Here are the teams that I think are going to have a hard go at it in the upcoming season. Look for these teams to be picking in the lottery next season...err minus Toronto because that pick belongs to the Bruins. Thank you Brian Burke!
11) Atlanta Thrashers
The runner-up in the Southeast Division is now approaching year 1 AK -After Kovalchuk. It is still shocking how little New Jersey had to give up for the star winger. I had New York ranked 11th and Atlanta 10th but decided to flip flop them after careful consideration. Atlanta has done a decent job this off-season bringing in complimentary players, but this team lacks punch and star power. The Thrashers have brought over more than a handful of ex-Blackhawks when Chicago was in full on salary dump mode. Most notably is the addition of Dustin Byfuglien, which will be an interesting to see if how Atlanta plans on using the big body. Byfuglien had a solid season last year once he shifted from D to the wing, but he wont be lined up with the likes of Hossa, Kane and Toews. The use of his big frame on the ice and in front of the net freed up space for those players, but he wont be surrounded by that level of talent in Atlanta. The Thrashers were also able to re-sign Bryan Little, who suffered from the dreaded sophomore slump last season. He will be an important part of the offense if the team is to make any push towards the playoffs. I am excited to watch Zach Bogosian on the blue line this year. He is one of the best young defensemen in the league, but doesn't get the attention he deserves because of the market he is in. Atlanta also brought in Chris Mason to help in goal, but with over $20million still left in cap space, I expect Atlanta to make a few more moves. Nothing significant as most of the big free agents are long gone. Besides, who wants to play hockey in Atlana?
12) Carolina Hurricanes
Granted, Carolina began the season with an awful, awful string of games winning just 5 out of their first 27. With that kind of start, I was surprised they weren't big sellers at the trade deadline when they could have gotten something back for Ray Whitney. Now he has left as a free agent and they got nothing in return. Also departed is the gritty center Rob Brindamour who decided to retire. Losing those 2 veterans could prove costly to a team that found their stride towards the end of the season. They did little to nothing to improve the current roster. I have heard that they are going to improve from within with the promotions of AHL'ers, but that is speculative at best, and for a team with over 11million in cap space, they should have done more to build around Eric Staal. He is an absolute star in this league. There isn't anything I don't like about his game, but with Ray Whitney gone, he has only Erik Cole, Sergei Samsonov, and a combination of other role players to help out in the cause. I don't like their defense that they have put in front of Cam Ward, especially the move to bring back Anton Babchuk. Unless Carolina has some serious prospects to bring up, I just don't see this team having enough scoring punch or shut-defense to make a push for the playoffs.
13 Toronto Mapleleafs
The good news is that they have a young star offensive player in Phil Kessel. The bad news is that they wont have another first round pick until 2012 to help build around PJK. As much as I may ridicule Brian Burke for the moves he made last summer, I do think he has a good nucleus of players that he can now begin to build around. With or without Thomas Kaberle, I really like Toronto's defense. Dion Phaneuf has the ability to change the course of a game if not a career with just one hit, and young defensemen Luke Schen will continue to get better. Mike Komisarek is also coming off a season in which he only played 34 games due to injury, and his presence will only add a bit more grit to the team (and when the B's and Leafs play for the first time this year he will be reunited with Mr. Milan for their first time on the ice together since the playoffs in 2009.) The problem with Toronto is that they have nearly $28 Million invested in their defense leaving little room to add offensive firepower. This is why they will try to trade Kaberle, but Burke is smart to play this out as long as he can in order to drive the price up. The additions of Colby Armstrong and Kris Versteeg will certainly help, but it wont be enough. Look for Tyler Bozak to have a solid season as he managed 27pts in 37 games last season. If Burke can make a move to get something in return for Kaberle, this team may be able to improve enough to be in the playoff race, but I just don't see that happening this season.
14) Florida Panthers
Florida is in the midst of a rebuilding mode that by my count has currently lasted the last 6 seasons. No hurry, besides, everything is slower in the south. Gone are Nathan Horton and Keith Ballard, and when one of your key off season acquisitions is Dennis Wideman, things cant be looking that good. I do like the additions of Steve Bernier on the wing. Michael Frolik could have a big season, and if David Booth stays healthy, these three young players could be very explosive on the top line together.
15) New York Islanders
Someone send a rescue mission to get Kyle Okposo and John Tavares out while we still can. There is just so much going wrong for this organization it isn't funny. The arena is the oldest in the league. There is talk of moving the organization. The roster has a few glaring problems. First, they only have 6 players signed after this season. 6! So next year they will be able to reload the roster entirely but it will be tough to attract free agents. Rick Dipietro is signed through the Armageddon, which is a tough pill to swallow as he has only played in 13 games in the last 3 seasons. It is almost laughable how bad things are. Okposo and Tavares are the only bright spots on a roster that would have trouble competing in the AHL.
So as a recap, here is how I have the teams in the Eastern Conference Ranked for 2010/2011.
1. Washington
2. Boston
3. Pittsburgh
4. Philadelphia
5. New Jersey
6. Ottawa
7. Buffalo
8. Tampa Bay
9. Montreal
10. New York Rangers
11. Atlanta
12. Carolina
13. Toronto
14. Florida
15. New York Islanders
What are your thoughts? As always, there is a surprise team or two each year. Which team could that be in 2010-2011?
Go B's
No comments:
Post a Comment