[SabresFan101]

Where will Sabres finish?

 

[MaCabe]

its hard to predict this division, I think Ottawa is favourite to win the division, but Buffalo's roster isn't very impressive, Boston's looks very good, and Montreal has the potential of making a good run. I am predicting a lower half finish, since I am a leafs fan I am hoping 5th.

 

[Bags2]

I went 3rd. I don't think they've improved enough. They seem to think that keeping the same guys year in year out will lead to a cup team, but I for one don't agree with that. I think they finish behind Boston and Ottawa and in front of Montreal and Toronto.

 

[Rookie]

I'm inclined to go with 4th.

 

[VICE™]

I don't think they've improved enough.

Outside of having Ennis up for an entire season, they haven't improved at all.

The defense has two legitimate top four defensemen in the form of Myers and Leopold, a handful of bottom pairing guys (Morrisson, Rivet, Montador, Sekera) and someone that the jury's still out on in Butler. Will he be another bottom pairing defenseman that just so happens to get a lot of powerplay time like he was last season? Lydman might have not been the best, but he was better than what he was replaced with.

The offense is heavily dependant upon which Vanek shows up, whether Connolly can actually remain healthy for two seasons in a row, and whether Ennis will be an impact forward in his first season. Roy and Pominville will be their usual selves though on that front.

Seriously, what happened to Vanek? Did the Edmonton offer sheet scare him from ever playing well again so as to not attract attention from another ****ty team?

Outside of goaltending, there's just too many question marks for me to put this team above third at this time, but I went with fourth on the poll. Completely mediocre team on paper.

 

[MaCabe]

Outside of having Ennis up for an entire season, they haven't improved at all.

The defense has two legitimate top four defensemen in the form of Myers and Leopold, a handful of bottom pairing guys (Morrisson, Rivet, Montador, Sekera) and someone that the jury's still out on in Butler. Will he be another bottom pairing defenseman that just so happens to get a lot of powerplay time like he was last season? Lydman might have not been the best, but he was better than what he was replaced with.

The offense is heavily dependant upon which Vanek shows up, whether Connolly can actually remain healthy for two seasons in a row, and whether Ennis will be an impact forward in his first season. Roy and Pominville will be their usual selves though on that front.

Seriously, what happened to Vanek? Did the Edmonton offer sheet scare him from ever playing well again so as to not attract attention from another ****ty team?

Outside of goaltending, there's just too many question marks for me to put this team above third at this time, but I went with fourth on the poll. Completely mediocre team on paper.

I agree with almost every thing you said there accept one thing, their are two things that buffalo has that many be better then every other team in the NHL, Goaltending is one for sure, as you said, and the other is Lindy Ruff. As a coach on one of the lowest ranked teams season in and season out, he has consistently performed above expectations. Really one of the best coaches in the game. When looking at the Northeast division, their are really two question marks in it, Buffalo, and Montreal. Will Montreal build off their unexpected playoff run? I think a healthy Montreal can be a force as Mike Cammerilli has really begun to establish himself as an offensive ace, while a revamping defensive core seemed unstoppable against the likes of Crosby and Ovechkin. The other side of the coin is Buffalo, are they just gonna keep winning, 2-1, 1-0 games all season long to another division title? I sure as hell hope not. If Buffalo plays at the level their suppose to play at they are 4th or 5th in the division. If they continue to play at the level at which they have played at, they are 1st or 2nd in the division. Really hard to predict.

 

[SabresFan101]

I'm just worried about the Bruins after what happen in the playoffs. So I'm going with 2nd, and making the playoffs. Depends on the first 2 forward lines and D-men pairings.

So basiclly, here's what I'm thinking.

1st.Bruins
2nd.Sabres
3rd.Ottawa
4th.Montreal
5th.Maple Leafs

I'm thinking 2nd or 3rd. It will be a race between Ottawa and Buffalo.