With October coming to a close, hockey is getting back into full swing. Since the NBA is still at a halt, why not get familiar with some of the best teams the NHL has to offer? The last issue featured a team-by-team anaylsis of the Western Conference. Here I’ll lay out my predictions for the Eastern Conference, one playoff team at a time.
Boston Bruins: As everyone in New England has been reminded about five times a day, “Dah Bs won thah cup kid! Wicked awesome, city of champions!” After winning their first cup since 1972, the Bruins are back looking to repeat. The Bs only lost three key players this off season, with Mark Recchi retiring as well as Tomas Kaberle and Michael Ryder leaving for other teams. That’s definitely a good sign for them. Up front they are lead again by the likes of David Krejci, Milan Lucic, Nathan Horton and Patrice Bergeron. While it looks like Marc Savard’s career is most likely coming to a close due to concussion problems, the Bruins are going to look to Brad Marchand and Tyler Seguin to improve upon the success they both enjoyed last year as rookies. On the back end, the Bs are just as strong. Captain Zdeno Chara is a huge presence on the blue line, both literally and figuratively. Joining him are Dennis Seidenberg, Johnny Boychuck, Andrew Ferrence and Adam McQuaid. Should the opposition manage to get past this talented D-core, they still have to find a way to beat Vezina Trophy and Conn Smythe MVP winner Timmy Thomas. While that all seems like a tall order, I still don’t see the Bruins repeating. The East is just too competitive, not to mention that no team has won back-to-back Stanley Cups since 1998.
Buffalo Sabres: The Sabres made some big moves this off-season. Much of that is due to new owner, Terry Pegula, who took over the team mid-season last year. Under his influence and check book, the Sabres are looking to become a power house in the East. Resigning Drew Stafford and adding Ville Leino up front and power-play specialist defenseman Christian Ehrhoff will add some punch to their offense. They will be joining an already impressive offense including Jason Pominville, Derek Roy, Tyler Ennis and 2008 Hobey Baker finalist, Nathan Gerbe. On the blue line they also added Brazilian (!) Robyn Regehr, to join youngster Tyler Myers and Jordan Leopold. Their biggest asset on defense, however is US Olympian and all-star goal tender Ryan Miller, who is always a competitor in net. They say money can’t buy happiness, but the Sabres showed this summer that it sure can buy talent. They’ve looked strong thus far in the season and should go at least a round or two into the postseason. With the Bills having a strong season as well, maybe Buffalo will finally get themselves a championship.
New Jersey Devils: The Devils are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2010-2011 season. After struggling under rookie head Coach John MacLean who was fired after only thirty three games, the Devils looked like their former selves as the season went on. They brought in a new head coach, Pete DeBoer, but only time will tell if he can do better than his predecessor. Fortunately, he has a lot of talent to work with. Upfront, the Devils are headlined by super-star Ilya Kovalchuk, Patrick Elias, Travis Zajac, veteran Petr Sykora and Captain Zach Parise who was plagued by injury last season. While the Devils have been known for decades for their stingy defensive system, their blue line is largely without marquee names. The most exciting player is perhaps high draft pick Adam Larsson, who is expected to receive regular minutes as a rookie. You also can’t forget perennially excellent legend in goal, Martin Brodeur, who is always an anchor in net. If the Devils can acclimate to their new coach, they should be around come late April.
New York Rangers: The Rangers had an exciting summer. After being announced as a participant in this year’s Winter Classic, they will also be the focus of the HBO documentary 24/7 which chronicled the weeks leading up to last year’s Winter Classic. The blue-shirts had a disappointing playoff last year, however, getting knocked out by the Washington Capitals in the first round. Looking to improve, GM Glen Sather went shopping this summer, bringing in the free agent pool’s most coveted player, goal scorer Brad Richards. Upfront they have a lot of firepower with players like superstar Marian Gaborik, Brandon Dubinsky, Captain Ryan Callahan and Wojtek Wolski. They aren’t too shabby on the back end either, with Marc Staal, Dan Girardi, Michael Del Zotto, Brandon Bell, Steve Eminger and rookie Tim Erixon. In net is fan favorite Henrik Lundqvist, or more commonly, King Henrik. While the Rangers play in a very tough division, they should make playoffs once again. The hope this year is to avoid a first round exit.
Philadelphia Flyers: After losing in the Stanley Cup finals two years ago, the Flyers are looking to return this year with a different outcome. Most notably, the Flyers addressed some concerns about locker room chemistry this summer, trading away two previously perceived franchise players, in Captain Mike Richards and goal scorer Jeff Carter. This was only the beginning of their move-making which has left them with a newly improved roster. First off, the Flyers paid good money to finally adress their issue in net by bringing in goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov. They signed aging superstar Jaromir Jagr, who looks to be playing well, despite having played in Russia for the last three years. They also brought in Maxime Talbot to give themselves some more grit and toughness. Returning up front is center Cladue Giroux, who was dubbed, “Little Mario” as a nod to his former linemate, Mario Lemieux. Joining him is goal scorer Danny Briere, as well as two youngsters who were brought in via the Richards trade, Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn. On the back end they are led by behemoth captains, Chris Pronger and Kimmo Timonen. As the other participant in the Winter Classic, the TV spotlight will be on the Flyers again this season. If their summer acquisitions pay off, the Broad Street Bullies could be going deep into the post-season.
Pittsburgh Penguins: The other powerhouse from Pennsylvania should never be overlooked. The big question mark surrounding the Pens is captain and NHL cover boy, Sidney Crosby, who missed much of last season and still has yet to return after suffering post-concussion syndrome. When healthy, Pittsburgh’s forwards are ferocious, with centers Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal anchoring the top three lines. On the wings the team is pretty solid as well, featuring Pascal Dupuis, Chris Kunitz and the injured Tyler Kennedy. On the blue line, they are anchored by defensemen Chris Letang and Brooks Orpik. They also get a lot of help from their net-minder, Marc-Andre Fleury who can steal games when he is hot. If Crosby can come back to lead the team, and the rest of the Pens can stay healthy, they should be a strong candidate to win another Stanley Cup this year.
Toronto Maple Leafs: This is probably my boldest prediction for the East. GM Brian Burke, the man who built the cup-winning Ducks in ’07, has been with the team for a few years now and has built a strong squad, with the hopes of forgetting the decades of disappointment in Toronto. With some other Eastern Conference teams struggling at the start of the season, this could be the year Toronto makes it back to the playoffs. Upfront, the Leafs have some strong talent. Phil Kessel, infamously involved in the deal that brought Boston Tyle Seguin, is finally living up to his value. He is joined by scorer Mikhail Grabovski as well as Joffrey Lupul, Tyler Bozak and Tim Connolly. Additionally, they have a rugged blue line with Dion Phaneuf, Mike Komisarek and young star Luke Schenn. After not resigning J.S. Giguere, there will be a battle in net between youngsters Jonas Gustavsson and James Reimer. If one or both of them can step up to the plate, the Leafs could make good on my prediction by returning to the playoffs.
Washington Capitals: The question is not whether or not the Caps will make the playoffs, but whether or not they can finally win the East. After several seasons of playoff meltdowns, they are ready to take the next step. Looking at the forward depth chart, it reads more like an NHL Fantasy team roster than a real one. Lead by super star Alex “The Great” Ovechkin, are stars such as Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Knuble, Mathieu Perreault, Brooks Laich, Jason Chimera, Troy Brouwer and Nashville’s playoff hero last year, Joel Ward. On the blue line they are led by offensive defenseman Mike Green, as well as Tom Poti, Jeff Shcultz, Roman Hamrlik and Dennis Wideman. One of the biggest changes of note this off season, however, was the addition of goal tender Tomas Vokoun, a stand-out tender who has not had any chance of playoff success with his former team, the Florida Panthers. He was brought in for a jaw droopingly low $1.5 million for one year. Just like the Flyers, the Caps are hoping their new addition in net can give them the push they need to bring the Cup to D.C.
Will Vokoun solve Washington's goalie issues? (photo from web)
Prediction: The Eastern Conference is always strong, with a lot of teams that have the potential to sit on top of the standings come April. There are also a couple of teams that should be strong competitors, yet I don’t think they will have enough to make the cut. With Tomas Vokoun coming in, I think that this will finally be Washington’s year to make it to the finals, and perhaps even to win Lord Stanley’s Cup. •
