The Elite Sports New York staff join forces to predict how the New York hockey scene will pan out in 2015-2016 season.
You know it is time to start thinking about hockey season as the Major League Baseball playoffs start, the apple picking photos on Facebook are blowing up your timeline and the pumpkin beer is readily available at your local bar.
It is this time of year that every team is breaking camp and thinking that this is the year everything falls into place and they will be the last team standing at the end.
Unfortunately for a couple teams in New York, cough cough New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres cough cough, they may not even make the playoffs, let alone win it all.
The New York Rangers and New York Islanders are both teams that are expected to have successful seasons and many consider them potential Stanley Cup contenders.
Elite Sports New York decided to poll some of our knowledgeable hockey staff and try to predict who will dominate the New York hockey sports scene.
At the end of the hockey season we will either look like sports geniuses or be set up for ridicule, but isn’t that what sports is all about trying to predict who will finish where?
New York Hockey MVP
Steven Cifuentes, Elite Sports New York Editor- John Tavares, New York Islanders
I wish I could take this time to predict a New York Ranger to win the MVP, but when your arch rival has a talent like John Tavares on its side you would look foolish picking anyone else. Tavares not only will dominate the New York hockey scene, again, but he will likely be a finalist and possibly win the Hart Trophy (MVP) of the NHL.
Erine DeFalco- Elite Sports New York Writer- John Tavares, New York Islanders
John Tavares may actually have his wingers in the form of Anders Lee and Ryan Strome. Strome offers speed and skill while Lee offers some grit. Those players have already proven to be pretty good on their own. One thing is certain about Tavares. He certainly makes the players around him better. Taking into account those factors, this line could become a perfect line, one of hockey’s elite. In the middle of it all Tavares will finally get recognized for the talent he truly is. NY MVP and National Hockey League MVP.
Patrick Comia- Elite Sports New York Editor- Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
As a follower of the King, unless proven otherwise, he will be the most valuable player of all the New York-area teams. The fortunes of the Rangers franchise has been dependent on him since 2005. Everything revolves around his performance. Just like their run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2014, the Rangers go so far as he takes them. You can have someone score goals, but if you don’t have someone keeping the puck out of your own net, then you pretty much have to outscore your opponent. He is what Martin Brodeur was to the New Jersey Devils, without the rings of course.
New York Hockey Top Goalie
Steven Cifuentes- Cory Schneider- New Jersey Devils
As a lifelong Rangers fan the easy prediction is to take Henrik Lundqvist and run, but last season Cory Schneider quietly proved he should take a back seat to nobody. Last season Schneider beat out King Henrik in save pct. and had the same exact goals against average. Taking into account the defense in front of him Schneider was the best goalie in New York last season. He will build on it this year and beat out Hank for the top goalie in the New York area for the 2015-2016 season.
Ernie Defalco- Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
There can be only one. And it will the the King. Lundqvist will hold onto his throne as the best goaltender in New York. He has consistently proven his ability and there is no reason why he will not continue to do so. Hank is surrounded by the Six Knights of the Ice Table known as the Rangers top defense. A set of knights that do whatever they need to protect Hank in his throne.
Patrick Comia- Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
See my statement about MVP, and you will find how I feel about Lundqvist. He will be the top goalie for the next few years. Despite Corey Schneider having a “lights out” season in net last year, Lundqvist has been doing it longer. We shall see if the Devils goalie can replicate what he did last year. Aside from those two, there’s no other goalie that compares and plays in the New York area.
New York Hockey Rookie Of The Year
Steven Cifuentes- Jack Eichel, Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres not only lost last season, but lost in the NHL draft lottery. Fans were already having Connor McDavid jerseys made in hopes of landing the talented center. While the Sabres may have lost out on McDavid, they will be happy with Jack Eichel. Eichel will receive a ton of top line minutes as well as power play time and easily run away with top New York Rookie honors.
Ernie DeFalco- Jack Eichel, Buffalo Sabres
Look way North. So far North that it may already be winter. This year’s rookie of the year in NY will be Jack Eichel. Picked number two in the 2015 entry draft, Eichel has the makings of a star. Expect him to challenge Connor MacDavid for league rookie of the year. But in the great state of New York, this rookie will rise above the rest. The only person who may even come close to challenging Eichel will be Oscar Lindberg of the New York Rangers.
Patrick Comia- Jack Eichel, Buffalo Sabres
I will defer to my fellow staffers on this one. The talk at the beginning, during, and after the 2015 NHL Draft was Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel. That has to tell you something as a hockey fan. Maybe these guy are good. But, as of now, there is no first-year player who has stood out of all the New York teams besides Eichel.
New York Hockey Breakout Performer
Steven Cifuentes- Ryan Strome New York Islanders
The recipe for success is all there for Ryan Strome to breakout this season. The New York Islanders did not go out and make a trade or sign a top line wing to play with number one center John Tavares. Garth Snow and the Islanders appear to be giving Strome first crack at playing on the top line. Strome has the talent to put up major points playing with Tavares, if JT can make Matt Moulson a 30 goal scorer, Strome could be in for a career year.
Ernie DeFalco- Chris Kreider- New York Rangers
It is his time. For the past few seasons Chris Kreider has been on the verge of being an elite forward in the game. He is possessed with all the skills needed. He has physicality and speed, has a great shot, and great hands. What he has lacked is consistency. This is the year Kreider takes that next step. He figures out how to use all of those skills day-in and day-out. Kreider will challenge Rick Nash as the Rangers leading goal scorer, and becomes the forward that propels the Rangers through the regular season and playoffs.
Patrick Comia- Adam Larsson, New Jersey Devils
It’s been four years since Adam Larsson was selected fourth overall in 2011 by the Devils. The team has been patiently waiting for the Swedish defenseman to come of age, and they are hoping it is this year. We could attribute his stalled progression to the “old” environment that reigned the halls of the Prudential Center. Add in the confusing three-headed monster coaching staff, and you get mixed results. However, the culture has changed, a new, young coach that is relatable, and improved pieces on the roster. It’s Larsson’s opportunity to take control on the back end and prove why the Devils signed him to a long-term extension this offseason.
New York Hockey Conference Prediction and Final Finish
Steven Cifuentes- New York Rangers- 4th in conference, 2nd Round Playoffs, New York Islanders- 6th in conference, 1st round playoffs, New Jersey Devils- 15th in conference, out of playoffs, Buffalo Sabres- 13th in conference, out of playoffs.
The New York Rangers are getting long in the tooth, while I would love to predict a cup champion, I struggle to see this team making another long run. The New York Islanders just did not do enough in the offseason to take the next step. Jaroslav Halak will come back down to earth and may miss more time then he plays this season. More of the same for the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres with the Sabres showing more upside.
Ernie Defalco- New York Rangers- 3rd in conference, See next slide, New York Islanders- 7th in conference 1st Round Playoffs, Buffalo Sabres- 9th in conference, out of playoffs. New Jersey Devils- last place in conference, out of playoffs.
Patrick Comia- New York Rangers- 3rd in conference, Stanley Cup Final, New York Islanders- 5th in conference, 2nd round playoffs, New Jersey Devils- 12th in conference, out of playoffs, Buffalo Sabres- 14th in conference, out of playoffs.
I believe the Rangers will make a return to the Stanley Cup Final. They have replaced their lost pieces, with quality players. Their defensive unit hasn’t changed, and will not be a liability (except for Dan Boyle). Plus, Lundqvist is the team’s last line of defense. Enough said.
Till the Islanders bring in an elite goalie, this team will have an early exit out of the playoffs. I don’t trust Jaroslav Halak, he gives up too many bad goals, and you don’t know what you are going to get night in and night out. There was a reason he could not hold a job in Montreal, St. Louis, and Washington. He is not the long-term answer. Until general manager Garth Snow realizes that, I’ll continue to feel that the team in Brooklyn is always beatable.
For the Devils, they are still rebuilding. It will be sometime till the team is finally over Lou Lamoreillo. However, they are starting in the right direction. Ray Shero brings his winning formula over to New Jersey, as well as bringing aboard John Hynes. Both were part of the Pittsburgh Penguins organization, and we all know what that team has done in the past. I won’t fluff the Devils, and say they will blow out their opponents this year, cause frankly, I don’t see that. But what I do see is the potential to cause some damage. If any team is looking for a win, look elsewhere, cause the Devils will play till the last whistle. Be prepared.
As for Buffalo, they have Eichel and Evander Kane. Not enough to do any real damage.
Stanley Cup Champion
Steven Cifuentes- Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks have been battling the goalie carousel over the last couple of seasons. This year Frederik Anderson takes the reigns in nets and stabilizes the one question mark on the team. Rangers fans go from being happy Brad Richards won the cup to yelling at the TV as Carl Hagelin raises the cup to the rafters.
Ernie DeFalco- New York Rangers
Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers finally finish things off and end this impressive four year stretch that has seen them play more playoff games than anyone without a Stanley Cup. Then the dis-assembling will begin and they will try and rebuild around there current youth.
Patrick Comia- New York Rangers
In the end, the Rangers finally hoist the Cup. This team seems to be built for the challenge, whereas in previous seasons, it was almost Cinderella-like. All four lines are difficult to play alongside, and the defense is tough to crack. For the first time, there seems to be no glaring weakness heading into the season. The goal will be realized next June.