Midseason Predictions

Well, it’s that time again. Now that it’s officially the All-Star break, it’s time to revise my season predictions. I don’t remember how they went, but I’m sure they’re mostly wrong by now. So many things can change from preseason to All-Star break that the predictions you make in January hold far more value than those in September. So with that in mind, here are my division/conference breakdowns with a tiny explanation for each team.

Atlantic Division
1. New Jersey – (Bias aside, they’ve surprised even me so far.)
2. Philadelphia – (Truly dangerous this year, especially if they get healthy.)
3. NY Rangers – (If they get some offense at the deadline, perhaps they finish better.)
4. Pittsburgh – (Disappointing so far, but all is not lost just yet.)
5. NY Islanders – (Come on, do I really need to explain this one?)

Northeast Division
1. Boston – (I think it’s a safe bet no one is catching them.)
2. Montreal – (Fans have to be pleased with 100th season so far.)
3. Buffalo – (Management has left poor Ryan Miller with no help anymore.)
4. Toronto – (Good things seem to lie ahead for once.)
5. Ottawa – (The only GM who doesn’t realize that one line cannot do it all.)

Southeast Division
1. Washington – (Can’t wait to see Ovechkin in the playoffs again.)
2. Florida – (Even being in the playoff picture is a pleasant surprise.)
3. Carolina – (I honestly don’t know what to make of them.)
4. Tampa Bay – (A little patience goes a long way. Melrose was too good for you.)
5. Atlanta – (Please let Kovalchuk out of his sentence. He looks so disenchanted.)

Central Division
1. Detroit – (It’s been a while since a defending champion looked so good.)
2. Chicago – (What can I say except, “Here Come the Hawks!”)
3. Columbus – (For their own sake, I hope they finally make the playoffs.)
4. Nashville – (Hey it could be worse…Balsillie could be the owner.)
5. St. Louis – (At least there finally seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel.)

Northwest Division
1. Calgary – (If Kiprusoff could be a little less streaky, this team could go far.)
2. Minnesota – (They are better than they’ve been playing recently.)
3. Edmonton – (In any other division, they could end up better.)
4.Vancouver – (There’s still hope, but Sundin and Luongo need to get their game together.)
5. Colorado – (Finishing last won’t be the worst of their worries. What about Joe?)

Pacific Division
1. San Jose – (This team is so good, it’s not even fair. It’s like a video game.)
2. Phoenix – (I’m really happy for Gretz and his team. They could surprise someone in the playoffs.)
3. Anaheim – (Getzlaf aside, I’m not impressed.)
4. Los Angeles – (Another positive looking rebuild.)
5. Dallas – (I feel bad for Mike Modano.)

Eastern Conference
1. Boston
2. Washington
3. New Jersey
4. Montreal
5. Philadelphia
6. NY Rangers
7. Florida
8. Pittsburgh
9. Buffalo
10. Carolina
11. Toronto
12. Tampa Bay
13. Ottawa
14. Atlanta
15. NY Islanders

Western Conference
1. San Jose
2. Detroit
3. Calgary
4. Chicago
5. Phoenix
6. Minnesota
7. Columbus
8. Edmonton
9. Anaheim
10. Vancouver
11. Los Angeles
12. Nashville
13. Colorado
14. Dallas
15. St. Louis

I realize that some of the standings are exactly how teams stand now, and that’s purely by chance. I think the standings will do quite a bit of shuffling between now and April, but in the end that’s how I expect it to end up.