Predicting the 2023–24 NHL Regular Season — Eastern Conference
Okay, fine. My western predictions are in — and likely to be mostly wrong, if we’re being honest. So naturally, it’s time to take a look into my thoughts on the Eastern Conference this year. From powerhouses to teams that I think may surprise people, this side of the NHL is full of what could be wild rides this year. Let’s get into it.
Atlantic Division
Tampa Bay Lightning — Contender
When writing my opinions on all the west teams coming into the 2023–24 season, I found myself often wondering if a team was going to be good enough to truly contend. Teams like Winnipeg, Vancouver and Seattle all are teams that I want to believe in, but can’t tell for certain. This is not the case with Tampa Bay. The powerhouse rolls on, and should have no reason to not be a top-tier team this season.
Of course, it’s worth mentioning a few possible concerns — no Andrei Vasilevskiy to start the season, and Steven Stamkos needing a new contract come the end of this season. But, I don’t see that taking this team from the top to the bottom. They should remain a force to be reckoned with.
Boston Bruins — Early Exit
It’s not easy to pick where I think Boston will finish this season — they’re just so wild sometimes. Look at least year as a perfect example. This team won a million games, then proceeded to get obliterated in the first round. However, with no Bergeron or Krejci to headline the lineup this season, the Bruins will just have to suffer with these nobodies named Marchand and Pastrňák. Must be tough.
In all seriousness, I think the Bruins are still a good enough team to make a run for the playoffs this season — I just don’t think they’re as good as last year’s roster, for obvious reasons. I can’t wait for them to go 82–0 now that I’ve written this.
Toronto Maple Leafs — Contender
Do you really think this team can win it all this season? All that this franchise has shown me (and most of their fanbase, in fairness) is pain. Vindication would be making it to the final this year — of course, there’s no other option at this point if you ask me. I really want to see this core succeed, if for no other reason, because there’s too much talent on this roster for it not to be terrifying to the rest of the league.
Don’t discount the goaltending, either — the tandem in net this year doesn’t actually look to be that bad looking compared to previous seasons. All the focus will be on the stars performing, as usual — they’re making too much against the cap to not carry this team when the rest of the lineup falters. You know how the rest of the league thinks of this team, it’s not exactly a secret. Real concerns that I see are in the defense — it’s a bit questionable, but shouldn’t be a major concern in general. Echoes of seasons past, and this whole “a few veterans is all we need to push us over the top” can be heard from everywhere at this point.
Shame there’s still lessons that seem to need learning on this roster about being clutch in the playoffs — now go combine all the capital letters from this team’s section.
Montreal Canadiens — Rebuilder
I’ll concede that there is a small part of me that thinks Montreal could sneak into a playoff spot for some reason. I just like the core of this team a bit too much. That said, there’s some very clear holes in the Canadiens lineup that only time will heal, so it’s not too difficult to predict that this team will be continuing to develop the young players on this roster throughout this year. I will be watching closely for players like Guhle and Slafkovsky, personally.
I miss Carey Price. And I’d be willing to hedge a bet that the Canadiens do, too. He’d be a very big help to this roster right about now.
Buffalo Sabres — Early Exit
Dammit, I want the Sabres to be good so badly. I’m not a fan of Buffalo. I don’t live anywhere near upstate New York. But I feel so bad for what Sabres fans have had to go through the past few decades. Which is why I feel pretty confident that this team makes the playoffs this year. The core is emerging. You have the big names like Dahlin, Thompson and more locked in long-term. This team was good last year. I think they could be even better this year.
Make the playoffs, Sabres. I don’t expect a Stanley Cup parade down Elmwood, but just make it to the dance. Do it for some of the most diehard fans in all of sports.
Detroit Red Wings — Sleeper
Look, just hear me out on this one. Similar to Buffalo, the Red Wings really have started to solidify a core roster. While they aren’t as far ahead as the Sabres are in terms of extending players’ contracts, Detroit is well on their way. With the addition of Alex DeBrincat this season, the already bustling lineup featuring Raymond, Larkin and Seider gets a much-needed scoring boost.
The real question here lies in goal — can Husso/Lyon/Reimer hold the line and give the team a chance? I think it’s not likely, but it’s possible. This take is probably a hot one, but I don’t hate Detroit’s chances this year. Keep an eye on them.
Florida Panthers — Early Exit
And now, for what’s certainly my hottest take of all my predictions — I’m sure it’s a bit difficult to imagine a world where the team that just won their conference championship a year ago somehow falls apart, but here we are.
I’ll keep this short and sweet. I don’t trust the goaltending in Florida. I don’t trust the defense excluding the obvious names like Ekblad and Montour. To the naked eye, on paper, this team looks like it’s lacking in depth that can play at an elite level. Especially when you’re competing in this division. I don’t think Florida misses the playoffs, but I don’t think they’re in the finals come spring either.
Ottawa Senators — Sleeper
I’m well aware that by picking Ottawa to possibly sneak into the playoffs, I’ve only had one team in the entire division as a non-postseason pick. But, that’s just how good this division is — and I think the Senators are really close to being really good. I love the additions in the offseason, in particular in Tarasenko. The youth is growing how management could only dream. This is no longer a rebuilding team, this is a team near the salary cap ceiling.
If the Senators can get stable goaltending this year? I don’t see a reason why they can’t compete for one of the final playoff spots, honestly.
Metropolitan Division
Carolina Hurricanes — Contender
Dear Carolina, you must advance through the first couple rounds this season. This core is nearing the closing of the window, and time is running out. Big contracts are awaiting big names on this team. Seriously, go look at this team’s CapFriendly. A majority of this roster has deals that expire following this season.
The Hurricanes need to prove to this core that it’s worth coming back for more. There’s a few ways to do that, but success will always be the best option possible. While this team has been a playoff team in recent history, they have yet to make a truly impressive run. I expect to see a push to do that this season. If not now, when?
Columbus Blue Jackets — Rebuilder
This shouldn’t be a huge shocker — the Blue Jackets are still not a playoff team with the roster they have right now. While Gaudreau, Laine and the gang are certainly good talent, the depth is what is likely holding this team back right now.
The good news for Columbus? This Adam Fantilli guy looks like he’s gonna be pretty good on this roster. Add Kent Johnson and a few other young names who have made the Jackets’ opening day roster to that list, and there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. I just don’t think that light is here quite yet.
New Jersey Devils — Contender
I love this core so much, it’s probably a bit unfair. I may as well put a heart emoji next to this team’s headline. That said, there’s real logic behind my admiration of the Devils this season — and it all lies in their recent performance. This team took a leap last year, and there’s no reason to doubt that only continues this season.
The core is still all basically in. The goaltending has potential to be elite if it can perform to the high expectations set for them. There’s no reason New Jersey doesn’t cruise into a playoff spot. I would be surprised if they aren’t near (or at) the top of this division by season’s end.
New York Islanders — Early Exit
Early exit might even be a bold prediction for the Islanders. I’m honestly not sure this team even makes the playoffs. But, when you have goaltending like Ilya Sorokin, it’s hard to not imagine New York getting dragged into the playoffs by his performance alone. There’s good players on this roster, too — don’t get me wrong.
The east is going to be so difficult to make the playoffs in this season, similar to last year. I have a hard time seeing the Islanders making any big strides unless there’s some big moves made throughout the season.
New York Rangers — Contender
And in other news, the other team with “New York” in the title is a favourite to win it all this year. The Rangers still have the big guns in Fox, Zibanejad and of course, Shesterkin in net. This team should be good, and there shouldn’t be any reason to doubt that.
However, looking at how last year’s playoffs went for the Rangers, the concern has to sit with the forward core. They need to perform come crunch time, or else face the tough reality that there may need to be changes to get this team where they should be in theory.
Philadelphia Flyers — Rebuilder
Well, someone has to lose games for all the winners I’ve picked so far… sorry Philly, it’s gonna be you. Look, I don’t think it’s a secret that the Flyers aren’t near competitive compared to the teams in their division — or in their conference, or anywhere else in the NHL. Like the Sharks, I wouldn’t be shocked if this team is last in the league come the end of the year.
Sorry, Philadelphia. But I don’t see good things for this team this season. Probably not for the next couple seasons. That’s just how rebuilding works.
Washington Capitals —Sleeper
One thing I haven’t really mentioned throughout all my predictions is coaching — until now. The change in coaches in Washington may prove to be genius. It’s no secret that last season didn’t go to plan, and in general, this team is all about the race for Ovechkin to catch Gretzky’s goal count. That won’t be exactly far from what should be expected this year too, in fairness.
But a new coach in Spencer Carbery, who has seemed to make a positive impact throughout the pre-season, could be the factor that takes this team into the playoffs. While I don’t see them getting far, I think it’s possible.
Pittsburgh Penguins — Early Exit
This team almost deserves a category of it’s own — I really think the Penguins could make the playoffs, but also wouldn’t be shocked at all if they miss out entirely. Reason being, while the Crosby/Malkin/Letang core remains intact, the rest of this team falls off pretty quickly. The additions under Kyle Dubas’ new role have been interesting, most notably being Erik Karlsson and Reilly Smith both at fairly low prices. That said, can it push this team over the top?
I still worry about the goaltending in Pittsburgh. I’m honestly shocked there hasn’t been a major change in net. But, with Casey DeSmith heading to Vancouver in the offseason, the Jarry/Nedeljkovic tandem will have to do.
Well, there you have it — my thoughts on the east for the 2023–24 season. Some hot takes, some ice cold ones. But now, it’s time for the teams to get to work. Enjoy the season.
