11 Things that could happen in the Atlantic
Posted 12:35 AM ET | Comments 27
A couple random looks at the Atlantic.
1) Toronto takes first in the Atlantic
Really in truth why can't they? They were only eight points out last season and no one has gotten significantly better. If anything the other teams ahead of them have regressed. Of those ahead: Boston looks rudderless, Ottawa lost Methot who they looked terrible without last year and Montreal...well Montreal is a big *?* at this point. I think their lack of reliable offense sinks them. Best odds would be for Tampa Bay, but I think the Leafs edge them in the end.
2) Detroit will be a train wreck.
This is a team that has collapsed in on itself. Their stars are retired and their identity is gone along with Babcock. Maybe Holland soon as well. They lack the skill and depth to compete and will be a bottom dweller this year.
3)Buffalo will challenge for a playoff spot.
The Wings may be on the demise but the same can not be said for the Sabres. With a slowly evolving core and a fully healthy Eichel they will challenge all season for a 7-8th spot.
4) Jaromir Jagr will sign in the Atlantic
I can see a number of teams taking a fly on him but my darkhorse(based entirely off gut) is Ottawa. They will make a convincing enough case through window of opportunity and playing minutes to get him.
5)Tampa Bay will be the only team in the league with two 40 goal scorers.
Kucherov and Stamkos will each light the lamp all season long.
6)Mitch Marner will score more goals than Auston Mathews.
How does he get more? Because Mathews will get less. Due to increased attention on the ice Mathews will rack up the assists as he feeds his winger after drawing in the opposition.
7) Malcom Subban will backup Tukka Rask this year and will play at least 25 games.
He will pull it together on the big stage finally and lead to some interesting goalie questions.
8) Erik Karlsson will still be awesome.
Ottawa may lose more games without Methot but they will still win games because of Karlsson. He is just an all around world talent.
9)Alexander Burrows will have a renaissance year.
He showed flashes of renewed interest in the game with his trade to Ottawa last year. He will reward management with a productive season that will see 15-20 goals and 40+ points while being a pest to opponents.
10) Artturi Lehkonen takes a major step forward this year.
He was very up and down last year but did seem to pull it together more consistently after the arrival of Julien. This year will see him used in a top six role consistently and he will take off to a 20 G and 50+pt year.
11)The Panthers will score more goals this season.
They lost a bit of punch this off-season with the Vegas expansion and a couple UFA's leaving for greener pastures. That being said they will still score more goals than the paltry 210 from last year. Adding Vrbata will help offset the loss of Marchessault and as long as everyone remains healthy they will see a rise in goal production.
1) Toronto takes first in the Atlantic
Really in truth why can't they? They were only eight points out last season and no one has gotten significantly better. If anything the other teams ahead of them have regressed. Of those ahead: Boston looks rudderless, Ottawa lost Methot who they looked terrible without last year and Montreal...well Montreal is a big *?* at this point. I think their lack of reliable offense sinks them. Best odds would be for Tampa Bay, but I think the Leafs edge them in the end.
2) Detroit will be a train wreck.
This is a team that has collapsed in on itself. Their stars are retired and their identity is gone along with Babcock. Maybe Holland soon as well. They lack the skill and depth to compete and will be a bottom dweller this year.
3)Buffalo will challenge for a playoff spot.
The Wings may be on the demise but the same can not be said for the Sabres. With a slowly evolving core and a fully healthy Eichel they will challenge all season for a 7-8th spot.
4) Jaromir Jagr will sign in the Atlantic
I can see a number of teams taking a fly on him but my darkhorse(based entirely off gut) is Ottawa. They will make a convincing enough case through window of opportunity and playing minutes to get him.
5)Tampa Bay will be the only team in the league with two 40 goal scorers.
Kucherov and Stamkos will each light the lamp all season long.
6)Mitch Marner will score more goals than Auston Mathews.
How does he get more? Because Mathews will get less. Due to increased attention on the ice Mathews will rack up the assists as he feeds his winger after drawing in the opposition.
7) Malcom Subban will backup Tukka Rask this year and will play at least 25 games.
He will pull it together on the big stage finally and lead to some interesting goalie questions.
8) Erik Karlsson will still be awesome.
Ottawa may lose more games without Methot but they will still win games because of Karlsson. He is just an all around world talent.
9)Alexander Burrows will have a renaissance year.
He showed flashes of renewed interest in the game with his trade to Ottawa last year. He will reward management with a productive season that will see 15-20 goals and 40+ points while being a pest to opponents.
10) Artturi Lehkonen takes a major step forward this year.
He was very up and down last year but did seem to pull it together more consistently after the arrival of Julien. This year will see him used in a top six role consistently and he will take off to a 20 G and 50+pt year.
11)The Panthers will score more goals this season.
They lost a bit of punch this off-season with the Vegas expansion and a couple UFA's leaving for greener pastures. That being said they will still score more goals than the paltry 210 from last year. Adding Vrbata will help offset the loss of Marchessault and as long as everyone remains healthy they will see a rise in goal production.
Burrows should be in the AHL he doesn't know how to play hockey.
Mentions every Atlantic team sans Florida???
I never liked Burrows to be honest. I had a hard time liking anyone from Vancouver and he was no different. So I would have agreed with you prior to seeing him play in Ottawa. Once there he seemed to actually be effective again. You know do those things like skate, hit and score the occasional goal. So I entertain the notion of a positive season. But on the flip side he could have just been playing for contract...
I added a Florida one in for you.
Still though, Tampa will be bad because they have Girardi and Coburn ... Girardi wasn't a horrible signing but should have been for 700K to 800K, not 3M. Also do not dkdjghdgkjdg the dlkjflkgjh hkjlfghljd fdlkghjfdlk.
The offense will be enough to keep them competitive and ahead of their other divisional rivals. They will be good enough to challenge in the division but not great enough to tangle with the Rangers and Penguins. I would have given Girardi 1.2 at most.
Girardi cannot play very good. He ... okay, i don't know what i'm saying.
The Lightning should make the playoffs, i have them in round 3 actually, but i have them losing to Pittsburgh.
Girardi should be getting 800K at most, he's a AHLer or an extra NHL D.
Zetterberg is a bad player (just kidding).
Jonathans, what trades should Tampa make so they can beat Pittsburgh?
Jonathans, what trades should Tampa make so they can beat Pittsburgh?
Habs are better than last year and are about to add more. (Next 2 weeks)
Girardi is overpaid but you're going to overpay in UFA. I love Zets but his knees are getting shaky.
I've seen Montreal hit the ice with great paper stats and stink it up. I've also seen them hit the ice with garbage paper stats and light it up. While they have the potential for great play it usually comes down to special teams or goal-tending. Never once have they been bailed out by their offensive stats. It's been their Achilles heel for years. While they have some promising pieces(more than most years) I don't think its enough to do more than challenge for a 2nd round exit and mid pack finish. I would hope for another trade but I can't imagine how it would go.
Sure hope FLA finds more scoring this year. Completely agree on health being the linchpin. Especially from Hubby, Barkov, Trocheck, Ekblad and Bjugstad.
As long as they are healthy they put up the goals. Last year was a train wreck of injuries.
They need to get rid of Girardi and Coburn, they are both bador maybe they should add a defence-goalie, like maybe John Gibson from the Anaheim Potatoes? Or Devan Dubnyk from the Minnesota North-Stars.
The Panthers won't be great, i can't believe they lose Marchesault.
lost*
Maybe Sergachev works out better than expected for them?
Apparently the player himself was shocked.
Marchessault? Yeah, they shouldn't have gone 4-4-1.
Yes him. From what I understand it was either 4-4-1 or 7-3-1. I guess top 4 was more important than top six to them.
but Bjugstad over Marchessault anyway ...
For the record:It's Auston. Matthews and Marner don't play on the same line.
Some of these points seem ridiculous. Of course Erik Karlsson will be amazing; he is easily one of the best players in the league. The only surprises I see coming from defenders in the Atlantic are going to be from Charlie McAvoy and Aaron Ekblad. McAvoy will prove to be a top 2 defenceman, and Ekblad will continue to fade. Just like Erik Gudbranson, Ekblad thrived early on because of his physical size and strength. He is a decent shut down defender who lacks the ability to create space due to his mediocre skating. He is a second pair defenceman at best.