I've been a NJ Devils fan for 38 years, and I have to say last season was exciting with a bummer of an ending. Las Vegas winning doesn't bother me one bit like it does other people, who blame Gary Bettman for giving them the Stanley Cup like people blame Joe Biden for stuff he didn't do. But I digress..
I admit I'm a bit wary when the Devils are picked as a "team to watch" or a "Cup contender," but what it is is what it is. Lots of high priced players and shaky goaltending is not the best combination. I hope it works.
The predicters predict many things before pre-season, and last I heard was:
Edmonton and Toronto facing players wanting out.
Calgary and Vancouver are collapsing from fan our team revolt.
Arizona moving from a 5,000 seat arena to anywhere but Quebec, and if Bettman has his way, staying in Arizona.
Tampa somehow circumventing the salary cap.
Detroit fans being disappointed.
Boston expecting more with less.
Columbus being on the rise but another disappointing season is approaching.
The New York Rangers having a decent season, and somewhere in December they'll talk about how the train station wants to kick MSG off of its back, then the story is forgotten about.
Pittsburgh maybe dealing stars during the season while they still have some value.
Montreal fans being bummed out again.
Another US-based team winning the Stanley Cup, adding to the cup drought in Canada, but people in Canada saying "most players on the (winning team) are from Canada!"
Seattle getting better and possibly challenging to go to the Cup finals.
... and lets not forget the silly rumor of Atlanta getting ANOTHER expansion team!?
I'm not a gambler, I like when my team wins and it's a bummer when they lose. I hope they have a good season.
Eastern Conference (Wales Conference)
Atlantic Division (Adams Division, Snowbird Division)
Boston Bruins
Buffalo Sabres
Detroit Red Wings
Florida Panthers
Montreal Canadiens
Ottawa Senators
Tampa Bay Lightning
Toronto Maple Leafs
Metropolitan Division (Patrick Division)
Carolina Hurricanes
Columbus Blue Jackets
New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Washington Capitals
Western Conference (Campbell Conference)
Central Division (Norris Division)
Arizona Coyotes
Chicago Blackhawks
Colorado Avalanche
Dallas Stars
Minnesota Wild
Nashville Predators
St. Louis Blues
Winnipeg Jets
Pacific Division (Smythe Division)
Anaheim Ducks
Calgary Flames
Edmonton Oilers
Los Angeles Kings
San Jose Sharks
Seattle Kraken
Vancouver Canucks
Vegas Golden Knights
Okay, this isn't a prediction, this is just going to happen.
I love America more than any other country in the world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.
Watch me learn to draw.