We've been saying Calgary for a looooong time.. It's done..
Now it's time to get to the Atlantic Division...
Let me just say this division is incredibly tough to predict, and while I placed these teams into rough positions I can see the difference between #3 and #7 being a handful of points.
#8 Florida Panthers
On the ice… There are none happier to hit the reset button this season than the Florida Panthers. Last year was just a disaster and this year can only get better, but there are a lot of question marks and many new pieces have been wedged in…Huberdeau appears to be back in a big way and no one had more jump in their step during the preseason. Barkov is of course an absolute star. Trocheck is one of the more under rated players in NHL. And when it comes to stars, a healthy Ekblad’s presence cannot be overestimated. Bringing in Dadonov will help, but he is more third or second line help than he is top line help.
It will again fall Roberto Luongo, who will turn 39 this year.
Potential Surprises…. * Connor Brickley. Connor plays a solid game up-and-down the ice and will have a job in the NHL for years to come. The Panthers need to sign this kid. He is a UFA in July. * Jarred McCann, no relation to Paul, the Panthers getting him out of Vancouver last year could turn out to be a steal.
In the rumor mill…
Florida will have Vrbata and I keep hearing they could deal Petrovich for the right price…
Best Case Scenario: They battle to 4th and are on the playoff bubble …10% Worst Case: Loungo and Reimer, and their combined 68 years, gives them issue…40% Most Likely: They are Ok, but not growing fast enough to keep pace in an improving Atlantic. 50%
Crazy Prediction…
The Panthers make a major trade and grab Matt Duchene..
++++++++++++++
#7 Detroit Red Wings
On the ice…
Ok…this starts actually “off the ice.… There is a weird psychology to picking the Detroit Red Wings. They have been so good for so long, and yet we kept predicting this would be the year they fell off. So last year they finally didn't make the playoffs and everyone feels justified now is saying they will be terrible for some reason. Putting Detroit in 8th and Tampa in first is in no way a sure thing.
They actually won't be terrible because they have some really good talent. Last year that talent under performed on several levels, but there is no saying that will happen again. Larkin, Nyquist, Mantha, Tatar…. These are all young players…players any team would like to have. The defense for Detroit is a little less certain, but the addition of Trevor Daley is no small pickup.
In Goal, with Howard and Mrazek there are certainly questions…but to put this team in 8th place without much thought could prove embarrassing. Are there more question marks on this team then Florida, Buffalo, or even Montréal as they currently sit?
Potential Surprises…. * Anthony Mantha is a player… to this point we've only seen a part of his potential, yet I've been impressed. All indications are he is firing on all cylinders going into the season * Dylan Larkin can play on my team any day. I fully expect great things. * Although he is hurt right now, Svechnikov has all the makings of a star.
In the rumor mill…
I could see Kronwall being offered up as a rental. Yes, he still has a year after this one, but he is also so solid when healthy and could really help a team in a playoff run.
Best Case Scenario: They battle to 4th or 5th place..playoff bubble …15% Worst Case: They all underperform and/or get lousy goaltending..dropping them to 29th or 30th in the NHL…20% Most Likely: The Wings continue to develop and finish in 6th or 7th..
Crazy Prediction… The Red Wings get it together much faster than all feel and fight into third in the Atlantic
++++++++++
#6 Boston Bruins
On the ice…
The Key players on this team are either 30 and over or 22 and under. I have been tracking teams like this a lot over the past few years and it usually is a struggle for a few very important reasons…
#1 There actually is a generational gap that occurs in the locker room. I saw it first hand with the Flyers a few years ago. You wouldn't think it matters a lot that actually does. Players of the same age tend to look to other players of that same age.
#2. injuries can be a problem with older players, while mistakes can be a problem with younger players.
The Bruins are still a talented group, and as I write this I realize they will probably prove me wrong and finish in the top three in the division…and I hope so because the NHL is a better league when the Boston Bruins are a tough team to play against. Just a lot more fun.
Potential Surprises…. * Anders Bjork. I love this kid’s shot. * Austin Czarina. He's small but incredibly talented. This kid can flat out play and make plays. He makes the Bruins as a third or fourth liner, but quickly gets moved up and sees power play time. Can't help but think he'll have great chemistry with Pastrnak. * McAvoy can flat out play…but you know this…and he isn’t even 20 yet.
In the rumor mill…
The Bruins could be a team to watch come deadline if things aren't going well. Chara is a UFA in July…enough said.
Best Case Scenario: The Bruins are the Bruins and continued to just be good because they're the Bruins. They finish in 3rd or 4th and once again go to the playoffs…25% Worst Case: The age gap and talent levels matter…they fall hard to 7th or 8th….20% Most Likely: They are a point or two out of 4th but land in 5th or 6th..out of the playoffs….55%
Crazy Prediction… McCavoy wins the Calder…not that crazy…
NEXT UP: Following the podcast I will put up teams #5 and #4 as we work our way toward the Atlantic Division Champion today...
We will discuss all this and preview Columbus and Winnipeg on today's show..
Listen to the HockeyBuzzcast w/@Eklund @sportsology & @MikeInBuffalo on iTunes (https://t.co/yXakLaiyRy) & Tune In (https://t.co/O3Em8BtZ6W)
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) August 2, 2017