Todd Cordell
1. Tampa Bay Lightning – They have elite talent at each position and more than enough quality depth – on the pro roster and in the AHL – to deal with any injuries that arise. I think the race for the division title will be closer than last season, but I still like the Bolts to win it.
2. Toronto Maple Leafs – The Leafs were a top offensive team last year and that was with William Nylander, one of their best players, missing a big chunk of the season and not playing up to his potential for the rest of it. A return to form from him parlayed with more power play success – it should be improved with Paul MacFarland running the operation and Tyson Barrie joining the fray – and the continued development of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and co. give the Leafs a realistic shot to lead the league in goals.
3. Boston Bruins – With the NHL’s best top line, a stable defensive core, and an excellent goaltending tandem, the Bruins have what it takes to compete for home ice.
4. Florida Panthers – They have a potent offense and competent defense. What held them back a season ago was goaltending. That shouldn’t be an issue with Sergei Bobrovsky, who has posted a .922 save percentage over the last three seasons, taking over between the pipes. I think the hiring of Joel Quenneville will help maximize the talent in place, too.
5. Montreal Canadiens – They play with a lot of pace and do a great job of controlling more than their fair share of shots and chances. I just don’t see enough shooting/scoring talent to get into the playoffs, although I think they’ll be in the mix down to the wire.
6. Buffalo Sabres – Buffalo has made some quality additions this off-season but, to me, they’re another good summer away from getting to the dance. With young stars like Jack Eichel and Rasmus Dahlin leading the charge, they should at least be a fun team to watch.
7. Detroit Red Wings – The Red Wings are going to be really bad but I think there’s enough young skill up front (Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha, Andreas Athanasiou, Filip Zadina) to avoid the basement. I think.
8. Ottawa Senators – Led by Thomas Chabot, Brady Tkachuk and Colin White, there’s an exciting young core in Ottawa. You can actually see a future with the team. I don’t think there’s enough talent around them – particularly on defense – and their goaltending certainly isn’t going to steal many games.
Sean Maloughney 1.) Tampa Bay Lightning
An elite goaltender with elite forwards and a number of young talented players ready to jump into key NHL roles. On defense the Lightning also have the best defenseman in the NHL in Victor Herman. Playoff success is another story.
2.) Boston Bruins
While not as flashy as Toronto, the Bruins will finish ahead in the standings. The biggest reasons; the skill throughout their defense and the better goaltender. In addition, I still have doubts on Toronto's ability to win when playing from behind.
3.) Toronto Maple Leafs
Their top guys are going to score and the additions made on the backend will certainly improve the roster. I see Anderson taking a small step back from last season. We will see Boston and Toronto in the first round...... again....
4.) Buffalo Sabres
Will this be the year Buffalo finally makes the playoffs? Likely not but they are closer this year than the past few years. Young players like Mittelstadt and Dahlin ready to take on bigger roles and additions like Jokiharu (a great add) and Colin Miller to help out the backend. Goaltending will be the biggest X factor here.
5.) Florida Panthers
Barkov continues to be one of the most underrated players in the NHL and another playoff miss likely won't help sway others. The big add of Bobrovsky certainly will keep the team trending in the right direction but the Panthers simply have the misfortune of being stuckin the toughest division right now.
6.) Montreal Canadiens
Predicting Domi will take a bit of a step back offensively and a defense anchored by an aging Shea Weber. Carey Price is good enough to keep Montreal in the hunt but this will be a non playoff team.
7.) Detroit Red Wings
Have the fortune of having a team worse than them in their division. Some exciting players are on the way but this is a rebuilding roster.
8.) Ottawa Senators
Nuff said.
James Tanner The Atlantic will shake out as follows:
1. Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs have the most first line players and are the deepest team in hockey. A little luck against the Bruins last year and they could have easily been to the Final.
2. Tampa - the Lightning will be the NHL's second best team, but their core is another year older, they won't shoot such a high percentage on the PP and it's doubtful they'll go on an 18 game points streak or go 11-3 (or whatever) in one-goal games.
3. Buffalo - Elite players win games and even though they aren't a deep team, Eichel and Dahlin have enough high-end help that they'll surprise everyone.
4. Boston - good team, don't love them
5. Florida - overrated with a terrible GM will miss playoffs.
6. Montreal - Same.
7. Ottawa - They are going to suck, but
8. Detroit - is going to suck worse.
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