Northeast Division Preview

It only took  113 days but we will have an NHL season. We will only see 48 games of NHL action, and that could make things very different for the upcoming season. Over the next few days I’m going to give you a division by division breakdown of how this season could play out. We’re going to start out with the Northeast Division.

Boston Bruins- When you’ve been the Northeast Division Champs three seasons running the expectation is you’ll be back at the top of the mountain again. When your top scorer of last season was tearing up the Swiss league during lockout it shouldn’t be that much of a stretch either.  The Bruins return generally healthy, last seasons scoring was very spread out with 5 twenty goal scorers. It’s easy to see that happening again. Nathan Horton is believed to be healthy, but with the banging style he plays it remains to be seen how effective he is. Tuuka Rask taking over the reigns from Tim Thomas could have some Bruins fans worried. I would be to if I were a Bruins fan he might always have a high save percentage, but the wins compared to losses haven’t been that overwhelming. Albeit that was in a backup role, we’ll see how we can do in a 48 game season. But the last time he started that many games was back in 2009-2010 and he managed 22 wins. That would only be enough for 44 points. Can't say that’s a playoff number. The Bruins success has been from goaltender out and if that fails, the Bruins very well could fail to reclaim their Northeast title. Even without that title they will be a playoff contender. Bruins will finish 1st or 2nd.

 

Buffalo Sabres-  The last time Buffalo won the division was in 2009-2010. Since then they have not finished better than 3^rd. Last season was defined by the beat downs they were given by the Boston Bruins. Those beat downs shaped the offseason moves made by the team. They went out and traded for Steve Ott, and signed John Scott, add them to the incumbent tough guy/peace disturbers in Patrick Kaleta and Cody McCormick you’ve got a team that can handle the big bad Bruins. But, does this make them a playoff team? No. Overall they are brining back the same subpar defense, as well as the overpaid Ville Leino. While they hope Cody Hodgson can replace the scoring they lost with Roy’s departure, it won’t matter Ryan Miller’s in zone defense won’t help him anymore than they did last year. I can see the Sabres making it interesting and having some AMAZING games against the Bruins.However, I do not see a finisher higher than 3^rd in the Northeast Division.

Montreal Canadiens- Oh how the mighty have fallen. Les Habitant have now gone twenty years without a Stanley Cup championship or even a Stanley Cup final appearance. The days of their dominating powerplay are whispers in the wind, and their search for a true superstar continues. While Alex Galchenyuk appears to fulfill that quest this should not be the year they find out. Galchenyuk should not be developed the way the Habs are brining along Lars Eller. Unless Gally shows he can play top 6 minutes leave him in Sarnia. While the Habs went out and singed Brandon Prust, and retained Travis Moen, they still can’t compete on toughness in this Divison. The Defense is subpar at best, and P.K Subban isn’t even resigned yet. The only bright spot last season was the emergence of the Cole, Pacioretty, Desharnais line. That can still be bright this season, but it won’t be enough. The Habs will finish in the bottom of the Northeast Division again.

Ottawa Senators-  Ottawa was the surprise team in the Northeast Last season. They had an abysmal 2011-2012 season finishing dead last in the Northeast. Needless to say expectations were not very high for the Senators. But when the season started Jason Spezza was at his best for the first time in three years and Erik Karlsson was nothing short of spectacular.  While Alfredsson comes in another year older I don’t see him slowing down especially in a short season. Spezza might not reach  84 points, but I don’t see a huge dip in his totals. Nor do I see the Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson slowing down. While Nick Foligno departed from this roster Guillaume Latendresse was added. If he can be healthy I can see him easily replacing the points lost by Foligno. Last year in net Craig Anderson showed that he is a real deal starting goalie. With solid D in front of him he’ll be top ten in wins again this season. The Senators will give the Bruins a serious run in the Northeast.

Toronto Maple Leafs- The Leafs come into this season with a new coach and a brand new stud winger in JVR. Carlyle brings a coaching style that could lead to this teams success. Kessel, Lupul, and Grabovski were solid for the Leafs last year. We also saw Jake Gardiner was capable of on D. Colborne and Kadri should finally get some solid looks on this team, and with the decent numbers they put up in a small sample last year they should improve Toronto’s offense.  Overall Toronto’s defense even with Mike Komisarek is more solid than Montreal and Buffalo's. What holds up Toronto, is the same thing that has held them up for countless years, goaltending.  Reimer was supposed to be the last season’s hero. He wasn’t. While rumors of Roberto Luongo coming to this team run rampant it remains to be seen if it happens. The leafs could give up Bozak for him and it wouldn’t hurt as the previously mentioned Kadri and Colborne could step in. But, would it be enough? If Luongo comes to Toronto, and if Kessel can be great again this season, and if the Leafs can be good in streaks as they have been the last few season there is a chance for them. However, that is a hell of a lot of “if’s”. Toronto finishes ahead of Montreal and maybe even Buffalo.

Brandon Hebert
Contributing Writer Game83