FD19372

Stars in 6 Oilers in 7 Canucks in 6 Jets in 6 Panthers in 7 Rangers in 7 Bruins in 7 Hurricanes in 7. I wasn't sure what the right place for my picks was. So I'm putting them here. Obviously, based on my picks, it should be one hell of a first round. I'm picking Florida over Dallas in 6, to win the Stanley Cup.

I agree. Dallas gets a huge test early and I think it benefits them, and they go all the way to the finals again, after winning a hard fought series, in 6.

On paper, Colorado is better, but their goaltending isn't very good. Unless Georgiev plays better (or Annunen can step up somehow), and their defense plays better, I don't think they beat the Jets. Even with all their firepower. Jets in 6.

Canucks in 6. They have too much firepower for the Predators, though Saros can steal a game or two.

This is a very even series. I think Barkov and Tkachuk step it up and have a big Game 7, and Florida pulls the series out at home.

"Familiarity breeds contempt". That describes this matchup well. Third year in a row these teams have met. Great power play for the Oilers (4th best in the regular season) against a great PK unit for the Kings (2nd best in the regular season). I think McDavid and Draisaitl come through in the clutch, and win a hard fought series. I'm picking the Oilers in 7, although the Kings will try and hit them often and wear Edmonton down... and do their best to get under the skin of McDavid, Draisaitl and Co. It should be an excellent series.

All good ones... How about the Salt Lake City Austons?

May the Sim be with you.

Why not just call them the Utah Coyotes? Both fans of the Arizona Coyotes might be offended, but they'll get over it.

It's not a GREAT team name, but even the Utah or Salt Lake Mountain Lions would be a better team name than Utah HC, HockeyClub, Blizzard, Fury or Venom IMHO.

The Bruins, particularly on defense, are more built for playoff hockey. The game changes a bit in the postseason. The Leafs give the Bruins all they can handle, are tougher and better than previous versions of themselves..but fall short in Game 7 at Boston.

The Salt Lake Salty Mormons

Maybe he is that ^. I don't know. What I do know, is that Drysdale needs a strong stay at home, defensive defenseman (which he certainly is not) to play alongside. He makes Ghost look like Chris Pronger. If they don't think Drysdale's defensive game can or will improve much at all..they should try and move him.

It's a stepping stone. More than a few of these players, never experience an 82 game season or an NHL playoff push. They are well coached and many of the young players, are learning and improving. They are on the verge of being a playoff team (as they were until the last game of the regular season this year. I won't go beyond that, at the moment. Now, Danny B has to improve our capspace situation, then sign Reinhart in the off-season, and get a starting goalie. There will be those who disagree on that strategy (signing Reinhart). If he wants 8 years, I would be probably not sign him. Hopefully, he would settle for a 4 or 5 year deal.

Rangers in 7. If Backstrom was able to play, and not just going over to the Ovechkins' house for breakfast, I'd probably pick the Capitals. The Rangers have a bit too much offensive firepower, although Washington split the season season series with them. Now, I just jinxed the Rangers.Go Caps, though I'm not picking them to win the series.

It doesn't matter. Crater err...Carter wasn't going to win a Cup in Philly. He was a better, less lazy and more focused, all-around player for the Kings.

I or U?

That's where I am. It was fun to see them battle the end of the regular season, to make a playoff spot. This team needs more young high end talent. I would add a Reinhart if he becomes available. That being said, I would rather them bottom out and get a lottery pick, so that they can be very good to great for 5 years or so. They need to build successfully with Top 5 in the draft, talent. They are still too concerned about $ and seat filling every year. Unfortunately, Flyers management and ownership going back to (RIP) Ed Snider, has let ego and pride... get in the way of a full rebuild. New Era Of Orange needs to mean "We'll do what it takes IN TODAY'S GAME, to follow the model of successful franchises that have won Cups in the past 20 years".

I agree about the next contract being enormous and something the Flyers shouldn't do (particularly if it's longer than 5 years), but if I can't package him for a big upgrade in goal or a younger PROVEN skilled offensive player in return, I'd hold onto him.

Laughton should have been gone, at the trade deadline. He contributed basically nothing down the stretch run.

This is a well-coached team. Some of the young players did take positive strides. These players finally got a taste of what it takes to make the playoffs, and playing meaningful games in March and April. They just aren't talented enough. It's that simple. Now, Briere needs to find a sniper and a starter. Ersson is not the main reason for the Flyers not making it, but I don't think he will ever be a clear #1 starter. Offensively, getting 40 shots and only getting one or two goals is not acceptable. I would really like to see them get Reinhart in free agency. A big-time sniper. Foerster and Poehling are good players, but are they first line players?(I would say not quite yet for Foerster, though he impressed me) No. Is Frost really good enough to be a reliable second-line player? No. Even if it isn't Reinhart, they have to find a center or wing that puts a lot of pucks in the net, besides TK and Tippett. They are not that far away..and Michkov will be here before you know it. This team should really be ready to take it to another level, at that point.

Poehling I'm OK with, but not thrilled with having on the ice. I agree about having Laughton on the ice at a key point, I don't understand why the hell Torts would do that.

One of the quotes of the year from Flyers studio analyst Al Morganti..."There's craft beers with a higher ABV%, then the Flyers power play goal percentage."

Now, I hope they go and make the Rangers..last year's Bruins. Eliminate them.

Three seconds to go. Unreal. Disgusting. &*^$!