Hockey season is right around the corner with training camp set to start within weeks and the first preseason games a month way. Last year hockey took major steps forward regaining popularity and respect after the lockout just five years ago. The Olympics showed the world how exciting and gripping this sport can be as everyone watched a goalie put the entire nation on his back only to be outdone by the sports golden boy. A city and team regained dominance after decades of frustration and lack luster teams. 2010-2011 looks to continue momentum into the new decade with new and interested fans across the entire nation.
TLAAB will dissect every division and preview the upcoming season. We start in the dirty south, the Southeastern division of the Eastern Conference.
Atlanta- If it seems like the thrashers look a lot like the Blackhawks, its true. Well sort of. Atlanta picked up some key additions this off season and maybe the biggest are coming from the Stanley cup champions. Dustin Byfuglien was dealt this offseason in trade and free agent Andrew Ladd also landed in Atlanta. Both were instrumental in Chicago’s championship run. Also coming out of the cental is former St. Louis goalie Chris Mason. Mason should bring some leadership and stability in the locker room and most importantly between the pipes.
In this division its pretty locked up at the top with Washington. Everyone else has a chance to sneak into the second spot and playoffs. Atlanta is still a couple years away but clearly are moving in the right direction. Along with Ladd and Byfuglien, Nik Antropov and still unrestricted free agent Maxim Afinagenov should provide some scoring and excitement. 25 year old Swedish born Tobias Enstrom had 50, (6 G, 44 A) points from the blue line and will continue to anchor the Defense.
Key Additions: Andrew Ladd, Dustin Byfuglien, Chris Mason
Key Departures: Pavel Kubina, Colby Armstrong
Prediction: 80 pts. 4th in SE.
Carolina- It’s been five years since the Hurricanes hoisted the cup. They got off to a terrible start last year and looked destined to finish in the bottom of the league. Eric Staal became captain and the teams salvaged what was left of the season finishing third in the division. Building off of last year’s momentum the canes should be much better in 2010-2011. Staal will continue to be one of the best centers in the league and now it’s his team to lead. Losing veteran Ray Whitney (21 G 37 A) certainly will hurt but adding veteran Joe Corvo to the defense gives Carolina another veteran leader. On July 15, 2010 the Hurricanes announced that Brind'Amour's #17 number would be retired in after he officially announced he would retire as a player. Brind’Amour was captain in 2006 when Carolina won their first Stanley cup and was eventually replaced by Staal.
Carolina fans can expect to be back in the playoffs once again. They may not have the talent to dethrown Washington, but expect them to be in the mix in April in the sixth-ninth range of the conference. Cam Ward continues to progress as a net minder. Staal and Jussi Jokinen have provided scoring, while Corvo and Joni Pitkanen will provide support on defense.
Key Additions: Joe Corvo
Key Departures: Ray Whitney, Rob Brind’Amour
Prediction: 95 pts. 2nd in SE
Florida- Panther fans are asking, “Is this the year we make it?” Probably not, but the future is definitely bright. Three first round draft picks including third overall pick, Erik Gudbranson will help get this franchise back in the right direction. Gudbranson was ranked the best defensive prospect in the entire draft. Florida also added Nick Bjugstad (19th) and Quinton Howden (25th) to the squad. Gudbranson is the only one likely to make the team and impact immediately but clearly panther fans have reason to look toward the future. Florida didn’t make much of a splash in free agency adding only Christopher Higgins to the roster. Bringing back Stephen Weiss, Nathan Horton and David Booth certainly will be the backbone of the offense. Tomas Vokoun comes back once again and builds of last years 2.55 GAA and .925% SV%.
Don’t expect much from this young squad, but seriously in 2-3 years they may be at the top of the division and knocking on the Caps door.
Key Additions: plethora of Pipeline talent
Key Departures: NONE
Prediction: 75 pts. 5th in SE
Tampa Bay- Stevey Y. Mr. Red wing brings his talent and knowledge of the game to the Bay. Hiring Steve Yzerman and Guy Boucher has brought some electricy, (no pun intended,) to the Lightning. Already stacked with scoring talent, some key additions have made this one of the most talented and threatening offenses in the entire league. Steve Stamkos is coming off his Rocket Richard Trophy winning season with 51 goals, tied for most in the NHL with Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Martin St. Louis and newly signed Steve Downie provide instant offense, and oh yeah there’s that other French Canadian Vincent Lecavlier who has seen production decline over the years but still had 24 goals and 46 assists last season. Yzerman bolstered the roster even more with additions like Simon Gagne in a trade, Dominic Moore and former Thrasher Pavel Kubina at the blue line.
It wasn’t all blissful in the sunshine state this offseason. Losing goalie Antero Nittymaki in free aganecy to San Jose is a bummer. They added Dan Ellis from Nashville to take the role, but its hard to believe he has all that it takes to be a dominant # 1. Alex Tanguay also left the gulf coast heading back to Calgary. The defense is shaky, but adding Kubina will help. This team should make the playoffs or at least battle with Carolina for the second spot in the division.
Key Additions: Simon Gagne, Dominic Moore, Pavel Kubina
Key Departures: Antero Nittymaki, Alex Tanguay
Prediction: 92 pts. 3rd in SE
Washington- We know this team can score and score a lot, but they lack one key ingredient to get over the hump and into the Stanley Cup Finals…a goalie. Coming off a Presidents Trophy can leave high expectations. They couldn’t be any greater heading into this season. We all saw what a hot young goalie, (Jaroslav Halak) can do to a team in the playoffs. The Caps didn’t get a big time goalie in the offseason and have put a lot of faith in 22-year-old Semyon Varlamov. Varlamov went 15-4-6 last year, but with a .909 SV%. The team is going to put up goals in front of you, easy to do when you have the best player in the world, Alexander Ovechkin, on your team. Joe Corvo will be missed and Mike Green as a great a player as he is, is an offensive minded player. Jeff Schultz signed a huge 4-year $11,000,000 deal this offseason and a lot if riding on him to perform. The defense needs to show up and play in front of Varlamov or this will be another heart breaking performance for Caps fans.
The caps didn’t make any big free agency moves, but didn’t get any worse. They have a lot to prove this year and don’t want to let down like in years past. Don’t expect them to give up control of the Southeast or Eastern conference any time soon. When you can score five goals a night, the regular season won’t seem so bad. The playoffs are where it hurts and Washington might not have what it takes just yet to get to the finals.
Key Additions: NONE
Key Departures: Joe Corvo, Milan Jurcina, Shaone Morrisonn
Prediction: 118 pts. 1st in SE
All Division Team:
Center: Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay
Right Wing: Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay
Left Wing: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington
Defense: Mike Green, Washington
Defense: Tobias Enstrom, Atlanta
Goalie: Tomas Vokoun, Florida
No comments:
Post a Comment