The Atlantic Division

Florida Panthers

GM: Tyler “Mr. Relevant” Bell

Top Forwards: Cole Caufield, Jakub Voracek

Top Defenders: Duncan Keith 

Goaltender: Kaapo Kahkonen/James Reimer

Dark Horse: Anders Bjork (will have breakout year in NHL, 15+ goals)

Weakness: No Star Power

Prediction: 1^st in the Atlantic Division. People will question why I chose Florida as 1. As shown with his strong pre-season, his team clearly checks all the boxes for STHS voodoo. Stastny and Chytil are this teams top centers and Caufield, Voracek on the wings. Wahlstrom will also put up some decent points. The defense is middle of the pact in terms of depth but some decent names such a Keith (10 years ago), T-Van Riemsdyk, Sami Vatanen and Phillipe Myers. Kahkonen and Riemer will split the net. Tyler shocks the league and finishes 1^st in this division.

Toronto Maple Leafs

GM: Garrett Hansford

Top Forwards: Taylor Hall, Connor Brown, Josh Anderson

Top Defenders: Zach Werenski, Brady Skjei

Goaltender: Thomas Greiss/Sergei Bovbrovsky

Dark Horse: Cody Glass (PHI will rejuvenate his career, 40+ points)

Weakness: No Top C

Prediction: 2^nd in the Atlantic Division. I would have put Greg here but he still has not released the podcast. Garrett’s team has regressed from last year and this is why I think Florida will finish ahead of him. Top three centers are PLD, Larkin and Kuznetsov who at best have mediocre rates. If they all have a solid showing in the NHL then Garrett will have a better team next season. Hall and Brown will do all of the heavy lifting for this team up front. The defense core is led by Werenski, Marino, Cernak, Skjei and veteran Cole. The goaltending is also perhaps top 14 in the league but will struggle to keep the puck out of the net.

Boston Bruins

GM: Greg “The I Take Podcast’s, Conceal and Never Release Them” Almeida

Top Forwards: Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak, Artemi Panarin

Top Defenders: Cody Ceci, Zdeno Chara

Goaltender: Juuse Saros

Dark Horse: Anthony Mantha

Weakness: Did Not Release Podcast

Prediction: 3^rd in the Atlantic Division. I would have placed Greg higher had he released the podcast but he didn’t so I did not. Greg has potentially to be a serious threat in the league with some of the best wingers in the game. Panarin, Gaudreau, Pastrnak, Mantha and a center group led by Bonino and Bergeron. The weakness on this team is the defense, it lost Brent Burns and did not really replace him. Perhaps I could have helped him out but he did not release the podcast. Greg also has one of the best cost-controlled goalies in the game with Saros. Later when I release my finals prediction, this will make more sense. But until then, Greg will finish 3^rd in the Atlantic. Greg by reading this you are to send me 5m BRHL Bux.

Montreal Canadiens

GM:  Steven Vardy

Top Forwards: Bo Horvat, Nicklas Backstrom, TJ Oshie

Top Defenders: Erik Gudbranson

Goaltender: Jordan Binnington

Dark Horse: Ilya Samsonov (Starter in WSH)

Weakness: Goaltending

Prediction: 4^th in the Atlantic Division. Steven got a bit of a scare this pre-season and perhaps a glimpse into the team’s season. Making a move to acquire Samsonov was a move for next season as he clearly does not believe in Binnington. Steve has a top 5 offense in the league with names such as Schenn, Roslovic, Oshie, Necas, Horvat, Backstrom, Perron and Huberdeau. Depth on all lines. The defense is mediocre but top 12, led by Severson, Reilly, Gudas and all-star future HOF Gudbranson. The goaltending will be a true test this season and will be the determining factor on how he does.

Ottawa Senators

GM: Steph “Esteban” Villeneuve

Top Forwards: Calle Jarnkrok, Nazem Kadri, Anthony Cirelli

Top Defenders: Chris Tanev, David Savard

Goaltender: Darcy Kuemper, Pekka Rinne

Dark Horse: Nick Ritchie (Toronto thinks he is the net Sundin)

Weakness: Does He Have The Patience

Prediction: 5th in the Atlantic Division. This a reasonable spot for Steph considering he is going through a rebuild. Jarnkrok, Johansson, Sturm, Spezza, Eiche, Kadri, Comeau, Arvidsson, Tanev, Orlov, Staal are all pieces he can easily sell off for assets to help his rebuild. But the real question is does he have the patience to endure a long rebuild that will likely take 5-6 years? Or will he use the draft capital he has acquired to build around Eichel and an above average defensive group? With Kuemper for the next 2 seasons at such a low cost – Steph, I think you should go for it mate.

Detroit Red Wings

GM: Daniel “Versace Glasses” Sanders

Top Forwards: Jack Hughes, Jason Robertson, Kaapo Kakko

Top Defenders: Shea Theadore, Juuso Valimaki

Goaltender: Matt Murray

Dark Horse: Nicolas Hague (Toby’s favorite)

Weakness:  Goalie

Prediction: 6^th in the Atlantic Division. Dan probably has one of the best pro young rosters in the league. Obviously he is waiting for Hughes and Kakko to breakout so his team can be relevant. Dan also has a decent defensive group with Theodore, Barrie, Hague, Valimaki. Dan is a few years away from relevancy but once his team is ready, he will be a dynasty in the making. If he was to acquire an actual starter his team would be higher, but I think that would go against Daniel’s plans.

Buffalo Sabres

GM: Jared “The Forever Rebuilding” Mitchell

Top Forwards: Gabriel Vilardi, Nils Hoglander

Top Defenders: Ty Smith, Evan Bouchard, Thomas Chabot

Goaltender: Carey Price

Dark Horse: Nils Hoglander (will get 50+ points with the Canucks)

Weakness: Offense

Prediction: 7^th in the Atlantic Division. It has been rumored that Jared has been in a rebuild since the dawn of the league. Jared has a nice young forward group consisting of Vilardi, Hoglander, Kahun, Guathier and McLeod. Aside from these names there is not much else on the pro team that will help him win games. The defense is very promising with Smith, Bouchard and Chabot leading the way. Jared invested long term with Carey Price which is not a bad decision but for a rebuilding team it is questionable. Perhaps Jared will plan to compete in the next 2-3 seasons.

Tampa Bay Lightning

GM: Eric Ferraro

Top Forwards: Jespari Kotkaniemi, Owen Tippett

Top Defenders: Tucker Poolman

Goaltender: Dave Rittich

Dark Horse: Ryan Johansen (will rejuvenate his career and get back to old form)

Weakness: Everything

Prediction: 8^th in the Atlantic Division. I do not think this is a surprise for Eric as it is evident he is building for the future. There are some nice young pieces on the pro to build around such as Kotkaniemi and Tippett. But outside of that there is not much (which is the point I think). There will definitely be teams (like Rob) who will knock on his door for Poolman (Canucks) as he will be a Willie Mitchell type defender for the Canucks. I expect Rob to offer 45M. I expect Tampa to be battling for the Owen Power sweepstakes.