2020-21 NHL Standing Predictions

Note: Top four teams make playoffs

East Division

1. Philadelphia Flyers – The Flyers have kept their team intact and with the way the team is developing, they could finish on top of the hardest division.
2. New York Islanders – The Islanders lost some depth during the offseason but have maintained most of their core. They will be a solid contender once Matthew Barzal resigns.
3. Washington Capitals – The Capitals haven’t made too many changes in the offseason and still will most likely be a playoff team. The only questionable spot is at goaltending.
4. Pittsburgh Penguins – The moves the Penguins have not been favorable but they will end up in the playoffs guided by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
5. Boston Bruins – The Bruins were hit hard during the offseason losing important parts of their defense and were faced with injuries to their star players.
6. New York Rangers – The Rangers drafted Alexis Lafreniere but haven’t done much else to fill their holes on their team. It will be interesting to see how their young players play in the big league.
7. Buffalo Sabres – The Sabres made a big splash this offseason by signing star forward Taylor Hall, but it will not be enough to guide them to a playoff spot.
8. New Jersey Devils – Even though the Devils have added many players to their team in the offseason, they will struggle in a stacked division

Central Division

1. Tampa Bay Lightning – It seems like the Lightning will have another fantastic year since they have kept most of their Stanley Cup-winning team and are now in an easier division.
2. Dallas Stars – The Stars just made the Stanley Cup Finals, losing to the Lighting, but they have kept most of their team and will be fighting for a playoff spot.
3. Carolina Hurricanes – Hurricanes have great forwards, an amazing defense, but the only thing holding them from being at the top of the division is a good goaltender.
4. Nashville Predators – The Predators have added a couple of small pieces during the offseason but still lack goal scoring. 
5. Columbus Blue Jackets – The Blue Jackets are still a good roster but with Pierre-Luc Dubois requesting a trade and on his way out, they might struggle next season.
6. Florida Panthers – The Panthers have made some underrated signings this offseason but it won’t be enough to get them into the playoffs, especially if Sergei Bobrovsky doesn’t bounce back.
7. Detroit Red Wings – The Red Wings had a historically bad season last year, but with a slightly upgraded roster, they will improve from last year and not finish last.
8. Chicago Blackhawks – The Blackhawks have announced that they will be rebuilding and with many of their players injured or traded, they will try to finish at the bottom. 

North Division

1. Edmonton Oilers – The Oilers will be a great team next season, led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl who will be given better linemates.
2. Toronto Maple Leafs – The Leafs have a stacked team, led by their Big 4, Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander. The Leafs are always great in the regular season and that will continue this year.
3. Winnipeg Jets – The Jets have an amazing forward core, but still lack a strong defense. If Connor Hellebuyck has another amazing season, they will be competing in this division.
4. Calgary Flames – The Flames are normally a great regular season team and with the signings they have made this offseason, that trend will continue.
5. Montreal Canadiens – The Canadiens are still a relatively young team and will probably need some more time before they start contending.
6. Vancouver Canucks – The Canucks have lost many players this offseason, including Tyler Toffoli, Chris Tanev, and Jacob Markstrom which will make them struggle.
7. Ottawa Senators – The Senators have made some solid additions this offseason, however, they still lack the star power that other teams in this division have.

West Division

1. Colorado Avalanche – The Avalanche made some solid additions this offseason with acquiring Saad and Toews. They are true Stanley Cup contenders with their team.
2. Vegas Golden Knights – The Golden Knights signed star defenseman Alex Pietrangelo and already have a stacked team. They are destined to finish at the top of the league.
3. St. Louis Blues – Even though the Blues lost Pietrangelo, they made up pretty nicely with Hoffman and Krug. They will definitely be competitive in the West.
4. San Jose Sharks – Sharks could have a big bounce back year if Erik Karlsson, Devin Dubnyk, and others return back to form. They have a good shot at the playoffs in this division.
5. Minnesota Wild – The Wild have a solid defense, but a weak offense and goaltending. Their young guns will shine, but it will not be enough to get them into the playoffs.
6. Anaheim Ducks – The Ducks haven’t made too many moves and aren’t good enough to make it to the playoffs.
7. Los Angeles Kings – The Kings are still in a rebuilding stage and will have to wait for their prospects to develop before they make the playoffs.
8. Arizona Coyotes – The Coyotes are bound to go into another rebuild after a disappointing season, losing players to free agents and draft picks.