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NHL Atlantic Division: The Bruins and everyone else

By Aryssah Stankevitsch

May 1, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center David Krejci (46) keeps the puck away from Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) during the second period in game one of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center David Krejci (46) keeps the puck away from Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) during the second period in game one of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the new alignment of divisions last year within the NHL, it becomes a little harder to reach the post-season. However, the excitement grows the potential wildcards come March and April.

How similar to 2013-2014 will the standings be? With retirements, trades, and free-agent signings…well, not that different.

8th Place – Ottawa

The Sens were five points out of a playoff spot by the end of last season. I don’t nearly expect to see them do as well this time around. Bobby Ryan isn’t producing. They’ve gained David Legwand and Alex Chiasson, but lost Ales Hemsky and captain Jason Spezza. Their fifth league finish in goals is looking unattainable for 2014-2015, but their ranking of 27th in goals against is likely to repeat. Kyle Turris and Milan Michalek now lead the offense, with Eric Karlsson on the blue line (who lead the team in scoring last season, and likely will for years to come if they don’t bring in a top-line forward). Ottawa is likely to be the Titanic of this season – right at the bottom of the Atlantic.

7th Place – Buffalo

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sam Reinhart puts on a team cap after being selected as the number two overall pick to the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sam Reinhart puts on a team cap after being selected as the number two overall pick to the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Sabres’ new GM Tim Murray has made some progress already. In the offseason, he brought in Matt Moulson (again), hometown hero Brian Gionta, Andrej Meszaros, Josh Gorges. It lessened their chances of winning the Connor McDavid sweepstakes, but especially after losing Ryan Miller, more help is still needed for the blue and yellow. Expect Cody Hodgson to have a make or break year, too. This season will be an improvement from earning a lousy 52 points last year.

6th Place – Florida

Aaron Ekblad was the first pick as he was the closest to being NHL ready. The second worst team last season, is still growing their defensive core with him, Dmitri Kulikov, and Erik Gudbranson. Now, management has drawn David Bolland, Jussi Jokinen and Williw Mitchell, too. If Roberto Luongo can find his previous form, and Jonathan Huberdeau steps up, Florida could jump from seventh in the division. To sixth. At least.

5th Place – Toronto

Though in contention for the playoffs most of last season, the Leafs had their wheels come off after the Olympic break; they only gained .300% of the possibly attainable points in the last quarter of the season. Probably third liners David Booth and Mike Santorelli have been brought in to replace Jay McClement, Nikolai Kulemin, Mason Raymond, and David Bolland. Carl Gunnarsson was the only reliable d-man at times, and now is in St. Louis. Stephane Robidas should improve the back end – once health – and hopefully Jake Gardiner or Morgan Rielly can play on the top line with Dion Phaneuf. Still, they likely won’t see hockey in May.

4th Place – Detroit

The Wings didn’t break their post-season making success last year. Nor will they in 2015. They’ll likely nab the last spot. They may even jump to third if Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg can stay healthy. If not, Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar shined when asked last season. Mike Babcock does a terrific job, and hopefully can push Stephen Weiss to find his groove. If Daniel Alfredsson chooses not to retire, he surely could help the core. He did say if he was going to return for another year, it would be as a Red Wing.

3rd Place – Tampa Bay

Without Martin St. Louis, offense isn’t where it was at the start of last year. However, Steven Stamkos is still the most exciting player to watch. The Lightning signed Ryan Callahan, aka St.Louis 2.0, to a six-year-contract this offseason, and Brenden Morrow should help the team’s defensive game (and with some leadership). The Bolts finished second in the division last year, and will drop a little in my opinion, only because of goaltending. Ben Bishop was a pleasant surprise in 2013-2014, but with the signing of Evgeni Nabokov, there could be some conflict and pressure.

2nd Place – Montreal

Now, there’s no Vanek. There’s no Gionta. However, there’s PA Parenteau. The Habs also finally got rid of Daniel Breire, one of the most expensive non-point-producers in the entire league. Tom Gilbert will replace Josh Gorges, and may play with PK Subban. Look for PK, Max Pacioretty, and Carey Price to lead; Gionta was just a figurehead anyway. The Habs were within two wins of the Stanley Cup Final last year – they’re Canada’s best hope.

 1st place – Boston

Last year, they won the division. Oh, and were atop the Eastern conference. Did I mention they won the President’s Trophy, too? Yes, they dropped Jarome Iginla to the Colorado Avalanche, but considering how many sources of offense they had last year, they shouldn’t be concerned. They have a strong defensive core, and Rask to tend the net. Consistency leads to the Cup.

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