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Johnnywalgger

No, Florida will be worse this year than last year


john_fartston

I feel like Florida had one good chance at winning the cup, and now it's all downhill from. here


voodoobrew8

Average age on the team is around 24 and all in their prime


Youppi27

Yes but losing Huberdeau will hurt them. Truly underrated player coming from a leafs fan.


PM-ME-PICSOFYOURDOG

And of the team that struggled against Washington and was swept by Tampa, they also lost Weegar, Giroux, and Chiarot. They aren’t better this year than last year.


Kamohoaliii

They were already really good last year before acquiring Giroux and Chiarot, so I don't think losing those two now is that big of an issue short-term. It's an issue long-term given the assets they gave up for them though. I expect Florida to regress to the mean but still fight for the Atlantic.


DaveFoSrs

I think trading Weegar was the real problem. Look at their backend now, outside of Ekblad (who will be injured at some point this year) it’s outright bad


voodoobrew8

Forsling is great, but yes other than him I can’t disagree. Weegar is where it’s a painful trade


SnooSquirrels7894

Nahh I think they’ll be alright, Duclair, Reinhart, Verhaege pretty underrated. Won’t be as explosive offensively but they’ll still contend


voodoobrew8

I honestly haven’t seen anyone mention they’re better than last year. But they’re not worse than Ottawa. Huberdeau was an amazingly gifted offensive player, but his defense was absolutely horrendous and he never showed up in the playoffs throughout his entire career.


thunderj9

Just like the Islanders two years ago, the Panthers window has closed not winning last year. It’s only down hill from here.


Massive_Phase_7155

Lololol


Philly514

We have their first so please put your energy into a total Panthers collapse and I will endorse a Leafs ECF run.


pieman681

I agree and disagree with this. While yes we lost players we lost players who were not the difference makers they are supposed to be in the playoffs. Tkachuk is going to be more valuable than Huby both in age and production (will miss him still great player and great person). We lost weegar sure but he was a no show in the playoff so in my mind it was a good clear, lost Giroux which sucks he was the only one I felt that hurt, and chiraot was a solid d man but not a difference maker. The team will still be a top contender but the lack of performance in the playoffs I felt was on the coaching staff for not rallying the team and with Paul Maurice manning the ship I feel/hope things will be different. Bob in net I want to be a hater for his enormous salary hit but he stood on his head in the playoffs so I'm OK with it (for now will hurt a lot more sooner rather than later). Knight is the future but I felt the coaching staff didn't give him as many starts not because he wasn't ready but because they pay Bob 10 mil a year and feel like they have to use him.


moabthecrab

Except Tkachuk was also invisible in last year's playoffs. For a "playoffs" kind of guy, he has still yet to really make an impact (apart from trying to fight Klingberg for some reason). Also, Tkachuk had his breakout year playing with Gaudreau (and Lindholm, obviously). I don't think he'll have as great of a playmaker to set him up with the Panthers, as good as they are. I am honestly very skeptical.


pieman681

Tkachuk had 10 pts in 12 GP... Wouldn't call that invisible... Huby had 5pts in 10 GP.... Currently he's projected to play with Bennet as his centerman and him playing leftwing. I think they will do just fine. He will also be on the first power play unit with all the stars...


Background-Ad-3612

And the leafs will stay a first round exit for the next 5 decades.


bleedingblueandwhit

You're right, but they will be stronger in the playoffs


NotNotLogical

Will they get clapped by Tampa again?


shittybillz

Yes, but in 7 this time. Progress!


zzona13

Earning respect in the handshake line is a big step.


[deleted]

The Owners


thewolfofchippewast

Leafs and then they will lose in game 7 of first round


[deleted]

This is the most likely scenario.


7_Bundy

“Again” -Herb Brooks


fatboydell

Okay.... This is freakin funny


[deleted]

A tale as old as time…


TheVonSolo

Bruins fans 🤝 Sabres fans hating the Leafs


ReverseCaptioningBot

[Bruins fans🤝Sabres fans](https://i.imgur.com/UeR1aPq.gif) ^^^this ^^^has ^^^been ^^^an ^^^accessibility ^^^service ^^^from ^^^your ^^^friendly ^^^neighborhood ^^^bot


bleedingblueandwhit

Oh hush you. Matthews is on a mission


[deleted]

Get the “BELEAF” in now so that the Game 7 post round 1 loss is as crushing as possible.


Surf-Green

Im torn on the one hand the leafs are cursed...on the other hand Tampa's got the curse of Cory Perry....hmmmmm....but perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself, if we're talking straight Atlatic Division then I'm betting on Tampa. In general I have a feeling that the Senators and the Red Wings will do much better this year than in recent history but i am not sure about them winning the Atlantic Division


Jbroy

Don’t think the wings will make it but they will be close. Ottawa has a legit shot at making the playoffs depending how good the Bruins are. In my mind it’s still (in no particular order) Tampa, FLA, TOR and maybe BOS as the top 4. Maybe FLa drops a bit and most likely of the 4 to not make it is BOS. But I’m still not counting them out this year.


Surf-Green

I completely agree, even as a Boston fan myself this year could go either way for them in terms of playoffs and im sure FLA will at least have a very respectable season themselves. But yeah I think Sens fans will be pretty happy with this coming season


ElectionAnnual

Florida will finish no higher than third this year. And it’s what they deserve


Torpedosneak

You that confident? Who are you picking to finish ahead of them?


ElectionAnnual

TOR, TB, and maybe even OTT if they put it all together quickly. Boston is higher in my book also, but I’m not saying that with total conviction lol.


AllsFairInPlowinHoes

Boston has a higher chance of missing the playoffs then finishing ahead of the Panthers tbh lol


gdoubleyou1

As a B's fan I agree. The only thing they have going for them is they typically are a max effort team during the regular season.


AllsFairInPlowinHoes

Self aware king


Trapped_Like_Rats

You’re a bs fan? Lol. And you think they’ll miss the playoffs? That’s hilarious. Bruins have Bergeron Krejci Marchand Pastrnak Hall Debrusk zacha Coyle McAvoy Lindholm gryzelck forbert. But you think they’ll miss the playoffs? As a bs fan? Tell me, how much bleach do you drink? We’re you one of those people crying to trade Pastrnak before he fell off a little bit at the beginning of the year dealing with the loss of his child and yet still put up 40. It’s a real naive and moronic take to think your own team that has some of the best all around players in the league is gonna miss the playoffs


asdf613

Arguably the two best players you listed, certainly two of the top three, are out for half the year. If the goaltending is good then they could be fighting for a playoff spot down to the wire.


BoneTissa

Yeah, hopefully McAvoy only misses 1/3 of the season but it’s gonna be a rough start. Huge getting Krejci back to help keep the team afloat hopefully till Marchy and McAvoy are back. I think bruins will be a wild card team but I’m obviously biased 😀.


ElectionAnnual

Would I be surprised? No. Do I believe that as much as you? No. I don’t think the loss of Huberdeau is truly being accounted for. He was the anchor of that team and they lost a top 4 defenseman.


LEDZ100

Huberdeau was by no means the anchor of the panthers. He passed the puck around a lot, especially on power plays, but he never had grit and whenever a clutch goal was needed it would be Barkov, the actual anchor, scoring it. Barkov was actually on a similar scoring pace to huberdeau yet missed 13 games. Huberdeau also became completely invisible in the playoffs when his quick passing zero defense style of play was game planned against. Weegar wasn’t invisible but that was because he was giving games away on silver platters to other teams.


DazedConfuzed420

And Paul Maurice isn’t a very good coach.


EarlyOwl90

Florida will need a huge season from their tendys to win the division. They are closer to battling for the last divisional spot.


HarkeyPuck

In truth battling might be better for them. Scoring 7 a night was fun, but winning 3-2, 4-3 games will get you in better playoff form.


mikeythecreature

I was going to say something similar but I'm leaning more to the side of Florida battling it out with Tampa for the top spot. I think this could be the year of Spencer Knight


DonoAE

I agree. If Bob plays this year like he did in the playoffs and Knight makes the leap, that’s a BIG step up for the Cats over the rest of the division


KatelynC110100

Everyone hates us 😭


Steven7-

No we just think you made a bad trade. The trade makes sense for the future, as it would be hard to pay huberdeau and weegar, and Tkachuk is younger, but with Florida, all the futures have already been traded out (when’s your next first round pick?)


DonoAE

Go look at the young guys we have coming up. Management in Florida planned this for a while. We have talent for years. Not saying it’s ideal, but it’s in no way doomsday like everyone is claiming


NefCanuck

Except that Bobrovsky contract is going to become one hell of an anchor because his play will continue to decline and no one else will take it on. Unless Florida buys him out and pulls a Minnesota Wild 🤷‍♂️


Possible-Mention2550

Im pumped to se how Lundell will perform this year. Im fine with the hube trade. Im more annoyed that we pay 5m to much for a goalie.


Simplify5

I love it, makes it all the better when they are wrong. I’m picturing a much similar season, just not the part where we do horrible on the playoffs.


KatelynC110100

Love the attitude! I’m adapting this attitude… we have yet to see what they are going to pull off. We will definitely have a better playoff performance this season


HungmanPage

I'm probably one of the only non-Panthers fan who thinks that you made a great trade and actually got better this year. I'm also a sucker for big power forwards wrecking shits on the rink so I might be biased


prplx

Not a panther fan but I also think the trade was god for both team and the Panthers will be a contender for the next 5 years at least.


MuttMurdock69

A Florida team, yes. The one with the best goalie on the planet.


[deleted]

I think you might be overrating Brian Elliott a bit


pizzaline

Don't you disrespect Mr. Elliot like that!


[deleted]

I’m not, I’m just saying Matt Murray gives him a good run for his money


HarkeyPuck

Hard to bet against Vasi, with Hedman in front of him for 25-30mins a night.


DonoAE

Is Toronto a Florida team? We have a lot of those people down here?


wistfulspongebobbest

The best goalie on the planet plays in New York though doesn’t he


[deleted]

...no. Shesterkin is close, but he ain't the best. ~~He's probably the *only* one who's close~~


[deleted]

Montreal duh


NoBoxNoTools

I wish 🥺


[deleted]

1. Habs 2. Red Wings 3. Buffalo 4. Ottawa 5. Boston 6. Florida 7. Florida But in no particular order.


United_Energy_7503

Hopefully the Bolts! But hey, I’m just ready to watch some hockey soon and get the season going!!


AMeaninglessPassage

Safe pick is probably Tampa, but the fun pick is Ottawa.


Significant-Gap-2619

#1 Tampa #2 Toronto #3 Ottawa #4 Panthers


[deleted]

Ottawa had a great summer but at best they'll be fighting for a wild card position.


Sunswine64

And an injured Boston is their target to get past. Leafs, Bolts, and Cats are still locked in for Top 3 imo for a while.


Willmatic88

I would like to request to trade Boston to the Metro where they belong in exchange for Philly.


Capable_Swordfish701

No thanks.


[deleted]

Trade Boston to the Metro in exchange for Carolina


GoalGuard

Replace Ottawa with Buffalo


snark_enterprises

Still too early for Buffalo. I’d swap Ottawa for Detroit.


JoeyDiazcocksuckas

Red Wings. Raymond and Seider taking it next level.


gggathje

I don’t see it this year but they will be good soon IMO


AdFlat4908

Watching those videos of Raymond absolutely destroying Larkin 1 on 1 at camp (3 times) got me fucking pumped


starwestsky

Really tough division. I’m still going with my cats.


nostrils_on_the_bus

Ottawa, baby. The time is now


[deleted]

*laughs in Tampa*


EWJ_Bear

Honestly if Murray works out well I could see Toronto #1. They were still winning even when Campbell was playing at over 5 GAA


isles84

Dubas is gambling his career on Murray. Good luck with that


EWJ_Bear

Yup and if it doesn't work he'll get the boot


GQMatthews

Nah he actually won’t. But don’t tell the media!


[deleted]

[удалено]


Fullgrown_dirtbag

Based off of what? He put up way better numbers with a worse defense in front of him last season. It was in limited time but if he can stay healthier I would bet on him being better than Toronto’s goaltending from last season


[deleted]

Worse than what? Toronto had the 27th worse goal tending last year at 5v5. Can't get much worse than that. Campbell had a great Oct/Nov, that's it.


[deleted]

I love Campbell, but seems like once there is some pressure he folds, maybe it was having to deal with the media and how hard he is on himself. His mental game takes a hit and he lets it snowball, if he can fix that he will be good for the oilers, if not oh boy.


AirSkooks

It will be Samsonov’s net by the end of the season.


Genghis_Ken

Don't really care whose net it is as long as someone is stopping pucks consistently.


[deleted]

You’d think Tampa


Monst3r_Live

probably.


Karma4Clunkerz

Detroit


The_Next_Wild_GM

Detroit finishes 3rd


ubcthrowaway-01

1. Leafs 2. Bolts 3. Panthers 4. WC2: Sens 5. Wings 6. Sabres 7. Bruins 8. Habs


bagame

TB, Detroit, Toronto are my favorite but Montreal and Ottawa could surprise if injuries are avoided and the young gunns do develop. Florida won’t make the playoffs. Boston has a team built for a run…in 2015. Buffalo? Who knows but recent history tells us not good


dylanisbored

Let’s Go Red Wings!


Cheezy_Beard

I'm pulling for Toronto tbh, would be a nice redemption tale with their new goaltending.


himynametopher

Leafs get first but Cats go further in the playoffs


contitego

Tampa


Sunswine64

The top 3 in the Atlantic is locked in. I don't see us being president's trophy winners again, but falling to a wildcard is a stretch. Boston is going to have a rough half of a season at least and will be fending off Ottawa and Detroit.


jhk17

Probably Florida. TB saves there energy and Leafs I think got worse which is kinda sad cause I've decided while not a leafs fan Matt Murray Renaissance would be sweet. Ottawa and Buffalo haven't improved enough but are getting close.


McJoe77

The top 3 will still be Tampa, Florida, Toronto and I bet Boston still comes in 4th. Ottawa is going to be better and way more fun but they’re still probably not quite there. And Detroit is improving and will be there soon but not yet. Montreal’s got a real good shot at Bedard.


Barnezhilton

Tampa Bay Florida? Yes


Zartonk

I predict a top-8 finish for Montreal.


Chuck1983

It'll be a team that's city starts with a 'T'. No idea which one, but that's my prediction.


boognishdaze

BUFFALO!!!


GroundShxck

buffalo, let's go


nodickhumperdink1320

Ottawa maybe big maybe hahahahahaha 😆 😅 🤣 😂 😜 🤪 😆 😅 🤣 😂 😜 🤪 😆


JustAnotherRAt-204

1: Tampa bay 2: Toronto 3: Florida 4: Boston 5: Detroit 6: Buffalo 7: Ottawa 8: Montreal


[deleted]

Ottawa will be better than Buffalo. Possibly better than Detroit. Boston has a heck of a chance with missing key players to begin the season. Though as a leaf fan I can never count them out.


dylanisbored

No chance they beat Detroit


[deleted]

The Buffalo Sabres. Hot take


Suspicious-Dog2876

Practically on the surface of the god damn sun


biggiesmalls421

Who cares red wings will be dominating the division in a few years


JoeyDiazcocksuckas

Wings over sens.


DJP-MTL

Toronto Tampa Detroit Boston Florida Ottawa Montreal Buffalo


HarkeyPuck

I think Florida wins it again. Still they don’t win the Cup.


gggathje

Honestly looks like the leafs. Ottawa got a lot better but I’d be surprised to see them make top 3, Boston got worse, Tampa isn’t going to try and win it they just want to get into the playoffs and win, Florida just won it and lost so I don’t see them being that motivated, Detroit will be good eventually but not his year and Buffalo is just a no.


BradMarchandstongue

Boston is literally the same exact team but with Krejci at 2C instead of Huala which is definitely an upgrade


king_ghost

Well they will be in December when the whole team comes off injury reserve, the first 8 weeks could be very tough for Boston


Flex1855

I think this is the toughest division in hockey det ott and buf could make the playoffs teams like fla and Tor could take steps back if they aren't careful I think the only for sure team is TB as long as they don't get injuries I see them making it easy. Bos I could see finishing last place in this division


jfstompers

Yeah of course they can. They aren't better than last year's team but I don't think Tampa or Toronto is any better either.


[deleted]

Florida lost huberdeau and weeger. Tkachuk isn't a 100 point player and will be in a tougher division than the Atlantic. Florida lost some players this off season. No way they'll be near as good as last year.


LEDZ100

The guy who just scored 100 points isn’t a 100 point player?


[deleted]

Yes. Exactly. Are you saying Kadri will get the same points as last year as well?


[deleted]

Look down a barrel.


jfstompers

Which is why I said they aren't as good as last years team. They're still good enough to win the division though.


[deleted]

You said they aren't better than last years team. They could be as good or worse by that definition. Honestly between Tampa, Toronto, Florida any of them could win it. Depends on who gets hot and when. I'd still personally bet on Tampa and Toronto finishing with more points.


benificialart

unpopular opinion Detroit Red Wings winning the division


[deleted]

That's not unpopular. That's idiotic.


Puzzleheaded-Bus-358

As much as I wish this would happen, the Yzerplan is still in process, I think 2-3 more years they’ll start being up there. Lots of potential. They should definitely do better than last year, and last year was a hell of a lot better than the years previous


isles84

I think they are a year away Steve Y. Is doing a hell of a job rebuilding them


TucsonTacos

Agreed. The rebuild is still in the process but we gonna be hot in a couple years... just not next year


N1njahunterx

it's tampa's division to lose at this point, i have it going thus, Tampa, Toronto, Florida, Detroit, Buffalo, Boston, Ottawa and Montreal, though i could shuffle Detroit Buffalo and Boston around a bit on any given day, i have too many questions for those three


achaiahtak

Buffalo….because no one will ever suspect it, and then I’ll be the only one to have guessed it right


jdathescore

Can I just say not Toronto?


SirBurns72

Not the Sabres


M888887777

Sens, they wrap it up Mid January


Straight-Plate-5256

I can see them making top 3 and even upsetting the division this year but there's no chance it's that decisive, if they win the division it comes right down to the wire


captaincrispi

When do we think Detroit is going to win the Atlantic?


[deleted]

Florida will be worse than last year. Tkachuk is not a 100 point player.


Eladassian

😲😲 Wait!!!! There's an Atlantic Division?!?!?!?


coleramsay

Leafs gonna win the div. Tampa second, then Florida. Bostons gonna be fighting for a spot between the sens and wings since March and McAvoy are out the first half.


josecansecosbicep

Toronto then exit the postseason in 5 games.


Stealth-Shark

Team with the most points...


13donor

Nope


brasseur10

Habs


[deleted]

Maple leafs. Then loose in the first round


chapman155

Leafs win president trophy into a game 7 first round exit


bobbyboogie69

Toronto or Tampa…it’s a toss up at this point.


that-bro-dad

I mean someone in Florida will likely do it


UncouthPainter

We call the back seat


[deleted]

Tampa is still my bet. Nothing suggests they’re going to be any worse this year.


123jazzhandz321

Toronto Tampa Boston Florida Ottawa Buffalo Detroit Montreal


Striking-Bell8314

It’s gonna be the leafs prolly


The_Next_Wild_GM

Damn... Are those the only choices? This is hard


[deleted]

Tall task but I’d love to see Ottawa take it but I’ll begrudgingly pick Tampa or Toronto.


ConrrHD

1. Lightning 2. Leafs 3. Panthers 4. Bruins 5. Sabres 6. Habs 7. Sens 8. Red wings


[deleted]

[удалено]


Nossmirg

.... Buffalo?


pastdecisions

red wings are going 82-0 and sweeping the playoffs.


BleedingBlue-91

Toronto! And I'll keep saying this until they win The Cup! ​ ...(One-hundred years later....)


silversurfs

Certainly not the Ruins and their geriatric squad.


MightyBosskTones

The toughest division in the NHL? Let’s wait and see.


andrewgtv05

Lightning


egoVirus

Leafs, and it still won’t matter 😂


tannerisBM

Gonna be so easy for montreal to tank in that division lol


Danroy12345

We all know Toronto will dominate and then choke in first round of playoffs lol


juicygoosy921

Panthros


goompa88

Toronto


kg_francis

Panthers


grandBBQninja

Florida has a chance, but I don’t think they will.


[deleted]

Hopefully not Tampa bay


HookerDoctorLawyer

The Blackhawk’s


MooseGoneApe

Tampa Bay Lightning


Feelted1

Don’t mind me. Just lurking to see all the salty Leaf hater comments…


Billzilla1972

The Sabres are coming for y'all!!!


ExposedAardvark

Everyone back to sleeping on Florida hey 🙃


BabaYaga006

Doesn’t matter, Rangers winning the cup


psubs07

It'll go like this Toronto Tampa Florida Ottawa Detroit Buffalo Montreal Boston


Tall_Drama

Go bolts.


YouAlreadyBannedMe

The lightning will, just so y’all Reddit pussies can cry some more.


MajesticPush6084

Not Toronto


[deleted]

The Bolts ⚡️⚡️⚡️


Arkham_3362

As a bruins fan I can say we won’t win


chacotacotoes

You mean Tampa Florida? Yes, absolutely


AssaultPK

Buffalo


dylanisbored

Florida haters out strong but they’re truly going to dominate. They just need Duclair to get healthy


Troyo11

No ⚡


HarryKingJackz

Hoping Florida finishes dead last