Over the next couple of days, I’ll go division by division and tell you, our loyal readers, what to expect this season. If you read every word, you’ll be a NHL expert and probably won’t have to watch a single game this season. However, if you just skim or skip these columns entirely, you’ll be dumber than Samer Kadi. And he’s Canadian.
First up, the Atlantic Division. Teams are in the order of where they finished last year in the division.
Montreal Canadiens
Last season: 50-22-10 (110 Points). Lost in the 2nd Round of Playoffs.
Offseason Moves that Matter: signing Alexander Semin for cheap.
This season: The Canadiens have the best goalie in the league, Carey Price, so they’ll be just fine. On top of that, they have P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov, one of the best defensive pairings in the league. Defense won’t be a problem for the Canadiens. Their problem is giving Price enough goal support. They signed Alex Semin, a talented offensive player when he cares, to help their offensive woes, but he’s a liability defensively and if he isn’t committed to playing hard, he’s just a liability. Subban and Markov chip in offensively, but it’s always tough to rely on your defense to provide offense.
The Canadiens aren’t without talented forwards, Max Pacioretty and Tomas Plekanec lead the way up front, but they don’t scare teams up front like Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh do.
Biggest Question: Can they give Carey Price enough goal support?
Outlook: If Price is able to play 60+ games, he’ll win at least 40, setting Montreal up for another playoff berth. I think Semin, who always play well on a one-year deal, gives them enough of an offensive spark and scores 20+ goals.
Prediction: 2nd in the Atlantic Division.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Last Season: 50-24-8 (108 points). Lost in Stanley Cup Finals.
Offseason Moves that Matter: None
This season: The Lightning was two games away from winning the Stanley Cup and are bringing back the same team that made a run last season. This team has no real weakness. Ben Bishop is more than solid in goal, they transition from defense to offense better than just about any team in the league, and they have plenty of scoring up front. Unless they’re destroyed by injuries, this team will be atop the league standings all year.
They ran into trouble in the playoffs when their bottom six failed to contribute offensively, but the addition of Eric Condra and the hopeful emergence of Jonathan Drouin should remedy that problem.
Biggest Question: Will Steven Stamkos’ contract become a distraction?
Outlook: I’d be shocked if they didn’t win the division. Their top six stacks up with anyone, their depth is slightly better this year, and their defense and goaltending remains the same.
Prediction: 1st in the Atlantic Division.
Detroit Red Wings
Last season: 43-25-14 (100 points). Lost in 1st Round of Playoffs.
Offseason Moves that Matter: Signed Mike Green and Brad Richards. Got a new head coach.
This season: There’s no question that the Red Wings are a talented club. They have a great mix of veterans who can still contribute and talented young players ready to break out. Their goaltending is a little up in the air as Jimmy Howard could be paid near $6 million to be the back-up and I’m not sure Petr Mrazek is much better. Their defense is good, but they overpaid for Mike Green and I’m not expecting him to be the contributor that they hope he’ll be.
How new coach Jeff Blashill adapts to the NHL is anyone’s guess. He coached Detroit’s AHL team to the Calder Cup ins 2013 and has worked with many of the young players of the Wings roster, so he’s at least familiar with the players and the system.
Biggest Question: How much do Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg have left in the tank?
Outlook: For years people have been predicting the fall of the Red Wings and for years they’ve all been wrong. I think this is finally the season where they take a step back. Don’t get me wrong, they’ll still be competitive and will challenge for a wild card spot, but I don’t see them making much noise in the playoffs.
Prediction: 4th in the Atlantic Division
Ottawa Senators
Last season: 43-26-13 (99 points). Lost in 1st Round of the Playoffs.
Offseason Moves that Matter: None
This season: The Senators were a floundering team last year until some guy named Andrew Hammond backstopped them to a 23-4-4 record. Now the pressure is on the Senators to take the next step. They have a group of very talented forwards, led by Bobby Ryan and Mark Stone. Kyle Turris, a bust in Arizona, has panned out great for the Senators and become the number one center. Plus they have Erik Karlsson, the most talented offensive defenseman in the league. This team will score goals, I’m just not sure they can prevent them.
Biggest Question: Will their goaltending hold up?
Outlook: A lot of things went for the Sens late last season and then they fizzled out in the playoffs. If Hammond turns out to be the real deal, the Sens are pretty set. However, if he turns out to be a flash in the pan and Craig Anderson shows no consistency, they’ll struggle. I’m betting on the latter.
Prediction: 5th in the Atlantic Division
Boston Bruins
Last season: 41-27-14 (97 points). Missed playoffs.
Offseason Moves that Matter: Traded Dougie Hamilton, Carl Soderberg, and Milan Lucic for nothing, signed Matt Beleskey for cheaper than everyone thought, traded for Jimmy Hayes.
This season: As long they don’t run Tuukka Rask into the ground again, they’re set in goal. Rask is one of the best goalies in the league, but he played an absurd 70 games last year. That’s 10-15 games too many and it showed in his performance. Their offense wasn’t good last year and I don’t expect it to be much better this year. Beleskey was a good signing, but it remains to be seen whether or not he had a breakout season prior to free agency or if he just played really hard for a new contract. Trading away Hamilton was a big blow to their defense and Zdeno Chara isn’t getting any younger.
Biggest Question: Is this Chara’s final year?
Outlook: They failed to replace Hamilton and Beleskey isn’t an upgrade over Lucic. Rask is good, but he’s not good enough to carry this group by himself.
Prediction: 7th in the Atlantic Division
Florida Panthers
Last season: 38-29-15 (91 points). Missed playoffs.
Offseason Moves that Matter: None.
This season: The Panthers have an excellent top line in Jaromir Jagr, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Aleksander Barkov. Two of those guys are two of the best young players in the league and the other is an all-time great who doesn’t seem to age. On defense, they have the very talented and reigning Calder winner Aaron Ekblad, who exceeded expectations in his first season and some good young players in Dmitry Kulikov and Erik Gudbranson. They also have a goalie, Roberto Luongo, who loves Florida and the limited pressure. Their lack of depth, especially up front, it very worrying.
Biggest Question: Will they trade Jaromir Jagr to a contender?
Outlook: I like the young talent in Florida, but they’re another year away from contending. I think they’ll actually get better at the trade deadline when they’re able to move Brian Campbell and Jagr for decent returns.
Prediction: 6th in the Atlantic Division
Toronto Maple Leafs
Last season: 30-44-8 (64 points). Missed playoffs.
Offseason Moves that Matter: Paid Mike Babcock a lot of money to be their coach, traded Phil Kessel for no one who helps this season.
This season: This team is terrible. Unless Babcock is the greatest coach in league history, he’s not turning around this mess after one season. Right now the team is filled with guys who have been hot dogging it for years, and when they feel the wrath of Babcock, chances are they are going to get angry and want out. There isn’t one position on the team where they have an above average player.
Biggest Question: Will Mike Babock kill anyone for their lack of effort?
Outlook: They’ll be competing for the #1 overall pick.
Prediction: 8th in the Atlantic Division
Buffalo Sabres
Last season: 23-51-8 (54 points). Missed playoffs.
Offseason Moves that Matter: Traded for Ryan O’Reilly and Robin Lehner, signed Cody Franson, got a new head coach who has a Stanley Cup ring.
This season: The Sabres didn’t try last year. They tanked so hard the NHL should’ve fined them. This season will be different. With a healthy Evander Kane, a workhouse in O’Reilly, the promising Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart, and Tyler Ennis, they have the potential to be really good up front. Their offense will definitely be better than last year and has the potential to be very good. It’s their defense and goaltending that could hold them back. Franson is a solid acquisition, but he’s not a #1 guy. Same goes for Zach Bogosian. And then there’s Lehner, who isn’t a proven #1 goalie.
Biggest Question: Can their defense and goaltending match their offense?
Outlook: They won’t be as bad as last season and I actually think they’ll be a lot better than most predict. I’m in love with their offensive talent and I think they’ll be a fun team to keep an eye on all season.
Prediction: 3rd in the Atlantic Division.
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