Summer is coming to an end and with Fall just around the corner that can mean only one thing....
HOCKEY'S BACK!!!!
When we last saw each other The Boston Bruins were raising the Stanley Cup & the Minnesota Wild were hosting the NHL draft. A lot has happened in the last couple months so the best way to get caught up is breaking down each team by divisions. We will start today in the Atlantic.
1. Pittsburgh Penguins
How They Finished: 49-25-8 106 points 2nd in Atlantic, 4th in East. Lost to Tampa Bay in 1st Round.
Additions:
Steve Sullivan (Nashville), Alex Picard (Montreal), Steve MacIntyre (Edmonton), Jason Williams (Dallas), Richard Park (Switzerland)
Subtractions:
Mike Rupp (NY Rangers), Max Talbot (Philadelphia), Eric Godard (Dallas), Andrew Hutchinson (KHL), Alexei Kovalev (KHL)
Why They'll Succeed:
They have the best 1-2 punch in the game with Sidney Crosby & Evgeni Malkin when both are healthy. After Crosby & Malkin went down with injuries the Penguins proved they could still compete going 15-10-4 down the stretch.
The Penguins have a deep group of forwards up front. Crosby did lead the team in goals with 32 before missing the rest of the season with a concussion. Chris Kunitz, (23) James Neal (22) & Tyler Kennedy (21) helped fill the void in goal scoring by each reaching the 20 goal plateau last year.
On defense Kris Letang had a career year with 50 points (8G, 42A) and Paul Martin had 24 points (3G, 21A) in his 1st season in Pittsburgh. As a group Penguins defenseman finished last year +35 while the team finished a +28.
In goal, Marc-Andre Fleury bounced back from a shaky 09-10 season going 36-20-5 with a GAA of 2.32 & a save percentage of .918. Simply put his play down the stretch is why Pittsburgh was able to finish 4th in the East.
Why they'll fail:
It comes down to the health of Crosby & Malkin.
Crosby has been out with concussion like symptoms since January 5th. He did hold a press conference last week and says he does expect to play this season but there is no timetable for his return.
Malkin is returning this season from a torn ACL & MCL. He should be ready to go at the start of the season but his status bears watching to see how well he can skate coming off the injury.
Prediction:
With Crosby & Malkin in the lineup I think Pittsburgh is the best team in the NHL and the favorite to win the Stanley Cup. Without them they are still a very good hockey club.
I'm betting on Malkin skating well & Crosby returning sooner than later & the Penguins winning the Atlantic Division.
2. New York Rangers:
How They Finished: 44-33-5 93 points 3rd in Atlantic, 8th in East.
Lost in 1st Round to Washington.
Additions:
Mike Rupp (Pittsburgh), Brad Richards (Dallas)
Subtractions:
Chris Drury (Retired), Matt Gilroy (Tampa Bay), Vinny Prospal (Columbus), Alex Frolov (KHL) Derek Boogaard (death)
Why They'll Succeed:
The Rangers got the best free agent on the market in Brad Richards.
Yes, I am aware the Rangers & free agency is very hit & miss. (most of the time on the miss side) But I am also aware of what Brad Richards has done playing for John Tortorella. Richards finished last year with 77 points (28G, 49A) His presence on the Rangers makes them a better team and finally gives Marian Gaborik the center he has been looking for.
Speaking of Gaborik he was one of five Rangers to break the 20 goal mark last season. Brandon Dubinsky led the Rangers in goals with 24 followed by new captain Ryan Callahan with 23. Gaborik had 22 goals with Derek Stepan & Brian Boyle each adding 21 goals for the blueshirts.
The Rangers also boast a blueline that finished +48 last season with three players scoring over 25 points. Dan Giraldi led New York with 31 (4G, 27 A) followed by Marc Staal (7G, 22A) & Bryan McCabe (7G, 21A).
Another reason New York should be successful is because of Henrik Lundqvist in net. Lundqvist had his best season in net since 07-08 finishing 36-27-5 with a GAA of 2.28 and a save percentage of .923.
Why They'll Fail:
Because for as good as the Rangers roster is they never seem to live up to expectations. Either a free agent doesn't live up to standards, a key player gets hurt or a player regresses after having a great season. I don't foresee any of these things happening at this moment but it bears watching.
The Rangers also suffered a tragic loss this summer with the passing of Derek Boogaard. While he was never going to win a Rocket Richard Trophy he was an intimidating presence off the ice & a great personality off the ice. a role like that is going to be very tough to fill.
Prediction:
One of the New York papers this past week said the Rangers now resemble a John Tortorella type of team. If they can mirror his personality & intensity behind the bench big things could be in store for New York.
Right now I have the Rangers finishing 2nd but if Crosby & Malkin are out for any period of time the Atlantic Division could belong to the Rangers.
3. Philadelphia Flyers:
47-23-12 106 points, 1st in Atlantic, 2nd in East. Lost to Boston in 2nd Round.
Additions:
Jaromir Jagr (KHL) Max Talbot (Pittsburgh) Ilya Bryzgalov (Phoenix) Jakub Voracek (Columbus) Wayne Simmonds (Los Angeles) Brayden Schenn (Los Angeles) Andreas Lilja (Anaheim)
Subtractions:
Mike Richards (Los Angeles) Jeff Carter (Columbus) Darroll Powe (Minnesota) Kris Versteeg (Florida) Sean O'Donnell (Chicago) Dan Carcillo (Chicago) Brian Boucher (Carolina) Ville Leino (Buffalo) Nikolai Zherdev (KHL)
Why They'll Succeed:
The emergence of Claude Giroux and James Van Riemsdyk makes them the cornerstones up front for Philadelphia. Giroux led the Flyers in scoring last season with 76 points (25G, 51A) & Van Riemsdyk finished with 40 points (21G, 19A) in his 1st season a regular.
They are joined up front by Danny Briere (34G, 34A) & Scott Hartnall (24G, 25A) with Jagr, Simmonds, & Voracek expected to contribute.
On defense Chris Pronger continues to be an imposing presence on the blueline despite missing 32 games last season with an injury. After being the "De-facto" captain the last couple seasons he has been given the "C" this season. Love him or hate him he knows what it takes to win.
While They'll Fail:
There was a lot of turnover for a team that finished 2nd in the East last year.
Jeff Carter led the team in goals last season with 36 but was moved to Columbus while team captain Mike Richards was traded to Los Angeles.
They are many reasons we can speculate as to why both were moved but their cap space was used to sign Ilya Bryzgalov in goal.
Bryzgalov was 36-20-10 with a GAA of 2.48 & a save percentage of .921. He is definitely an upgrade over what Philadelphia had in goal the last two seasons but has looked unspectacular in his last five playoff games against Detroit.
While the Flyers did get points from the blueline last season they did not get a lot of goals. Andrej Mezaros led Philly with 8 followed by Kimmo Timonen with 6. With 3 of their top 5 scorers from last season playing elsewhere the blueline will need to help with the scoring.
Prediction:
The makeover of the Flyers roster is pretty amazing considering where they were a year ago. While they did upgrade in some areas I'm not sure they are better.
It will be hard to replace the production of Richards and Carter up front. If Bryzgalov struggles early on he will hear it from the Philly faithful. That's something he didn't have to deal with in Phoenix.
The Flyers are still a good team but with all the roster changes I think they take a step back this season. They will still make the playoffs but I'm not expecting home ice in the 1st round.
4. New Jersey Devils:
How They Finished: 38-39-5 81 points, 4th in Atlantic, 11th in East. Missed Playoffs
Additions:
Cam Janssen (St. Louis) Maxim Noreau (Minnesota) Eric Boulton (Atlanta) Peter Harrold (Los Angeles) Stephane Veilleaux (Switzerland)
Subtractions:
David McIntyre (Minnesota) Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond (Calgary) Brian Rolston (NY Islanders) Mike McKenna (Ottawa) Colin White (San Jose)
Why They'll Succeed:
After missing most of last season with a knee injury Zach Parise returns to the lineup. Parise led the devils in goals scored the previous four season before last years injury. Without him the Devils finished dead last in goals scored with 171.
Ilya Kovalchuk led the Devils in goals with 31, his lowest total since his rookie year in 01-02. I expect both players to bounce back and have better years.
In goal the Devils still have Martin Brodeur. Brodeur played in only 56 games and was 23-26-3 last year with a GAA of 2.45 and a save percentage of .903. I expect him to also bounce back and play a lot better this season.
Why They'll Fail:
You can start with their play on the blueline.
When you lose the likes of Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermeyer, Brian Rafalski & Paul Martin on the blueline there is going to be a significant drop off in talent. That looks to be happening here.
Andy Greene led all defenseman with 23 points (4G, 19A) he also was a -23 on the ice. Henrik Tallender was 2nd with 16 points (5G, 11A) but finished -6. Their other big signing last year, Anton Volchenkov did finish +3 but only had 8 points from the blueline.
Up front the only other forward to break the 20 goal mark was Patrik Elias who had 21. Travis Zajac (13), Danius Zubrus (13), & David Clarkson (12) were the only other players to reach double digits in goals.
Prediction:
The days of the Devils being an elite team seem to be over. After getting off to a horrible start last year John MacLean was fired with Jacques Lemaire taking over on an interim basis. The Devils played better under Lemaire but failed to make the post-season.
Lemaire retired once again and now the Devils are lead by Pete DeBoer who coached the Florida Panthers the last three seasons. While his record was less than spectacular with the Panthers I'll give DeBoer a pass as a lot of coaches haven't been successful in Florida.
However the Devils seem to be in transition. Their is enough talent on the roster to contend for a playoff spot but playing in the Atlantic will be too much of a challenge to overcome. I have the Devils missing the post-season for the 2nd year in a row.
5. New York Islanders:
How They Finished: 30-39-13 72 points 5th in Atlantic, 14th in East. Missed Playoffs.
Additions:
Brian Rolston (New Jersey) Marty Reasoner (Florida)
Subtractions:
Trent Hunter (Los Angeles) Bruno Gervais (Tampa Bay) Zenon Konopka (Ottawa) Radek Martinek (Columbus) Nathan Lawson (Montreal) Jack Hillen (Nashville) Doug Weight (Retired)
Why They'll Succeed:
The young players are going to continue to get better.
John Tarvares led the Islanders with 67 points (29G, 38A) He's only going to continue to get better. Michael Grabner had a career year leading New York with 34 goals and Matt Moulson had a 2nd straight year reaching the 30 goal mark, finishing with 31. Throw in a healthy Kyle Okposo and you a have a young group of forwards that can put the puck in the net.
Why They'll Fail:
They aren't that good on the blueline.
Andrew MacDonald had a nice season for the Islanders finishing with 27 points (4G, 23A) and +9 on the ice. Travis Hamonic had a good rookie season with 26 points (5G, 21A) and +4 rating.
After that the next four spots on defense are up for grabs. Bruno Gervais, Jack Hillen & Radek Martinek have all left the team. Mark Streit's return will help but it will still leave three spots open for the taking.
Rick DiPietro is still in net for the Islanders but whether he can make it through a whole season healthy remains to be seen. He played in 26 games last year which was the most since 07-08 when he played in 63 games.
The Islanders acquired Al Montoya in February to back up DiPietro. With DiPietro's history of injuries I expect Montoya to get a lot of playing time in net.
Prediction:
The Islanders have a lot of issues off & on the ice and seem to be constantly rebuilding.
The good news for Islanders fans is there is a nice foundation of players to build upon. The bad news is there isn't enough of them right now. Expect the Islanders to finish last in the Atlantic and miss the playoffs for the 5th year in a row.
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