Post by gmcanucks on Nov 1, 2013 9:43:01 GMT -5
2013-2014 Atlantic Division Predictions:
1. Montreal Canadiens (1st in Divison, 1st in Conference)
After missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season, the Canadiens completed one of the most dramatic rebuilds in league history, and are now one of the favorites for a JGHL title.
Montreal's dynamic offense is led by newcomers Ryan Getzlaf, Pavel Datsyuk and Martin St. Louis and the returning Derek Stepan. A top four defense of Martin, Seidenberg, Carlson and Keith ranks anong the top units in the league. Add in Antti Niemi, one of the JGHL's top goalkeepers and you have a team positioned well for regular-season and playoff success.
2. Boston Bruins (2nd in Division, 3rd in Conference)
The Bruins set club records for wins and points last season and advanced to the second round of the JGHL Cup playoffs for only the second time in the club's history, before losing to San Jose.
The Bruins boast a wide array of offensive talent, led by playmaker Nicklas Backstrom, game breaker Patrick Kane and the underatted P.A. Parenteau. Veterans Sergei Gonchar and Stephane Robidas are the anchors on the blueline, while Kari Lehtonen and Tomas Vokoun form and excellent goaltending tandem.
3. Toronto Maple Leafs (3rd in Division, 5th in Conference)
The Leafs missed the Cup final for the first time in three seasons in 2012-2013, losing to the champion Predators in the second round. Despite taking a bit of a step back in the off-season, enough talent remains for a fifth consecutive playoff appearance.
The Leafs are led by superstar Alex Ovechkin and he along with centres Brad Richards and the recently acquired Joe Pavelski will lead the charge offensively. Veteran Keith Yandle and the fast-rising Travis Hamonic lead a competent defense, while veteran Evgeni Nabokov and Viktor Fasth will share the goaltending duties.
4. Florida Panthers (4th in Division, 6th in Conference)
Things appear to be heading in the right direction for a team that missed the playoffs for the third straight year in 2012-2013.
The Panthers have a good mix of youth and experience up front, with veterans Henrik Sedin and Patrick Marleau providing guidance to an exciting group of youngsters led by Matt Duchene and Phil Kessel. James Reimer and Jonathan Bernier form a solid, if youthful, goaltending pair. The defense is the only question mark as it lacks a little depth and experience after Andrei Markov and shutdown monster Niklas Hjalmarsson.
5. Tampa Bay Lightning (5th in Division, 8th in Conference)
Tampa Bay qualified for the playoffs and, for the second consecutive season, surpassed 100 points, before bowing out to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round. However, off-season moves likely mean making the playoffs will be a bit more of a struggle in 2013-2014.
Star centre Logan Couture and winger Boby Ryan are the leaders of a young and talented group of forwards that may be capable of big things in the future. A decent defense is led by veterans Brian Campbell and Mark Giordano and youngster Luke Schenn. Corey Crawford handles the bulk of the goaltending duties with help from Steve Mason.
6. Buffalo Sabres (6th in Division, 10th in Conference)
Will this be the year that the Sabres snap their string of missing the playoffs for five straight seasons. Maybe.
The Sabres do boast some exciting young talents including all-star winger Taylor Hall and youngster Nail Yakupov. The two former number one picks will key the Sabres' offense. On the blueline veterans Mike Green and Sami Salo and youngster Justin Schultz lead a defense corps with huge potential. If goalkeeper Devan Dubnyk has a solid year, a return to the post-season is an outside possibility.
1. Montreal Canadiens (1st in Divison, 1st in Conference)
After missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season, the Canadiens completed one of the most dramatic rebuilds in league history, and are now one of the favorites for a JGHL title.
Montreal's dynamic offense is led by newcomers Ryan Getzlaf, Pavel Datsyuk and Martin St. Louis and the returning Derek Stepan. A top four defense of Martin, Seidenberg, Carlson and Keith ranks anong the top units in the league. Add in Antti Niemi, one of the JGHL's top goalkeepers and you have a team positioned well for regular-season and playoff success.
2. Boston Bruins (2nd in Division, 3rd in Conference)
The Bruins set club records for wins and points last season and advanced to the second round of the JGHL Cup playoffs for only the second time in the club's history, before losing to San Jose.
The Bruins boast a wide array of offensive talent, led by playmaker Nicklas Backstrom, game breaker Patrick Kane and the underatted P.A. Parenteau. Veterans Sergei Gonchar and Stephane Robidas are the anchors on the blueline, while Kari Lehtonen and Tomas Vokoun form and excellent goaltending tandem.
3. Toronto Maple Leafs (3rd in Division, 5th in Conference)
The Leafs missed the Cup final for the first time in three seasons in 2012-2013, losing to the champion Predators in the second round. Despite taking a bit of a step back in the off-season, enough talent remains for a fifth consecutive playoff appearance.
The Leafs are led by superstar Alex Ovechkin and he along with centres Brad Richards and the recently acquired Joe Pavelski will lead the charge offensively. Veteran Keith Yandle and the fast-rising Travis Hamonic lead a competent defense, while veteran Evgeni Nabokov and Viktor Fasth will share the goaltending duties.
4. Florida Panthers (4th in Division, 6th in Conference)
Things appear to be heading in the right direction for a team that missed the playoffs for the third straight year in 2012-2013.
The Panthers have a good mix of youth and experience up front, with veterans Henrik Sedin and Patrick Marleau providing guidance to an exciting group of youngsters led by Matt Duchene and Phil Kessel. James Reimer and Jonathan Bernier form a solid, if youthful, goaltending pair. The defense is the only question mark as it lacks a little depth and experience after Andrei Markov and shutdown monster Niklas Hjalmarsson.
5. Tampa Bay Lightning (5th in Division, 8th in Conference)
Tampa Bay qualified for the playoffs and, for the second consecutive season, surpassed 100 points, before bowing out to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round. However, off-season moves likely mean making the playoffs will be a bit more of a struggle in 2013-2014.
Star centre Logan Couture and winger Boby Ryan are the leaders of a young and talented group of forwards that may be capable of big things in the future. A decent defense is led by veterans Brian Campbell and Mark Giordano and youngster Luke Schenn. Corey Crawford handles the bulk of the goaltending duties with help from Steve Mason.
6. Buffalo Sabres (6th in Division, 10th in Conference)
Will this be the year that the Sabres snap their string of missing the playoffs for five straight seasons. Maybe.
The Sabres do boast some exciting young talents including all-star winger Taylor Hall and youngster Nail Yakupov. The two former number one picks will key the Sabres' offense. On the blueline veterans Mike Green and Sami Salo and youngster Justin Schultz lead a defense corps with huge potential. If goalkeeper Devan Dubnyk has a solid year, a return to the post-season is an outside possibility.