Two weeks in, Who are the contenders and pretenders?
We are two weeks in, and there are surprise teams that are at the top of the standings. Yes, it is early in the season, but some may keep it up the rest of the season and others may drop off. Who would have thought Montreal would be 1-6 and last in their division or like Chicago still not winning a game after being seven games in after adding players like Marc-Andre Fleury, Seth Jones and getting Jonathan Toews back as well. With this in mind, allow me to share with you who I see as contenders or pretenders through two weeks in.
Pretenders:
Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres are still on the longest current playoff drought in the league which 11 seasons and haven’t won a series since the 2006-07 season. Many thought that Jack Eichel would be the savior when he arrived in Buffalo, but that hasn’t been the case, in fact, he may never play another game for the organization. If that doesn’t happen, that could slow them down even more for their future. The team is off to a 4-1-1 start of the season, but two of those wins are against the Canadians and Coyotes who both combine for one win on the season. I think a lot of people feel bad for them and would like them to be good, but until they show more consistency over a longer period, I still believe they are pretenders.
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks are off to a 4-2 start so far and look rejuvenated and ready to make a run this year, but I think its too late. A lot of their older Gus are getting up there in age and also have hefty contracts hurting the team from spreading out money for more depth. Losing Evander Kane who is on a suspension hurts them, but they are playing fine without him at the moment, but unlike the Sabres, the Sharks have wins against good teams like Vegas, Jets, and the Leafs. You could make an argument that they play in the easiest division in the NHL, so they may keep this up, but I believe it will be hard to get past teams like the Oilers, Flames and Vegas all year long.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Another young team off to a good start. The Blue Jackets are also 4-2 and another team that I don’t believe will keep this up all season. The Blue Jackets play in what I believe is the hardest division in the NHL and I don’t believe it is their time just yet. I think maybe in 2-3 years, they will be a force in the east, but in a loaded division with the Capitals, Penguins, Rangers, Islanders, Carolina, etc. They have so much young talent on that squad, I just believe they will get better as the years go on, but I still think its too early for them to be a contender.
Contenders:
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are for real. They were my favorite to win the Stanley Cup before the start of the season. They have everything I believe to win it all. Good depth, good defense and consistent goaltending. The team is red hot right now starting the season 7-0 and I don’t see them losing much steam this year. Obviously the big question is can the panthers overcome the Lightning and I believe this is the year they do it. They are legit contenders. https://twitter.com/TheVealMobile/status/1448061552482045953?s=20
Edmonton Oilers
Since McDavid has been in the league, he brought back relevance to the organization. They have gotten better each year since he has been there and I believe this may be the year they go on a deep run. You could make an a argument that they are the best offense in the league, the question has always been the defense and the scoring depth and goaltending. The team is off to a 5-1 start and I believe they keep this up. Obviously having the best player in the NHL on your team is a boost, but they should keep this up playing in a weak division.
St Louis Blues
The Blues are a sneaky contender this year. They are a good team up and down the lineup. The team is 5-0 to start off the season, but the only thing you could hold against them is that their wins are against below average teams right now, but as a good team, you are expected to beat those teams. You get caught napping against one of those teams and lose, it could end up haunting them come the end of the year when seeds matter. People tend to forget, this team won the Stanley Cup three seasons ago, and most of those players are still on the team.
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-Ryan Veal (@TheVealMobile on Twitter)
