The Atlantic division is a snore fest ever since GM Greg and the Bruins decided to go soft...rebuild.  The Red Wings are running away with the division, while Steve is waddling slowly behind.  A few of the others are "not" tanking, but they aren't really trying either.  This division is already set in stone...we will have Dan's Wings playing the Steve's Habs in the Division finals.  Can the Canadiens upset the Wings?  It might be closer than you think.  I will explain below.

Along with my bold prediction, let's see how the trades positioned every for the playoffs and the future.

Detroit Red Wings - 49 - 13 - 1 (1st in Atlantic) GF: 3.71 (2nd) GA: 2.48 (7th)

 In - Victor Hedman, Jake McCabe, Erik Johnson, Joel Eriksson Ek, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Leon Draisaitl, Mika Zibanejad, Alex Tuch, MacKenzie Weegar, Anton Stralman, Brayden McNabb, Robin Lehner, 2023 SJS 1, $7m Bux, charcoal drawing of Greg's engorged member

Out - Lucas Raymond, Shea Theodore, Robert Hagg, Kirby Dach, Josh Doan, Brennan Othmann, Christian Wolanin, Ilya Mikheyev, Jani Hakanpaa, Carson Lambos, Kaiden Guhle, Jared Spurgeon, Jason Robertson, Seth Jarvis, Robert Thomas, Kevin Poulin, Michael Stone, 2023 PIT 3,4,5 Van 4, 2025 DET 2,3,4,5, $7m Bux, charcoal drawing of Dan's semi

WTF! Dan swapped out half his team, but got much better.  Not sure I got all the picks right, but who cares about those.  Let's look at the great moves first.  He takes advantage of our resident Indian by sending him a bottom 6 forward for a 1 and 3, brings in RNH for only a couple young specs, Zibby for a somewhat disappointing Seth Jarvis, who hasn't been able to make the jump on a stacked Canes team, and finally, he got Drai basically in exchange for stud Robertson, but the problem will be Drai's future salary.  Not sure how Dan will be able to fit that raccoon into his 8 inch anus, so let's keep an eye out for that.  He wasn't perfect, like his golden lettuce, but he didn't make many questionable moves.  He had to donate Spurgeon to make space and his net return for Raymond, Theodore, and Hagg, ended up being Weegar and 1.5 years of Hedman.  In the end, he comes out way on top.  I have never seen so many 90sc+ and 90df+ on one team.  I will say one thing, since Dan traded for RNH and Drai, he has gone 4-6 and he hasn't won against a playoff team.  Maybe the curse of Sumit has taken ahold of this once invincible team.  I hope so because I might have to face him in the Finals.

Montreal Canadiens - 38 - 18 - 7 (2nd in Atlantic) GF: 3.32 (5th) GA: 2.52 (9th)

In - Johnny Gaudreau, Charlie Coyle, Tucker Poolman, Andrew Copp, Nick Jensen, Mathieu Joseph, Tyler Bertuzzi, Dysin Mayo, 2023 BOS 6, 2024 OTT 7, $750k

Out - Tomas Hertl, Jacob Bryson, Patrik Nemeth, Reece Newkirk, Alexander Kerfoot, 2023 LAK 2, BOS 6, WIN 7, 2024 MON 1,5, COL 3

GM Steve making some predictable moves bringing in more scoring and two-way forwards.  He did opt to go Johnny hockey's high pa and sc over the two way rates of Hertl.  That is a little surprising.  The Habs sent out a 1st and 2nd to bring in Copp and Bertuzzi to help him on this year's playoff run.  They are both very mediocre next year, but have big potential to bounce back.  Steve didn't have a bad deadline and didn't really lose any deals.  Now the question is will he be able to beat Dan's Wings in the Division FInals.  This is my bold prediction: Habs beat the Wings to make it to the Conference Finals!

Toronto Maple Leafs - 34 - 25 - 5 (3rd in Atlantic) GF: 3.17 (9th) GA: 3.14 (24th)

In - Ryan McDonagh, Alexander Kerfoot

Out - Cody Glass, 2023 TOR 4

Here is the first "not tanking, but not trying" team in the Atlantic, but because the division is so bad, he is in the 3rd playoff spot.  I'm sure that we are not suprised the little moving he did, as the Hansford price is always in full effect.  The McDonagh for Glass trade was a little silly, as he gave up a young asset for a player under control only for 3 years.  The Kerfoot trade is definitely a homer trade, but it was only for a 4th.  Rich was desperate to get rid of him as he explained The $4m x5 is not worth the .41 points per game.  He could be right or he may have given up a future bargain playing with that offense.  Either way i think he sold too low and would have been able to get a 2nd for him from another homer.  GM Garrett had several pieces to move including Barabanov, Josh Anderson, and Hall and Perry should have probably been moved at this point well.  You won't see the Leafs do a whole lot in the playoffs and won't do much in the near future, since they aren't not making many moves.  Wake up, Garrett!

Boston Briuns - 30 - 24 - 8 (4th in Atlantic) GF: 2.81 (16th) GA: 2.76 (16th)

In - Patrik Laine, Lucas Raymond, Shea Theodore, Tomas Hertl, Reece Newkirk, Connor McMichael, Ville Koivunen, Nicholas Abruzzese, Alex Barre-Boulet, Connor Clifton, Filip Hronek, Tom Wilson, Kirill Marchenko, Riley Sheahan, Owen Tippett, Antti Tuomisto, Trevor Moore, Cal Clutterbuck, Nicholas Robertson, Jean-Luc, Foudy, Emil Andrae, Philippe Myers, TBL 1, charcoal drawing of Dan's semi

Out - Victor Hedman, Mark Stone, Johnny Gaudreau, Paul Statsny, Tucker Poolman, Ryan Strome, Daniel Vladar, Ryan McDonagh, Roman Josi, Sean Kuraly, Artemi Panarin, Brandon Tanev, William Karlsson, Barrett Hayton, 2023 BOS 4,6,7, TOR 7, CAL 2, 2024 BOS 3,6,7, $7m Bux,  charcoal drawing of Greg's engorged member, anal bleaching home kit (extra strength)

I think the biggest loss for the Bruins GM was that extra strength bleaching kit!  Now Sumit will be able to get more guys to look at the back door and Greg's chocolate starfish is going to look a lot chocolatier.  As for the hockey part, come on Greg!  You are going to make it to the playoffs anyways...might as well have a team that might do something.  The Bruins GM had opted for the soft rebuild, giving away great rates for the next few years.  Unless if there are some other great moves in the future, this will set them back a years to wait for the development of the youngsters he acquired.  Outside that studly Euro top line of Past-Laine-Hertl, he doens't have much to compete with the Red Wings and Isles.  As for the trades, the Laine trade was a huge win there, basically only gave up the final year of Josi and Hayton.  The Panarin deal got him many years of young players for 1.5 years of Panarin and William Karlsson, giving him much more flexibilty.  Strome was already flipped for several younger players that are starting to get good, so he is already utilizing that flexibility.  It will be interesting what he does this offseason and beyond.  He said he's doing a soft rebuild, so we will see what he has up his sleeves.

Florida Panthers  - 29 - 27 - 9 (6th in Atlantic) GF: 2.55 (23rd) GA: 2.65 (12th)

In - Ryan Strome, Daniel Vladar, Brennan Othmann, Jakub Vrana, Mark Pysyk, Patrik Nemeth, Elvis Merzlikins, Zdeno Chara, Brock McGinn, Martin Fehervary, 2023 DET 4, CAL 5, NYI 7, 2024 DET 4, BOS 6, 2025 NYI 4, DET 4

Out - Connor McMichael, Ville Koivunen, Nicholas Abruzzese, Alex Barre-Boulet, Jake McCabe, Kevin Bahl, Declan McDonnell, Mack Guzda, Ozzy Wiesblatt, Philippe Myers, Jordan Greenway, Nick Bonino, Nick Blankenburg, 2023 WIN 4, 2024 FLA 3,4

Sober, which way are you going?  I don't know if I have seen more directionless moves.  He trades for Erik Johnson and Anton Stralman just to trade them away, trades for pending UFAs Strome and McGinn, and then trade for this years rates in Vrana and Pysyk.  Yikes.  The trade for pending UFA Strome for some young pieces was not a good one for him, at least the young pieces have a chance to contribute in the future or be added in future trades for Greg.  Giving up the potential in Ozzy and Bahl is risky with Vrana not being able to stop doing drugs.  The only trade I really llike is the McCabe for Othmann.  I think McCabe is meh and basically useless in BRHL.  He can't even get a point with the stud Leaf offense, but his only saving grace might be that he  can play on the PK.  Othmann is doing well and could put up some points when he reaches the NHL level.  Well I hope the Panthers make it to the playoffs for once.

Buffalo Sabres - 29 - 26 - 9 (6th in Atlantic) GF: 2.78 (17th) GA: 3.16 (26th)

  In - Alexandar Georgiev, 2023 CAR 5

Out - Sam Lafferty, Josh Bailey, Arber Xhekaj, John Beecher, 2024 BUF 2

Well Jared wanted to try this year.  He acquired Perron through FA knowing he would not be able to trade him and picked up Pavelski, once Devon dropped him, but it did not work out for him.  The Sabres GM held onto a few pieces that he could have shopped, as they had some value at the deadline.  Jared held onto OEL's expiring contract for some reason, Nosek's final year, and Murphy's final 2 years.  He brought in Georgiev and his great rates for next year, but he won't be able to utilize them.  Not too sure why he gave up so many pieces for someone he will have to turn around and trade again.  The Sabres do have a lot of young good players, so he's in for the long game.  Some missed opportunity though.

Tampa Bay Lightning - 30 - 30 - 4 (7th in Atlantic) GF: 2.73 (19th) GA: 3.39 (29th)

In - Fabian Zetterlund, Dylan Strome, 2023 CAL 2, NYI 3, PHI 4, 2024 PIT 6. $4m Bux

Out - Mark Giordano, Brett Berard, Dylan Garand, Nicholas Robertson, Jean-Luc Foudy, Emil Andrae

GM Eric only made a couple trades, but picked his spots.  He added Zetterlund, who was starting to pick up his game with the Devils, before being traded to the Sharks. Zetterlund was sent for a couple Rag specs to Larry, who saw that coming?  Berard is doing well at PC, while Garand is stumbling with the Wolf Pack after having a great year in the W.  Strome was acquired for several young players that seem to be getting better along with a 1st.  He seems to have over paid, but Strome is no slouch.  Eric should have shopped Voracek around, as he still has some value with his rates, but that's about all I see he missed out on.  The Lightning are still a few years away from competing so no rush at this point.

Ottawa Senators - 26 - 34 - 3 (8th in Atlantic) GF: 2.67 (22nd) GA: 3.19 (27th)

In - Brady Tkachuk, Jason Robertson, 2023 VAN 3, WIN 5, 2024 COL 3, AGM Pat Padulo, $1m Bux

Out - Anthony Cierlli, Spencer Knight, Leon Draisaitl, Dysin Mayo, Warren Foegele, Artturi Lehkonen, 2023 PHI 2, PIT 5, 2024 OTT 2,7

Some big moves in the Bi-Town!  GM Steph finally was able to get his hands on one of the two home team boys that he's always wanted.  We will see when Ken gives in on Jimmy Stu.  Steph paid a decent price in Knight and Cirelli for Tkachuk, but he's a stud.  Speaking of studs, The Sens brought in an AGM Pat Padulo to help facilitate moves, as the active GM is not so active.  Is it a coicidence that the biggest move in the team's history happened soon after?  I think not.  Draisaitl was moved for the Blazin Asian, Jason Robertson.  This move made sense for both, even though it may be a little light for a top 3 player in the league.  The future cost of the player is going to be an issue for the Wings, so we will see how long he stays there.  Sens were able to get out from having to pay a huge contract and get a future top 25 player back.  Not sure how Steph only got a 2+ for Lehkonen when the roided GM in SJ paid a 1+ for Mikheyev.  It should have been backwards, if not the same 2+ price for both.

For being the most boring division in BRHL history when it comes to watching for the postseason, there were a ton of moves that happened.  Hopefully this division will pick in a couple years, so it's not so easy for the Wings and Habs to make the playoffs.  It did not disappoint for trade action, though.  Also, we need to see the charcoal drawings when they are officially delivererd.