NHL Team Projections for 2015-16

It’s time for those last NHL team projections.  For those of you still looking to get caught up before the season begins, don’t forget check out all the useful links attached in this post for all of our season preview content.

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Well folks, the time of year is here.  It’s the virtual equivalent to hockey fans as it is to Christmas morning for children.  There’s nothing more exciting that the kick start of a new hockey season, and 2015-16 looks to be another exciting season of NHL play.

ESPN released the opening night rosters for all 30 teams if you’re interested to see who made the final cuts.

Be sure to check out our in-depth 30 team season preview and free 30-team NHL fantasy pool guide for 2015-16 with full player and NHL team projections

Below is the final projected standings following what we know and have seen through NHL training camps and preseason.  A few changes from the past NHL team projections:

Believe the hype.  The New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets will both be better this season.  The Islanders could realistically push for the President’s Trophy.  The Blue Jackets depth doesn’t get enough credit, but they’ll make that depth known this season.  Saad and Johansen could have a monster year.

Pittsburgh’s defense will hurt them, and ultimately keep them out of the post-season. (BOLD PREDICTION)

The New Jersey Devils will own the basement of the NHL this season as Cory Schneider takes a slight step back.  He’s a great goalie, but you can’t continue to put up great numbers on a bad team.  Look for regression.

The Dallas Stars made some big moves in the offseason.  They’ll be down top prospect Brett Ritchie to begin the season but should compete to be in the top half of the western conference this season.

Winnipeg and Vancouver will get draft picks better than they’ve seen in awhile after both clubs take a step back this season.  Canucks defense will ultimately hurt them, while Winnipeg could have a goalie conundrum that sees Pavelec moved after the 2015-16 season.

Below is our final playoff tree projections based upon our updated regular season projections:

This young talented Islanders team have some playoff experience under their belts now, and look poised for a deep playoff run this season.  They’ve got four lines of solid depth up front, with some underrated blue-liners in Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk.  Up-and-comers Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield on the back-end will be a big boost for New York.  They’ve also got a goalie that can steal games and essentially playoff rounds when push comes to shove.  Halak will continue to build off his Islanders record-breaking season.

The St.Louis Blues have been pushing and competing for a cup for the past half decade, only to find themselves falling short time and time again.  Well this might be the year they get over the hump.  With Jake Allen looking to take the reigns and majority of starts away from Brian Elliott, the Blues have the guy in goal that can help carry them.  On defense, there’s a few question marks in the 5-6 spot, but when you’ve got Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk manning the point, you’re pretty well stacked. Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz both are looking to have another breakout campaign. While, like Paul Stastny are looking for a bounce back season.  The Blues are poised to make some noise in the western conference this season.

Below are the final point projections for forwards, defense, and rookies:

Check out the rest of our season preview content below:

Mar 13, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Ryan Johansen (19) against the Edmonton Oilers at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 5-4 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

30 Team In-Depth Season Preview
NHL 2015-2016 Fantasy Pool Guide
Breakout Candidates
Calder Candidates (before preseason)
NHL Rookie Roster Battles
Bold Predictions
Boom or Bust?
Filip Forsberg: Sophomore Slump?
Power Rankings 2nd Edition
Ovechkin or Crosby 1st overall in Fantasy
NHL Central Scouting: Preliminary Rankings
NHL Preseason Line Chemistry
2016 Prospect Preview
NHL Coaches: Jobs at Risk
Rule Change: 3 on 3 overtime
Rankings: Injury to Starter
Carolina Hurricanes Underrated Offseason
Flames or Canadiens?
Buffalo Sabres: Top 5 questions for 2015-16
Top 10 Moves of the Offseason

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