Toronto Maple Leafs:
General Manager: Brian Burke
Head Coach: Ron Wilson
Key Additions: Tim Connolly, John Michael-Liles (Trade via Colorado), Cody Franson (Trade via Nashville), Matthew Lombardi (Trade via Nashville)
Key Subtractions: Brett Lebda (Traded to Nashville), Tim Brent (Carolina), JS Giguere (Colorado), Christian Hanson (Washington)
The Leafs are the most scrutinized team in the NHL and in Canada especially. They are the biggest market in the league and have yet to make the playoffs since the lockout ended in Summer 2005. Its no secret Brian Burke is still cleaning up the mess left by former Leafs GM John Ferguson Jr. However, this year is expected to be very different as the Leafs will definitely battle for the final playoff berth in the east. In 2006-2007, they missed out on the final day. However, they will likely fall slightly short again.
Ottawa Senators:
General Manager: Bryan Murray
Head Coach: Paul MacLean
Key Additions: Zenon Konopka, Mark Parrish, Alex Auld, Nikita Filatov (Trade via Columbus)
Key Subtractions: Cody Bass (Columbus), Ryan Shannon (Tampa Bay), Curtis McElhinney (Phoenix), Ryan Potulny (Washington)
The Senators success will depend on a healthy Daniel Alfredsson, a consistent Jason Spezza and the goaltending of Craig Anderson. However, they will fall short once again as they are still rebuilding, but they are not far away from returning to their 2007 Cup Form.
Montreal Canadiens:
General Manager: Pierre Gauthier
Head Coach: Jacques Martin
Key Additions: Erik Cole, Jeff Woywitka, Brian Willsie, Nathan Lawson, Peter Budaj, Mark Mitera (Trade via Anaheim)
Key Subtractions: Tom Pyatt (Tampa Bay), Alexandre Picard (Pittsburgh), Benoit Pouliot (Boston), Curtis Sanford (Columbus), Alex Auld (Ottawa), Roman Hamrlik (Washington), Brent Sopel (KHL), Paul Mara (TBD), Jeff Halpern (Washington)
The Canadiens probably provided the biggest scare in the playoffs to the eventual Cup Champion Bruins. However, after a disappointing defeat in Game 7 in overtime, the Canadiens hope to return to the form that carried them through the 2010 playoffs all the way to the Conference Finals. As usual Carey Price will have to be relied upon as he usually is. He did live up to expectations in 2010-2011 and had a bounce back year.
Buffalo Sabres:
General Manager: Darcy Regier
Head Coach: Lindy Ruff
Key Additions: Ville Leino, Robyn Regehr (Trade via Calgary), Christian Ehrhoff
Key Subtractions: Tim Connolly (Toronto), Mark Parrish (Ottawa), Chris Butler (Traded to Calgary), Rob Niedermayer (Switzerland), Mike Grier (TBD)
For the first time since 2006-2007, Sabres fans have something great to feel about possibly going for the Cup. They will be healthy and have a fresh new owner in Terrance Pegula, who has said he will spend big to bring the Stanley Cup to Northwest New York State. They have finally build themselves a defensive core that will be tough to play against with Ehrhoff, Myers, Regehr and Sekera. Ryan Miller will be in the Vezina conversation and the Sabres are healthy with Derek Roy back at 100%. My prediction is that they will win the Northeast and will make it to Round 2 of the playoffs, but I think they are my dark horse pick to go all the way to the Stanley Cup.
Boston Bruins:
General Manager: Peter Chiarelli
Head Coach: Claude Julien
Key Additions: Benoit Pouliot, Joe Corvo (Trade via Carolina)
Key Subtractions: Tomas Kaberle (Carolina), Michael Ryder (Dallas), Mark Recchi (retirement)
Fresh off their Cup Win, the Bruins will look to repeat, but I think it will be very tough for Tim Thomas to do this again. I think the Bruins will be major targets by all 30 teams and will likely suffer a Round 1 defeat this season. I think they will be a Top 5 team in the East, but like I said unlikely to go far in the playoffs.
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