Boston Bruins
Last year: 3rd place, lost Round 1
Additions: None of note
Departures: Jimmy Hayes (Bought-out), Colin Miller (VGK-Expansion), Dominic Moore (TOR-FA), Zac Rinaldo (ARI-FA), Drew Stafford (NJD-FA)
The Good: Young talent on the blueline began to emerge last year in the form of Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo, should help take the load off and aging Zdeno Chara. David Pastrnak signed a new contract, youth is coming up in Boston, while veterans like Beregeron and Krejci continue to be productive. Brad Marchand and Tuukka Rask are still very good.
The Bad: Beyond the Top 4 defense and Top 6 forwards, the skill is negligible (Riley Nash and Kevan Miller anyone?). With Chara aging, a drop off could prove disastrous for the Bruins, same goes for Bergeron and Krejci. Backes and Beleskey continue to suck cap space away while not providing much else. For a team with limited cap space and minimal depth, if the highest paid players don't reflect their wealth on the scoresheet, the season may be over quickly for Boston.
Prediction: 4th Atlantic
Buffalo Sabres
Last year: 8th Atlantic, no playoffs
Additions: Nathan Beaulieu (MTL-Trade), Chad Johnson (ARI-FA) Jason Pominville (MIN-Trade), Benoit Pouliot (EDM-FA), Marco Scandella (MIN-Trade)
Departures: Tyler Ennis (MIN-Trade), Marcus Foligno (MIN-Trade), Cody Franson (CHI-PTO), Brian Gionta (FA), Dmitry Kulikov (WPG-FA), Anders Nilsson (VAN-FA)
The Good: Added Marco Scandella and Nathan Beaulieu to help revitalize their blueline. Also added some forwards depth for cheap by signing Benoit Pouliot from Edmonton. Adding to the already skilled young group of Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen. They also still have Ryan O'Reilly, Kyle Okpose and Matt Moulson.
The Bad: This is the same story as every year. Buffalo, along with the Jets, are in danger of becoming the new Oilers, always seeming like they're ready to take the next step but never going anywhere. Maybe Phil Housley and Jason Botterill can turn this team around. Or maybe this team just isn't as good as we all thought and is doomed for continued mediocrity until they have to blow it up and wonder how they wasted Jack Eichel.
Prediction: 6th Atlantic
Detroit Red Wings
Last year: 7th Atlantic, no playoffs
Additions: Trevor Daley (PIT-FA)
Departures: Daniel Cleary (Reitred)
The Good: Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha are still good and cheap, as are Gustav Nyquist and the recently re-signed Tomas Tatar. This is a team that has more young talent than they are given credit for. Add in Danny DeKeyser and Mike Green on defense, plus the tandem of Mrazek and Howard between the pipes and this team may be better than some expect.
The Bad: Not really. This team is awful. Zetterberg is still fine but fine isn't really what you want from your captain, Top 6 forward and highest paid player. Justin Abdelkader and Frans Nielsen will continue to roll around in dump trucks of money while not actually being all that good at hockey. Kronwall and Ericsson were once great shutdown defenders now do little more than put on their equipment and go out on the ice. If they can't manage to get Athanasiou signed then Detroit may very well fall into a state of disarray only to be matched by the state of disarray the city of Detroit is in.
Prediction: 8th Atlantic
Florida Panthers
Last year: 6th Atlantic, no playoffs
Additions: Evgenii Dadonov (KHL-FA), Jamie McGinn (ARI-Trade), Radim Vrbata (ARI-FA)
Departures: Jason Demers (ARI-Trade), Jaromir Jagr (FA), Jussi Jokinen (EDM-Bought-out), Jakub Kindl (FA), Jonathan Marchessault (VGK-Expansion), Reilly Smith (VGK-Trade) Thomas Vanek (VAN-FA)
The Good: This is a team just one year removed from winning the Atlantic, they were in turmoil last season with coaching changes, followed by GM changes, their owner almost left to run the army, it was a disaster, a season that should just be wiped clean and we should all allow them just to start again. They still have Barkov, Huberdeau, Trochek and, of course, Aaron Ekblad. With Luongo and Reimer in nets this team has potential to not only make the playoffs, but maybe even make some noise once they get there.
The Bad: As much as the Panthers were unlucky last year, they were also lucky two years ago. No team was hit harder by the expansion draft than the Panthers, not that they weren't partially responsible for that. Going into the draft, they knew either Marchessault, Smith, or Demers would be selected, so they then went out and lost all three, acquiring only Jamie McGinn in return. Jaromir Jagr and Thomas Vanek were both decent contributors last year but are now gone. It doesn't seem like the man in charge has any plan other than inexplicably undoing everything his predecessor did. Why does that sound familiar?
Prediction: 7th Atlantic
Montreal Canadiens
Last year: 1st Atlantic, lost in Round 1
Additions: Karl Alzner (WSH-Trade), Jonathan Drouin (TBL-Trade), Ales Hemsky (DAL-FA), Peter Holland (ARI-FA), David Schlemko (VGK-Trade), Mark Streit (PIT-FA)
Departures: Alexei Emelin (VGK-Expansion), Brian Flynn (DAL-FA), Dwight King (KHL-FA), Andrei Markov (KHL-FA), Nikita Nesterov (KHL-FA), Steve Ott (Retired), Alexander Radulov (DAL-FA)
The Good: After winning the division last year, Montreal has reason to be optimistic. Many were claiming the sky was falling, yet they went out and won the division. Unfortunately for them, that led to a tough matchup against the New York Rangers, one they ultimately lost in six games. The core, with the exception of Markov and Radulov, remians intact. The additions of Drouin and Alzner, ignoring the cost, should help the team in the short term at least.
The Bad: Montreal really failed to improve. Sure, Drouin is good, but whether or not he's better than Radulov remains to be seen. Alzner is the latest example of the Boychuk Fallacy, the misconception that a bottom defender on a bad team would be great as a top defender on a lesser team. The Habs may not have gotten worse, but with an ever rising Maple Leafs team and a Lightning squad due for a bounce back, not getting worse isn't going to cut it in the Atlantic.
Prediction: 3rd Atlantic
Ottawa Senators
Last year: 2nd Atlantic, lost in Conference Finals
Additions: Johnny Oduya (CHI-FA), Nate Thompson (ANA-FA)
Departures: Chris Kelly (EDM-PTO), Marc Methot (VGK-Expansion), Chris Neil (FA), Viktor Stalberg (Swiss-FA), Tommy Wingels (CHI-FA)
The Good: Erik Karlsson continues to exist and play for the Sens. In addition, the Top 6 is stronger than it's been in years. With Hoffman, Stone, and Turris providing some scoring, some depth in the lineup, and Craig Anderson back full-time, this team is arguably better than the one that made it to the conference finals last season.
The Bad: The team that made it within one goal of the Cup finals last season may not have been as good as they appeared to be. Most statistical models have them in for a sharp decrease in production, but maybe not has sharp as some of the other similar teams before them, such as the 2012-13 Avalanche and Maple Leafs. On the other hand, if teams start to figure out Guy Boucher's system and the Sens can't adapt, it could be a long season in the nation's capital.
Prediction: 5th Atlantic
Tampa Bay Lightning
Last year: 5th Atlantic, no playoffs
Additions: Dan Girardi (NYR-FA), Chris Kunitz (PIT-FA), Jamie McBain (ARI-FA)
Departures: Jonathan Drouin (MTL-Trade), Jason Garrison (VGK-Expansion)
The Good: Much like their in-state rivals the Florida Panthers, this team is just one year removed from a very successful season, in their case making it all the way to the semis, and the finals just one year before that. Last season was a disaster as Steven Stamkos went down early and was done and terrible puck luck. It did, however, see the rise of Nikita Kucherov from young talent to superstar. Once you remember the other young stars, like Tyler Johnson, Victor Hedman, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and Ondrej Palat, just to name a few, Tampa's ceiling appears to be the moon.
The Bad: This is still a team that missed the playoffs last season. Their blueline is in need of some work and Dan Girardi is not the answer. Yzerman and co. have finally handed the reigns over to Vasilevskiy in goal but if he falters, Tampa's offense will have to be incredible just to balance out their defensive shortcomings.
Prediction: 1st Atlantic
Toronto Maple Leafs
Last year: 4th Atlantic (2nd WC), lost in round 1
Additions: Ron Hainsey (PIT-FA), Patrick Marleau (SJS-FA), Dominic Moore (BOS-FA)
Departures: Brian Boyle (NJD-FA), Matt Hunwick (PIT-FA), Alexei Marchenko (KHL-FA), Roman Polak (FA)
The Good: This team has the most young talent if not in the entire NHL than certainly in the East. From Matthews to Marner to Nylander to Zaitsev, the Maple Leafs are built to win now and are cheap. So cheap that they were able to add Patrick Marleau and not even put a significant dent into their cap hit. So cheap that two of their highest paid players, Horton and Lupul, aren't even playing and it doesn't make a difference. This team could be scary come spring time with cap space to burn, but even now they look like one of the top teams in the division. As long as the defense can hold its own, this team is for real.
The Bad: I realize that this is a Sens blog and that I have been nice to the Leafs so here is Alfredsson murdering Tucker:
Prediction: 2nd Atlantic
Predicted Standings:
Last year: 1st Atlantic, lost in Round 1
Additions: Karl Alzner (WSH-Trade), Jonathan Drouin (TBL-Trade), Ales Hemsky (DAL-FA), Peter Holland (ARI-FA), David Schlemko (VGK-Trade), Mark Streit (PIT-FA)
Departures: Alexei Emelin (VGK-Expansion), Brian Flynn (DAL-FA), Dwight King (KHL-FA), Andrei Markov (KHL-FA), Nikita Nesterov (KHL-FA), Steve Ott (Retired), Alexander Radulov (DAL-FA)
The Good: After winning the division last year, Montreal has reason to be optimistic. Many were claiming the sky was falling, yet they went out and won the division. Unfortunately for them, that led to a tough matchup against the New York Rangers, one they ultimately lost in six games. The core, with the exception of Markov and Radulov, remians intact. The additions of Drouin and Alzner, ignoring the cost, should help the team in the short term at least.
The Bad: Montreal really failed to improve. Sure, Drouin is good, but whether or not he's better than Radulov remains to be seen. Alzner is the latest example of the Boychuk Fallacy, the misconception that a bottom defender on a bad team would be great as a top defender on a lesser team. The Habs may not have gotten worse, but with an ever rising Maple Leafs team and a Lightning squad due for a bounce back, not getting worse isn't going to cut it in the Atlantic.
Prediction: 3rd Atlantic
Ottawa Senators
Last year: 2nd Atlantic, lost in Conference Finals
Additions: Johnny Oduya (CHI-FA), Nate Thompson (ANA-FA)
Departures: Chris Kelly (EDM-PTO), Marc Methot (VGK-Expansion), Chris Neil (FA), Viktor Stalberg (Swiss-FA), Tommy Wingels (CHI-FA)
The Good: Erik Karlsson continues to exist and play for the Sens. In addition, the Top 6 is stronger than it's been in years. With Hoffman, Stone, and Turris providing some scoring, some depth in the lineup, and Craig Anderson back full-time, this team is arguably better than the one that made it to the conference finals last season.
The Bad: The team that made it within one goal of the Cup finals last season may not have been as good as they appeared to be. Most statistical models have them in for a sharp decrease in production, but maybe not has sharp as some of the other similar teams before them, such as the 2012-13 Avalanche and Maple Leafs. On the other hand, if teams start to figure out Guy Boucher's system and the Sens can't adapt, it could be a long season in the nation's capital.
Prediction: 5th Atlantic
Tampa Bay Lightning
Last year: 5th Atlantic, no playoffs
Additions: Dan Girardi (NYR-FA), Chris Kunitz (PIT-FA), Jamie McBain (ARI-FA)
Departures: Jonathan Drouin (MTL-Trade), Jason Garrison (VGK-Expansion)
The Good: Much like their in-state rivals the Florida Panthers, this team is just one year removed from a very successful season, in their case making it all the way to the semis, and the finals just one year before that. Last season was a disaster as Steven Stamkos went down early and was done and terrible puck luck. It did, however, see the rise of Nikita Kucherov from young talent to superstar. Once you remember the other young stars, like Tyler Johnson, Victor Hedman, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and Ondrej Palat, just to name a few, Tampa's ceiling appears to be the moon.
The Bad: This is still a team that missed the playoffs last season. Their blueline is in need of some work and Dan Girardi is not the answer. Yzerman and co. have finally handed the reigns over to Vasilevskiy in goal but if he falters, Tampa's offense will have to be incredible just to balance out their defensive shortcomings.
Prediction: 1st Atlantic
Toronto Maple Leafs
Last year: 4th Atlantic (2nd WC), lost in round 1
Additions: Ron Hainsey (PIT-FA), Patrick Marleau (SJS-FA), Dominic Moore (BOS-FA)
Departures: Brian Boyle (NJD-FA), Matt Hunwick (PIT-FA), Alexei Marchenko (KHL-FA), Roman Polak (FA)
The Good: This team has the most young talent if not in the entire NHL than certainly in the East. From Matthews to Marner to Nylander to Zaitsev, the Maple Leafs are built to win now and are cheap. So cheap that they were able to add Patrick Marleau and not even put a significant dent into their cap hit. So cheap that two of their highest paid players, Horton and Lupul, aren't even playing and it doesn't make a difference. This team could be scary come spring time with cap space to burn, but even now they look like one of the top teams in the division. As long as the defense can hold its own, this team is for real.
The Bad: I realize that this is a Sens blog and that I have been nice to the Leafs so here is Alfredsson murdering Tucker:
In reality however, this team doesn't have many flaws. They are a little lacking on the blueline so that could come back and bite them, and, as much as I like their core three young forwards, I've always felt some of their other young forwards get a bit to much credit, looking at you, Connor Brown.
Prediction: 2nd Atlantic
Predicted Standings:
- Tampa Bay
- Toronto
- Montreal
- Boston
- Ottawa
- Buffalo
- Florida
- Detroit
I feel fairly confident in the Top 2, Middle 3, and Bottom 3, however, the order is anyone's guess, especially the Middle 3. With the Metro looking like a strong candidate for both wild card spots, the Atlantic's race for 3rd may be one of the most interesting in the league.
