NHL Season Preview
The Southeast Division
Courtesy: SB Nation
1. Florida Panthers
Subtractions: Jason Garrison, Krys Barch, Mikael Samuelsson, Bracken Kearns, Wojtek Wolski, Michal Repik, Mark Cullen, Marco Sturm, Bill Thomas
Additions: Filip Kuba, George Parros, J.F. Jacques, Peter Mueller, Casey Wellman, Alexi Kovalev
The Panthers blew expectations out of the water last year. Kris Versteeg, Tomas Fleishmann and Stephen Weiss were one of the top lines in the league. At one point, Versteeg was leading the league in scoring. Add Peter Mueller, rookie Justin Huberdeau and veteran Alexi Kovalev to the roster and the Panthers might be able to re-create that same magic with more depth. They did finish 27th in total offense last year, but they won a lot of one goal games. The defense will need to help the offense out.
Newly named captain Ed Jovanoski will have to lead this defensive core and rally them together quickly. With the absence of Jason Garrison, sophmore Erik Gudbranson will see more ice time and try to find his groove. He played well last year but they expect big things. Filp Kuba is always solid and leads by example. Brian Campbell is always a threat and was great last year, but he along with the other D-men will have to step it up and protect the net.
Jose Theodore and Scott Clemmensen were good last year and stole some games for the Panthers. They will need to do the same this year. If they seem to be faltering, expect a trade. Maybe one that will see Roberto Luongo return to Florida. The asking price is high, but as the season goes on the Panthers might be backed into a corner.
2. Carolina Hurricanes
Subtractions: Brandon Sutter, Bryan Allen, Jaroslav Spacek
Additions: Jordan Staal, Alex Semin, Joe Corvo
There is a lot of hope, and hype, in Carolina this season as the Hurricanes have revamped their offense with the addition of Eric’s brother Jordan and the inigma of Alexander Semin. Jordan Staal will have to carry over what he did in Pittsburgh and playing with a healthy Jeff Skinner could provide the spark they both need. Alex Semin may or may not show up – you never what player you’re gonna get. If he does, however, the Canes will be strong and dominant with two good lines for teams to worry about.
The Canes defense is solid with Jamie McBain and Justin Faulk. Faulk can only get better and add to last years success. Joni Pitkanen and Tim Gleason are a good second pair who can move the puck. The defense will need to protect Cam Ward a little better this year, but with a better offensive support that shouldn’t be a problem.
Cam Ward is still one of the leagues best goaltenders. He’s felt the burn of less-than-stellar Carolina teams the last few years, but has still played his heard out. He can play all 48 games if they’d him, but a little rest could prove to be what the doctor ordered if they make the playoffs.
3. Winnipeg Jets
Subtractions: Tim Stapleton, Chris Mason, Eric Fehr, Mark Food, Randy Jones, Peter Mannino, Tanner Glass
Additions: Olli Jokinen, Alexi Ponikarovsky, Al Montoya
This could be the last year for the Jets in the Southeast as the new re-allignment will be the hot topic this summer. Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler are great two- way players who can still put up points and the addition of Jokinen and Poikarovsky add much needed depth. Kyle Wellwood will hopefully continue after breaking his personal best last year. It’s Evander Kane that the Jets look to for scoring and the winger is getting better every season. Jet’s fans have been hard on him, and hopefully he can still put the pressure and remarks behind him to show Manitoba that he belongs.
Zach Bogosian will need to play better this year. He’s a good, strong defensman and can be a star in this league if he can take it to the next level and be the mean, crease-clearing defenseman the Jets need. Dustin Byfuglien will need to put this past summer behind him and get back to leading the offensive side of the D. His big shot and big body are great for the power play and he can still be a force.
Ondrej Pavelec is a good goaltender, but his defense will have to help him more to be a great one. He just re-signed with a big contract so that pressure is off and he can get back to his job. With a better offense, much like Carolina, the Jets could be ready to make a jump.
4. Tampa Bay Lightning
Subtractions: Bruno Gervais, Trevor Smith, Sebastian Caron, Brett Clark, Dwayne Roloson, Ryan Shannon, Mike Commodore
Additions: Anders Lindback, Riku Helenius, Kyle Wilson, Benoit Pouliot, Michel Ouellet, Sami Salo, Matt Carle, Matt Taormina, B.J. Crombeen
Steve Yzerman is slowly building an empire in Tampa. The Bolts didn’t make the playoffs last year, but this year could be a entirely different story. Steven Stamkos the best pure goal scorer in the league and there is a possibility he could go 50 in 48 – just saying. Martin St. Louis is still amazing and a short (no pun) season will do wonders for him come playoff time. Vincent Lecavlier is still a solid contributor and a great leader, and Teddy Purcell and Ryan Malone can score.
The defensive moves that Yzerman did this offseason were savvy. Matt Carle will provide a world of difference for the Bolts, and Sami Salo can log a ton of minutes, when healthy, and can play the power play when needed. Victor Hedman finally has some help and will benefit from their experience as well as taking some pressure off for him to develop.
Anders Lindback could be the steal of the century if he comes through. He was Pekka Rinne’s back up in Nashville, but is he ready for a starring role? The team has relied heavily on Dwayne Roloson for so long that a youth movement in goal could be the key
Courtesy: ESPN
5. Washington Capitals
Subtractions: Alex Semin, Dennis Wideman, Tomas Vokoun, Sean Collins, Mike Knuble, Jeff Halpern, Keith Aucoin, Cody Eakin, D.J. King
Additions: Mike Ribeiro, Jack Hillen, Joey Crabb, Wojtek Wolski, Eric Fehr
Adam Oates will have his hands full this season. He has to instill a new system and identity into the Capitals and have all eyes on him while he does it. Oates needs to revamp this offense which used to be the deadliest in the league. Alex Ovechkin was once the most feared player in the NHL but the last few seasons he’s been figured out by almost every team. He needs to get going again. Nicklas Backstrom will hopefully be healthy and he is the key to bringing this potent Caps offense together. Mike Ribeiro will provide the Caps the second centerman they have been missing since Sergei Fedorov and Marcus Johansson will match the speed of Ovechkin and Backstrom. I have high hopes for Wojtek Wolski. I think he could be the offensive steal of the year and could pick up where Semin left off. Playing with Ribeiro could be what he needs. Joel Ward will have to step it up from last season, and Troy Brouwer and Brooks Laich need to have more of an impact. The Caps are strong down the middle with Jay Beagle and Mathieu Perreault – something they haven’t been in years. Throw in newcomer Joey Crabb with Matt Hendricks and you have a lot of bite.
Mike Green will return to form under Oates’ system, but it’s his relationship with assistant coach Calle Johansson that will make him great. Green has to relearn his game and get back to what he was only a few seasons ago and hopefully he can stay healthy. John Carlson will join the rush more and Karl Alzner is as steady as they come. Jack Hillen was a great pickup as he can move the puck and get under the opposing offense and irritate. Tom Poti might even make an appearance. He’s skating again and would make a big difference if he were healthy.
Braden Holtby will finally get his chance to show the league that the playoffs weren’t a fluke. I really hope he get a groove and maintain that through the short season. Michal Neuvirth and he wil split time. Neuvirth is still developing and is still a good goaltender. He suffered with the team while trying to find a new identity but this year he could step up and bring it the next level. If these two can’t do what the Caps expect then this team will not go far.
Thanks for reading.
More to come…
