Well, this is my first attempt at doing an NHL preview. Last season was a treasure to see with the playoffs being as unpredictable in recent memory. Let's start with the Eastern Conference.
METROPOLITAN DIVISION
CAROLINA HURRICANES
As much as he will get hounded for killing the AAF, owner Tom Dundon has turned an awkward situation in Raleigh into a bowl full of hope. Hopefully, this continues. The Canes went on a miraculous run that ended in a loss to Boston in the ECF. Look for more improvement this season.
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
The Jackets went all-in during the trade deadline getting Matt Duchene from Ottawa, and it worked. For one round of the playoffs. But it was against the history-making Tampa Bay Lightning. Then they proceeded to lose their top three players via free agency. Could be a long season in Columbus.
NEW JERSEY DEVILS
After a playoff run, the Devils went back to the doldrums of the NHL. They did win the #1 overall pick and selected the "next big thing" Jack Hughes. With a still not-at-his-prime Taylor Hall and new additions P.K. Subban and Wayne Simmonds, the Devils have a look of a playoff team. Remember, they have the look.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
After losing John Tavares to free agency and the owner passing on, the Islanders were left to rot. But suddenly, the Isles were a force in the regular season and swept the Pens in the first round. Re-signing captain Anders Lee was a must and they broke ground on their new arena. Things are looking up. Hopefully.
NEW YORK RANGERS
The Isles' city counterpart, the Rangers, are in a full rebuild. They did get the #2 pick and selected Finnish forward Kaapo Kakko and signed the cream of the crop in free agency, Blue Jackets winger Artemi Panarin. These are just building blocks as NYR will continue their for the next season or so.
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
The Flyers are a middle-of-the-pack team who could be a playoff contender, but pieces of missing for, at least, a short playoff run......Let's be honest, this team was overtaken by their creepy, yet popular mascot. It was everywhere. Anyway, Philadelphia is going to contend for the playoffs.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Due to the NHL' s salary cap, Stanley Cup dynasties are there, but limited. The Penguins are starting to go through that. I mean, they still have their core (Crosby, Malkin). Unfortunately, they had to trade key pieces to get under the cap like Phil Kessel. The Pens could sneak into the playoffs, but the season after that, who knows?
WASHINGTON CAPITALS
After winning the Cup in 2018, the Capitals had a little bit of a hangover. Then the playoffs were a kick in the groin as they were bounced in the first round. With an aging Alex Ovechkin, John Carlson and stellar goalie Braden Holtby, the Caps have the depth and firepower for another Cup run. But will it happen?
ATLANTIC DIVISION
BOSTON BRUINS
The Bruins were a game from lifting Lord Stanley's Cup and they could be close again this season. The question going into this season is that if all-world, 42 year old defenseman Zheno Chara can sustain any punishment for another season. Other than that, the rest of the cast could lift the Bruins far in the playoffs.
BUFFALO SABRES
The Sabres seem to be in neutral, despite having young worldly talent (Jack Eichel, Rasmus Dahlin, Dylan Cozens). It's really sad considering if they had stable management and an unwillingness to trade their best players, Buffalo could be an up-and-coming team. Let's hope this year they can break through.
DETROIT RED WINGS
The Red Wings have finally embraced the R word: rebuilding. And they brought back a prodigal son, Stevie Y. Steve Yzerman has returned as GM after Ken Holland's "demotion" and is looking to work his magic here like in Tampa. The Wings are always had a great pipeline with European talent and this could help Yzerman. They will be alright. Just not yet.
FLORIDA PANTHERS
Florida is that darkhorse team with management and ownership issues. Yet their play improved last season. Unfortunately, long-time goalie Roberto Luongo retired, which meant the Panthers went to free agency to snag Sergei Bobrovsky from Columbus for BIG bucks. The team is full of talent....can this talent emerge despite front-office tomfoolery.
MONTREAL CANADIENS
The Habs have become an organization where they believe players will flock to them due to tradition and 24 Stanley Cups. They could, but they won't. When they tried to sign Sebastian Aho from the Canes as a RFA, it was considered taboo in the NHL and drew the ire of the league. Montreal has a lot of work cut out for them to be playoff contenders.
OTTAWA SENATORS
Speaking of having their work cut out for them, the Senators decided to do a fire sale at the deadline to save face and start from square one. On paper, Ottawa is the worst team in the league and their future doesn't look pleasant. Whether they move to Quebec or stay in town, the Sens have a long season ahead of them.
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
62 wins. President's Trophy winner. Art Ross Trophy winner. Hart Trophy winner. Vezina Trophy winner. 2-0 lead in Game 1 in the second period of the first round.....then, well you what happened. The biggest chokejob in sports history. I believe they will be back.....and hopefully, with a bloody venegence.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Despite signing John Tavares to go along with mega-superstar Auston Matthews, the Leafs underachieved yet again. Seems like a recurring theme for this franchise during the last few decades. Don't get me wrong, Toronto is a playoff team. However, every move that should help propel them to the top doesn't propel them there. Expect more of the same this season.
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