Topics in this edition of the PHR Mailbag include a look at what has been a busy season for the Rangers on the trade front and what’s potentially to come, assessing Calgary’s notable trade from earlier in the year, and more. If your question doesn’t appear here, check back in one of our next two columns.
Cla23: If the playoffs started today which teams are Paper Tigers?
Assuming we’re not talking about the Wild Card teams, let’s look at the ones whose spots are more secure. In the East, I don’t trust the Metropolitan Division outside of Washington (and even then, with it being their first real playoff run in a while, an upset wouldn’t shock me). Carolina’s underlying numbers are always strong but they typically struggle to score in the postseason and are a weaker team on that front compared to the past. I think they’ll get by New Jersey whose injuries are probably going to be too much to overcome but as a perceived contender in past years, the Hurricanes won’t get over the hump. I could see any of the top three teams in the Atlantic coming out of that division so I can’t nitpick on them too much.
Out West, I still have some doubts about Winnipeg. Connor Hellebuyck is a great goalie but teams have figured him out in the playoffs the last couple of times. They still don’t have a true second center which is probably going to hurt as well. On paper, I think they’re a weaker team than Dallas and Colorado and the Jets will have to go through one of them. A long run for Winnipeg would be great for that market and core group but I’d be surprised if it happened. In the Pacific, I’m leery about Edmonton’s chances of making it out of the division let alone the conference again. I think they’ll get past Los Angeles assuming that matchup holds but their goaltending remains a big question mark, as does the secondary scoring. Can their top group carry them again? Sure. Will they? I’m not so sure about that.
The Duke: Is Devon Levi an AHL lifer?
Things certainly haven’t gone great for Levi this season. Originally expected to see a lot of time with Buffalo and maybe a bit of time with AHL Rochester to get a few more games in, it instead has been the exact opposite. Levi has a 4.12 GAA with a .872 SV% in nine appearances with the Sabres this season which played a big role in them going and reclaiming James Reimer from Anaheim early in the year. That brings his overall NHL numbers to a 3.29 GAA and…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Pro Hockey Rumors…