in the 2 magazines i bought, McKeens Hockey Pool Yearbook and TheScore Sports Forecaster the habs were picked to be 14th and tied for 8th with boston but out due to fewer wins.

Once again, these guys are idiots. The only thing they consistantly forecast is that every year they will underestimate the habs, and end up looking like idiots year after year. Looks like they are trying to sneak one in also by saying the habs will finish with 93 points...again ( they have finished with that total the past 2 consecutive years )

All in all..The North East Division WILL be the hardest division in the league and montreal will MOST LIKELY end up in 3rd in the division behind Ottawa and Buffalo.  But to think that Boston ( who choked last year and really only has Chara and Bergeron ) AND Toronto ( Who just....suck ) will finish above the habs in our division along with other teams like NYI, Florida ( without luongo btw ) tampa, philidelphia, atlanta and washington. I find it to be VERY unlikely. Habs MAKE playoffs this year. Huet DOESNT choke. Abby is no longer with us come trade dealine and Malkin is leading rookie in scoring ( had to have 1 obvious prediction in there ) here is how i see it finishing

IN

Suprise suprise

Ottawa- first place with 112 points

New Jersey- Second with 105 points ( seeded )

Carolina- 3rd with 103 points ( seeded )

Buffalo- 4th with 108 points

Rangers 5th with 104 points

Montreal 6th with 103 points

Tampa 7th with 98 points

Atlanta 8th with 95 points

OUT

Philidelphia 9th with 94 points

Toronto 10th with 92 points

Boston 11th with 89 points

Florida T11th with 89 points

Islanders 13th with 84 points

Pittsburg 14th with 77 points

Washington 15th with 70 points