So I’ve been reading a lot of NHL season previews, and a few of the predictions have made me do a
double take. The Leafs in the playoffs? The Devils? What it comes down to for
me is the endgame: who is going to step up in the clutch and win you a close
game? So, with that in mind, here is a preview of each team, in order of
projected finish.
Note: I can’t predict the playoffs. I’m not even gonna
try.
1. Washington
Capitals
What I like: The depth. Laich, Knuble, Semin, Johansson,
Chimera. None of these guys are first liners, and there isn’t a one among them
who couldn’t start for SOME team. Both Neuvirth and Holtby are promising young
goalies, but they don’t have to shoulder the load.
What I don’t like: The history. On paper, the Caps have been the best team in the league for the better part of a decade, and have 0 Cups to show for it. Why should I start believing this is their year?
Endgame player: OV. When it comes down to it, your best players have to show up, and I think that (despite the reputation for choking), OV is a guy you want on your team at the end of a game.
What I don’t like: The history. On paper, the Caps have been the best team in the league for the better part of a decade, and have 0 Cups to show for it. Why should I start believing this is their year?
Endgame player: OV. When it comes down to it, your best players have to show up, and I think that (despite the reputation for choking), OV is a guy you want on your team at the end of a game.
Prediction: Another year, another top finish for Das
Capitals, but they still need to prove it in the playoffs.
2. Boston Bruins
What I like: The toughness. They lost some important guys
during their Cup run, but they got through it, and I think that mental edge
will help them immensely.
What I don’t like: The hangover. It’s hard to repeat in this league. There are some questions about whether they can score enough, and Thomas isn’t going to repeat his numbers from last season. It’s just not happening.
Endgame player: Thomas. On nights where the offense just isn’t clicking, I trust Tim Thomas to step up and keep his team in games. He’s done it night in and night out for several seasons, and he’ll do it again this year.
What I don’t like: The hangover. It’s hard to repeat in this league. There are some questions about whether they can score enough, and Thomas isn’t going to repeat his numbers from last season. It’s just not happening.
Endgame player: Thomas. On nights where the offense just isn’t clicking, I trust Tim Thomas to step up and keep his team in games. He’s done it night in and night out for several seasons, and he’ll do it again this year.
Prediction: The core from the Cup team shows no sign of a
hangover, and they win their division with ease.
3. Pittsburgh Penguins
What I like: The returners. As much as I dislike the Pens
on principle, they showed a lot in overcoming the worst injuries in the league
last year. They started the year without Jordan Staal, and ended it without
Crosby and Malkin. Though Crosby’s not back in the lineup yet, when they do get
fully healthy, they will be a scary team.
What I don’t like: The uncertainty. What if Crosby doesn’t come back? What if Fleury is the player we saw in the first few weeks of last season (and the one who cost me the fantasy playoffs)? Who is going to step up and score if the injuries continue?
Endgame player: Staal. I like the intensity with which he plays the game. He’ll keep you in it on his own with solid defensive play, as well as the ability to score.
What I don’t like: The uncertainty. What if Crosby doesn’t come back? What if Fleury is the player we saw in the first few weeks of last season (and the one who cost me the fantasy playoffs)? Who is going to step up and score if the injuries continue?
Endgame player: Staal. I like the intensity with which he plays the game. He’ll keep you in it on his own with solid defensive play, as well as the ability to score.
Prediction: They stay relatively healthy, even though
Crosby isn’t quite the same, and they squeak by the Rangers to win the
Atlantic.
4. Tampa Bay Lightning
What I like: The leadership. Boucher did some fantastic
things with Tampa last year, but the Bolts boast some great on-ice leaders as
well. LeCavalier and St. Louis are savvy vets, and Roloson brings a ton of
playoff experience. Let those guys mentor the younger players, like Stamkos,
and you have the potential for playoff success.
What I don’t like: The defense. Eww. Tampa might have been top 10 in goals last season, but they were 21st in goals against and Roloson isn’t exactly getting any younger. They need to tighten up on the back-end or it could be a VERY long year in Tampa.
Endgame player: St. Louis. When you need a goal, look for the little guy in black. St. Louis has an uncanny knack for being in the right place at the right time, and can make a play happen all on his own.
What I don’t like: The defense. Eww. Tampa might have been top 10 in goals last season, but they were 21st in goals against and Roloson isn’t exactly getting any younger. They need to tighten up on the back-end or it could be a VERY long year in Tampa.
Endgame player: St. Louis. When you need a goal, look for the little guy in black. St. Louis has an uncanny knack for being in the right place at the right time, and can make a play happen all on his own.
Prediction: The scoring
makes up for a leaky defense and Tampa takes the Caps to the wire in the
divisional race.
5. New York Rangers
What I like: The balance. Torts’ signature grit is in
full force on this year’s iteration of the Blueshirts, but they’ve balanced it
out with some guys who I believe can really score. Best of all, they can mix
the two with guys like Boyle, Dubinsky, and Captain Cally; the Rangers are a
team I wouldn’t want to face in the first round.
What I don’t like: The defense. I’m ok with the youth movement, I really am. But now, the injuries. Staal out indefinitely, Sauer not 100%, and some unpleasant looking preseason performances from guys like MDZ, Erixson, and Eminger. Maybe Mara is the answer. FEAR THE BEARD!
Endgame player: Lundqvist. Without him, the Rangers are probably out of the playoff hunt. Very few goalies can put a team on their back quite like the King.
What I don’t like: The defense. I’m ok with the youth movement, I really am. But now, the injuries. Staal out indefinitely, Sauer not 100%, and some unpleasant looking preseason performances from guys like MDZ, Erixson, and Eminger. Maybe Mara is the answer. FEAR THE BEARD!
Endgame player: Lundqvist. Without him, the Rangers are probably out of the playoff hunt. Very few goalies can put a team on their back quite like the King.
Prediction: Hank will keep them in every game, and the
secondary scoring improves enough to put them in the hunt for home-ice in the
first round.
6. Philadelphia Flyers
What I like: The defense. As strong a defensive corps as
there is in the league. Guys like Pronger, Timmonen, and Mezaros are strong on
D, but can also produce on the attack. Add a solid goalie like Bryzgalov to the
mix, who should be overjoyed to be on a decent team, and it’s going to be hard
to score on them.
What I don’t like: The scoring. In losing Richards, Leino, and Carter, the Flyers need to replace a lot of goals and I’m not sure exactly where they’re all going to come from. Giroux is world-class, but he’s more of a playmaker than a pure scorer. They’re going to need JVR and Hartnell to step up big time to compete.
Endgame player: Giroux. The man is dynamic. You need to constantly be worried when he is on the ice, either about his passing, or finding the back of the net on his own.
What I don’t like: The scoring. In losing Richards, Leino, and Carter, the Flyers need to replace a lot of goals and I’m not sure exactly where they’re all going to come from. Giroux is world-class, but he’s more of a playmaker than a pure scorer. They’re going to need JVR and Hartnell to step up big time to compete.
Endgame player: Giroux. The man is dynamic. You need to constantly be worried when he is on the ice, either about his passing, or finding the back of the net on his own.
Prediction: They’ll benefit from Bryzgalov having the
best D he’s seen since Anaheim, and will score JUST enough to make the
playoffs.
What I like: The scoring potential. Guys like Vanek, Pommenvile, and the returning
Derek Roy can light the lamp, and did so 240 times last season, good for 9th
in the league. A full season of Brad Boyes and the addition of Leino can only
help.
What I don’t like: The signings. I’m not sure if the Sabres
improved enough to keep up with the rest of the division. Ehrhoff and Leino are
fine players who are being paid like superstars. I know the new owner is
willing to open his wallet, which is great, but it needs to be done for the
right guys.
Endgame player: Ryan Miller. Am I ever glad this guy is
American. This guy played out of his mind in the Olympics and can beat you all
on his own if he’s on his game.
Prediction: Miller’s determination keeps the Sabres in
it, and the offense heats up in the second half to vault the Sabres into the
postseason.
8. Montreal Canadiens
What I like: The special teams. Top 8 in the league both
on the PK and on the PP. I unabashedly love watching their power play. Unlike
teams like the Pens or the Caps, who clearly try to get it to their top guys,
the Habs have 5 guys who could unleash a shot at any time and have it find the
back of the net.
What I don’t like: The scoring. For all their man-advantage goodness, the Habs finished in the bottom 3rd of the league in goals per game. Only Gionta, Plekanec, and Kostitsyn got more than 20 last year. Price can only do so much; he’s gonna need help from up front.
Endgame player: Scott Gomez. Yea, I know, memories of some underperforming Ranger teams. Gomez is a guy who has led the league in assists before, and few guys set a rush up as well as Gomez, so it’s up to his teammates to turn those feeds into goals.
What I don’t like: The scoring. For all their man-advantage goodness, the Habs finished in the bottom 3rd of the league in goals per game. Only Gionta, Plekanec, and Kostitsyn got more than 20 last year. Price can only do so much; he’s gonna need help from up front.
Endgame player: Scott Gomez. Yea, I know, memories of some underperforming Ranger teams. Gomez is a guy who has led the league in assists before, and few guys set a rush up as well as Gomez, so it’s up to his teammates to turn those feeds into goals.
Prediction: Price again puts the team on his back, and
the Canadiens emerge from a dogfight with a playoff berth.
9. Carolina Hurricanes
What I like: The youth. Carolina only has 4 players on
the roster on the wrong side of 30. Eric Staal, despite seeming like he’s been
in the league forever, is only 26. Jeff Skinner is 19: this makes me feel both
old and unaccomplished.
What I don’t like: The depth. Who on this team is going to score aside from Staal and Skinner? The only other guy who topped 25 last year was Eric Cole, and he’s in Montreal now. The team is going to have to rely on guys like Jokinen and Ruutu who have had great seasons in the past, but haven’t been able to do it consistently.
What I don’t like: The depth. Who on this team is going to score aside from Staal and Skinner? The only other guy who topped 25 last year was Eric Cole, and he’s in Montreal now. The team is going to have to rely on guys like Jokinen and Ruutu who have had great seasons in the past, but haven’t been able to do it consistently.
Endgame player: Cam Ward. Hurricanes goalies faced the 2nd
most shots in the league, and Ward stood in the firing line for 74 of those
games. It is a testament to him that the Canes nearly made the playoffs last
season.
Prediction: Skinner continues to mature and Ward is staunch,
but the Canes fall out of it with a week left in the season.
10. New York Islanders
What I like: The core. Grabner, Okposo, and Tavares are
all under 25 and have shown flashes of brilliance. Comeau, Moulson, and Nielsen
are all under 28. Add some talent from the minors as the year progresses, and I
like the Isles’ chances in the near future.
What I don’t like: The goaltending. Huge question marks.
Is Nabokov ready after basically taking a year off? Can DiPietro stay healthy?
Is Montoya ready this time? A team that has three goalies frequently learns that
they actually have no goalie.
Endgame player: Tavares. One short of 25 goals his rookie
season, one short of 30 last year. With 20 PPG in two seasons, he’s a major
reason to keep your composure against the Isles late in the game.
Prediction: Strong offensive seasons from the kids give
hope to the Nassau faithful, but they trade Nabokov, DP goes down, and Montoya
can’t hold the fort.
11. Toronto Maple Leafs
What I like: The discipline. The Leafs were in the top 10
least penalized teams last year. However, this didn’t mean that they played
passively: 8 guys topped 100 hits last year. Staying out of the box is crucial
if you’re going to play a lot of tight games, which it looks like the Leafs
will.
What I don’t like: The special teams. It’s a good thing
that the Leafs stay out of the box because their penalty kill ranked 28th
in the league last year. Their power play wasn’t much better, falling 22nd
in the league. Reimer will help kill some penalties, but they’re going to need
someone to step up and score on the man advantage.
Endgame player: Reimer. The first game of the season
spoke volumes, shutting down a Montreal team with some solid scorers. He’s also
shown the ability to stand tall when he’s not doing so well, like in holding on
against Ottawa in game 2.
Prediction: Reimer is a revelation in his first full
season, but the offense doesn’t give them enough to get the 8 seed.
12. New
Jersey Devils
What I like: Their top forwards. He might be a head case,
but Kovy can score in bunches. Parise was hurt, but he’s shown some serious
skills. Elias had a resurgent year last season, topping 60 points and making
the playoffs.
What I don’t like: The depth. This team gets ugly in a
hurry. Nobody aside from Kovy and Elias scored more than 14 last year, and two
of their top 5 scorers (Rolston and ½ a season of Arnott) will be plying their
trade elsewhere. Brodeur and the neutral zone trap better be in top form this
year, or the Devs will be out of it in a hurry.
Endgame player: Brodeur. I don’t like him. But even his
most ardent haters can’t deny that he’s an all-time great. Behind a lousy team
last season, he posted a .900 SV% and 6 shutouts. That’s damn good.
Prediction: Brodeur is valiant and the top 4 forwards
combine for 100 goals, but it’s just not enough.
13. Winnipeg
Jets
What I like: The city. Winnipeg needed a hockey team, and
they’re going to shower this one with as much love as any fan base in hockey.
Plus, I think the grit on this team is going to appeal to the fans, and will make
going to Winnipeg problematic for opposing teams.
What I don’t like: The offense. Only Ladd scored more
than 20 last year, and Byfuglien dropped off severely by the end. The rest of
the scorers are suspect, though a full year of Blake Wheeler can only help.
With some question marks in goal, I’m not sure if last season’s surprising
start is repeatable.
Endgame player: Byfuglien. He’s a weapon unlike any other
in the league: a defenseman who can score like a power forward. He had an unbelievable
beginning of the season, but ran out of gas by the end. He’ll need to keep the
pace up to keep the Jets in the playoff hunt.
Prediction: Jets
fans support the team fervently, and Pavelec makes more strides in goal, but the
talent just isn’t there to make any noise in that division.
14. Florida Panthers.
What I like: The plan. Dale Tallon threw a lot of money
around in the offseason and will boast a team that looks almost entirely unlike
the one that finished the last season. With some scoring potential in
Fleischmann and Upshall, plus some guys with Cup experience like Campbell and
Versteeg, there’s nowhere to go but up.
What I don’t like: The goaltending. Theodore isn’t a #1
anymore. Montreal was a long time ago. And I’ll be honest, I’m not sure who
Jacob Markstrom is. Quite the downgrade from Vokoun and Clemmenson.
Endgame player: Upshall. The king of thankless tasks,
going from Nashville to a low line in Philly, then being one of the leading
scorers on a popgun Yotes offense. I think he makes a difference as a T6 guy in
Florida.
Prediction: Tallon has his plan, but it takes a while for
the team to jell. Next year.
15. Ottawa
Senators
What I like: The goaltending, I guess. The position was
the most destabilized in hockey last year, with six different goalies getting a
start in net. I liked Craig Anderson in COL, and I think he will bring a steady
presence in net. Auld is an NHL-caliber backup, which wasn’t there last year.
What I don’t like: The inexperience. Among their 9
non-top line forwards, only two have played a 60 game season. There are going
to be growing pains on this team. Lots and lots of them.
Endgame player: Jason Spezza. With Alfredsson’s decline,
Spezza’s the only reliable scoring option on the team, and he’s gonna need to
net quite a few to keep them in games.
Predictions: The less said about this season, the better.
They draw the #1 pick in next year’s draft.
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