CarterHud

           In a lost season, the New York Rangers traded Ryan McDonagh, JT Miller, Nick Holden, Rick Nash and Michael Grabner at the trade deadline, buffing their farm system, adding Brett Howden, Libor Hajek and Ryan Lindgren. They also entered the draft with three first round picks. This is now a dark time in New York, as the Rangers and Islanders are both very bad. Before we look at their team, here\’s some fast facts for the New York Rangers.

Head Coach: Dan Quinn
General Manager: Jeff Gorton
Arena: Madison Square Garden
AHL Affiliate: Hartford Wolf Pack
2017-18 record: 34-39-9 (77 points)
2017-18 placement: 8th
Division: Metropolitan
2017-18 goals leader: Mika Zibanejad (27)
2017-18 assists leader: Mats Zuccarello (37)
2017-18 points leader: Mats Zuccarello (53)
2017-18 points leader (defenseman): Ryan McDonagh (26)
Captain: None
Assistant Captains: Chris Kreider, Mats Zuccarello, Marc Staal
2018 first round pick: Vitali Kravtsov, K\’andre Miller, Nils Lundkvist

Offseason additions: Frederik Claesson, Adam McQuaid, Dustin Tokarski

Offseason subtractions: David Desharnais, Ondrej Pavalec, Paul Carey, Steven Kampfer, Ryan Sproul

Forwards: Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello form a decent top line on an otherwise lackluster group. Vladislav Namestnikov, Jimmy Vesey and Ryan Spooner have lots to prove. Pavel Buchnevich showed he was a top-6 winger in 2017-18. Their two first round picks in 2017, Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil will receive big chances this year at 19.

Forward lines:

Chris Kreider – Mika Zibanejad – Mats Zuccarello
Vladislav Namestnikov – Kevin Hayes – Pavel Buchnevich
Jimmy Vesey – Filip Chytil – Ryan Spooner
Vinni Letteri – Lias Andersson – Jesper Fast
Other: Peter Holland, Cody McLeod

Defenseman. Lackluster left side, strong right side. The right side has their three best defensemen, Kevin Shattenkirk, Brady Skjei, and Neal Pionk, who impressed with 14 points in 28 games last year. Guys like Tony DeAngelo, Rob O\’Gara and Frederik Claesson will get hurt by Marc Staal and Brendan Smith\’s big contracts, and will need to fight them off.

Defensive pairs:

Neal Pionk – Kevin Shattenkirk
Marc Staal – Brady Skjei
Rob O\’Gara – Tony DeAngelo
Other: Brendan Smith, Frederik Claesson

Goalies:

Now 36, Henrik Lundqvist isn\’t as good as he used to be. The future is 22 year old backup Alexander Georgiev. Dustin Tokarski and Marek Mazanec fight for the third goalie role.

Goalie alignment:

Henrik Lundqvist
Alexander Georgiev
Other: Dustin Tokarski, Marek Mazanec

Predictions:

Top five scorers:

Mats Zuccarello
Mika Zibanejad
Pavel Buchnevich
Chris Kreider
Filip Chytil

Playoffs: No
Division: 8th

              In a very disappointing season, the New York Islanders lost big, made big management changes, had a great draft, only to have the worst offseason in the league, losing John Tavares and Calvin de Haan. Before we look at what is left of the team, here\’s some fast facts for the New York Islanders.

Head Coach: Barry Trotz
General Manager: Lou Lamoriello
Arena: Barclays Center, NYCB Live
AHL Affiliate: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
2017-18 record: 35-37-10 (80 points)
2017-18 placement: 7th
Division: Metropolitan
2017-18 goals leader: Anders Lee (40)
2017-18 assists leader: Mat Barzal (63)
2017-18 points leader: Mat Barzal (85)
2017-18 points leader (defenseman): Nick Leddy (42)
Captain: None
Assistant Captains: Cal Clutterbuck, Andrew Ladd (will change)
2018 first round pick: Oliver Wahlstrom, Noah Dobson

Offseason additions: Robin Lehner, Leo Komarov, Matt Martin, Jan Kovar, Valtteri Filppula, Tom Kuhnhackl, Luca Sbisa

Offseason subtractions: John Tavares, Calvin de Haan, Jaroslav Halak, Chris Wagner, Nikolay Kulemin, Brandon Davidson, Alan Quine

Forwards: with 85 points, Mat Barzal won the 2017-18 Calder trophy. Anders Lee scored 40 goals, and Anthony Beauvillier made big strides with 20. Jordan Eberle played great alongside Barzal, adding 25 goals and 59 points. Josh Ho-Sang and Valtteri Filppula should play, but since they are paying Andrew Ladd, Leo Komarov, Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin so much money, they have to play over them. Jan Kovar was almost a point per game player in the KHL. He could be the third line center. Now really overpaid, Cal Clutterbuck, Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin are reunited.

Forward lines:

Anders Lee – Mat Barzal – Jordan Eberle
Brock Nelson – Anthony Beauvillier – Josh Bailey
Leo Komarov – Jan Kovar – Andrew Ladd
Matt Martin – Casey Cizikas – Cal Clutterbuck
Other: Valtteri Filppula, Josh Ho-Sang

Defensemen: The worst group from last year, the Isles were the worst in the league in goals against a game, with 3.57. They were also the worst penalty killing unit, with a lousy 73.2% success rate. Nick Leddy can be a good player offensively, but his defense is questionable. Ryan Pulock had a great rookie season, but Johnny Boychuk is falling off. Adam Pelech and Scott Mayfield wouldn\’t play on most teams, and are blocking Sebastian Aho and Devon Toews.

Defensive pairs:

Nick Leddy – Johnny Boychuk
Thomas Hickey – Ryan Pulock
Adam Pelech – Scott Mayfield
Other: Sebastian Aho, Luca Sbisa

Goalies: Jaroslav Halak is out, Robin Lehner is in. Lehner needs to prove he can be a starter in the NHL. While Thomas Greiss is the backup, Christopher Gibson was impressive at the end of 2017-18. He could overtake Greiss at some point in the year.

Goalie alignment:

Robin Lehner
Thomas Greiss
Christopher Gibson

Predictions:

Top five scorers:

Mat Barzal
Jordan Eberle
Josh Bailey
Anders Lee
Anthony Beauvillier

Playoffs: No
Division: 7th

          One of the league\’s most surprising teams, the Jersey Devils ended off 2017-18 with 97 points, and made the playoffs for the first time since 2011-12, only to fall to the Tampa Lightning in five games. But, big strides were made as Taylor Hall won the first Hart trophy in team history, 23 year old Will Butcher had a great rookie year, as did 19 year olds Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt. Before we look at their team, here\’s some fast facts for the New Jersey Devils.

Head Coach: John Hynes
General Manager: Ray Shero
Arena: Prudential Center
AHL Affiliate: Binghamton Devils
2017-18 record: 44-29-9
2017-18 placement: 5th
Division: Metropolitan
2017-18 goals leader: Taylor Hall (39)
2017-18 assists leader: Taylor Hall (54)
2017-18 points leader: Taylor Hall (93)
2017-18 points leader (defenseman): Will Butcher (44)
Captain: Andy Greene
Assistant Captains: Travis Zajac, Brian Boyle, Taylor Hall, Kyle Palmieri
2018 first round pick: Ty Smith

Offseason additions: Eric Gryba.

Offseason subtractions: Patrick Maroon, Michael Grabner, John Moore, Brian Gibbons and Jimmy Hayes.

Forwards: Taylor Hall is one of hockey\’s best players. Nico Hischier is still growing. Kyle Palmieri can score 30 goals. They need Pavel Zacha to be top-6 center. He\’s a 3rd liner at best. Brian Boyle and Travis Zajac need to stay healthy. They have a decent winger core with Marcus Johansson, Jesper Bratt and Miles Wood. Michael McLeod and Joey Anderson will get some experience.

Forward lines:

Taylor Hall – Nico Hischier – Kyle Palmieri
Marcus Johansson – Travis Zajac – Jesper Bratt
Miles Wood – Pavel Zacha – Stefan Noesen
Blake Coleman – Brian Boyle – Drew Stafford
Other: Blake Speers

Defenseman: they have a decent, young core led by Sami Vatanen, Will Butcher and Damon Severson. It\’s a big year for Mirco Mueller and Steven Santini. They could be gone by 2019-20.

Defensive pairs:

Andy Greene – Sami Vatanen
Will Butcher – Damon Severson
Mirco Mueller – Steven Santini
Other: Ben Lovejoy, Eric Gryba

Goalies: Cory Schneider is never healthy. That\’s why they need two backups, Keith Kinkaid and Eddie Lack. The organization trusts Kinkaid, who won a career high 26 games in 2017-18.

Goalie alignment:

Cory Schneider
Keith Kinkaid
Eddie Lack

 Predictions:

Top five scorers:

Taylor Hall
Kyle Palmieri
Will Butcher
Nico Hischier
Marcus Johansson

Playoffs: No
Division: 5th

            In a season where they finished with 117 points and a Presidents trophy, the Nashville Predators failed to win the first Stanley Cup in team history. They followed that up by having a boring offseason, not making many changes. Before we look at the few moves they made, here\’s a look at some fast facts for the Nashville Predators.

Head Coach: Peter Laviolette
General Manager: David Poile
Arena: Bridgestone Arena
AHL Affiliate: Milwaukee Admirals
2017-18 record: 53-18-11 (117 points)
2017-18 placement: 1st
Division: Central
2017-18 goals leader: Viktor Arvidsson (29)
2017-18 assists leader: PK Subban (43)
2017-18 points leader: Filip Forsberg (64)
2017-18 points leader (defenseman): PK Subban (59)
Captain: Roman Josi
Assistant Captains: Ryan Ellis, Ryan Johansen, Mattias Ekholm, Filip Forsberg
2018 first round pick: None, selected Jachym Kondelik 111th overall.

Offseason additions: Dan Hamhuis

Offseason subtractions: Scott Hartnell, Mike Fisher, Alexei Emelin

Forwards: Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson both failed to hit 30 goals, and Ryan Johansen had just 54 points. The defense carried them. Their depth on the wings is great. Viktor Arvidsson, Craig Smith, Kevin Fiala and Ryan Hartman on the right side is pretty good. The highest scoring teenager in KHL history, Eeli Tolvanen comes to America looking to score. He\’ll get top-6 minutes.

Forward lines:

Filip Forsberg – Ryan Johansen – Viktor Arvidsson
Eeli Tolvanen – Kyle Turris – Kevin Fiala
Calle Jarnkrok – Nick Bonino – Ryan Hartman
Colton Sissons – Frederick Gaudreau – Craig Smith
Other: Mikko Salomaki
Suspended: Austin Watson

Defenseman: PK Subban and Roman Josi may not be the league\’s best defensive duo anymore (Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson), but they are both great players and all-stars. Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm are also really good players. Welcome to Nashville, where defensemen grow on trees.

Defensive pairs:

Roman Josi – Ryan Ellis
Mattias Ekholm – PK Subban
Dan Hamhuis – Yannick Weber
Other: Matt Irwin, Anthony Bitetto

Goalies: Pekka Rinne is 35 and in the last year of his contract, but for now, he\’s still a great goalie. Juuse Saros is a young backup that can play 30 games if needed, if Rinne happens to go down.

Goalie alignment:

Pekka Rinne
Juuse Saros

Predictions:

Top five scorers:

Filip Forsberg
Ryan Johansen
Roman Josi
Viktor Arvidsson
PK Subban

Playoffs: Yes
Division: 2nd
I think the Nashville Predators will be eliminated in the second round of the playoffs.

          Following a 103 point 2016-17 finish, the Montreal Canadiens hit rock bottom in 2017-18, finishing with 32 less points. Many not so great trade are now shaping the team, and Carey Price\’s new contract is horrible. So is Shea Weber\’s. Brendan Gallagher is the squad best player. It\’s a dark time for the Habs. Before we look at their team, here\’s some fast facts for the Montreal Canadiens.

Head Coach: Claude Julien
General Manager: Marc Bergevin
Arena: Bell Centre
AHL Affiliate: Laval Rocket
2017-18 record: 29-40-13
2017-18 placement: 6th
Division: Atlantic
2017-18 goals leader: Brendan Gallagher (31)
2017-18 assists leader: Jonathan Drouin (33)
2017-18 points leader: Brendan Gallagher (54)
2017-18 points leader (defenseman): Jeff Petry (42)
Captain: none
Assistant Captains: Brendan Gallagher, Shea Weber
2018 first round pick: Jesperi Kotkaniemi

Offseason additions: Max Domi, Tomas Tatar, Joel Armia, Tomas Plekanec, Joel Armia, Matthew Peca, Xavier Ouellet, Nick Suzuki

Offseason subtractions: Max Pacioretty, Alex Galchenyuk, Ales Hemsky, Dan Carr, Logan Shaw, Adam Cracknell

Forwards: Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk are out,  Max Domi and Tomas Tatar are in. Yes, that is very disappointing, but they are going to give younger players more chances. Phillip Danault is the second line center. Joel Armia will a second line winger/ Artturi Lehkonen and Nikita Scherbak are going to get a chance. Same with Charles Hudon. Matthew Peca will have to fight his way in, but could play 50 games this year.

Forward lines:

Max Domi – Jonathan Drouin – Brendan Gallagher
Tomas Tatar – Phillip Danualt – Joel Armia
Artturi Lehkonen – Paul Byron – Andrew Shaw
Charles Hudon – Tomas Plekanec – Nikita Scherbak
Other: Jacob de la Rose, Matthew Peca, Nicolas Deslauriers

Defensemen: Shea Weber is overpaid, but can still be a top-2 defenseman. Jeff Petry is a top-4 defenseman. They are hoping that Victor Mete can be one too. Karl Alzner is a big disappointment, and is job is in jeopardy.

Defensive pairs:

Victor Mete – Shea Weber
David Schlemko – Jeff Petry
Karl Alzner – Jamie Benn
Other: Xavier Ouellet, Noah Juulsen, Mike Reilly

Goalies: Carey Price can not stay healthy. In 49 games last year, he was horrible, with a GAA over 3.00. Antti Niemi is the backup, but Charlie Lindgren is coming.

Goalie alignment:

Carey Price
Antti Niemi
Charlie Lindgren

Predictions:

Top five scorers:

Brendan Gallagher
Jonathan Drouin
Tomas Tatar
Max Domi
Phillip Danualt

Playoffs: heck no
Division: 7th