2017-18 EHE Season Predictions
2017-11-26While it may be a few days late, hopefully it's not a few dollars short. Here are my 2017-18 EHE Season Predictions, complete with regular season finishes and playoff forecasts.
Anaheim Ducks
Current Record: 7-0-1
Projected Finish: 3rd in Pacific, 6th in Gretzky Conference
Prediction: Playoffs, out in first round
Anaheim has had a tumultuous off-season and currently have no GM. This won’t last, though, as the new GM makes his (or her) mark and the Ducks eventually level off from a hot start. Ryan Getzlaf will break the 40-goal mark for the first time in the EHE, and the new GM will offer him a Franchise tag before he hits the open market as an unrestricted free agent.
Arizona Coyotes
Current Record: 4-4-0
Projected Finish: 6th in Pacific, 12th in Gretzky Conference
Prediction: Lottery pick
Ben Bishop will see as much action as humanly possible and him, along with an overachieving defense, will bring the Coyotes close to the promised land. But Arizona just runs out of steam, become sellers at the Trade Deadline, and miss the playoffs. Logan Couture scores 38 goals, but no other Coyote breaks the 25-goal mark.
Boston Bruins
Current Record: 6-3-0
Projected Finish: 3rd in Atlantic, 6th in Lemieux Conference
Prediction: Playoffs, out in first round
Boston lost its GM in Rob Prach, who leaves big shoes to fill. Some re-tooling by a new GM puts the Bruins back a step, but still remain competitive in a tight division. Jake Allen’s GAA will hover around 2.00 all season, and Alex Galchenyuk and Jaden Schwartz will combine for nearly 80 goals. But Boston struggles at playoff time when an upstart Lightning squad blow through Beantown.
Buffalo Sabres
Current Record: 5-2-2
Projected Finish: 8th in Atlantic, 15th in Lemieux Conference
Prediction: Lottery pick
The feel-good 12-5-3 record putting the Sabres near the top of the Lemieux Conference at game #20 gives only a false hope for the Buffalo faithful, as GM Roberto Martucci does not deviate from the master plan. Moving out UFA-to-be Kyle Turris and young defensemen Jake McCabe and Mark Pysyk along the way, Buffalo crashes back down to Earth in the second half of the EHE season to a top-5 lottery pick.
Calgary Flames
Current Record: 3-3-1
Projected Finish: 7th in Pacific, 13th in the Gretzky Conference
Prediction: Lottery pick
Goaltender Jimmy Howard simply isn’t good enough to stand on his head every night, and after dealing Brock Nelson, GM Stephen Hough goes the full rebuild route sending Calgary downward in the standings. Defenseman Ben Hutton, one of the few bright spots for the Flames, continues his early good play to finish with 15 goals and 40 points – nearly six times his previous EHE career high.
Carolina Hurricanes
Current Record: 4-2-2
Projected Finish: 2nd in Metropolitan, 4th in Lemieux Conference
Prediction: Playoffs, out in second round
Despite a chronically-underperforming offense and inconsistent goaltending from John Gibson, the Hurricanes come out of the Metro with a second place finish. The Canes get going a bit in the playoffs, laying out the Flyers in 5 games before succumbing to the powerhouse Capitals in 6. Robbi Fabbri becomes a revelation, with 52 points in the regular season and 7 goals in 11 playoff games.
Chicago Blackhawks
Current Record: 5-2-0
Projected Finish: 1st in Central, 1st in Gretzky Conference
Prediction: Playoffs, out in third round
With a solid blend of offensive and defensive acumen, the Blackhawks partially achieve their #30to1 goal, going from dead last in the EHE last season to first overall in the Gretzky Conference. Brian Elliott achieves career high numbers in front of a veteran-laden defense, but Chicago ultimately falls short of playing for the Stanley Cup by losing to Dallas in a 7-game Gretzky Conference Finals classic.
Colorado Avalanche
Current Record: 5-2-1
Projected Finish: 2nd in Central, 3rd in Gretzky Conference
Prediction: Playoffs, out in second round
The defending Gretzky Conference Champion Avalanche continue to add to their arsenal throughout the regular season, going all out to claim the Stanley Cup that eluded them last year. Despite fielding a virtual All-Star team with Jakob Silfverberg, T.J. Oshie, and John Tavares all eclipsing the 30-goal mark, Colorado falls to a surprising Dallas club in 6 games in the second round of the playoffs.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Current Record: 2-5-0
Projected Finish: 6th in Metropolitan, 12th in Lemieux Conference
Prediction: Lottery pick
One of the surprising outcomes of the 2017-18 season is the plight of the Blue Jackets, who despite having one of the deeper teams in the EHE, fail to surpass the logjam of competitive clubs in the Lemieux Conference. Craig Anderson disappoints with a sub .900 save percentage into the season’s second quarter before being supplanted by Semyon Varlamov, who manages a 2.45 GAA in a rebound season but cannot lift Columbus to a playoff spot.
Dallas Stars
Current Record: 4-3-1
Projected Finish: 3rd in Central, 4th in Gretzky Conference
Prediction: Playoffs, Stanley Cup Final, out in 6 games
The Stars help to make the Central Division the most competitive in the league. David Pastrnak, acquired at the beginning of the season from the Rangers, leads the Stars with 43 goals and scores 14 times in 25 playoff games. While the defense in front of him leaves something to be desired, Carey Price plays well enough to keep Dallas in games – many of which become wild west shootouts. For the third time in four years, the Stars get to the big dance. But for the first time, they don’t emerge victorious.
Detroit Red Wings
Current Record: 2-4-2
Projected Finish: 7th in Atlantic, 13th in Lemieux Conference
Prediction: Lottery pick
While fans at the new Little Caesars Arena will undoubtedly be entertained by the high octane trio of Nikita Kucherov, Leon Draisaitl, and Vladimir Tarasenko, who combine for 100 goals, there just isn’t much beyond Detroit’s first line. A team GAA of 3.75 puts the Red Wings in the hunt for the first overall pick in 2018, and possibly a playoff spot as the youth movement progresses next season.
Edmonton Oilers
Current Record: 4-4-0
Projected Finish: 5th in Pacific, 10th in Gretzky Conference
Prediction: Lottery pick
The curious case of the Edmonton Oilers continues into the 2017-18 season, as GM Gilbert Dubois leads a veteran lineup all the way to the end of the campaign in the hopes of avenging a 5-game exit from last year’s playoffs. A lack of quality defensive depth and a subpar season from goaltender Martin Jones consign the Oilers to the outside looking in, however, and a possible rebuild as leaders Patrick Marleau, Patrice Bergeron, and Alexander Steen hit unrestricted free agency in the offseason.
Florida Panthers
Current Record: 6-2-1
Projected Finish: 5th in Atlantic, 9th in Lemieux Conference
Prediction: Lottery pick
The Panthers get off to a great start, boosted by an unsung but overachieving group led by stalwart goaltender Braden Holtby. Great goaltending can take a team far, but a mid-season trade sending Mark Stone to a Gretzky Conference contender downgrades the Panthers attack, putting them behind a tight group trying to sneak into the playoffs…but narrowly missing out.
Los Angeles Kings
Current Record: 4-3-0
Projected Finish: 2nd in Pacific, 5th in Gretzky Conference
Prediction: Playoffs, out in first round
A high-powered offense takes the first quarter of the season to hit on all cylinders. But once it does, the Kings move close to the top of the Pacific Division. Johnny Gaudreau, Viktor Arvidsson, and Filip Forsberg combine for close to 100 goals, while Steven Stamkos provides more excitement with a 95-point campaign. The addition of Henrik Lundqvist nearly puts this team over the top, but Los Angeles falls victim to a hot Dallas team in the first round and leaves the Kings searching for answers in the offseason.
Minnesota Wild
Current Record: 3-4-2
Projected Finish: 5th in Central, 9th in Gretzky Conference
Prediction: Scandinavian lottery pick
The Wild have one of the more solid clubs in the EHE, but after a hockey .500 first quarter of the season, GM Harald Geissler finds his team in a hole that is too big to dig out of. With six of the seven teams in the Central competing for a playoff spot, Minnesota just can’t break through, failing to make the postseason for the first full season in Geissler’s EHE career.
Montreal Canadiens
Current Record: 5-2-1
Projected Finish: 6th in Atlantic, 11th in Lemieux Conference
Prediction: Lottery pick
A fast start won’t hold for the Canadiens, as the weight of the drive to achieve the postseason becomes too heavy for a mid-skilled team with pedestrian goaltending and depth issues. Brendan Gallagher and Ryan Hartman both enjoy career seasons, with each breaking the posting 60-point plateau. But the logjam of teams ahead of Montreal proves to be an obstacle that can’t be overcome this season.
Nashville Predators
Current Record: 3-4-2
Projected Finish: 4th in Central, 7th in Gretzky Conference
Prediction: Playoffs, out in second round
There’s simply too much talent in Smashville for the Predators to underachieve. After a so-so start, Nashville heats up with Sidney Crosby (125 points), Connor McDavid (70 points), and Jeff Skinner (35 goals) leading the way. James Reimer may bleed like a sieve and a defense led by Dennis Seidenberg and Dan Hamhuis may not inspire anyone. But the Preds make the playoffs and even ‘upset’ the higher ranked Golden Knights in the first round of the playoffs before bowing out to rival Chicago.
New Jersey Devils
Current Record: 6-1-2
Projected Finish: 5th in Metropolitan, 10th in Lemieux Conference
Prediction: Lottery pick
Hot goaltending and hard work from a collection of blue collar hard hats put the Devils well further ahead than most thought to the midway point of the EHE season. But all good things must come to an end, and while five forwards achieve the 20-goal mark, there just isn’t enough total team offense to propel New Jersey all the way to the playoffs.
New York Islanders
Current Record: 3-1-4
Projected Finish: 4th in Metropolitan, 7th in Lemieux Conference
Prediction: Playoffs, out in first round
While the Islanders may break their own record for most overtime/shootout losses in a season (15 – the Isles are on pace to more than double that), Tony Chiu’s boys manage to return to the postseason. With youthful stars and talented veterans, New York proves the long haul can be fruitful. But the club will fall short of its ultimate goal, failing to reach the heights of last season’s Conference Finals run.
New York Rangers
Current Record: 3-4-1
Projected Finish: 8th in Metropolitan, 16th in Lemieux Conference
Prediction: Lottery pick
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. GM Martins Auzins made the decision to build for the future and that will continue in spades throughout the 2017-18 season. Once Roman Josi, Ryan McDonaugh, and perhaps Bryan Little are sold off to contenders, the bottom falls out and New York races hard for the bottom of the league standings. But the future can be bright, as the Rangers own seven draft picks in the top 62 in the 2018 Entry Draft and that number figures only to increase.
Ottawa Senators
Current Record: 2-6-1
Projected Finish: 4th in Atlantic, 8th in Lemieux Conference
Prediction: Playoffs (barely), out in first round
The defending EHE Stanley Cup Champions continue their hangover from an incredible 2016-17 campaign well into the midway point of the current season. But even with a trade sending veteran Jordan Staal out of Ottawa, the Senators manage to storm back in the last half of the year, all the way back to the eighth and final playoff position in the Lemieux Conference.
Philadelphia Flyers
Current Record: 6-1-0
Projected Finish: 3rd in Metropolitan, 5th in Lemieux Conference
Prediction: Playoffs, out in first round
With an ace goaltending pair in Matt Murray and Peter Budaj, along with timely contributions from a sneaky deep forward unit, the Flyers power their way to the middle of the Lemieux Conference playoff pack. While many will favor a group led by Joe Thornton, Gabriel Landeskog, and the solid if not spectacular Anton Stralman, Philadelphia falls to the Hurricanes in the first round, putting GM Wes Mucyk in a pondering situation relating to the future of the club.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Current Record: 3-4-1
Projected Finish: 7th in Metropolitan, 14th in Lemieux Conference
Prediction: Lottery pick
The currently rudderless Penguins are being buoyed by sold starts from the Sedin twins and good-enough goaltending from Devan Dubnyk. But this isn’t sustainable, and with no new GM for most of the regular season, Pittsburgh hovers around hockey .500 until the Trade Deadline. After a new GM puts his (or her) stamp on things, the Pens settle for the golf course and a re-do for the 2018-19 campaign.
San Jose Sharks
Current Record: 3-5-0
Projected Finish: 8th in Pacific, 15th in Gretzky Conference
Prediction: Lottery pick
The only saving grace to a San Jose club icing Drew Stafford as its top forward is the unusual pairing of Roberto Luongo and Sergei Bobrovsky between the pipes. The goalies are generally too good to be bad on a poor team, and can keep the Sharks in games they have no business being in. A full-on purging is likely this offseason, with 6 pro contracts coming off the books. But it’s going to be a long season or three for the Sharks faithful.
St. Louis Blues
Current Record: 3-4-2
Projected Finish: 7th in Central, 14th in Gretzky Conference
Prediction: Lottery pick
While in no way in as rough a shape as the aforementioned Sharks, the Blues simply don’t have the tools (yet) to compete in a powerful division and a tough conference. A nice blend of middle of the road talent in Adam Henrique, Josh Bailey, Trevor Daley, and Brooks Orpik mind the store for now, but goaltending led by Calvin Pickard will need to be addressed for St. Louis to start climbing out of the basement.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Current Record: 4-2-2
Projected Finish: 2nd in Atlantic, 3rd in Lemieux Conference
Prediction: Playoffs, out in third round
Armed with a stellar, mobile defense and timely offense from Alexander Radulov (25 goals), Jonathan Huberdeau (30 goals), and Nazem Kadri (50 assists), the Lightning have the ability to go far in the Lemieux Conference. A young team built for a sustained push, Tampa Bay won’t overwhelm opponents but take Washington to the brink in a thrilling seven-game Conference Finals before bowing out just shy of the promised land.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Current Record: 6-1-1
Projected Finish: 1st in Atlantic, 2nd in Lemieux Conference
Prediction: Playoffs, out in second round
Consistency is an often overlooked quality in sim hockey. Toronto has been a pillar of consistency throughout their time in the EHE, though this may be the last season before big changes will need to be made. Top end goaltending from Marc-Andre Fleury and 30+ goal campaigns from Ryan Kesler, Tanner Pearson, and Kyle Palmieri put the Leafs back into the postseason, but ultimately fall short after a quick exit at the hands of the Lightning.
Vancouver Canucks
Current Record: 3-5-0
Projected Finish: 4th in Pacific, 8th in Gretzky Conference
Prediction: Playoffs, out in first round
The Canucks opted to make one final push with a team full of one-year contracts in the hopes of finally breaking through in the playoffs. 40 goals each from Alex Ovechkin and Max Pacioretty help offset some puzzling defensive lapses to get Vancouver into the playoffs – but just barely. In the end, the Canucks fall in the first round, setting off an offseason of nearly full turnover.
Vegas Golden Knights
Current Record: 5-1-2
Projected Finish: 1st in Pacific, 2nd in Gretzky Conference
Prediction: Playoffs, out in first round
Life imitates art as the Vegas Golden Knights surprise everyone by nearly taking the Gretzky Conference regular season title. Like their NHL counterpart, this isn’t your daddy’s expansion team. Led by offensive stalwarts Brad Marchand, Paul Stasny, JT Miller (and Travis Hamonic…burn), and Marian Gaborik, along with adequate goaltending and a game defense, the Knights storm into the playoffs with a head of steam…only to be upset in the first round at the hands of the Predators.
Washington Capitals
Current Record: 5-2-1
Projected Finish: 1st in Metropolitan, 1st in Lemieux Conference
Prediction: Playoffs, Stanley Cup Champions in 6 games
While on paper, the Capitals may not seem like the juggernaut they are made out to be, Washington is usually game when it matters. Having regressed from a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2015 to a Conference Semifinal in 2016 and a first round exit in 2017, the Caps recent additions of Rasmus Ristolainen and James Neal become the final glue that adheres the puzzle together, sending Washington to its first ever EHE Stanley Cup title.
Winnipeg Jets
Current Record: 2-4-3
Projected Finish: 6th in Central, 11th in Gretzky Conference
Prediction: Lottery pick
Some top end talent supports the Jets from falling further in the deep Gretzky Conference, despite Winnipeg’s breadth of supporting characters. There just isn’t enough firepower to compete in the Gretzky, and even if the workhorse Steve Mason stands on his head, the Jets are consigned to carving out an existence in the upper portion of the bottom half of the conference.