Geek to sheik

[diehardbluesfan1]

A few teams this year have taken big steps, blues included. Who do you see being out of the playoffs or barely in this year, to making the playoffs/contender next year?

So many teams with young high end talent.

Sharks
Montreal
Blues
Columbus
Buffalo
NJ
Anaheim

Some of these teams made the playoffs barely and some are out but can see daylight.

For me I won’t be a homer and say the blues as it does look bright.

I have to say Montreal could be really scary. Good young core that is proven. Demidov coming in could really boost them next year. Their off season could be interesting. I can honestly see them beating the caps in 5 or 6.

NJ seems a player away from being scary. Jasper Bratt is filthy

Buffalo needs a new organization. The talent is always there.

Thoughts?

[BluesDom]

There will be some up and coming teams next year.
Anaheim is loaded. Buffalo is loaded as is Utah and San Jose.
Columbus is impressive as is Montreal.
I dont know if these teams can get over the hump.

The Blues seem to be creating a winning culture. These teams like San Jose, Anaheim,. Buffalo--they need to learn to win before I consider them playoff teams.(or even close.)

Columbus, Utah--they are very close to turning the corner. Montreal has a bright future,
It will be exciting to see Celebrini and Will Smith, Leo Carlson, Demidov, Fantilli, Cooley, Gauthier -so many up and coming good ones!!

[callitwhatyouwant]

The blues will have 1 thing going for them big time. In a couple years the blues will have one of the best cap situations in the league. Can they develop a culture of this being a destination for people to go to? Hollywood and broberg will have a lot to say in that department. If things pan out well for them, you might have this window where we have 50m in cap space and it’s where people think they can get it done

[seattleblue]

Gotta wait to see offseason moves. But Montreal with an emerging #1C similar to Thomas plus a dynamic Hutson is a huge leap forward for them just when they have a lot of other high end talent in the system. Guhle is really good too.

Washington to me has just a frightening group of draft picks for their next era. Ryan Leonard, Cole Hutson, Andrew Cristall and Ilya Protas (monster third round steal last year), in addition to Patrick Thomas who plays with Jiricek on Brantford and Parascak with Prince George.

[BluesDom]

Gotta wait to see offseason moves. But Montreal with an emerging #1C similar to Thomas plus a dynamic Hutson is a huge leap forward for them just when they have a lot of other high end talent in the system. Guhle is really good too.

Washington to me has just a frightening group of draft picks for their next era. Ryan Leonard, Cole Hutson, Andrew Cristall and Ilya Protas (monster third round steal last year), in addition to Patrick Thomas who plays with Jiricek on Brantford and Parascak with Prince George.

Seattle has some exciting young talent in the NHL (and lots of decent veteran talent) and on the way. Specifically Shane Wright. Hes gonna be a real good player in the coming years. Impressive rookie year!! Outperformed Berniers--(Berniers is a pretty a good 2 way player . Not quite as dynamic as Wright.)

Berkly Catton, Eduard Sale on the way and 2nd rounders a-plenty.

[blackinkbiz]

The Blues seem to be creating a winning culture. These teams like San Jose, Anaheim,. Buffalo--they need to learn to win before I consider them playoff teams.(or even close.)

I was told a winning culture was nowhere near as important as top 5 picks.

[seattleblue]

Gotta wait to see offseason moves. But Montreal with an emerging #1C similar to Thomas plus a dynamic Hutson is a huge leap forward for them just when they have a lot of other high end talent in the system. Guhle is really good too.

Washington to me has just a frightening group of draft picks for their next era. Ryan Leonard, Cole Hutson, Andrew Cristall and Ilya Protas (monster third round steal last year), in addition to Patrick Thomas who plays with Jiricek on Brantford and Parascak with Prince George.

Seattle has some exciting young talent in the NHL (and lots of decent veteran talent) and on the way. Specifically Shane Wright. Hes gonna be a real good player in the coming years. Impressive rookie year!! Outperformed Berniers--(Berniers is a pretty a good 2 way player . Not quite as dynamic as Wright.)

Berkly Catton, Eduard Sale on the way and 2nd rounders a-plenty.

Sale is an enigma. Catton is a very nice pick. The Seattle draftee I kind of wish we had is Lukas Dragicevic. Defenseman on Prince Albert 2d rounder from that deep 2023 draft. I would honestly rather have him than many of the defenders projected in this year's first round.

Caden Price still playing for Lethbridge right now (he was on Canada WJC this year and was on Stancl's team like Cristall at the beginning of the year). They also have Rehkopf who was on the Brampton (censored) until he joined their AHL team ala Stancl joining Springfield.