EASTERN POWER POLL, 9.25.08:
Philadelphia (1) – Atlanta (15)
It took going through this process to realize something you might have already known: whereas the Atlantic Division is pretty darn good, the Eastern Conference is not exactly a powerhouse.
In this view, there are only four locks to finish in the top 8: the Flyers, Devils, Penguins and Canadiens. And while those squads are not flawless, the other 11 have question marks all over the place. As a result, pre-season predictions and power rankings are probably going to look foolish in 6 months – and just as likely by the end of October. Heading into the season, teams 5-15 have a right to think they can make the playoffs. Geez, can I make it any more obvious I’m already backtracking?
1. Philadelphia: What they lack in top-end stars, they more than make up with depth and heart. Mike Richards is the real deal.
2. New Jersey: They didn’t subtract much, but added Brian Rolston. That consistency, plus year 2 of Brent Sutter, plus Lou Lamoriello not putting up long with mediocre teams, should result in a 105-point regular season.
3. Pittsburgh: Have to wonder about the potholes on defense and the shelf life of fiery coach Michel Therrien (he once had words at the Coliseum, backstage, with Sparky The Dragon, who doesn’t speak). Sidney is worth the cost of tickets.
4. Montreal: Anyone else think that laid-back vibe Carey Price pushes is a bit of a sham?
5. Carolina: Time for Eric Staal to let us know whether or not he’s a superstar.
6. Buffalo: Stability in the GM and coach’s office will help the Sabres make a full recovery from the loss of big free agents the last two years.
7. Boston: If Patrice Bergeron can play, he’s the player and the inspiration to take them higher.
8. Washington: The magic carpet ride of last March and April gets a reality check when you have to start at 0-0 in October with Jose Theodore in goal.
9. Rangers: So many changes – including the loss of Jagr, Avery and possibly Shanahan, the three biggest personalities on the team. MSG’s a pretty grand stage for a kid like Zherdev to have to figure it out. It’s all on Tom Renney, who is certainly capable of pulling it off.
10. Islanders: More on this later on the blog: you know what you’ll get from just about everyone else, but three players who could make an impact if they each scored between 15-25 goals – Hunter, Sim, Tambellini.
11. Ottawa: No longer a perennial regular season powerhouse, there’s still enough speed and skill to get by if the goaltending’s good.
12. Florida: The franchise that seems to have been “just a year away” for a while is, under new coach Peter DeBoer, a year away.
13. Tampa Bay: The Washington Redskins of the NHL. Lots of spending, lots of names, lots of flash, lots of problems. They’ll be fun to watch.
14. Toronto: If Ron Wilson can keep the Leafs competitive this season with his entertainment-free D system, they’ll put him straight into the Hall of Fame.
15. Atlanta: Heroic goaltending can keep the Thrashers in the playoff hunt until early March. Without it, could be a long year in Philips.
My Eastern Conference Predictions:
1. Montreal Canadiens (Division Winner)
2. Philadelphia Flyers (Division Winner)
3. Washington Capitals (Division Winner)
4. New Jersey Devils
5. Pittsburgh Penguins
6. Ottawa Senators
7. New York Rangers
8. Boston Bruins
9. Buffalo Sabres
10. Tampa Bay Lightning
11. Carolina Hurricanes
12. Toronto Maple Leafs
13. Florida Panthers
14. New York Islanders
15. Atlanta Thrashers