SenatorsGM
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- Jun 25, 2012
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With preseason games just underway an Atlantic Division preview is in order. Lets start with a predicted finish in the new Atlantic Division. This is aurguably the toughest division in the league, there isn't much seperating the top 4 finishers in the division and it wouldn't be suprising to see any one of the top 4 teams win the division. The leagues 4 best goaltenders reside in the Atlantic: Lundqvist(Detroit), Rinne(Montreal), Niemi(Toronto) and Quick(Florida) so every game is a grind for goals.
1. Montreal
2. Toronto
3. Florida (Defending Champs)
4. Buffalo
5. Detroit (Presidents Trophy Winner)
6. Boston
7. Ottawa
8. Tampa Bay
Montreal Canadians
Lets start with their bold trade to aquire one of the leagues best goaltenders Pekke Rinne. After missing the playoffs in a fate underserving of the teams talent GM Kowalchuk aimed to remedy the weak link and strengthen his goaltending. Icing one of the best defense pairings in the league with Erik Karlsson and Dan Girardi infront of Rinne there won't be many saves to make. Up front perhaps the best 2 way forward in hockey Patrice Bergeron leads a younger and less experienced group this year with the exception of Patrik Elias. This is the beginning of a bright future.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The greatest asset the Leafs possess is depth at all positions. They can roll 3 very good forward lines that will cause problems for whomever they are matched up against. Their goalie tandem is probably the best in the league headlined by Antti Niemi. Their top 2 dmen are young and talented. OEL and McDonagh will be a dynamite 1-2 this year and for many more to come. With all the firepower they have going now the Leafs have top prospect Nail Yakapov waiting in the wings to lead the team offensively.
Florida Panthers
The Champs are here!! The Champs are here!! You need goaltending to win and the Panthers have one the very best in Jonathon Quick. The Panthers have a well balanced team both from a forward stand point and a defensive one. Largely a veteran group that uses its savvy as much as its skill to win games. James Neal, Mike Richards and Joffery Lupul form an amazing skating line that should generate plenty of offensive. If the game is close teams better try to close out against the Panthers because Matt Hendricks is a shootout magician.
Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo GM Pitt has a little roster management to care of before the season starts. After taking care of a little business his team should be in the thick of a playoff spot hunt or even battling for the division title. Having the leagues oldest average age team signals that the time is now for the Sabres! Alexandre The Great Ovechkin can single handedly win games and I'm sure he will win his fair share for Buffalo this year. Bobby Lou swash puckling pucks out of the net with J-BO and Joni Pitkanen logging major minutes on D Buffalo will be a tough test every game.
Detroit Red Wings
The leagues reigning Presidents Trophy winner and first legacy franchise is in the eastern conference and Atlantic Division for the first time thanks to re-alignment. They don't call Henrik Lundqvist "KING" because he's the second best goalie, no he is the leagues best goalie and the foundation from which the Red Wings success is built upon. Jerome Iginla was brought in to bring strong presence not only to ice but in a leadership role more importantly. One of the games bright young stars Claude Giroux will lead the offence while Tim Gleason locks down the defensive zone.
Boston Bruins
Finishing in the bottom 3 in the league won't be the fate of the Bruins this year. The Bruins may not look a playoff team but they come in all forms. This may not be the year the Bruins win it all but winning more than last year should be attainable. Lead by the greatest sports laugher in history Jason "Giggles" Spezza brings the swagger to the offensive and the locker room. Shattenkirk and Voynov are two emerging defensemen that will only inprove with time. Craig Anderson tends the blue ice and can get crazy hot and be unbeatable for stretches.
Ottawa Senators
In GM Jeff Miller's First season at the helm he steered the Senators into a suprise playoff birth on the last day of the season. Managing only one playoff win illustrated the gap between playoff team and contender. The mainstay on the Sens is the well rounded and always producing Henrik Zetterberg. PK Subban seemed to mature over night and will log a ton of minutes as an all situation player. Getting off to a hot start helped the Senators make the playoffs and they'll need it again from Ryan Miller if they hope to make the post season.
Tampa Bay Lightning
"Team Under Construction" is what is going on here. It's been 7 years since the Lightning last played a post season game and it looks like it'll be 8 by the end of this season. Goaltending will be a sore spot for the Lightning as they lack a true number one in net. Mats Zuccarello and Dan Cleary lead a forward group that must "WILL" their way to victory. Lube Visnovsky and Dmitry Kulikov are slick skating puck movers who will be relied on for much of the offence and to keep the other teams best players at bay.
The Atlantic Division won't be a fun one to play in or against this year as 2 of the last 3 league Champs call it home.
1. Montreal
2. Toronto
3. Florida (Defending Champs)
4. Buffalo
5. Detroit (Presidents Trophy Winner)
6. Boston
7. Ottawa
8. Tampa Bay
Montreal Canadians
Lets start with their bold trade to aquire one of the leagues best goaltenders Pekke Rinne. After missing the playoffs in a fate underserving of the teams talent GM Kowalchuk aimed to remedy the weak link and strengthen his goaltending. Icing one of the best defense pairings in the league with Erik Karlsson and Dan Girardi infront of Rinne there won't be many saves to make. Up front perhaps the best 2 way forward in hockey Patrice Bergeron leads a younger and less experienced group this year with the exception of Patrik Elias. This is the beginning of a bright future.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The greatest asset the Leafs possess is depth at all positions. They can roll 3 very good forward lines that will cause problems for whomever they are matched up against. Their goalie tandem is probably the best in the league headlined by Antti Niemi. Their top 2 dmen are young and talented. OEL and McDonagh will be a dynamite 1-2 this year and for many more to come. With all the firepower they have going now the Leafs have top prospect Nail Yakapov waiting in the wings to lead the team offensively.
Florida Panthers
The Champs are here!! The Champs are here!! You need goaltending to win and the Panthers have one the very best in Jonathon Quick. The Panthers have a well balanced team both from a forward stand point and a defensive one. Largely a veteran group that uses its savvy as much as its skill to win games. James Neal, Mike Richards and Joffery Lupul form an amazing skating line that should generate plenty of offensive. If the game is close teams better try to close out against the Panthers because Matt Hendricks is a shootout magician.
Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo GM Pitt has a little roster management to care of before the season starts. After taking care of a little business his team should be in the thick of a playoff spot hunt or even battling for the division title. Having the leagues oldest average age team signals that the time is now for the Sabres! Alexandre The Great Ovechkin can single handedly win games and I'm sure he will win his fair share for Buffalo this year. Bobby Lou swash puckling pucks out of the net with J-BO and Joni Pitkanen logging major minutes on D Buffalo will be a tough test every game.
Detroit Red Wings
The leagues reigning Presidents Trophy winner and first legacy franchise is in the eastern conference and Atlantic Division for the first time thanks to re-alignment. They don't call Henrik Lundqvist "KING" because he's the second best goalie, no he is the leagues best goalie and the foundation from which the Red Wings success is built upon. Jerome Iginla was brought in to bring strong presence not only to ice but in a leadership role more importantly. One of the games bright young stars Claude Giroux will lead the offence while Tim Gleason locks down the defensive zone.
Boston Bruins
Finishing in the bottom 3 in the league won't be the fate of the Bruins this year. The Bruins may not look a playoff team but they come in all forms. This may not be the year the Bruins win it all but winning more than last year should be attainable. Lead by the greatest sports laugher in history Jason "Giggles" Spezza brings the swagger to the offensive and the locker room. Shattenkirk and Voynov are two emerging defensemen that will only inprove with time. Craig Anderson tends the blue ice and can get crazy hot and be unbeatable for stretches.
Ottawa Senators
In GM Jeff Miller's First season at the helm he steered the Senators into a suprise playoff birth on the last day of the season. Managing only one playoff win illustrated the gap between playoff team and contender. The mainstay on the Sens is the well rounded and always producing Henrik Zetterberg. PK Subban seemed to mature over night and will log a ton of minutes as an all situation player. Getting off to a hot start helped the Senators make the playoffs and they'll need it again from Ryan Miller if they hope to make the post season.
Tampa Bay Lightning
"Team Under Construction" is what is going on here. It's been 7 years since the Lightning last played a post season game and it looks like it'll be 8 by the end of this season. Goaltending will be a sore spot for the Lightning as they lack a true number one in net. Mats Zuccarello and Dan Cleary lead a forward group that must "WILL" their way to victory. Lube Visnovsky and Dmitry Kulikov are slick skating puck movers who will be relied on for much of the offence and to keep the other teams best players at bay.
The Atlantic Division won't be a fun one to play in or against this year as 2 of the last 3 league Champs call it home.
