I think it’s a Sabers get some quality goaltending they can make the playoffs
Most-Iron6838
Buffalo. They were pretty close and I have a feeling Kane might be headed there. Detroit is too inconsistent. Pens are due to spiral down as big 3 ages even more.
Chemical-Ad-1274
Easy for me to say the Sabres since I’m a Sabres fan
sextoymagic
Pitt and buffalo?
Accomplished_Ad_5719
Buffalo right now if they get some OK goaltending
Ok-Dirt5717
Detroit is definitely a better team next season. I don’t know if that means playoffs, but it is unlikely they will drop to the point of being major sellers at the trade deadline again.
Grimmer026
Buffalo is the most underrated team in the league. So much young talent.
They will be the next sleeper team like the Devils we’re last year
GroundbreakingCow775
Penguins. I don’t see the other teams making moves to get better. Maybe Buffalo gets in based on player growth
bored3two1
I have to say Buffalo but I want it to be Detroit. Buffalo is just farther along in their rebuild and had higher draft picks.
AVeryAngryChicken
Buffalo first, Ottawa second. Then Detroit then Pittsburgh
CartographerWest2705
The University of North Dakota Fighting Senators
BigDumbDad
I’ll say the Pens because I’m biased but I honestly think Buffalo has a really good chance with the way that team is going
Kongpong1992
Not even as a homer it’s gonna be Pittsburgh I love the moves they made in the off-season they will find a way back in this year buffalo possibly too
Complex-Tangerine628
Buffalo
mmpa78
Pens by far
hollywoodhooks
I’m thinking the sens and pens. Senators are a dangerous team heading into next season
Accomplished_Gas3922
Detroit won’t be worse, I wouldn’t be disappointed if they missed the playoffs by a few points again, because the Atlantic is still so stacked and Buffalo has had an easier rebuild. However, I’d be very upset if we were bottomfeeders somehow.
I say Buffalo moves up before anyone here in the Atlantic, with the Sens and Wings being neck and neck with them til the end of it. A young group that’s tough to play against is so fun to watch and the Atlantic has some great hockey coming up soon I think. The Pens retool looks good, and I hate that. Was really hoping they’d fade into obscurity and sign some more terrible contracts like the Wings did for a while after finally missing the playoffs.
turbodude26
Pens
RaltarArianrhod
I say Buffalo. They were on the cusp, certainly trending up.
chookalana
The Red Wings.
tcari394
As a Pens fan, I obviously hope they are back in the postseason next year. That being said, I hope Buffalo also has a great year.
SteelCityChamp1
Ottawa and buffalo
TehHugMonster
Sabres. I don’t like saying that as a Wings fan, but we’re still one year away. Hoping for the breakout (NJ this year) in ‘24-‘25
ItsOnLikeNdamakung
I don’t think we will be worse, but I also don’t think we won’t be anything more than slightly better. We have a bit more depth in areas of need, but are also lacking “the guy” pushes us over the edge.
merp_mcderp9459
The Sabres are finally escaping rebuild limbo next year
BobbyHill420420
Capitals
steven09763
Detroit baby
-Zipp-
Buffalo and Pittsburgh I’d say are the only ones I’m expecting to enter the playoffs/get close to it.
Detriot and Ottawa i would be very surprised if they manage to snatch anything more than a wildcard. And even then, I wouldn’t put money on it.
mackharp0818
Sabres, Sens, Pens, Wings. In that order.
Its_apparent
I think the Pens are still dangerous, but if I had to put money on it, I’d say Buffalo. My Sens could definitely get in, if they stay healthy, but depth is an issue. No offense to Wings fans, but I think they’re still a couple years away.
aspiringcozyperson
Another vote for Pgh and Buffalo, I know Pittsburgh’s core is aging just like the Caps, but I feel they’ve still got a reliable and cohesive team and good leadership.
(Also bf is a Pens fan, and I don’t want him to be ornery in a general sense.)
Constant-Squirrel555
Buffalo and Ottawa gon be a tight race
Topcornbiskie
The way Detroit sits currently, I could see them just getting in. If the DeBrincat trade happens then this could change a lot.
CauliflowerAlarmed62
Ottawa and Buffalo, Pens will likely regress, Detroit is up in the air.
minimumhatred
In order from most to least likely: Sabres, Pens, Wings/Sens.
Karuzone
“This is the year we make the playoffs!” – Sabres fans every single year. I’ll believe it when I see it, I was satisfied finally finishing above .500 for the first time in 10 years.
Contrarian_Eh
Ottawa has Norris and Chabot coming back and better goaltending (hopefully). Plus the growth of rookies like Sanderson and Kleven and the rest of the young core. They’ll get more than a wildcard.
40 Comments
The pens.
Think that depends on Debrincat, no?
I think it’s a Sabers get some quality goaltending they can make the playoffs
Buffalo. They were pretty close and I have a feeling Kane might be headed there. Detroit is too inconsistent. Pens are due to spiral down as big 3 ages even more.
Easy for me to say the Sabres since I’m a Sabres fan
Pitt and buffalo?
Buffalo right now if they get some OK goaltending
Detroit is definitely a better team next season. I don’t know if that means playoffs, but it is unlikely they will drop to the point of being major sellers at the trade deadline again.
Buffalo is the most underrated team in the league. So much young talent.
They will be the next sleeper team like the Devils we’re last year
Penguins. I don’t see the other teams making moves to get better. Maybe Buffalo gets in based on player growth
I have to say Buffalo but I want it to be Detroit. Buffalo is just farther along in their rebuild and had higher draft picks.
Buffalo first, Ottawa second. Then Detroit then Pittsburgh
The University of North Dakota Fighting Senators
I’ll say the Pens because I’m biased but I honestly think Buffalo has a really good chance with the way that team is going
Not even as a homer it’s gonna be Pittsburgh I love the moves they made in the off-season they will find a way back in this year buffalo possibly too
Buffalo
Pens by far
I’m thinking the sens and pens. Senators are a dangerous team heading into next season
Detroit won’t be worse, I wouldn’t be disappointed if they missed the playoffs by a few points again, because the Atlantic is still so stacked and Buffalo has had an easier rebuild. However, I’d be very upset if we were bottomfeeders somehow.
I say Buffalo moves up before anyone here in the Atlantic, with the Sens and Wings being neck and neck with them til the end of it. A young group that’s tough to play against is so fun to watch and the Atlantic has some great hockey coming up soon I think. The Pens retool looks good, and I hate that. Was really hoping they’d fade into obscurity and sign some more terrible contracts like the Wings did for a while after finally missing the playoffs.
Pens
I say Buffalo. They were on the cusp, certainly trending up.
The Red Wings.
As a Pens fan, I obviously hope they are back in the postseason next year. That being said, I hope Buffalo also has a great year.
Ottawa and buffalo
Sabres. I don’t like saying that as a Wings fan, but we’re still one year away. Hoping for the breakout (NJ this year) in ‘24-‘25
I don’t think we will be worse, but I also don’t think we won’t be anything more than slightly better. We have a bit more depth in areas of need, but are also lacking “the guy” pushes us over the edge.
The Sabres are finally escaping rebuild limbo next year
Capitals
Detroit baby
Buffalo and Pittsburgh I’d say are the only ones I’m expecting to enter the playoffs/get close to it.
Detriot and Ottawa i would be very surprised if they manage to snatch anything more than a wildcard. And even then, I wouldn’t put money on it.
Sabres, Sens, Pens, Wings. In that order.
I think the Pens are still dangerous, but if I had to put money on it, I’d say Buffalo. My Sens could definitely get in, if they stay healthy, but depth is an issue. No offense to Wings fans, but I think they’re still a couple years away.
Another vote for Pgh and Buffalo, I know Pittsburgh’s core is aging just like the Caps, but I feel they’ve still got a reliable and cohesive team and good leadership.
(Also bf is a Pens fan, and I don’t want him to be ornery in a general sense.)
Buffalo and Ottawa gon be a tight race
The way Detroit sits currently, I could see them just getting in. If the DeBrincat trade happens then this could change a lot.
Ottawa and Buffalo, Pens will likely regress, Detroit is up in the air.
In order from most to least likely: Sabres, Pens, Wings/Sens.
“This is the year we make the playoffs!” – Sabres fans every single year. I’ll believe it when I see it, I was satisfied finally finishing above .500 for the first time in 10 years.
Ottawa has Norris and Chabot coming back and better goaltending (hopefully). Plus the growth of rookies like Sanderson and Kleven and the rest of the young core. They’ll get more than a wildcard.
Do the Wings get Debrinkat?