In about two weeks, NHL players will get back into their everyday grind as training camp starts up. Here at Crave Online, we figured it is the perfect chance to get ready for the upcoming NHL season.
We will give you an extensive breakdown by division, take a look at who was on the move this summer and make our projections along the way.
As we start off with the Eastern Conference, we begin with a look at the Atlantic Division.
Last years division winners were the New Jersey Devils. The Devils certainly made the most headlines this summer with the whole Ilya Kovalchuk debacle. He was signed to a lengthy $100 million contract but when the contract was voided by the league they had to work out a new contract. They have signed him again and barring any further problems he will be wearing the red and black for a long time. The Devils' fate still rests on one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history, Marty Brodeur. Brodeur is no spring chicken and while his numbers have not declined too drastically in recent years, he is on the last leg of his career. The Devils who now find themselves pressed up against the cap also made a few smaller additions this off season acquiring seasoned defense man Anton Volchenkov as well as center Jason Arnott. It will be Arnott's second stint with the team after helping them win a Stanley Cup in 2000, before leaving in 2002. Both are defense first players who will bring a lot to the table for the team. Expect typical style Devils hockey this year, relying greatly on defense. They could find themselves atop the Atlantic for the second straight year.
The runner up last year was the Pittsburgh Penguins, who not only look to reclaim the Stanley Cup after last years second round loss in the playoffs but will try and do it in a new building. The NHL's oldest arena is gone and now the Pens will play in the state of the art Consol Energy Center. The typical pens faces will be returning this year and even a few new ones. Gone are all-star defense man Sergei Gonchar and one of the NHL's greats Bill Guerin as the Pens looked to shed some age. In are veteran defense men Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek. Paul Martin was a key member for the Devils in recent seasons, and is not afraid to throw the body around. The Penguins might have been a bit hung over from their magical 2009 run but expect them to be right back in the thick of things this season.
Next we have the 2010 Stanley Cup runner up Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers finished third in the division last year but had a magical run in the playoffs, including some history against the Bruins, before being beaten by the Chicago Blackhawks. The Flyers front office has left many pondering this off season however letting go of fan favorite Simon Gagne for not much more than a bag of pucks. They Flyers did not go out and spend the money to get a big name goaltender but rather resigned playoff phenom Micheal Leighton. And they hope he is the answer. The Flyers also added some veteran leadership in the form of forward Jody Shelley, along with defense men Matt Walker and Sean O'Donnell. They also signed defense man Andrej Meszaros who should add speed to the blue line. The Flyers also signed former high potential right wing Nikolai Zherdev, who spent last season in Russia. Last season many picked this team to win it all but this year you can at least expect a playoff berth. Then, who knows.
The Division is rounded off by the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders, both of which failed to see post season play last year. The Rangers picked up smaller pieces to make up their puzzle this summer. They picked up the fast skating, quick handed Alexander Frolov. Then they went out and solidified their backup goaltender by acquiring Marty Biron. The Rangers also went and added to their defense bringing in the slow but hard hitting Mike Eminger. The Rangers might have moments in the season where they look good but do not expect them to get too far in the playoffs, if make it at all.
The Islanders on the other hand have been bottom dwellers for years now. As per usual, the Islanders did little in the off season. Their hopes lie on the health of goaltender Rick DiPietro. DiPietro is a quality goaltender who just has not been able to stay healthy the last few seasons. The Isles have a few younger players they are still cropping, such as the number one overall pick John Taveras and Kyle Okposo. To help out their ailing defense they added the speedy Mark Eaton as well as James Wisniewski. Though they are on the right track it is almost a given they will still spend this season in the cellar.
Next takes us to the Northeast Division.
The Buffalo Sabres emerged last season victorious in the Northeast and found limited success in the playoffs. Now with returning Olympic MVP goaltender Ryan Miller, the Sabres are looking to advance further and they have proven that this summer. The Sabres made a number of moves this summer including bringing in defense man Jordan Leopold and all star great Rob Neidermayer. Mix in returning Sabres such as Thomas Vanek and Drew Stafford and you have recipe for success. Expect a lot from this Sabres team come April and May.
Last years runner up was the Ottawa Senators. The Senators played up to expectations last season and then some. Though they have kept the team almost the same, except for one key move. The signing of Sergei Gonchar. This gives them speed at the point while also a power play quarterback, something the Sens could really have used in last years campaign. Though they do not have many stand out skill players, expect to see another good year from Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza. The Sens are poised for another trip to the playoffs and from there who knows how far they will go.
The Boston Bruins finished in the middle of the pack in the Northeast last year. After an exciting season which included a game at Fenway, the Bruins made history by blowing a 3-0 lead in the playoffs to the Philadelphia Flyers. Now they are back and have something to prove. The Bruins looks for the success of goaltender Tuukka Rask to carry over from last season. Meanwhile former all-star Tim Thomas sits on the bench collecting dust. But expect him to be moved before season end, that is unless he can win back his starting job. Though they did not make a splash this summer the Bruins held on to some key players including 42-year-old Mark Recchi and the talented forward Marc Savard. Both of whom have become key leaders for the club. Expect a good season out of the Bruins which might just include a top seed rank and division win.
In a division where four teams made the playoffs, the Montreal Canadiens finished fourth and secured a seed last season. In a city where they live and breathe hockey, the bar is set high, just like every season. The “Habs” as they are also known as, took a step backwards this off season when they let go of goaltender Jaroslav Halak, who was nothing short of outstanding in the playoffs last season. Now the job is Carey Price's (who just signed a new two-year deal after planning a holdout) job to lose. The Habs did not do much and will rely on forwards Mike Cammalleri and Scott Gomez, who did not have quite the season the team had hoped for last year. With high fan expectations, it only seems inevitable that the Canadiens will miss the playoffs this year and fail to win Stanley Cup number 25.
Last up is the Toronto Maple Leafs. A Team that has a rich history has had a tough time cracking the playoffs for the last number of years. Though Toronto could be on the right track. The Leafs added several new forwards this off season including Colby Armstrong, Mike Brown and Kris Versteeg. The Leafs have arguably one of the NHL's best defensive cores with guys like Dion Phaneuf, Tomas Kaberle and Mike Komisarek to put in front of former Stanley Cup winning goaltender J.S. Giguere. Things could start looking up for the Leafs but it will all depend on if they are able to score or not. We would not be surprised if they sneaked into the playoffs as an eighth seed this winter.
Last but certainly not least is the Southeast Division.
The Washington Capitals have pretty much had their way with the division that last few seasons. Last year they won the President's Trophy, given for the team with the most points in the league but Alex Ovechkin and the boys were disappointed by Montreal in the first round. While not doing much this off season the Caps have maintained the talent that has kept them among the NHL's elite. Their biggest question mark is goaltending. If they want to be successful it will come down to starting goaltender Semyon Varlamov. If he goes, so will the Caps. A trip to the Eastern Conference finals would certainly not be out of the question for the Caps, but unless they ride a hot goalie the only silver they will be holding is a golf club.
The four remain teams failed to make the playoffs last year, though the Atlanta Thrashers could see some extra hockey this season. This summer the Thrashers made a few moves to help make a playoff push. They added a solid goaltender in Chris Mason, who can play everyday and put up good numbers. In what was the weakest aspect of their game last season, they added help on defense by adding Bret Sopel and Freddy Meyer. They should get their money's worth out of these two. To add to their scoring depth they even swiped a few former Blackhawks including the big man Dustin Byfuglien. He is a presence in front of the net and should rake up a decent amount of garbage goals. The Thrashers could be a year away from the playoffs but things are certainly looking up.
The Carolina Hurricanes lost a key member this off season, when Rod Brind 'Amour retired. But they hope that will not slow them down. The team showed signs of improvement at the end of last season after a dreadful first two months. Though they failed to make much of a splash in the market the Canes will rely on returning captain Eric Staal to lead the way. Jussi Jokinen and Sergei Samsonov also came into their own and look to build on the success they had last season. Meanwhile, Cam Ward just has not been the same since the Canes won the Stanley Cup but had a decent bounce back year last season. Much of their success comes with his play. It will take a lot of hard work this season but a playoff berth is unlikely.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have been one of the biggest soap operas in the NHL the last few seasons. They go through coaches and players quicker than anyone else. They did add more scoring depth when they traded for Simon Gagne. Gagne should add a nice compliment to former first overall pick Steven Stamkos as well as Vinny Lecavalier. Stamkos had a breakout year last season and was among the league leaders in goals. They also bolstered up their defense adding up Randy Jones. They will rely on returning goalie Mike Smith but a trip to the playoffs is doubtful for the Lightning in part because of a weak defense and a team that will rely highly on its young prospects.
And then there is the Florida Panthers, a franchise that skates around dozens at home and just has been unable to sniff the playoffs for quite some time now. The Panthers are looking to improve on their last place division finish a year ago. Goalie Tomas Vokoun is one bright spot. He is an everyday player who can win you some games on his talent alone. Though they did not do much to their defense this summer, the Panthers added forwards Andrew Peters and Marty Reasoner who should add some depth. Do not expect much from Florida this season as they should be cellar dwellers.
Our pick to come out of the East this season and play in the Stanley Cup Finals: Boston Bruins
Check back for our look at the Western Division.
