The puck is about to drop for the 2015-16 NHL season, with all 30 teams playing out the last couple games of preseason before the regular season begins. But while everyone knows that some teams – the Blackhawks, Canadiens, Ducks, etc. – are going to be good, who are some teams that people might be sleeping on in terms of vastly improving on last year’s performance?
Let’s check out the credentials of five such sleeper candidates for this season and see whether they actually have what it takes to make some noise this season.
Meanwhile, don’t forget to check out more NHL coverage in the form of our complete NHL picks and predictions, and the experts’ NHL picks and predictions.
[sc:NHLArticles ]2015-16 NHL Regular Season Sleepers
Columbus Blue Jackets (2014-15: 42-35-5 – 89 points, 5th in Metropolitan)
Why Columbus is a sleeper pick: The Blue Jackets were bad for the first five months of last season, but that was mainly because they were absolutely decimated by injuries. When they were back to full strength for the last five weeks, they went 15-2-1. That’s pretty good.
[sc:NHL240 ]The Blue Jackets lost a handful of their regulars from last season, but what they got in return – a rising star and two-time Stanley Cup champion Brandon Saad – should be worth it. Saad set career highs in goals (23) and points (52) last year.
With some better luck in terms of the team’s health, don’t be surprised if Columbus is suddenly a contender in the Metropolitan Division this season. They’re priced at a sneaky +550 to win the division.
Writer’s Prediction: The Blue Jackets enjoy much better luck in terms of health and rack up 99 points, good enough to enter the playoffs as a wild card.
Dallas Stars (2014-15: 41-31-10 – 92 points, 6th in Central)
Why Dallas is a sleeper pick: Everyone knows about the terrific attacking talents of Jason Spezza, Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn (the reigning Art Ross winner). But the addition of veteran and Stanley Cup champ Patrick Sharp should give the Stars even more firepower out West.
The Stars also signed another former Blackhawk in Johnny Oduya to add depth in the blue line. Meanwhile, goaltending should get an upgrade with the addition of Antti Niemi to partner with Kari Lehtonen.
With so many issues surrounding the Blackhawks heading into this season, the stars could align for Dallas to break into the top two in the Central. The Stars are priced at +800 to top the division.
Writer’s Prediction: The Stars streak all the way up to second in the Atlantic with 102 points.
Florida Panthers (2014-15: 38-29-15 – 91 points, 6th in Atlantic)
Why Florida is a sleeper pick: The Panthers made some significant strides last season – they improved by 25 points from their total in 2013-14 – and there’s no reason for that upward trend to stop this year.
19-year-old Aaron Ekblad is growing into one of the very best blueliners in the game, while the likes of Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov should also get better with another year of experience.
Add in the experience (and continued production) of veterans Roberto Luongo and Jaromir Jagr to that young core, and the Panthers have the makings of a possible playoff team in the East.
Writer’s Prediction: The Panthers rise up to fourth in the Atlantic with 97 points, but still miss the playoffs by a whisker.
Buffalo Sabres (2014-15: 23-51-8 – 8th in Atlantic)
Why Buffalo is a sleeper pick: The Sabres hit the reset button on basically the entire organization, and the end result is very promising indeed. They may not have ended up with Connor McDavid, but Jack Eichel is a big is one heck of a consolation prize.
He’ll join a very youthful offense that now includes former top-five pick Evander Kane, who’s got a chance to jumpstart his career after underwhelming in Winnipeg, and Ryan O’Reilly (acquired via trade from Colorado). Hiring Dan Bylsma, the winningest coach in Pittsburgh Penguins history, to oversee this rebuilding project was also a very savvy move.
The Sabres won’t be sniffing the playoffs anytime soon, but they certainly have the talent to get themselves out of the cellar in the Atlantic… and then some.
Writer’s Prediction: The Sabres inch their way out of the bottom of the Atlantic with 84 points.
Edmonton Oilers (2014-15: 24-44-14 – 62 points, 6th in Pacific)
Why Edmonton is a sleeper pick: In case you haven’t heard, this Connor McDavid guy is apparently pretty good, and he’s a top candidate for the Calder Trophy. But he’s not the only reason why the Oilers might just strike it rich this year.
They also traded for former Rangers goalie Cam Talbot, signed blueliner Andrej Sekera and hired former Sharks head coach Todd McLellan. With some added depth via free agency and continued development with their top draft picks, the Oilers are definitely in with a shout of springing a surprise.
Writer’s Prediction: McDavid inspires the Oilers to a 25-point improvement on last season, but 87 points still fall way short of the playoffs.
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