We do this every year here and it makes for great conversation. With the season starting tomorrow, it's time to channel your inner oracle and let your standings predictions be known! Feel free to elaborate why you pick your teams to finish where. I'll reveal who was the most accurate at the end of the season by a point system (along with updates during the season). So for every team that you pick: 5 points if you are bang on, 4 points if you are 1 off (above or below the actual), 3 points if you are 2 off, 2 points in you are 3 off. Anything beyond that is a fail, or, zero points. Deadline for your entry is 12:00 AM October 11.
I'll start:
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. Vancouver Canucks (Got ourselves a deep team. I feel confident)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Resurgence of Datsyuk and Zetterberg)
6. Chicago Blackhawks (Cup hangover..different look to team, less depth)
7. Colorado Avalanche (Only if Anderson holds up)
8. Calgary Flames (Well, you know. I can't back down on a bet)
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10. Nashville Predators (I always underestimate these guys. Why change now? They lost Hammer!)
11. Minnesota Wild (Nobody is talking about Minny, but they look good to me. A much improved roster that could squeak in.)
13. Anaheim Ducks
14. Dallas Stars
15. Edmonton Oilers
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. Washington Capitals (When will their division rivals ever step it up? What a lousy division)
2. New Jersey Devils (Defence is suspect, but always find a way to win with their system)
7. Tampa Bay Lightning (A new attitude with Yzerman at the helm prompts winning ways)
8. Toronto Maple Leafs (See Calgary above. I still think these guys are going to surprise a lot of people)
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10. Montreal Canadiens (Poor Carey Price.)
12. New York Rangers (They deserve less)
15. Florida Panthers
Damn, this is tough stuff. OK, YOUR TURN!