My 2024-2025 Pre Free Agency Standing Projections

Eastern Conference Edition

ATLANTIC DIVISION

1- Buffalo Sabres

2-Ottawa Senators

3-Boston Bruins

4-Montreal Canadiens

5-Tampa Bay Lightning

6-Detroit Red Wings

7-Florida Panthers

8-Toronto Maple Leafs

The Atlantic is extremely hard to predict, any team from Ottawa to Detroit can possibly finish top 3 and make the playoffs if they tried.  Buffalo is the clear favorite even after losing a lot of big names in Hyman, Malkin and Kane. With plenty of capspace, the Sabres, on back of shesterkin, should be able to fill the holes in their lineup and dominate the Atlantic once again.  

Ottawa is my 2nd place team, with some decent depth and Ovechkin leading the way, they're a starting goalie away from locking up that 2nd place. With over 10M in cap space, adding a forward and/or goaltender will solidify their spot in the playoffs.

Next we have Boston, Montreal, Tampa and Detroit all with potential to make some noise.  I have Boston in the 3rd spot because they currently have the best roster out of these 4 teams and Gm Bon-Bernard isnt the type to not go all in so i fully expect the Bruins to push.  Montreal and Tampa are transitioning from lottery teams to contenders, and if they wanted to make the playoffs they could give Ottawa and Boston a run at those 2 spots but my guess would be they take it easy for another year and their dominance of the Atlantic will wait for next year.  Which leaves us to Detroit, tons of cap space (60 millions),  whether they use all of it wisely and jump up the standings is possible, i expect the Red Wings to use that to gather future assets and miss the playoffs for the 8th consecutive year.

Florida and Toronto are clear sellers. The Panthers were wise (in my opinion) to step back a little to be able to come out stronger in a couple of years. The Leafs roster is brutal, which is likely a good thing for Gm Gaudreault at the moment,  they easily get the last spot and will be the clear favorite to get the best odds at the next 1st overall pick. 

METROPOLITAN DIVISION

1A-New York Islanders

1B-Philadephia Flyers

3-New Jersey Devils

4-Carolina Hurricanes

5-Columbus Blue Jackets

6-New York Rangers

7-Pittsburgh Penguins

8-Washington Capitals

The metro was much easier to predict. Its close at the top between the Islanders and the Flyers.  The isles have more fire power up front and a better goaltender but Philly looks like a more complete team and has plenty of cap space to add.  It will surely be an entertaining battle all year.

In the battle of 3rd and 4th, we have the Hurricanes and the Devils. Im giving the edge to the Devils due in large from having Sorokin in net vs Kuemper for the Canes.  NJ does have 2 big ufas in Duchene and Tarasenko that he could decide to move if the team isnt performing which could make way for the Canes to secure 3rd place but until that happens, the Devils have my vote for 3rd.

Onto Columbus who had a great season last year. Missing the playoffs with 100 pts while an Atlantic team makes it with 82 is a tough pill to swallow.  Losing 7 players to free agency and having 7 more heading into their last season isnt making things any better but his remaining players are well rated and if he can fill out his roster, top 5 in the metro and a playoff spot is a realistic goal for this season.  Without his 1st 2025, going for it seems like the way to go.

We finish with the Rangers, Penguins and Capitals.  All bad with no chance at making the playoffs this year, the Rangers have more so i have them ahead of the pack and Washington went hard selling everything. I expect that push for last place to go just as hard. This leaves Pitts in the 7th spot, should be another boring year where they build on their foundation for a better future.

Thanks for tuning in.  Western Conference will be posted tomorrow.