2019-20 EHE Predictions!

I decided to do these in a more visual format this year, as opposed to 31 blocks of text. A little simpler and hopefully more entertaining! Also - do check out Doug's awesome yearbook and predictions in case you missed it.

On to the predictions!
 

Tampa Bay is clearly the class of the Atlantic Division and a threat to go deep in the 2020 playoffs. But how long can Ryan Miller continue to put up #1 goaltender numbers? The defending Stanley Cup Champion Red Wings made some minor tweaks headlined by acquiring Shea Theodore for their backend (at the expense of Alex Tuch). There are too many quality teams, though, for Detroit to sneak up on anyone this season. The Panthers looked to be on the cusp of potentially keeping the Wings out of the playoffs the year after they won it all - but a late offseason deal sending Elias Lindholm to the ridiculously stacked Stars pushes them back behind the playoff line.

Potential Dark Horse - Buffalo Sabres: GM Roberto Martucci has his club coming along nicely and could be a surprise here if others falter.

Set up the Golf Course Tee Times now: No doubt that Ottawa will be taking steps backward this season and once a new GM comes to town, they'll be tasked with a big undertaking to right this once-proud franchise. The Canadiens will be joining them on the tee box come playoff Day 1.

The Islanders? Yep - the New York Islanders will be the class of the self-proclaimed "toughest division in the EHE" once the 2020 playoffs roll around. With a scary deep team anchored by Nathan McKinnon, Mitch Marner, John Klingberg, Dougie Hamilton, and Frederik Andersen, it's hard to bet against them. Columbus and the New York hockey Rangers look strong as well. The most interesting battle in the Metro will take place among the Penguins, Hurricanes, and upstart Flyers - as there is only one single playoff position in play for them. The Pens have the edge here and push out the Hurricanes when it's all said and done.

Potential Dark Horse - Philadelphia Flyers: Really like what GM Tommy Barr is doing in the brotherly city. With a competent goalie, top-end defensive talent, solid young forwards, and veterans sprinkled in the right areas, it wouldn't surprise me to see Philly dancing come playoff time.

Set up the Golf Course Tee Times now: The Capitals are taking a big step back this season and are also looking for a new GM, who will likely re-set things for the future. New Devils GM Ryan Knedel has his work cut out for him as well, but has a franchise center to build around in Mat Barzal.

The Dallas Stars have gotten plenty of ink this offseason, and for good reason. GM Dan Bacon has amassed the most talented club on paper in EHE history. The only question seems to be just how dominant the Stars will be. New regular-season wins record? Stanley Cup? Read on to find out the answer to one of those questions at least. Nashville, Chicago, and Colorado will battle it out yet again for the following three positions in the Central, while Winnipeg will likely yet again be the odd team out despite an improved club from last season's 90-point campaign.

Potential Dark Horse - None: There really doesn't seem to be a dark horse candidate this season. We know the top five clubs will be competitive, and it doesn't look likely that the Wild are going to sneakily climb the ladder again like they did last season.

Set up the Golf Course Tee Times now: Surprisingly, Minnesota GM Harald Geissler let Eric Staal, formerly franchise tagged, walk away scot-free this offseason and it's been crickets ever since. Depending on Juuse Soros to backstop a run to the playoffs in this division doesn't feel like a winning strategy. The Blues seem stuck in perpetual middle-of-the-pack-itis and just aren't built to surpass the clubs above them in this division.

Perhaps the hardest division to predict is the Pacific, where any one of Arizona, Los Angeles, Edmonton, or Vegas could probably lay a claim to be in contention for a divisional crown. The Yotes get the nod here thanks to timely additions Gabriel Landeskog and Brayden Schenn, but are depending on Thomas Greiss and Brian Elliott to backstop them to the promised land. Speaking of netminders, the Kings look solid enough - but is Philipp Grubauer ready to be a true #1? Edmonton made moves this offseason with the acquisitions of Niklas Backstrom and Max Pacioretty, but also lost David Krejci and Jacob Trouba. Is Martin Jones capable of sending the Oilers beyond just a playoff berth? And the Golden Knights stood largely pat while others mostly improved. Heading into the 2019-20 campaign with Antti Raanta at the helm leaves a lot to be desired in Sin City.

Potential Dark Horse - Vancouver Canucks: Perhaps the 'sexy' pick to make some waves this season are the Canucks. GM Travis Fleming has made a relatively quick course correction after bottoming out a couple of seasons ago. They are certainly capable of shaking up the Gretzky Conference with Ben Bishop in goal - and in this Pacific Division, there's no one true leader amongst the pack. But let's keep expectations somewhat sane here. Just missing out is still a step in the right direction for the boys in blue (and sometimes black - those retros rock!).

Set up the Golf Course Tee Times now: The Sharks have made some moves and still have Sergei Bobrovsky between the pipes. But a playoff berth is still a season or two (or three) away. The Flames are also improved but need a year or two for the young guns to sprout before Calgary starts heating things up. The rudderless Ducks are in search of another GM and have Laurent Broissoit as their starting goaltender. Need I say more?

The Rangers will emerge from the East after a grueling pair of series against high-quality opponents in the Penguins and the Islanders. The Maple Leafs make a perhaps surprising run to the Lemieux Conference Finals, while the defending champion Red Wings bow out in the first round after just squeaking into the dance.

A highly competitive Gretzky Conference playoffs result in what everyone already expects - the Dallas Stars to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. The road won't be easy, as the Hawks (ahem) take Dallas to the limit in the second round. Otherwise, I don't see too much by way of surprise here - the Stars are for real and barring a massive unforeseeable problem, are going to play for it all.

Anti-climatic? Sure is. A great series will be had here though - a lot closer than one may think. Robin Lehner stands tall but just cannot stop the onslaught from Alex Ovechkin, David Pastrnak, Cam Atkinson, Jonathan Toews, and company. The Dallas Stars will emerge from the 2019-20 season with sim hockey's richest prize - the EHE Stanley Cup. You heard it here, folks.

Have a GREAT season everyone!

Thomas Gidlow
GM, Chicago Blackhawks