The draft and free agent frenzy are now beyond even the rearview mirror, and we're looking forward to October and the 2022-23 season.  Every year, the expert prognosticators go at this from the top down, picking the new Stanley Cup champs and the playoff-worthy challengers.    I'm going to do this in reverse, and add one fantasy sleeper for each team. For the Eastern Conference, MANY teams have improved considerably in the past two months – here's my ranking from #16 to #9.    

16.   Philadelphia Flyers. Hurt by the Claude Giroux departure far more than they've made up for.  Hope springs eternal, but hope doesn't win games. My "sleeper" for Philly fantasy value: Scott Laughton, currently projected as line-one left wing. 

15.   Montreal Canadiens. Juraj Slafkowsky will be a great addition, and Carey Price a far greater loss. Sleeper pick:  Mike Matheson, best offensive D-man. 

14.   Columbus Blue Jackets.   Johnny Hockey will help monumentally. But the defense is Zach Werenski and a band of not-yet guys. 2023-24 team, watch out!  Sleeper pick: Daniil Tarasov (yes – THIS year).

13.  Buffalo Sabres.  Very good pieces on both ends of the ice, but just that. Pieces, lacking the necessary depth.   And goaltending???  Sleeper pick: Jeff Skinner, finally worth most of his $9,000,000 salary. 

12.   Washington Capitals. When does it all implode? Alex Ovechkin may have too much on his back to carry it all, and six of their seven defensemen are past their 30th birthday. Sleeper pick: Connor Brown, superb signing by the Caps.  

11.   Ottawa Senators. The Sens will absolutely be better this year – Dynamite top-six, plus Cam Talbot in net. Sleeper pick:  Alex Formenton, who plays his way up to the second line.  

10.   Boston Bruins. The fall of yet another team to Father Time.  And can they keep David Pastrnak?   Sleeper pick:  Brandon Carlo. Sure, Charlie McAvoy takes back the PP-1 spot, but he's not 100% 'til January.

9.   New Jersey Devils. Really needed Johnny Gaudreau to jump-start their talented young centers.  Another year and they'll join the fun. Sleeper pick: Mackenzie Blackwood, 25 wins and 2.50 GAA.

As I also write a daily fantasy column, I've put in some unofficial odds for each team above to make the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Philadelphia 2%

Montreal 2%

Buffalo 5%

Columbus 10%

Washington 35%

Ottawa 35%

Boston 35%

New Jersey 45%

…And the odds that any of these eight teams would win the Stanley Cup (ha ha), under 2%.  If someone offers me two bucks, hoping to win $100, I'll buy myself a coffee at McD's or Tim's.  

And thus, "in:" The Detroit Red Wings (!), Ilya Sorokin and the Islanders, and last hurrah for the Penguins. Any of these teams could then advance, and I believe that one of them will.    Playoffs in the NHL so rarely stay on form. Stay tuned.