The Atlantic Division can be broken down into three tiers of teams. The top tier teams Tampa bay and Florida are Stanley Cup contenders. The next tier Montreal, Detroit and Boston can make a run at the division title if everything goes right but could also find themselves sellers at the deadline. The bottom tier Buffalo, Ottawa and Toronto have improved but have holes that should keep them out of the playoffs.
- TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING – The Tampa Bay Lightning have the best team in the East. They have elite scorers in Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Tyler Johnson,
Steven Stamkos – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
and Jonathan Drouin. They also have elite role players in Ordrei Palat, Alex Killorn and Brian Boyle. The defense is led by Norris-worthy Victor Hedman and his partner Anton Stralman. Andrei Sustr is young, strong and impoving. Ben Bishop is a Vezina runner up goalie and could be moved midseason because Andrei Vasilevskiy is younger and maybe better.
- FLORIDA PANTHERS – The Panthers lineup is stacked with offensive talent. Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau and Vincent Trocheck are impressive young players who must continue to grow because Jussi Jokinen and NHL legend Jaromir Jagr cannot be depended on indefinitely. Aaron Ekblad is an absolute stud on the Florida blue line. The Panthers defense exchanged experience and toughness (Brian Campbell, Dmitry Kulikov, Erik Gudbranson, Willie Mitchell) for scoring (Keith Yandle, Jason Demers). James Reimer needs to help ease Roberto Luongo’s burden in net because “Bobby Lou” he seemed to wear out last year.
- MONTREAL CANADIENS – Montreal started out last season unbeatable then Carey Price got hurt and the train sped off the tracks. Price is healthy and if the World Cup is any indication, back in fine form as the best goalie in the world. Shea Weber was brought in from Nashville to play a steady defense at a world class level and not make waves, something PK Subban could not do. The rest of Montreal’s defense is average at best. Andrew Shaw was brought in from Chicago to bring some fire and championship pedigree. Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher need to score consistently. Hired Russian gun Alexander Radulov
Carey Price – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
needs to keep his head on straight. The vultures are circling around team captain Max Pacioretty but not as many as those circling around Head Coach Mike Therrien.
- DETROIT RED WINGS – The Detroit Red Wings have made the playoffs for 25-straight years. A feat that keeps getting tougher every year to do. It seemed the Red Wings were poised to make a splash in free agency but didn’t. Frans Neilson is nice but Stamkos is a splash. Pavel Datsyuk took his stick and went back to Russia. That was a good thing. His play was declining and not worth $7.5 million. Neilson will be an effective if not dramatic replacement. Henrik Zetterberg is still around and must stay healthy. Tomas Tatar must stay as hot as he was in the World Cup. Dylan Larkin needs to avoid the sophomore slump more effectively than he avoided the rookie 50 game fall off. Gustav Nyquist needs to play hockey this season and not look like he’s in Disney on Ice. Detroit’s defense is filled with 4th – 6th defensemen. Sadly, Nick Kronwall knees make him a 4th defensemen on a Cup team. Goaltender Petr Mrazek needs to play well enough for the Red Wings to trade Jimmy Howard for defensive help.
- BOSTON BRUINS – The Boston Bruins want to return to the playoffs. Their big off season splash was rugged David Backes. If Backes is the 3rd line center Boston is an improved team. David Krejci needs to stay healthy and be the team’s number two center. The Bruins first line is world class. The World Cup proved Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand are special talents. The World Cup also proved Zdeno Chara has gas left in the tank on defense. Adam McQuaid is a
David Krejci – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
throwback defenseman (big and tough). Torey Krug is a new age defenseman (small and quick). Tuukka Rask has not been his best in a few years he must reverse that trend.
- BUFFALO SABRES – The Buffalo Sabres will score goals. Jack Eichel will now have power forward Kyle Okposo on his wing. Ryan O Reilly is a top two-way center. Sam Reinhart has a barrel full of talent. Evander Kane has two barrels full of talent but an empty barrel for a brain. Buffalo’s problem (besides Kane) will be stopping the other team from scoring. The Sabre’s defense is physical but not very skilled. Rasmus Ristolainen is young but has offense in his game. The goaltending needs upgraded as well. If a foolhardy GM bites on club house cancer Kane and Buffalo gets back end help the Sabres will be a dangerous team.
- OTTAWA SENATORS – The Senators top four defenseman can match any teams in the league. Norris Winner Erik Karlsson plays his best with Marc Methot who is heathy to start the season. Cody Cici is big and underrated. Dion Phanuef isn’t what he used to but he’s an effective 3-4 defenseman. Ottawa’s problem is upfront. Their forwards either don’t stay healthy, are inconsistent or just underachieve. The Senators would love to see backup goalie Andrew Hammond get hot like he did in 2014. Starter Craig Anderson is as reliable as their forwards.
- TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS – I hope Mike Babcock enjoyed coaching the World Cup because now he’s back to his day job, coaching the Maple Leafs. Auston Matthews is amazing but he has little help. James Van Reimsdyk is a player.
Frederik Andersen – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
Somehow Nazem Kadri and Tyler Bozak are still on the team. Matt Martin and Leo Komarov will bring character to a team that sorely needs it. The Leafs’ defense is stocked with high picks. Morgan Reilly and Jake Gardiner can play great and not live up to the Toronto hype. Fredrick Anderson will give this team a chance every night even if they don’t deserve it.
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