Predicting the East

SensChirp RSS · 09-09-2010, 11:27 AM

I've put this off long enough and very little else going on this seems like as good a time as any. For the last couple weeks, since The Hockey News ran their predictions, I've been thinking about how I see the East breaking down this year.

So without further ado, here are SensChirp's Projected Eastern Conference standings for the 2010/2011 season.

1. Washington
2. Ottawa
3. Pittsburgh
4. Philadelphia
5. Boston
6. New Jersey
7. Buffalo
8. Tampa Bay

9. Toronto
10. New York Rangers
11. Montreal
12. Atlanta
13. Carolina
14. New York Islanders
15. Florida

Some may suggest the Senators are a little high on this list and that's fine. I happen to think if the team can stay healthy and get even slightly better goaltending than they did last year, they are a legitimate contender in the East.

Would love to hear your predictions (or why mine are way off!) in the comment section below.

Over the next little while I'll be doing a few predictions around here and one bonus contest before the season kicks off. And of course any rumour updates that become available.

Rookie game this Saturday too!

Original Article

_13_ · 09-09-2010, 01:26 PM

Spezza'sGirl · 09-09-2010, 02:03 PM

2nd??... And I thought I had unrealistic expectations!

_13_ · 09-09-2010, 02:09 PM

Matt the Aussie · 09-09-2010, 02:51 PM

Wow. I cannot see Ottawa finishing that high...that's a fine piece of homerism from Chirp there.

I'd have

Washington
Pittsburgh
Buffalo
New Jersey
Ottawa
Tampa Bay
Boston
Philly

BMW · 09-09-2010, 02:53 PM

trolls?

Matt the Aussie · 09-09-2010, 02:54 PM

I don't think so personally.

BMW · 09-09-2010, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt the Aussie

I don't think so personally.

not you lol

13 ALWAYS posts those stupid images.. not even funny

Matt the Aussie · 09-09-2010, 02:57 PM

lol, I know you weren't talking about me

I got a chuckle out of 13's pic I must say. Sens Chirp IS a homer, there's no doubt about it in my mind.

BMW · 09-09-2010, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt the Aussie

Sens Chirp IS a homer, there's no doubt about it in my mind.

so am I

but you're right 2nd place is a bit too much, hopefully 5th or 6th place..

I just want a cup for alfie thats all

Spezza'sGirl · 09-09-2010, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt the Aussie

Wow. I cannot see Ottawa finishing that high...that's a fine piece of homerism from Chirp there.

I'd have

Washington
Pittsburgh
Buffalo
New Jersey
Ottawa
Tampa Bay
Boston
Philly

Buffalo third?

Matt the Aussie · 09-09-2010, 03:32 PM

Top of the North-East division, so yes I have them at 3rd place.

_13_ · 09-09-2010, 03:36 PM

I would predict Buffalo 3rd as well.
NJ at 4th, Montreal at 6 or 7, Tampa at 9th

_13_ · 09-09-2010, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW

not you lol

13 ALWAYS posts those stupid images.. not even funny

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW

I just want a cup for alfie thats all

Well then don't take it out on me

Rayzor123 · 09-09-2010, 04:29 PM

Boston's winning the division...

Erik Karlsson · 09-09-2010, 05:38 PM

Haha a lot of people don't give the Sens credit. Let me break down on why he posted Ottawa there.

1)Last year we played a good 30 games without one of our top line players injured and 20 games with all of them injured plus Fisher and Kuba. We had Sutton as our number 1 defense man who on other teams would be a good 4th or maybe 3rd.

2)A much more experienced Karlsson and Regin will do the Sens wonder.

3)Last year, LeClaire finished only infront of Vesa Toskala as the worst goalie stats in the league with Elliot was 26th among NHL goalies. We can't get any worse.

4)Kovalev entering a contract year means he will definitely step it up just a little and the addition of Gonchar will make Kovalev at least 10-15 points more capable.

5)Gonchar...He practically increases everyone else's point production and makes Spezza and Alfredsson finally focus on offense instead of bringing the puck to the zone and getting tired so just dumping it in.

6)Last year we had Picard and Kuba in our top 4 starting the season. This year we have : Gonchar, Phillips, Karlsson, Kuba.

Think about it. We had NON of those amazing advantages last year and we finished 5th...

Ottawa is definitely capable of 3rd or 4th. 2nd may be a little too high but when healthy, the Sens should easily challenge the best of them.

ProWiNz · 09-09-2010, 06:03 PM

I don't think 2nd is unrealisitc, I think 4-5th for sens, but I would not be astonished if they finished top 3

Spezza'sGirl · 09-09-2010, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rayzor123

Boston's winning the division...

I agree. Maybe I'm crazy, but I see Buffalo having a pretty difficult time next season.

Matt the Aussie · 09-09-2010, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spezza'sGirl

I agree. Maybe I'm crazy, but I see Buffalo having a pretty difficult time next season.

Don't ever underestimate Buffalo...

Spezza'sGirl · 09-09-2010, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt the Aussie

Don't ever underestimate Buffalo...

True, however, everytime I think they'll do well they fail miserably. I just don't see the full picture this year though. I mean I know they have Myers, but they lost Lydman and Tallinder and didn't exactly replace them. But who knows, maybe this will be their year.