HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Hotstove: Thinking Atlantic

I think you're pretty close....and man is this a weak division.

I think you're right on with the top half, one more season of Boston taking it though TB will really give them a run for their money.

I think the Sabres as a shoe in for division worst is not quite as cut and dry. There are a few key guys that will excel under a full season of Nolan's coaching style, namely Ennis, Giergenson(spelling?)and Myers with Reinhart being the wild card if he's ready. Sure they are not going to score a ton of goals at this point but will be better than last year I believe.

And I just don't see how Ottawa has gotten better but worse through the offseason.

Florida on the other hand is hard to gauge, ton of young talent , if they start to emerge(and with Luongo in net who won't have to deal with the pressure cooker type atmosphere that is Vancouver) I think they could really surprise.

Travis, I like where you're going with this, I would have almost identical listing. Although, not that where you finish out of a playoff spot matters... but, I like Florida over Ottawa. I think Mr Tallon did over spend in my opinion, but I think he did a good job bolstering forward depth and the addition of Willie. All things aside my simple argument is a swap with Florida and Ottawa... time for the sunshine kids to shine (Although young, I know)!

I think you're pretty close....and man is this a weak division.

I think you're right on with the top half, one more season of Boston taking it though TB will really give them a run for their money.

I think the Sabres as a shoe in for division worst is not quite as cut and dry. There are a few key guys that will excel under a full season of Nolan's coaching style, namely Ennis, Giergenson(spelling?)and Myers with Reinhart being the wild card if he's ready. Sure they are not going to score a ton of goals at this point but will be better than last year I believe.

And I just don't see how Ottawa has gotten better but worse through the offseason.

Florida on the other hand is hard to gauge, ton of young talent , if they start to emerge(and with Luongo in net who won't have to deal with the pressure cooker type atmosphere that is Vancouver) I think they could really surprise.
- nikel

Well said Nikel ... I agree!

Tampa runs away with the division.
Bruins and Wings duke it out for 2nd place.
Montreal and Toronto fight for the Wild card spot.

Reasons are simple.
Montreal got worse in the off season, not better
and the Wings should hopefully get a full year from Dats, Zets, Weiss and Nyquist.
Wings were devastated by injuries last year and still squeaked into the playoffs.

Tampa runs away with the division.
Bruins and Wings duke it out for 2nd place.
Montreal and Toronto fight for the Wild card spot.

Reasons are simple.
Montreal got worse in the off season, not better
and the Wings should hopefully get a full year from Dats, Zets, Weiss and Nyquist.
Wings were devastated by injuries last year and still squeaked into the playoffs.
- StargateSG1

I thought last year was the year that time finally would catch up with the Red Wings. But they hung on for another year patched together with some really old guys. At the end of the season Legwand and Alfredsson were on top of their player scoring stats. It will take a miracle to squeeze another playoff round from this team unless they play their home season at Lourdes.

Toronto/Ottawa fight for 3 and 4. Montreal slides. Tampa runs and hides from everyone else. Boston comes second but shows a drop off from previous years.

I thought last year was the year that time finally would catch up with the Red Wings. But they hung on for another year patched together with some really old guys. At the end of the season Legwand and Alfredsson were on top of their player scoring stats. It will take a miracle to squeeze another playoff round from this team unless they play their home season at Lourdes.

Toronto/Ottawa fight for 3 and 4. Montreal slides. Tampa runs and hides from everyone else. Boston comes second but shows a drop off from previous years.
- spatso

The only chance that boston drops off is on injuries. They were first in goal differential, second in GA and GF and, although people still don't want to hear it, fourth in the NHL in Corsi, which was still best by a margin in the east, other than NJ and NY, whom do not have the fire power.

They have been for years the best 5v5 team in the NHL, but this year is going to be different........just because.

Every year people keep saying this is the end for the B's but it has not been the case.

Please, name me reasons they are suddenly going to drop off this mythical ledge?

And I wouldn't be surprised if Detroit goes the path of Ottowa two years ago. They had injuries and Ottowa still managed to look good and even made the playoffs, but last year they couldn't keep it together.

Ottowa was last years pick to keep the youth movement together and become a top team......experts? Wrong.

Hell, three or four years ago Buffalo signs a bunch if free agents and all I hear is how they are the team to beat in the East.....experts? Wrong.

One thing to support your team and have faith, but another to be delusional.

East Conference.

Boston, Pitts, and Tampa are going to be the elite teams in the East. Why?
Boston and Tampa are going to be top ten possession teams in the NHL, and that will correlate to top in the NHL in 5v5 goal differential.
Pitt has Crosby and Malkin and will score a bunch of goals, like every year, but we will all question the goalie and D come the playoffs, like every year.

NY, MTL, and CAPS.
NY has the possession numbers and the best goalie in the world.
MTL will hang around like they do every year, seemingly just to piss us Bs fans off.
Caps have to be better right? And they have an upgraded D, not going to be elite but willbe better.


Phi, Columbus, Detroit, and NJ. Will fight for the final spots. Maybe Toranto sticks around if they can clean up there possessions stats, FYI, last in the NHL last year.

I thought last year was the year that time finally would catch up with the Red Wings. But they hung on for another year patched together with some really old guys. At the end of the season Legwand and Alfredsson were on top of their player scoring stats. It will take a miracle to squeeze another playoff round from this team unless they play their home season at Lourdes.

Toronto/Ottawa fight for 3 and 4. Montreal slides. Tampa runs and hides from everyone else. Boston comes second but shows a drop off from previous years.
- spatso

Both Datsyuk and Zetterberg missed almost half the season which I doubt they do this season. Nyquist missed the first 20+ games of the season playing in the AHL because Holland was too dumb to waive useless vets, Tatar was scratched for the first 9 games also because of those useless vets which won't be the case this season. Weiss was never healthy even when he played so we will finally see if he can contribute. Less injuries along with all the young players they have getting more ice time should make the Wings better. Howard also had a bad year.

Wings are in better shape than the Sens with a better farm system to lean on when they do get injuries.

I thought last year was the year that time finally would catch up with the Red Wings. But they hung on for another year patched together with some really old guys. At the end of the season Legwand and Alfredsson were on top of their player scoring stats. It will take a miracle to squeeze another playoff round from this team unless they play their home season at Lourdes.

Toronto/Ottawa fight for 3 and 4. Montreal slides. Tampa runs and hides from everyone else. Boston comes second but shows a drop off from previous years.
- spatso

The Wings blueline was the youngest it's iced in yrs- if not decades. If anything- the Wings pulled it out by being patched together by the youngsters.

It's funny how one can look at stats and think something. Look a little closer. Legwand scored 4 g/7a in 21 regular season games as a Wing (0 pts in 5 playoff games). So according to stats he was at the top but most of those pts weren't as a Wing. On deadline day, the Wings were down their top 4 C's ((Dats, Zetts, Weiss, Helm). In the end- most would say Legwand was a bust as a Wing.

Alfie, yes. For the Wings top forwards, Alfie ended up playing in the most games @68. Dats and Zetts both only played in 45 games last season, throw in Weiss playing in 26 injured, Franzen 54 games etc.

Wings fans... You guys gotta accept that you're just another middle of the pack team now. There's nothing overly impressive about that team.

I think you're pretty close....and man is this a weak division.

I think you're right on with the top half, one more season of Boston taking it though TB will really give them a run for their money.

I think the Sabres as a shoe in for division worst is not quite as cut and dry. There are a few key guys that will excel under a full season of Nolan's coaching style, namely Ennis, Giergenson(spelling?)and Myers with Reinhart being the wild card if he's ready. Sure they are not going to score a ton of goals at this point but will be better than last year I believe.

And I just don't see how Ottawa has gotten better but worse through the offseason.

Florida on the other hand is hard to gauge, ton of young talent , if they start to emerge(and with Luongo in net who won't have to deal with the pressure cooker type atmosphere that is Vancouver) I think they could really surprise.
- nikel

What did Buffalo do to improve their goaltending since the departure of Miller? Pretty key piece to figure out before I decide whether or not they are improved.

Wings fans... You guys gotta accept that you're just another middle of the pack team now. There's nothing overly impressive about that team.
- Gary_B.

Even there prospects are old. Other than for Mantha there is not much in their system.

1. Habs
2. Boston
3. Tampa
4. Leafs
5.Florida
6.Detroit
7.Ottawa
8.Buffalo

Leafs earn wildcard spot

Even there prospects are old. Other than for Mantha there is not much in their system.
- spatso

If Zetts and Dats can stay healthy, along with the rest of the team, then they will be alright, top three in Atlantic.

But, looking at Dats, over the last few years other than the lock out shortened season he doesn't seem to play anywhere near a full season.
Dats 2010-11 80 gms. He did play 70 GMs in 2011-12.

And Zetterberg who knows, he is getting older. But, personally, he alway seems to get hurt towards the end of the season or in the playoffs.

If they stay healthy, the wings will be fine, but if not......

Buffalo in last place..... AWESOME!!!!

Even there prospects are old. Other than for Mantha there is not much in their system.
- spatso

I think you should stop talking about the Wings because every time you show you know nothing. Their prospects system ranks in the top 10 in pretty much every site I have seen for the NHL.

I think you should stop talking about the Wings because every time you show you know nothing. Their prospects system ranks in the top 10 in pretty much every site I have seen for the NHL.
- dcz28

Not you first encounter with Spatso? Talks about every team like he's an expert but in reality is poorly educated on most things NHL.

If Zetts and Dats can stay healthy, along with the rest of the team, then they will be alright, top three in Atlantic.

But, looking at Dats, over the last few years other than the lock out shortened season he doesn't seem to play anywhere near a full season.
Dats 2010-11 80 gms. He did play 70 GMs in 2011-12.

And Zetterberg who knows, he is getting older. But, personally, he alway seems to get hurt towards the end of the season or in the playoffs.

If they stay healthy, the wings will be fine, but if not......
- JIwasinskiJr

Zetterberg's problems have almost always been with his back. Since his surgery he now says he hasn't felt this good since 2008.

Datsyuk does worry me a bit more because all he did was rehab his knee which it is possible the problems will return during the season.

If they stay healthy they should have a decent team and if not they have plenty of young players that are NHL ready that on other teams would already be full time in the NHL. Injuries at forward...Jurco, Pulkkinen, Mantha, Athanasiou, Nosek can step in. Injuries on defense...Ouellet, Marchenko, Sproul and Backman can step in. Injuries in net and Mrazek can step in.

Zetterberg's problems have almost always been with his back. Since his surgery he now says he hasn't felt this good since 2008.

Datsyuk does worry me a bit more because all he did was rehab his knee which it is possible the problems will return during the season.

If they stay healthy they should have a decent team and if not they have plenty of young players that are NHL ready that on other teams would already be full time in the NHL. Injuries at forward...Jurco, Pulkkinen, Mantha, Athanasiou, Nosek can step in. Injuries on defense...Ouellet, Marchenko, Sproul and Backman can step in. Injuries in net and Mrazek can step in.
- dcz28

But Spatso says those guys are 'not much'.

Not you first encounter with Spatso? Talks about every team like he's an expert but in reality is poorly educated on most things NHL.
- Jeropotato

Nope, he says the same thing every year about the Wings and even admitted he doesn't watch them at all but yet keeps talking like he knows them well and they are garbage.

Nope, he says the same thing every year about the Wings and even admitted he doesn't watch them at all but yet keeps talking like he knows them well and they are garbage.
- dcz28

Yep. Guys like him are a dime a dozen. When I'm on other threads I ask a lot more questions, because I assume someone like you knows more about the Wings than I do. This clown comes in and tells us all about our players and prospects and it's obvious he hasn't watched them play.

But Spatso says those guys are 'not much'.
- Jeropotato

Probably because he only looks at NHL stats and those guys get little to no NHL games even if they could play because Holland overcrowds the roster to the point they have no chance of making the team until they are out of waiver options.

Jurco doesn't belong in the AHL this season but unless the Wings are hit with injuries, that's where he will be. Same thing with Mrazek. Pulkkinen, Ouellet, Sproul and Marchenko should all be getting a bunch of games each in the NHL this season but won't unless injuries hit.

Where is all this Tampa is going to be ONE OF THE TOP TEAMS IN THE NHL coming from?

Vegas Chi, LA, & Bos at 8/1.

Tampa 18/1

And with advanced stats there is more and more to support there odds making.

It seems kinda typical of two things with NHL offseason.

1. Everyone goes with the teams that have a bunch of turnover/FA signings.
2. Everyone assumes there will be a change.

For the love of god, Tampa bay doesn't have arguably there second best player over the last decade in St. Louis anymore.

And Bishop is one of the best goalies in the NHL one year and the assumption is he is elite from here on, prediction......he will be as good as Andersson for Ottawa was after a year of being in the spotlight.
How many times have we seem a new goalie have a vezina goalie year and then drop off a bunch?

Although Tampa does have a very good possession team. So it will not be as bad as Ottawa.

But, Tampa will not beat out Boston. Don't see how they improved to do so. And other than Iggy, whom was washed up before the season, who did Boston lose to slide so much.

Does anyone think that whomever plays on Lucic and krejic's wing is going to score less than 20 goals.....seriously?

And there 2nd best d man is back from injury, AND they had practically FOUR ROOKIES playing last year on defense.....hard to think they digress.

It will be LA, BOSTON and St. Louis leading the league in goals allowed.....AGAIN....like every year.

Yep. Guys like him are a dime a dozen. When I'm on other threads I ask a lot more questions, because I assume someone like you knows more about the Wings than I do. This clown comes in and tells us all about our players and prospects and it's obvious he hasn't watched them play.
- Jeropotato

I'm looking forward to watching a lot of Grand Rapids games this season. Hopefully i'll be able to catch of couple of Larkin games too.

Where is all this Tampa is going to be ONE OF THE TOP TEAMS IN THE NHL coming from?

Vegas Chi, LA, & Bos at 8/1.

Tampa 18/1

And with advanced stats there is more and more to support there odds making.

It seems kinda typical of two things with NHL offseason.

1. Everyone goes with the teams that have a bunch of turnover/FA signings.
2. Everyone assumes there will be a change.

For the love of god, Tampa bay doesn't have arguably there second best player over the last decade in St. Louis anymore.

And Bishop is one of the best goalies in the NHL one year and the assumption is he is elite from here on, prediction......he will be as good as Andersson for Ottawa was after a year of being in the spotlight.
How many times have we seem a new goalie have a vezina goalie year and then drop off a bunch?

Although Tampa does have a very good possession team. So it will not be as bad as Ottawa.

But, Tampa will not beat out Boston. Don't see how they improved to do so. And other than Iggy, whom was washed up before the season, who did Boston lose to slide so much.

Does anyone think that whomever plays on Lucic and krejic's wing is going to score less than 20 goals.....seriously?

And there 2nd best d man is back from injury, AND they had practically FOUR ROOKIES playing last year on defense.....hard to think they digress.

It will be LA, BOSTON and St. Louis leading the league in goals allowed.....AGAIN....like every year.
- JIwasinskiJr

I believe that your wrong about bishop. He is an elite goalie! But I don't think they will contend