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Atlantic Preview…

The mighty Atlantic…Ah yes, that wondrous and mighty ocean to the east (unless of course you're in Europe…sorry Swedes). Well maybe not… this is more the NHL Atlantic Division preview… and this is the first day of North American NHL hockey, so we got to get we're moving here!

#8 Montréal Canadiens
I've been very adamant over the years about how much I love Montréal Canadiens and I do believe they are on the right track to a degree. I know rebuilding a hockey team in this city is almost impossible, but I also believe that coaching a 200-foot game is possible..

#7 Tampa Bay Lightning.
This may turn out to be a crazy pick and Jake Guentzal could maybe more than adequately fill in for Steven Stamkos on the ice… but in no way can you do the same off the ice which is important for this team because Stamkos is the spiritual guide of this group. But that's not the only issue here. I feel that this team's overall depth is way down compared to Ottawa and Detroit, especially… they do have a better goalie of course, but if he can stay healthy with what would likely be a bigger onslaught than he has likley seen before…

#6 Ottawa Senators.
I truly do like the addition of Linus Ullmark a lot. This is a solid team that is just maybe one or two players away from really being a playoff team….but they will battle for a playoff spot all year long. They're also fighting some injuries early on already to keep players. A big strong start will be required to make it to the playoffs in this division.

#5 Buffalo Sabres.
I'll start by saying this I am predicting five teams in this division will make the playoffs. So the Buffalo Sabers are going back to the playoffs kids. They had a bit of a sophomore slump last year as a team, but I can see them coming back stronger with some key scorers returning to their 222-23 form. The Sabres also have, what I believe to be, two pretty good goalies and either one of them is capable of getting hot, for a period of time, and being a very good/almost great goalie. The question is can Lindy juggle them and stay with the hot hand..

#4 Detroit Red Wings.
The Red Wings came incredibly close last year to making the playoffs and this year I believe they will go over the top. And I will even say, they kinda have to for Yzerman to maintain the trust of this city. They really did up their goaltending, as well as added some key pieces, one of which I believe to be Tarasenko. The one-time star, really regained his game last year in the playoffs and I believe will be out to prove himself a star once again. Detroit could easily be a top-three team….

#3 Boston Bruins
I'm done with picking the Bruins out of the playoffs they always make the playoffs. I just have to deal with that. Getting Jeremy Swayman signed, even though it came with some baggage, was vital for this franchise. Always said whenever a team has a top-tier player on offense and a top-tier player on defense they are going to make the playoffs. Pastrnak and McAvoy are clearly at the top of the game at their position…Also, tell Brad Marchand appears to have a down year I'm gonna keep saying that he's a force.

#2 Florida Panthers
This team lost some key depth players but that's not gonna matter so much with the coach and the GM who can always fix things somehow in Sunset. It might take a month to get all these pieces in place....but I doubt it. I'm really not sure whether to put them in first or second because the other team, that's in first or second, is dealing with a new coach altogether. Sergei Bobrovsky is always going to get you into the playoffs at this point. And they have so much depth around him with Barkov and company… I expect to see a big year from Alex Rodriguez who has been up to the second line and last year showed a lot of courage and intensity in the playoffs.

#1. Toronto Maple Leafs
First off let me say that I'm absolutely putting Toronto in first place to anger Mike Augello. Sort of kinda…. Actuality I think Mitch Marner playing for a contract will be a good thing. And I love this lineup. And having Auston Matthews makes them immediately a contender. But what I really like is the addition of Craig Berube as a coach. I know Craig very well from his time in Philly, as a coach, and I can tell you that he is one of the coolest coaches I've ever been around in terms of the fact that he just says it as it is. He would have to come into the break room with the reporters and just start talking…no other coach has ever done that. At least in my time. I don't think he will be able to do the same in Toronto. Pretty big understatement there. But the reality is he is a tough guy who is going to make this team tougher and this team needs to be tougher...not just physically but mentally. He will get them to stop dragging around the team that's been in turmoil since the 1960s and can't win playoff rounds. I know for a fact that he's going to make those "Ghosts of the past" be a non-issue to these guys. He will have them playing for each other and playing game by game. I think they're gonna be dangerous….


I will be back with the Metro this afternoon and the Central and Pacific tomorrow.

This week's jersey.....(Can you name the new team?)

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