2008-09 Northeast Division Standings:
Boston – 53-19-10 – 116 pts’‘Montreal – 41-30-11 – 93 pts'’Buffalo – 41-32-9 – 91 pts’‘Ottawa – 36-35-11 – 83 pts'’Toronto – 34-35-11 – 81 pts
The Northeast Division has typically been one of the strongest divisions in the league, with all five teams making fairly regular appearances in the postseason. For the past three seasons, however, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been noticeably absent from the playoffs, while Boston, on the other hand has dramatically improved post-lockout. The Senators and Sabres have both shown signs of promise, but Ottawa has struggled with personnel and team management issues, while Buffalo hasn’t been able to stay healthy since losing Daniel Briere and Chris Drury to free agency a few years back. Montreal, the league’s most storied franchise, celebrated its 100th year in existence in poor fashion, limping into the playoffs and being bounced unceremoniously by their longtime rivals, the Bruins.
Offensively, the Northeast is flush with solid performers. Ottawa’s top line of Alfredsson, Spezza and Alexei Kovalev (who will likely replace Dany Heatley once Ottawa can move him) is good enough to score against any team in the league. Unfrotunately, that’s pretty much where their offense ends. Despite the fact that Ottawa’s top three forwards were among the league’s top 50 point getters last year, the Senators still only ranked 23rd in the league in total offense. Boston, on the other hand, had only two scorers with more than 65 points last season, yet they ranked first in the Eastern Conference in goals scored as a team. Toronto somehow managed to rank 10th in the league in scoring, despite having no real star power up front, instead relying on a fast-paced run and gun style of play, which, due to their troubles on the defensive end, left them coming up short all season long. Montreal completely re-vamped their offense this offseason, losing three of their top forwards to free agency, but adding a whole new line of small but agile scorers in Gomez, Cammalleri and Gionta. The Canadiens definitely made the most moves on offense this season, although it remains to be seen whether or not they will pay off. Boston still seems to have the best all around offense in the division.
On defense, the Leafs knew they had to make major upgrades if they were going to have any chance at competing this season. To fill their needs, Brian Burke went shopping for physical players and solid, stay-at-home defensemen. After allowing the most goals in the entire league, last year, the Leafs definitely have the most upgraded blueline in the division. Former Canadien Mike Komisarek and Garnet Exelby have a history of being some of the most physical defensemen in the game, while Francois Beauchemin brings years of experience on the defensively sound Anaheim Ducks. With six capable defensemen on the roster, Toronto may have the top defensive corps in the division. Boston still has one of the best defenses in the league, although their league leading 2.32 GAA last season was definitely aided by the stellar play of Vezina winning netminder Tim Thomas.
In net, the Bruins clearly have the edge on the rest of their division, as Tim Thomas recently earned the nod as the favorite to start for Team USA at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Carey Price is still trying to find his groove in Montreal, while Ottawa’s current goaltending situation is about as stable as the American economy. Brian Burke landed the Leafs another big piece when he signed top European goalie Jonas Gustavsson. Gustavsson should be competing with Vesa Toskala for the starting job, giving Toronto two very capable netminders. The sleeper in this division could be Ryan Miller, who posted yet another 30 win season in 2008-09, despite playing in only 59 games. Since winning the starting job in Buffalo, Miller has been one of the most consistent goalies in the league, and has the potential to be a Vezina candidate, as long as he stay healthy.
2009-10 Standings Prediction’‘Boston'’Buffalo’‘Toronto'’Montreal’‘Ottawa’’