Some notes about this season:
- A 48 game season will be conducted over the course of 99 days.
- The schedule will be entirely intraconference play.
- The format of the playoffs remains the same.
Eastern Conference
1) New York Rangers (ATL)
The best team in the East last year has added Rick Nash to its forward corps. Provided the roster stays healthy, there's no reason that there shouldn't be an uptick in the Rangers' offence. In terms of defence, the team re-signed Michael Del Zotto earlier today, and have Henrik Lundqvist in net.
The Bruins should benefit from the shortened schedule. The Bruins' M.O. is rough play and intimidation, and without a marathon of a season, they should be able to bring a high intensity every night. The Bruins were also dominant in their own conference last year, and there should be no reason for that to change drastically. There is something of a question mark in net in Tukka Rask, but that's only because he hasn't had a full season's workload yet. He has the skill to be an NHL starter, so it shouldn't be too huge of an issue.
The Southeast division is basically up in the air. Alexander Ovechkin should have a better year than last with a new coach that will give him more leeway on offence. The hole - if you want to call it that - left by Semin's departure has been filled by Mike Ribeiro, which is a bit odd because the two players have similar reputations as talented players whose work ethic is sometimes scrutinized.
4) Pittsburgh Penguins (ATL)
Losing Jordan Staal is a blow; he brought far more to this team than his third line role suggested. Still, with a defence headmanned by Kris Letang, and both Crosby and Malkin in their lineup, they're in good shape. I find that people either greatly overestimate or underestimate the Penguins; this I feel is accurate. They are a dangerous team with or without Crosby healthy, but he should be for the first time in two years. On the flip side, I've heard people knock the Penguins because of their goaltending. Yes, Fleury was a special kind of bad in the playoffs last year, but I think he'll be better this year. And even if he falters, they have Vokoun backing him up, a more than capable goalie. The Penguins will be good, end of story.
Jordan Staal left the Penguins to play with his brother Eric, and they will be joined by Semin. Cam Ward is the kind of goalie that can get hot for three weeks at any time, and that means much much more in a shortened season.
This is basically a contract year for Ilya Bryzgalov. With buyouts available to teams next summer, the club has got to be taking a long look at their situation in net. Claude Giroux is one of the elite players in the league, but I think that he regresses this year, but only slightly. The Flyers open their season on the 19th against the Penguins, which should be awesome. Don't miss this game.
Steven Stamkos: best goal scorer in the game. Lecavalier and St. Louis are still in the mix, along with youngster Teddy Purcell. I think that the Lightning should be on the upturn in the nest few years, but with it looking more and more likely that Ohlund won't be returning from surgery any time soon (if at all), and Sami Salo's health always a question mark, I don't see them being a powerhouse in the East quite yet.
Ryan Miller: good to great goalie. That means a lot in the NHL. Cody Hodgson has a chance to man the first line at the beginning of the season. The Sabres have an owner who seems willing to spend as much money as he feels necessary to improve his team. They should sneak into the playoffs this year.
9) Florida Panthers (SE)
Only won the division last year because all the other teams were disasters.
10) Toronto Maple Leafs (NE)
Burke's abridged re-imagining of the franchise begins their first campaign without him. No Luongo likely means just missing the playoffs (*With Luongo, I see them at seventh, which bumps Buffalo out.).
11) New Jersey Devils (ATL)
Over-achieved last year. Martin Brodeur is older; Parise is gone.
12) Ottawa Senators (NE)
I feel they also over-achieved last year, and that resulted in an 8th place finish.
13) Montreal Canadiens (NE)
Carey Price is good, Scott Gomez is being sent home so that he isn't injured when he gets bought out in the summer, and Subban should be re-signed soon.
14) Winnipeg Jets (SE)
Brutal travel in a year that has no inter-conference play. Likely will be an above average home team, but an atrocious road team.
15) New York Islanders (ATL)
Eastern conference sandwiched by New York teams. Good young players, but just not a great team. Matt Moulson is underrated as a goal scorer.
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