Predicting the Hockey East standings is never an easy task as the league has always had great parity, but this could be one of the more challenging years to date.
A lot of the top contenders lost key players and a few teams from the middle of the pack seem poised to make a leap. Which teams who fared well last year will have the biggest bump in the road this season? Will goaltending derail the hopes of a few of the top contenders? Are a couple of coaches on the hot seat? Who will be the next commissioner to guide the league into the future?
On paper, there is no league team poised to make a run to the 2020 Frozen Four as UMass and Providence did a season ago. However, the season is long and getting hot at the right time can turn a mediocre season into a thrilling one.
Last year was the year of the goalie with some terrific talents guarding the net in the league. Even one of the worst teams in the league had a terrific goaltender. In total, there were 10 goaltenders in Hockey East during the 2018-19 season that were or now are NHL draft picks.
