I think it’s a Sabers get some quality goaltending they can make the playoffs
somefuntoo
Either way I’m from St Louis I wouldn’t mind seeing both of them teams 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
Jaded-Statistician87
Not Pitt….. Dubas screwed up signing a bunch of older people
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.
WrekkmeRalph
Zero chance Penguins miss again. Guaranteed.
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
Jbroy
Who has the best goalie? I’ll go with that one.
Burnt2Smithereens
Buffalo I’m liking Thompson and Devon Levi. This team needs to make the playoffs again.
Admirable_Ad_8222
As a penguins fan, watching these teams beat us last year gave me a lot of information. I think that even though buffalo only beat us 1 out of three times. Those games were very close and the sabres in their only win against us showed that if they were to get into the playoffs they could do some damage. The other teams are good but a little to young and inexperienced imo. The sabres are built to be a playoff team and they have a very good core now.
TheIncredibleHork
Tossup between Buffalo and Ottawa, though the latter is definitely contingent on what they do with DeBrinkat and the rest of their staffing. If they finished the sale of the team earlier maybe they would have had a more consistent/coherent off-season, and the delayed sale could hinder them this season and it’s *next* season they do better.
mmpa78
Pens by far
420yoloswagepicjesus
Why even include detroit in this graphic lol? It’s obvious they will not even be sniffing the playoffs, better off throwing the islanders in there.
hollywoodhooks
I’m thinking the sens and pens. Senators are a dangerous team heading into next season
chicknsnadwich
I don’t think Detroit is there yet, but I hope i’m wrong. A lot rides on the younger players development for their chances this season.
Raymond, Husso, Larkin are probably the 3 most key players to this. Husso being more consistent, Larkin repeating (or improving upon) last season, and Raymond being able to take the next step in his game.
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.
puzzled__panther
I’d be stoked if buffalo got in. Pens fan here so biased but we fucking sucked last year and even a 5 percent improvement would have got us into the playoffs. We actively lost a lot of games we were clearly positioned to win by dropping the ball last year in the third period. Without a huge injury happening, and if the new players can even play close to their average I think we are back in again. Not saying a cup contender just meeting the wild card requirements.
IceSickle17
Ottawa…Brady is gonna get a huge zenkai boost from witnessing his brother make it all the way to the Finals and train with him in the off-season to lead the Sens into the playoffs
Hutch25
Buffalo by a long shot
Already a great team, but with two stud goalies getting better by the day that team is the only team here that will be getting better this year instead of worse.
chookalana
The Red Wings.
Roguemutantbrain
Mark my words, it’s gonna be Buffalo and Ottawa. One of them will be a divisional spot taken from either Tampa or Boston and the other will be a wildcard slot
DDx18
#LetsGoPens 🐧
Playful-Role-3669
Buffalo and Ottawa should make the playoffs next year.
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
SufficientNet9227
In order Pittsburg Buffalo Detroit Ottawa.
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.)
50 Comments
The pens.
Think that depends on Debrincat, no?
I think it’s a Sabers get some quality goaltending they can make the playoffs
Either way I’m from St Louis I wouldn’t mind seeing both of them teams 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
Not Pitt….. Dubas screwed up signing a bunch of older people
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.
Zero chance Penguins miss again. Guaranteed.
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
Who has the best goalie? I’ll go with that one.
Buffalo I’m liking Thompson and Devon Levi. This team needs to make the playoffs again.
As a penguins fan, watching these teams beat us last year gave me a lot of information. I think that even though buffalo only beat us 1 out of three times. Those games were very close and the sabres in their only win against us showed that if they were to get into the playoffs they could do some damage. The other teams are good but a little to young and inexperienced imo. The sabres are built to be a playoff team and they have a very good core now.
Tossup between Buffalo and Ottawa, though the latter is definitely contingent on what they do with DeBrinkat and the rest of their staffing. If they finished the sale of the team earlier maybe they would have had a more consistent/coherent off-season, and the delayed sale could hinder them this season and it’s *next* season they do better.
Pens by far
Why even include detroit in this graphic lol? It’s obvious they will not even be sniffing the playoffs, better off throwing the islanders in there.
I’m thinking the sens and pens. Senators are a dangerous team heading into next season
I don’t think Detroit is there yet, but I hope i’m wrong. A lot rides on the younger players development for their chances this season.
Raymond, Husso, Larkin are probably the 3 most key players to this. Husso being more consistent, Larkin repeating (or improving upon) last season, and Raymond being able to take the next step in his game.
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.
I’d be stoked if buffalo got in. Pens fan here so biased but we fucking sucked last year and even a 5 percent improvement would have got us into the playoffs. We actively lost a lot of games we were clearly positioned to win by dropping the ball last year in the third period. Without a huge injury happening, and if the new players can even play close to their average I think we are back in again. Not saying a cup contender just meeting the wild card requirements.
Ottawa…Brady is gonna get a huge zenkai boost from witnessing his brother make it all the way to the Finals and train with him in the off-season to lead the Sens into the playoffs
Buffalo by a long shot
Already a great team, but with two stud goalies getting better by the day that team is the only team here that will be getting better this year instead of worse.
The Red Wings.
Mark my words, it’s gonna be Buffalo and Ottawa. One of them will be a divisional spot taken from either Tampa or Boston and the other will be a wildcard slot
#LetsGoPens 🐧
Buffalo and Ottawa should make the playoffs next year.
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
In order Pittsburg Buffalo Detroit Ottawa.
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