Eastern Conference Predictions

I posted these on 606 but it is rather large and so I had to split it up into 4 parts. If you want to read it in its entirety then here it is.


1. Washington Capitals: Last year’s prediction- 4th. Last year’s finish- 1st

The offensive juggernaut from the District of Columbia rolls on this season with the same canons lined up on the battlements. Ovechkin, Semin, Backstom, Knuble, Fehr, Fleischmann and Laich will have a ball terrifying defences across the league once again whilst seldom used DJ King will provide the go to man when things start to turn nasty.

The biggest question mark is the goaltending. Coach Bruce Broudreau has put his trust in two 22 year old Eastern European net minders, Seymon Varlamov and Michael Nuuvirth. They can expect no more help in front of the crease than Jose Theodore received last season. Mike Green continues to be the star of the Capitals blue line despite being very questionable in his own zone. The one change to the defensive roster, John Carlson, is again more renowned for his skills at the other end of the ice. Washington is going to have to rely on steady defensemen Jeff Schultz and Tom Poti to sustain its assault on the top of the Eastern Conference.

2. Boston Bruins: Last year’s prediction- 1st. Last year’s finish- 6th

The indefinite loss of Savard and Strum will be a big blow for the Spoked Wheels. Fortunately centre is where the B’s are best stocked to deal with any injuries. Krejci, Bergeron and Seguin still represent a phenomenal set of pivots to have at your disposal and whilst the loss of Strum, last years top goal scorer, will be harder to replace it is hoped that new acquisition Nathan Horton can fill the void in addition to a bounce back season for Milan Lucic.

On the back end Tuukka Rask will hope that he is not struck down by the sophomore curse. Should he go the way of most second year goaltenders the Bruins are in the enviable position of being able to turn to a player just two years removed from a Vezina Trophy in Tim Thomas. Boston has a solid defensive corps which includes exemplifies hard-hitting, but lacks scoring. Should he retain his place on the opening night roster do not be surprised to see the youthful Adam McQuaid become Boston’s premier blue chip defensemen after Chara. Avoid injuries and the more free scoring (the Bruins finished dead last in GFPG last season) Bean Town hopefuls will be gunning for the North-East division title.

3. New Jersey Devils: Last year’s prediction- 8th. Last year’s finish- 2nd

The residents of New Jersey spent their summer bombarded with the Kovalchuk saga. They got their man but the cost remains to be seen. With the Devils tight on the cap resigning their most exciting player, Zach Parise, may just prove to be out of reach. The long term implications of the Russian’s contract could prove disastrous if he fails to blend with the New Jersey play book. There have been rumours that Mclean could alter his system to accommodate the mega-rich snipers play but changing a successful system to accommodate one player is always a risky business.

Veteran netminder Johan Hedberg signed up for life in Jersey in order to give the future HOF lock Brodeur a few more nights rest. This could prove an invaluable move come play-off time as Marty has looked lethargic in the last few season play-offs. In front of them Colin White and Andy Greene have seen their load lightened by the arrival of Anton Volchenkov and Henrik Tallinder. The Devils look to set to improve on an already outstanding last couple of regular season. That has got to scare the rest of the Conference.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins: Last year’s prediction- 5th. Last year’s finish- 4th

The three headed hydra had one of its necks snapped as Jordan Staal will remain on the sidelines for the start of the season. Pittsburgh is not a team blessed with offensive talent once Crosby and Malkin are accounted for, yet they always seem to find the twine often enough. Thus the argument about a lack of wingers is growing old, unlike the Pens roster. Seasons go by and the Penguins continue to do what most fail to do so, even without any wingmen. Put simply this is because Crosby and Malkin are just that good that they can make event he most mediocre wingman look ever long. Ask Bill Guerin.

Pittsburgh can still rely on the Flower to be consistent if nothing else between the pipes but the real improvement made in the offseason comes in the form of two stay at home D men. By adding Zbynek Michalek and Paul Martin to a group which already includes Alex Golikgoski, Kris Letang and Brooks Orpik GM Ray Shero has given his coach a team that nobody would dare leave of their list of potential Stanley Cup champions, wingers or no wingers.

5. Philadelphia Flyers: Last year’s prediction- 3rd. Last year’s finish- 7th

The Cinderella Flyers will look to qualify for the play-offs a little easier than last years last minute smash and grab job. Should their vast array of talent prove up to the job Philadelphia can expect to find themselves at another fantasy ball. Carter and Richards represent one of the best one-two centre men combinations in the league whilst Briere, Giroux, Leino and the newly returned Zherdev will all chip in with plenty of secondary scoring. Last year’s rookie James Van Riemsdyk could add to that depth if he isn’t found wanting again after Christmas. Scott Hartnell and Dan Carcillo will take care of the rough stuff the fans in Pennsylvania love to see.

The Flyers boast a back end 6 most would dream of. Pronger, Coburn and Timonen are joined by Andrej Meszaros who will hope to refind his form from his days in Ottawa rather than the disastrous two seasons he spent in Tampa. Philly’s biggest issue remains its goaltending. Brian Boucher will be asked to suit up until Michael Leighton returns from the injury table. Neither has ever given the impression that they can deliver the consistency required to backstop your team to the top. The hot and cold runs will have to stop if the Broad Street Bullies are to do just that.

6. Buffalo Sabres: Last year’s prediction- 6th. Last year’s finish- 3rd

It is often said that a superb goaltender can backstop a team to a championship. Well if that is the case then fans of Buffalo must be pleased about their chances. In reality, even if US goalie Ryan Miller can repeat last years performance the Sabres will simply be happy with playoff hockey again next spring.

Buffalo go about their job quietly, but they do it well. Despite having no stand out player there certainly is a fair bit off depth going forward. Roy, Connelly, Vanek, Pomminville, Stafford, Kaleta and Hecht are all capable of putting up decent numbers whilst youngsters Tyler Myers and Tyler Ennis are hugely anticipated. Expect Buffalo to continue to produce playoff teams, just don’t expect to notice them until April.

7. Atlanta Thrashers: Last year’s prediction- 14th. Last year’s finish- 10th

The Thrashers first full season without their former superstar, Ilya Kovalchuk, could prove to be their most successful. Atlanta has learned to play well as a unit and over the off season took advantage of the Chicago exodus to add some invaluable experience to a young and talented core.

A tandem of Mason and Pavelec between the iron with a steady defensive core of Bogosian, Enstrom, Oduya, Sopel, Meyer and Hainsley is not to be sniffed at. Goals may come at a premium if youngsters Bergfors, Little and Kane do not show the improvement expected but Atlanta will be able to rely on ex-Hawks Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien to make life difficult for their opponents every night.

8. Tampa Bay Lightening: Last year’s prediction- 13th. Last year’s finish- 12th

Steve Yzerman pulled off the deal of the off-season in Simon Gagne. Keep the winger fit and Tampa can expect to have a top 6 all capable of 50+ points. LeCavalier is due a bounce-back season and St. Louis can always be relied on for 90 points. If Stamkos and Downie can continue last years efforts then Tampa have a very potent offence.

Mike Smith and Dan Ellis form a fragile looking tandem in net, Kubina and Ohlund will anchor the blue line whilst Hedman will hope for a better sophomore year after a disappointing end to his rookie season. So it’s all about goals goals goals. This approach works for the Caps but the Lightening are just that. A quick flash in the pan. If they are to succeed they need to light the lamp every night, whether they can remains to be seen.

9. Montreal Canadiens: Last year’s prediction- 7th. Last year’s finish- 8th

The Habs rarely miss the play-offs. However their downfall will be the anointed Carey Price. If you thought playing Toronto was a pressure cooker you should talk to the young goaltender. The Montreal faithful have already got into Price’s head and it is only pre-season. Carey needs to demonstrate a resilient mental toughness. Unfortunately for the Canadien management he has skin as thick as mango, and they’ve given themselves nobody to turn to if it goes wrong.

Even full campaigns from Mike Cammalleri and Brian Gionta will not save the Quebecois and expect to see Plekanec and Gomez’s production to drop off. The biggest plus this season will be the D core. Markov, Hamrlik, Gill, Gorges and Subban make up a much under-rated collection of defensive and offensive defensemen packed with experience and talent.

10. Carolina Hurricanes: Last year’s prediction- 2nd. Last year’s finish- 11th

The Canes would be hard pressed to replicate last season’s abysmal start. After they picked themselves up and dusted themselves down Carolina played like a play-off team, but then so did the Leafs. This team is more dependent on Cam Ward than most would care to admit. For every good performance he puts in you can bet your house that the Canes will come away with 2 points. However if he is off his game, which over 82 game season is to be expected, Carolina struggle to put it together. Eric Staal whilst an excellent hockey player needs to show more leadership, especially with the departure of Whitney and Rod Brind’amour.

Carolina still has a solid team. Pitkanen, Corvo and Gleason give a good mix of defensive types in front of Ward and Sanguetti and McBain continue to develop nicely. Any sort of scoring could be an issue in Carolina and so it looks unlikely that they will return to the play-offs this season.

11. Toronto Maple Leafs: Last year’s prediction- 9th. Last year’s finish- 15th

It has been all change in TO over the past 12 months. The roster is almost unrecognisable with lots of fresh new faces and even more deadwood shipped out. However the play-offs are still a step too far. Dion Phaneuf may not have mesmerised the Leaf nation with his play on the ice but he is adored for his leadership on and off it. The Leafs are confident and hungry once more and the big hitting defender has a lot to do with that.

Giguere will mentor the Swedish Monster between the iron to give Toronto more dependency at the back. Yet two keys issues still remain unresolved. Outside of Kessel there is a lack of 30 goals scorers. The situation will not be helped by a shallow pool of centres and vast improvements are required on the special teams to be competitive. The other potential headache is the D. Touted as one the leagues deepest they have consistency failed to shine in either zone. They will need to step up their game if they are to give the Leafs young forwards the chance to move the franchise forward.

12. Ottawa Senators: Last year’s prediction- 12th. Last year’s finish- 5th

The Sens will once again depend on Alfie and Spezza to shoulder the points burden. They will at least be happy to see the arrival of a PP quarterback in Sergei Gonchar from the Pens. The veteran blue liner can still do the business in own end as well will help Karlsson’s development no end. Goaltending still remains suspect with Elliot the nominated starter. Leclaire is waiting on the wings should he falter but neither are to be relied in night in night out.

Despite the worries in Canada’s capital the Senators have a track record of achieving. There tough style, which often goes unnoticed, was usually enough to ruffle their opponents feathers and put them off their game. However teams have wised up to these tactics and should the Senators continue to pursue such an approach they could see themselves going the way of the Ducks last season. All bubbles must burst and Ottawa’s flirtation with the echelon of the Eastern Conference is about to come crashing down.

13. New York Rangers: Last year’s prediction- 11th. Last year’s finish- 9th

A defensive core of Del Zotto, Gilroy, Giraldi, Rozsival and Staal does not inspire confidence but with King Henrik stopping the pucks it might just be enogh to keep the New York’s head above the basement. But don’t count on it; the Rangers have been on a slide for the past few years and it does not look like easing up.

Defendants will highlight that they have Gaborik within their ranks. So what. Atlanta had Kovalchuk, Columbus have Nash. One superstar is no saving grace and certainly no guarantee of playoff hockey, especially one that could give Cinderella’s glass slipper a run for its money. What about the addition of Frolov then. I won a tenner on the lottery once so I guess there is a chance that he might ignite into a 50 point player. But that still leaves NYR a long way short of a decent standing.

The Rangers had a great chance to make the playoffs last season and blew it. The season before they had a chance to run deep in the playoffs and blew it. This season it is just a straight blow out.

14. New York Islanders: Last year’s prediction- 15th. Last year’s finish- 13th

The rebuild continues but the same problems persist. In terms of ruffling the twine the Isles still have nobody of great threat. Whilst Tavares deserves more credit than he has received for his rookie season it is unfair to ask him to plug the blotchy NYI scoring. The loss of Tambellini will hit the teams pace and make them more one dimensional. Expect Josh Bailey to continue to develop away from the spotlight and Matt Moulson and Blake Comeau have some genuine talent.

Mark Streit (32) will continue to plug along as one of the Leagues better, and underappreciated, two way defensemen. Add the considerable experience of Eaton (33), Martinek (34) and Mottau (32) and you have a bunch of defensemen who certainly know their way around the league but only James Wisniewski (26) is likely to be around to see the rebuilding process completed. The Islanders are heading in the right direction and are building a good youthful team, just don’t expect too much too soon.

15. Florida Panthers: Last year’s prediction- 10th. Last year’s finish- 14th

Much like NYI the Panthers are rebuilding. This is a team of two halves. Experienced veterans such as Vokoun, McCabe, Reinprecht and Stillman will be expected to nurture the emerging talents of Kulikov, Frolik and Bernier. Meanwhile Dennis Wideman, David Booth and Steve Bernier will be expected to get the hard work done being in their prime.

Dave Talon is certainly creating a team with an identity and has invested in players with good hockey sense both on and off the ice. Should ownership issues recede in the next few years we may well see his hard work pay off and Florida can begin to climb the standings.


Last season’s prediction accuracy: 7/8 play-off teams correctly predicted.

Good read Buffon! Only one thing I will point out with the Isles, Streit is expected out for about 6 months, that will be a huge blow to any chances they have.

Wow, the Thrashers in 7th. Bold choice!

Thanks homer. I've been writing this up over a certain period of time and being checking it regularly to account for changes such a Streit. Must have overlooked that one.

Ronnie, yes I know the Thrasher prediction looks wild. But hey every year there are a few teams that throw up some surprises (see Sens and Yotes last season). My wildcard as it were this year is the Thrashers. Units make a team and I think they have good collective groups, therefore perhaps negating their lack of genuine top 6 talent.

You may well be right young Buffon. I must admit there is a hint of the unknown about the eastern conference for me - I just don't see so much of it. I'll look forward to your West predictions in the near future then?!

I will endeavour to have the Westerns up before the season begins. I think knowing less about the Conference makes it easier, or at least I feel more comfortable, to predict since you don't begin to over analyse everything!