Post by NHLJets2point0 on Aug 9, 2012 18:21:33 GMT -5
We continue rolling out our prognostications for the upcoming season as they appear in our Yearbook with the No. 13 teams in each conference.
August 9, 2012 10:25 AM EDT
Both the Canadiens and Oilers made coaching changes this summer, but will either team get back to the post-season? (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images)
It's that time of year again when everything is put on the line and prognostications are made for the upcoming season.
In keeping with a THN tradition, we have already debated the merits of each organization and after much back-and-forth, settled on our rankings from 1-15 in each conference. 

The complete list will be available in THN’s 2012-13 Yearbook edition. But like last year, as a special bonus for our online audience, we thought we’d reveal parts of our predictions a day at a time on THN.com.


We’ll unveil our predictions from 15 to 1 in each conference one day at a time, as well as give short explanations of our rationale for the decision. 


Discuss and enjoy!
THE HOCKEY NEWS 2012-13 PREDICTIONS
EASTERN
WESTERN
15 NEW YORK ISLANDERS
15 COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Why: Eventually this team is going to take a step forward and it's probably going to come out of nowhere to surprise everyone. That's the general feeling around this team and though a few THN staffers feel the Isles are on the cusp of moving on up, it always comes back to the fact they're stuck in the difficult Atlantic Division. The Islanders will be hard-pressed to move out of the No. 5 spot in that grouping, which immediately puts them at a disadvantage. Goaltending is still a concern with or, more likely, without Rick DiPietro, though John Tavares is on track to superstardom. Why: More accurately, the explanation here should be preceded by "why not?" The Blue Jackets traded away their only star and didn't inspire any fans with the return; Steve Mason and Sergei Bobrovsky don't provide any more security as a tandem than Mason did alone; and the depth of talent on this team is lacking. Even though the Central Division took a hit this season, Columbus was a unanimous choice to finish at the bottom of the barrel. You can write them in as our choice for No. 30 overall, too.
14 WINNIPEG JETS
14 COLORADO AVALANCHE
Why: The Jets were awful on the road last season so a sudden improvement there would go a long way. Still, what this team has in talent on the blueline, it greatly lacks up front. Blake wheeler and Evander Kane had career years in 2011-12, but will they continue that ascension, stall, or fall back? Can Bryan Little regain the 30-goal form from 2008-09? The Jets offense needs a stud to assume control and for their plethora of youth to continue to rise. But when you rely on things like this to happen for your team to be successful, you're walking a thin line. Why: Colorado was a point of contention when THN staffers debated the Western Conference. Some of us liked their collection of youth and presume a step forward - others looked at the goaltending and lack of reliable star power and saw a bottom-feeder. No matter how you view the Avs, a number of things have to click for them to get back into the playoffs. Semyon Varlamov needs to be healthy and consistent. Erik Johnson has to be convincing as a No. 1 defender. And the Matt Duchene's and Paul Stastny's of the roster need to shine bright.
13 MONTREAL CANADIENS
13 EDMONTON OILERS
Why: While Montreal found a wonderful line of Erik Cole, Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais last season, the team still doesn't score enough goals. They added grit in the form of Brandon Prust and Colby Armstrong that will beef up an undersized forward corps, but that doesn't address the need for offense. If Andrei Markov can stay healthy the Habs are a different squad, but the Russian can't be relied on for a full year anymore. If Carey Price has a Vezina caliber season the Habs will be ripe to exceed expectations, but as everything stands right now, this is still a non-playoff team. Why: There were a couple of voices in the THN office making a case for the Oilers to be a playoff team, but in the end, the majority decided it was still too soon. We do believe the Oilers will improve from recent showings and maybe even move out of the draft lottery. Nail Yakupov is dynamic, but first-year expectations should be tempered. Defense and goaltending is still a big question mark and in a loaded Western Conference those are debilitating shortfalls. Sure, Justin Schultz was added to the blueline, but he's far from a difference-maker at this point. Can Ryan Whitney stay healthy? Can Devan Dubnyk be a legit No. 1? Until these questions become solid answers, Edmonton is still on the outside looking in.
August 9, 2012 10:25 AM EDT
Both the Canadiens and Oilers made coaching changes this summer, but will either team get back to the post-season? (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images)
It's that time of year again when everything is put on the line and prognostications are made for the upcoming season.
In keeping with a THN tradition, we have already debated the merits of each organization and after much back-and-forth, settled on our rankings from 1-15 in each conference. 

The complete list will be available in THN’s 2012-13 Yearbook edition. But like last year, as a special bonus for our online audience, we thought we’d reveal parts of our predictions a day at a time on THN.com.


We’ll unveil our predictions from 15 to 1 in each conference one day at a time, as well as give short explanations of our rationale for the decision. 


Discuss and enjoy!
THE HOCKEY NEWS 2012-13 PREDICTIONS
EASTERN
WESTERN
15 NEW YORK ISLANDERS
15 COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Why: Eventually this team is going to take a step forward and it's probably going to come out of nowhere to surprise everyone. That's the general feeling around this team and though a few THN staffers feel the Isles are on the cusp of moving on up, it always comes back to the fact they're stuck in the difficult Atlantic Division. The Islanders will be hard-pressed to move out of the No. 5 spot in that grouping, which immediately puts them at a disadvantage. Goaltending is still a concern with or, more likely, without Rick DiPietro, though John Tavares is on track to superstardom. Why: More accurately, the explanation here should be preceded by "why not?" The Blue Jackets traded away their only star and didn't inspire any fans with the return; Steve Mason and Sergei Bobrovsky don't provide any more security as a tandem than Mason did alone; and the depth of talent on this team is lacking. Even though the Central Division took a hit this season, Columbus was a unanimous choice to finish at the bottom of the barrel. You can write them in as our choice for No. 30 overall, too.
14 WINNIPEG JETS
14 COLORADO AVALANCHE
Why: The Jets were awful on the road last season so a sudden improvement there would go a long way. Still, what this team has in talent on the blueline, it greatly lacks up front. Blake wheeler and Evander Kane had career years in 2011-12, but will they continue that ascension, stall, or fall back? Can Bryan Little regain the 30-goal form from 2008-09? The Jets offense needs a stud to assume control and for their plethora of youth to continue to rise. But when you rely on things like this to happen for your team to be successful, you're walking a thin line. Why: Colorado was a point of contention when THN staffers debated the Western Conference. Some of us liked their collection of youth and presume a step forward - others looked at the goaltending and lack of reliable star power and saw a bottom-feeder. No matter how you view the Avs, a number of things have to click for them to get back into the playoffs. Semyon Varlamov needs to be healthy and consistent. Erik Johnson has to be convincing as a No. 1 defender. And the Matt Duchene's and Paul Stastny's of the roster need to shine bright.
13 MONTREAL CANADIENS
13 EDMONTON OILERS
Why: While Montreal found a wonderful line of Erik Cole, Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais last season, the team still doesn't score enough goals. They added grit in the form of Brandon Prust and Colby Armstrong that will beef up an undersized forward corps, but that doesn't address the need for offense. If Andrei Markov can stay healthy the Habs are a different squad, but the Russian can't be relied on for a full year anymore. If Carey Price has a Vezina caliber season the Habs will be ripe to exceed expectations, but as everything stands right now, this is still a non-playoff team. Why: There were a couple of voices in the THN office making a case for the Oilers to be a playoff team, but in the end, the majority decided it was still too soon. We do believe the Oilers will improve from recent showings and maybe even move out of the draft lottery. Nail Yakupov is dynamic, but first-year expectations should be tempered. Defense and goaltending is still a big question mark and in a loaded Western Conference those are debilitating shortfalls. Sure, Justin Schultz was added to the blueline, but he's far from a difference-maker at this point. Can Ryan Whitney stay healthy? Can Devan Dubnyk be a legit No. 1? Until these questions become solid answers, Edmonton is still on the outside looking in.
