising future. O’Reilly and Eichel have a firm hold on this team, plus they have a good defense behind them. If Lehner can be the starter Buffalo paid for, they could make the playoffs over Detroit. Detroit’s already weaker, and Buffalo has gained strength with Okposo. Buffalo’s gonna make a playoff run, but they’re not gonna get far.

Detroit Red Wings – 91

They’d make it in the West, but not in the East, and that’s the important part. Coming in two full wins below both Buffalo and Philadelphia, Detroit’s done. Their 25-year streak comes to an end. It’s time to embrace the rebuild, and their shallow playoff runs have served their purpose. It’s about time too, because other teams must gain strength. Detroit’s young core needs more members.

Boston Bruins – 88

This could be a good team. With a full offense and a good goaltender, all their missing is a defense. And their offense isn’t enough to support that lack. This isn’t Pittsburgh. If they’re able to fix that defense, the team could go places. But this isn’t the year, and it very well could be Chara’s last.  That’s two Boston legends (three if you count KG) done in a year. It’s a bad year to be a Boston fan, and if Brady wins and retires (unlikely – the retiring part) it’s the end of the dynasty town.

Ottawa Senators – 85

The Senators aren’t a ton to look at. They have Craig Anderson, Mark Stone (and Derek Brassard), and a good defense, and that’s about it. That’s not enough to make the playoffs. That’s not enough to get above Boston’s Offense. That’s not enough to get past a down year Detroit. It’s certainly not enough to contend with Buffalo. They’ve gotta improve all aspects of their game.

Montreal Canadiens – 77

Montreal is nothing more than a lottery team. Heart and grit simply doesn’t get you as far anymore, and that’s all Montreal is. With the addition of Shaw and Weber, they’ve proved that. They want system and team (even a bad one) over player. They have a bad coach and nobodies going to want to play for him. Certainly not their captain and only true, proven offensive weapon.

Toronto Maple Leafs – 73

Stop giving Toronto all the credit in the world. Yes, they will do better than last year. But they don’t have enough experience. They haven’t proven anything. This is a year where they need to get more chemistry as a team. This is still a rebuilding year, but if they’re able to add Nolan Patrick to Auston Matthews, Morgan Reilly, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander, I don’t think they’re complaining. That’s a whole ton better than Edmonton.

The Metro (soon to be a name of another team. Seattle Metropolitans, 2020)

Washington Capitals – 117 points

Yes, they’re going to repeat as President’s Cup winners. Yes, they have a stacked offense who just added another player in Lars Eller. Yes, Alex Ovechkin and Niklas Backstrom are proven, leaders. Yes, they have a good defense, but it’s not great. Yes, Holtby is a Vezina winner. And yes, they’re getting to the second round again. But this time, they’re better. This time, they’re getting past that second round. And its because of all those things mentioned before.

Pittsburgh Penguins – 106

The Penguins will be starting the year without Sidney Crosby. They need to understand the concussion. They need to let him get back on his own time. And they’re perfectly fine without him. There’s no need to prove anything. Malkin is a first line center on any other team. Phil Kessel, Nick Bonino, and Carl Hagelin are still the best second line. They’re perfectly fine without Sidney Crosby. He’s an addition to an already great team. Treat him right.

New York Islanders – 101

John Tavares is a better player than he was in the playoffs. He’s a leader. He’s a scorer. And he’s got Andrew Ladd and young wings instead of Kyle Okposo, which is perfectly fine. His defense is still great, and with Hamonic settled, they’re happier. This team will win many many games. Their test remains in the playoffs. And with Halak and Greiss now, they should be able to get past the second round. But it’s doubtful with Washington and Pittsburgh. Sucks they’re going to face Pittsburgh in the first round.

New York Rangers – 96 

The Rangers aren’t going to lay down and stop going to the playoffs. They need to, they’re not going to. It’s time for a rebuild on the other end of New York. Their talent and mentality just won’t allow it. With the blue line in shambles, and their offense struggling to get going, they aren’t the division winner. But they’re still better than the worst division in hockey and are half way up their own. Lundqvist is still the best part of the Rangers.

Philadelphia Flyers – 95

The Flyers are a very young team. They have a very young core. That core is strong, though. Like, 8-pack strong. That 8 pack consists of Wayne Simmonds, Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek, and 5 defensemen. So. They’re set for the future, and as we saw last year, they’re a contender now. I would not be surprised if they overtook the Rangers, which is why I have them only 1 point separated.

Carolina Hurricanes – 88

The Hurricanes are a strong team. They took a major step forward last year. But unfortunately, they’re not strong enough yet. The addition of Lee Stempniak is a boost. But it’s still not enough. Without a strong goaltender, and without a good enough defense – Justin Faulk is amazing, Noah Hanifin will be great, but they’re two out of six. Their offense is also still lacking, but the addition of Teuvo Teravainen also helps. They’re a team who’s future is brighter than their present.

New Jersey Devils – 84

The Devils are a good team. The thing is, they don’t want to be. They want Nolan Patrick or another high pick, but they’re far too good. Unfortunately, Cory Schneider, Adam Henrique, and Taylor Hall now stand in their way of a high draft pick. Those three aren’t going to allow for only 69 points, and they’ll end up with a top ten pick, just not Nolan Patrick.

Columbus Blue Jackets – 71

Not the worst team, because fuck Tortorella. But a massive fall off from New Jersey, cause fuck Tortorella. He’s not the coach for this era, or this team, or a rebuild. He’s not a coach at all. The Blue Jackets have a strong young defense – well, at least one with Seth Jones. They have a good offense in Saad, Foligno, and Boone Jenner. If they had a good coach, the rebuild would go a lot faster.

The Central – aka the best division in hockey, aka the THUNDERDOME (seven will enter, five will leave)

Nashville Predators – 112

Finish tied with the Lightning for second in the Presidential Cup. The Predators have the singular greatest defense in the league. PK Subban, Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm, and Ryan Ellis are a ridiculously strong top 4. Like the Blackhawks 2010 top 4 strong. Remember 20-year-old Duncan Keith? That’s Roman Josi. There’s a reason he’s their new number one dman. Without the pressure, PK will be able to thrive. Their offense isn’t bad either, though it’s not elite. The problem lies in their goaltending, and the question will be whether Pekka Rinne can win a Cup. Hint: he can’t.

Chicago Blackhawks – 106

Higher than last year, because we’re a lot better team than last year. Although we’ve lost some depth on offense, it’s time for kids to step up. The defense, which was our major problem last year, is a lot better. The simple addition of Campbell makes that happen. It’s also not bad that both Kempny and Forsling are working out for the defense. Let’s just hope Motte, Schmaltz, Hartman, and Hinostraza work out equally well. I’m really gonna miss Shawzy.

Dallas Stars – 103

The Stars are such a great offense that they will remain a threat in the West. Their defense hasn’t improved, though people believe it has, and their goaltending has remained the same. Both of those are key flaws and will cost them the series against the Hawks. But it won’t cost them in the regular season, and their offense propels them towards greatness.

Oh, and lest I forget – just as Kevin Durant makes Steph Curry irrelevant in the MVP race, Tyler Seguin makes Jamie Benn irrelevant. It’s still Kaner’s year.

St. Louis Blues – 97

The Blues aren’t the same team as they were last year. Without Brian Elliott, they’ve lost some of their stellar goaltending. With Yakupov, they may have improved their offense from when they had Backes, but they may not have. They also lost Troy Brouwer. They added Carter Hutton to the net, and David Perron to their offense. It’s not great for the Blues, and they lost some of their harsh offense that made them so good in the playoffs.

Minnesota Wild – 84

The Wild are going to try and lose. They’re going to try and avoid the playoffs so they can rebuild. They’re going to try. They’re not going to succeed. Cause guess what? Bruce Boudreau guarantees you the playoffs. But their roster guarantees them an early playoff exit. They should be rebuilding, but Bruce Boudreau knows one mode – regular season success.

Winnipeg Jets – 80 

Winnipeg is an up and coming team, and with Patrick Laine and a newly re-designed offense, they are going to be so much better this season. Now, if only they could get Jacob Trouba happy. He, Laine, and Schiefele are the future of the team. Plus, now they’re rid of Pavelec, which means they have 2 better goaltenders.

Colorado Avalanche – 75

The Avalanche are this year’s loser of the Central. They didn’t improve enough, and with a disagreement with Tyson Barrie, he could be angry. Their major change was getting a new coach unexpectedly, and its going to take some time to adapt. Plus, their offense is still not great, and their defense isn’t much better. Varlamov is inconsistent, and he can be either a Vezina candidate or a bad goalie at times. He also has an injury history. I don’t want to be the Avalanche this season.

The Pacific – No, not the weird movie/TV show/wherever I’ve heard that title.

San Jose Sharks – 103

Guess what? After a run to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Sharks have only gotten better. A little older, but better all the same. With the addition of Boedker and the re-signing of their key free agents, they look great on offense, and their defense will hold up. Brett Burns is still gunning for that Norris. Joe Thornton likely has one more playoff run in him. Unfortunately, it’s an odd year, which means the Cup will be in Chicago.

Los Angeles Kings – 100 

The Kings aren’t a bad team. They’re not the same team they were, though, either. They’ve gotten younger, they’ve lost some depth. With the loss of Milan Lucic, they’ve also lost some offense. Kopitar and Carter can only do so much. Quick is an average goalie. It’s really going to be on Doughty and Muzzin this season. They can do it in the regular season. Not in the post.

Calgary Flames – 96

For many experts, the question of who gets the third spot in the Pacific comes down to two teams – Edmonton and Calgary. They’re both young teams that seemed destined for greatness. They both have solid top 6s. That’s where the similarities end.

I feel more confident in Brian Elliott than I do Cam Talbot. I certainly feel a whole ton better in Calgary’s blue line, which will ultimately end up costing the Oilers. Until they fix their defense, Edmonton is getting nowhere near the playoffs.

Arizona Coyotes – 81

I told you. The Coyotes are the other young team, but they have a bunch of holes – not only at goaltender, where their likely starter is Louis Domingue but at defense, where it’s really just Oliver Ekman-Larsson and a bunch of new additions. The offense is really the Domi-Duclair-Hanzal show, and they need more than one line. Fortunately, their better at some positions that Edmonton still is.

Edmonton Oilers – 80

I don’t think I’m ever going to be sold on a Peter Chiarelli led team again. I understand why he was chosen for Team North America – prior experience with a lot of the players – but Stan Bowman was still the better choice. Really the team comes down to McDavid and the top 6. Their goaltender remains unproven, their defense remains broken. This is not a team going places… yet.

Anaheim Ducks – 74

This year’s crash and burn team. The coaching decision of Randy Carlyle was the absolutely wrong one. While Boudreau guaranteed you the playoffs, Carlyle guarantees you nothing. I understand the need to move on from Boudreau in the playoffs. But you need to keep making the playoffs. Carlyle isn’t going to get you there. Plus, the defense will have to lose a key member – likely Fowler – and the holy triumvirate is getting old. It’s time to promote the kids, and there aren’t enough of them. Gibson hasn’t played a full season at starter yet either.

Vancouver Canucks – 69

The worst team in the league this year. The Sedin twins need to move on. The Canucks need a rebuild. They have plenty of good young kids, but they’re stuck in the minors. The Canucks defense is problematic. The Canucks offense is problematic. The Canucks as a whole… just problematic. Hire a new coach, hire a new GM, let’s start over.