Nashville Predators

 

Division Projected Order of Finish - 3rd

 

Current Lineup Score... 74.3

Division Rank 3rd (tied)

 

Financial Power Flexibility Score... 8.2

Division Rank 4th

 

Quality Draft Capital... 8.0

Division Rank 3rd (tied)

 

The Preds are a team where it is very easy to see what their biggest need for this season is.  The D core is a very underwhelming one.  Even after signing all his RFAs, Sheds should have a bit of cap space to play with and a fair amount of cash, so look for him to shore up the back end next week.  This is a major need, because outside of Graves, no one can defend, and outside of Chychuran, no one can move the puck.   As far as starting goaltending, Sheds lucked into a massive rebound season for Gustavsson, which should help him in his pursuit of a playoff spot.  And up front, the career season Marty Necas just had was another stroke of good fortune for Sheds, as he should be a solid catalyst for a very good group of top 6 forwards.

 

Biggest Strength: Starting goaltending

 

 

Dallas Stars

 

Division Projected Order of Finish - 4th

 

Current Lineup Score... 74.3

Division Rank 3rd (tied)

 

Financial Power Flexibility Score... 4.1

Division Rank 8th

 

Quality Draft Capital... 1.0

Division Rank 8th

 

Junya and his Stars might feature the best top 6 in the league... or at least close to it..  Nylander, Scheifele, Bratt, Panarin, Lindholm, Stamkos.  It does fall off fast after that, though.  Same on the backend also, after Cole and Lindholm.  This is why the Stars are a very difficult team to predict.  They should be able to run over all the bottom feeders, but could struggle against the many teams that are deeper than they are.  In goal, Shesterkin had another down year, but is somewhat serviceable.  There also isn't much room financially to sign impact bodies, and Junya, like usual, does not have great draft capital to move out either.  I think both his ceiling and floor are low, which isn't a great combo, but his knowledge of the sim is great, and there's motivation to compete, seeing as he does not own his 1st this year.

 

Biggest Strength: 2 fantastic lines