2007/2008 Eastern Conference Predictions

The National Hockey League is almost impossible to predict but always fun to try.

2007-2008 Eastern Conference Predictions

	x New York Rangers
	x Ottawa
	x Florida
	Pittsburgh
	New Jersey
	Philadelphia
	Montreal
	Buffalo

	Tampa Bay
	Toronto
	Boston
	Atlanta
	New York Islanders
	Washington
	Carolina

Northeast

Ottawa
Montreal
Buffalo
Toronto
Boston

Atlantic

NY Rangers
Pittsburgh
New Jersey
Philadelphia
NY Islanders

Southeast

Florida
Tampa Bay
Atlanta
Washington
Carolina

Related Bookmarks Tags

There are currently no tags for this post.

Leave a Comment

15 Comments

#1 chevy4CH says:
September 27, 2007 at 7:45 pm

Who made up these predictions?
Montreal in the playoffs? What a joke! more likely Montreal in last place!
Sometimes I think people have their head in the clouds, and walk around with rose colored glasses on! Wake up people and smell the roses. The habs stink!

#2 BarrieHabFan says:
September 27, 2007 at 9:19 pm

With the way the Leafs, Bruins and Islanders look on paper it could help squeeze Montreal into one of the last two playoff spots.

#3 nilan says:
September 28, 2007 at 11:49 am

Going to have to disagree, boys. Habs are not any better or worse than last year UNLESS guys like Huet, Higgins, Ryder, Komisarek, et al have breakout seasons. If they come out of the gates hard- impressive performances against Carolina, toronto, Pittsburgh- to start the season, it could set the tone for success. This is not going to be a Cup winning year, but there is no reason to write this team off yet.

#4 PACTUM SERVA says:
September 28, 2007 at 4:44 pm

One more thing to put into consideration is how many games abeircher blew for us with weak goals.Not making excuses but if he would have played somewhat like a goalie we would have made the playoffs last year.I do agree with you nilan though we are no worse or no better than last year but if our goaltending can be solid we make the playoffs for sure

#5 habsfan_for_life1212 says:
September 28, 2007 at 11:51 pm

My predictions for 2007-2008
1-Ottawa*
2-PIttsburgh*
3-Carolina*
4-New York Rangers
5-Philadelphia
6-Montreal
7-Buffalo
8-Toronto
9-Washington
10-New Jersey
11-Florida
12-Tampa Bay (No Boyle!!)
13-Boston
14-Atlanta
15-NYI

#6 LeBeau says:
September 29, 2007 at 10:51 am

I say squeeze the Islanders into 7th and drop the Habs down to 8th and the Sabres down to 9th and that list looks more accurate. I’m not so sure the Hurricanes will end up in the basement either…

My prediction is that Montreal’s going to have a mirror season to last. Come trade deadline, Gainey will finally make a big trade, involving Huet and Ryder. We’re going to have to also lose Ryder in order to make the deal work. I love Ryder, but I have a feeling he won’t want to come back next season anyway.

That trade will help push Montreal into 8th.

#7 Xtrahabsfan says:
September 29, 2007 at 11:53 am

Gainey,s biggest blunder loosing Souray and getting nothing and then over paying Hammerlicker to fill the spot?Well it’s going to be hard for Bob to top that,as for the present and the future,that will be up to the young guy’s and how they adapt to get us out of basement.The nice thing about it is you can’t go down any further,unless your pactum,lol,it got to go uphill from here.
The big question should be,how many chanches more do Gainey and Carbo get at this?Les Canadiens and Montreal have way to much fabled history for this to continue for much longer”baseball’s fabled Yankies are allway’s contenders cause they don’t except loosing!”
Again size is an issue with the Habs,so a lot of the smaller older players will get hurt,making room for hopefully bigger younger players at mid season,when Bob finnaly gets rid of Kovalev”fired”,trades Koivu to a contender”well earned” ,trades Huet and Ryder,retires Brisbye,put’s Murray on waivers and packages Bully and Dandy to who ever…… THE SOONER THE BETTER… GO HABS!!!

#8 PACTUM SERVA says:
September 29, 2007 at 12:05 pm

Wow extrahabsf ag you know it all.Once again you show how much you know nothing about hockey.Hey bud just stick to lawn darts.lol

#9 smiler2729 says:
September 29, 2007 at 1:08 pm

I don’t think it is a stretch to have Montreal make the playoffs, and it is also totally feasible to have the Habs missing the playoffs… That’s why they play the games, all I can hope for is for the Canadiens to be competitive and entertaining.
Truth be told, I’m glad Gainey didn’t make any stupid deadline deal last February and also glad he didn’t spend outrageous amounts of money on free agents (Briere, Smyth), I like the fact that the prospects are coming along and in most cases, making the team (Kostitsyn, Chipchura, O’Byrne and maybe Price and Grabovsky to go along with Latendresse and Lapierre from last year).

My heart and my head tells me this team is not as bad as we think. Stay tuned.

#10 Smiler2729 says:
September 30, 2007 at 7:56 am

Okay, it’s now Sunday morning and the Habs actually looked good last night in the OT loss to Ottawa considering they sat some big guns -BUT- Patrice Brisebois has got to go. Is it too late to just cut the guy and call it an experiment that didn’t work out? Is his contract this season guaranteed? I hope he enjoys the press box cuz he doesn’t see a sheet of ice all year if I’m the boss. Just make him a waterboy or something.

#11 FlowerPWR10 says:
September 30, 2007 at 1:03 pm

Carolina dead last? Come on now…The “sure bets” in this Conference (and no particular order): New York, Pittsburgh/Carolina and Ottawa leaving four spots to be filled by .500 teams (at best). If you think last years race to the wire was close then wait until this year when Les Habs et al aren’t secured a spot until the very last game…this will be a very long winter!

#12 Stuart-SB77 says:
September 30, 2007 at 5:09 pm

1.Ottawa
2.NYR
3.Florida
4.Pittsburgh
5.NewJersey
6.Buffalo
7.Montreal
8.Philedelphia
9.Toronto

#13 Stuart-SB77 says:
September 30, 2007 at 5:11 pm

I see people with Philly 5th. look Briere sucks except,for the last 2 seasons. he’ll probably get around 70-80 pts this year. They got briere a good centre. But hey they had a good centre before in forsberg.=last place. The biggest difference this year will be Biron.

#14 habs#1fan says:
September 30, 2007 at 7:19 pm

Here’s my predictions for this year:

1. x-Ottawa
2. x-NY Rangers
3. x-Washington (my bold *** prediction for this season says Wsh wins the weakass Southeast)
4. Pittsburgh
5. Buffalo
6. Tampa Bay
7. Montreal
8. Philadelphia

The bottom 3 including YES I hate to say it the Habs could be bumped out by teams like Florida, New Jersey, Toronto. I think the points will be real tight.

I know one thing if the Habs end up 2nd in the Northeast (which I hope and pray they do) they will end up higher than 7th, I think they will be 5th. 6th at worst.

Bottom line GO HABS GO!!!!!!

#15 Ray says:
April 9, 2008 at 8:33 am

It’s funny now to look back and see where the predictions were, I’ve surfed a few sites for my own amusement, it’s nice to see so many got it wrong.

Yes, it’s surprising that Montreal is in the #1 spot, but for all of those who said they wouldn’t make it, I have to laugh, those with the heart, knew they wouldn’t miss the playoffs two years in a row. Never would of happened

But interesting to see the comments from the beginning.

Now… Let’s hoist up that 25th cup banner high!

Leave a Comment

ShoutBox

Last Message 2 hours, 2 minutes ago

5 guests are online. Google is crawling the site.

Avatar37 : pressure playing in Montreal, since he has problems with the expectations in Washington and Montreal isn't any easier. Then again, the media were very easy on Kovalev, so maybe it's a Russian thing? No idea. Anyway, yeah, it would have to be an established star that gives us an immediate drastic upgrade at forward, that's the only way I'd trade PK, because we'd be giving up a potential QB on our blueline for the next decade.
Avatar37 : Goalie - Sure, the only player I'd say who is untradeable (meaning I wouldn't trade no matter what) is Carey Price. You build a winning team from the net out, and I don't think there's a better goalie for his age in the NHL than Price, so I wouldn't trade him. Otherwise, every player would be open for offers, but for PK Subban, it would take (for me) an already established star, like Carter or Crosby or Ovechkin. As much as I like Ovechkin, I'm not sure he could handle all the media pre
goalie : I'm not suggesting at all that we judst dump or get rid of PK. I do however believe that he is a very valued commodity in the NHL adn that the Habs will receive offers for his services. If someone ffers us young, strong, puck handling forwards who can score, I think the Habs have to look at that possible trade.
Avatar37 : Agreed. It would be a big mistake to trade PK just to move up 2 spots in the draft. PK, Emelin, and Gorges are the bright future of our defense.
Senet1 : I am with you Avatar, Subban stays, it is not often that you get a stud defenceman who can play 25+ minutes. The mistakes he makes are for the most part not that serious and people forget he is only 23 and been in the league 2 years. He has come a long way in those two years. He has offense, defence and he hits. You cannot bet much better than that. Two more years experience and he has a shot at the Norris. If Markov does anything I hope he teaches PK how to work the PP.
Avatar37 : «link»
Avatar37 : go.
Avatar37 : round exit. Heck, even the year they won the cup we almost took them out in round 1. I believe in the corps of this team, I really think we just need a few tweaks. Adding Larry Robinson to run the defense would be a BIG help, keep Cunneyworth as offensive coach, and get a head coach who can get these guys back on the right path. We need to establish an identity again, a team that won't let itself be pushed around like it was under Martin. A few scrappers on this team and we'll be good to
Avatar37 : Yeah, the only way I'd trade PK is if we were getting an established star in return, like Carter or Crosby. I don't think we're miles away from competing deep into the playoffs, the NHL has become so competitive because of the salary cap that really there aren't huge differences between the teams. Add into the equation the stupid scoring system (some games worth 2 points, some 3) that the standings don't truly reflect where teams should really be. Look at Boston, cup winners to first rou
Senet1 : It would have to be something pretty special before I would trade PK. To me he is the #1 building block of our defence. I would trade any other defenceman we have before I would trade PK.
Senet1 : An improvement in our offense and strengthening our defence. Personally, I do not think we are that far off, five players at best could get us there. One thing that has always been true about the playoffs, Defence wins and you need a strong 3rd and 4th line.
goalie : I'm more optimistic now about the Habs than I have been for the past three dreadfully long seasons!
goalie : 2: I think GM Bergevin will make somewhat of a 'blockbuster't rade either before or on the day of the draft adn I believe PK Subban will be in that package. WE have t rememebr we have to give away some talent to get back other talent. No one wants players like Moen to move up in the draft etc.
goalie : Some thoughts:The more I see the playoffs it becomes even more obvious that we're miles away from being able to 'compete' dep into the playoffs
Avatar37 : «link»
Senet1 : Young Subban might also be an option if the Russian goalie is not available. However, to me I would wait another year and attempt to use my draft 2nd round draft picks to improve out forward situation.
Senet1 : Although Rinne contact is another example of long term at the wrong time. He is 29 years old. A case could be made with Price that double his money now with bonuses if we win the cup, I think that is still allowed in contracts?
Senet1 : Problem is he is going to want Pekka Rinne money and term. That is closer to 7M. On the other hand, the contract could have step up clauses in it over the 7 years.
Avatar37 : With Price, I wouldn't blink twice about offering him a 7 year contract now, especially if he'd be willing to give up dollar value for length. 7 years at $5.5 million a year would be just fine in my book.
Avatar37 : I think the goaltending void in our current system would push me to draft Vasilevski with our second pick, if he was available. He's young and has lots of potential, but is at least 5-6 years away from starting to be ready to play on an NHL roster.
Senet1 : Long tern contracts are a risk, but if you have a super star not as much. Luongo's contract was long term but signed too late in his career.
Avatar37 : Senet - Yes, you were clear in your post, my question was directed at goalie. I'm with you in that I'd be willing to sign him to a 7 year contract. I'd be nervous about anything longer, because every single long term goalie contract I can think of turned out to be a disaster for the team signing it.
Senet1 : I think that Budaj is a better goalie than many give him credit for, is he a Price no but with a tight defence he could be a good goalie. Many teams have average goalies but have great defence and still win. Look at Detroit, for years they have had average goaltending, but won cups. Goalies can get on a roll in the playoffs, look at Huet as an example, he was not really a good goalie but played great in the playoffs, next year he was a wash. Defence makes the goalie a winner, just ask Price.
Senet1 : Having a young equivalent goalie in the system right now is not important, three years from now it will be, so we have three years to make that kind of move in the draft. I think we have more pressing needs aat the moment.
Senet1 : Personally, I do not see this as a negative because of Price's age, you wait to draft a goalie of a Patrick Roy or Brodeur some teams wait a life time. To me we have on so why would we want to not play that out for as long as we can. Bottom line is this, regardless, right now you have a stud goalie, you are either going to pay him the money he deserves for not sign him and lose him. There is no middle of the road here.
goalie : Avatar made a great point. We don't have an NHL or up adn coming NHL goalies in our system. Another great move by Gauthier. Price is sitting very pretty.
goalie : WEll Price has us by the nads. I guess I'd have to go as far as a 7 year contract due to his play adn his age.
Senet1 : Luongo is now 33, he has been a good goaltender for a number of years. I would sign Price for 7 years and at age 31 then we deal with UFA at that time. Hopefully, we could provide him with another 5 years at that time. That is my opinion anyway, I would never risk losing him as a UFA at this point in his career to me that would be a very poor management decision. Even a 10 year contract would put him only at 34 years old. If you are going to sign him to long term now is the time.
Senet1 : If you have a young stud you have to gamble a little and give him a contract that is worthy of his abilities and his potential. It can have escalation clauses or reducing clauses like Kovalchuk's contract.
Senet1 : Avatar, I thought I was clear Yes I would sign him long term. My previous post said. The problem is if you have a out in the contract after 5 years then the player also has an out after 5 years. So no self respected lawyer would accept a contract that did not have equal escape clauses. So no I would not sign only for 5 years, if Price was 28 years old yes but not a 24. Seven years still only makes him 31 when the contract is over. If you have a young stud you have to gamble a little and give him
Avatar37 : Cammalleri trade. Given the fact that we have no NHL starting quality goaltenders in the system currently, aren't we held hostage to having to sign Price?
Avatar37 : There are many bad goalie contracts, just look at Huet. However, your post didn't answer my question as to what you'd do with Price. He's an RFA now, but for argument sake, if he were a UFA, what would you do? If he wanted a 7+ year contract, you know some other team would give him one. Would you risk losing him for nothing because you didn't want to sign a contract over 5 years? And if we lose Price, our goalies are Budaj and Robert Mayer, as we sent Karri Ramo to the Flames in the Cam
goalie : .. a 5 years contract again based upon the experience he has had AND he likes Bobby Lou!
goalie : Ditto for Philly, Ther goaltender 'situations' have both become the number 1 story line for both teams, and in Vancouver one could see the exaspiration on Gillis' adn to some extent Vigneault's faces when continously being bombarded by the loooong term contract that the Canucks are stuct with. (Gillis even said last February or so, thank goodness it looks like more than few other teams will be looking for a starting goaltender for 2012-13. He said he would never again do more than a 5 year c
goalie : I've spent the past four winters in BC thus I am very aware of the Canucks situations. I'd first say I give Gillis adn Vigneault 100% credit for being VERY supportive of Roberto L. even when Corey Schenider has vastly out played him. (I too like Bobby Lou but facts are facts).