Canes Country Clash: Northeast Division Predictions, 2009-10
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 1, 2009 8:00 AM EDT
24 comments
Bob and I are at it again, this time handicapping the Northeast, home of the reigning Eastern Conference No. 1 seed Boston Bruins. Last year I was widely mocked for picking the Bruins ahead of the mighty Canadiens. We know how that went.
Bob and I both see the top two the same, but we disagree on the bottom three. Here goes.
You can also read our predictions for the Southeast and Atlantic divisions.
Bob's Take:
1. Boston
2. Buffalo
3. Toronto
4. Montreal
5. Ottawa
After Boston, the talent in the "Northleast" drops off considerably. But will more than one team make the playoffs? I think so.
The Boston Bruins will win this division easily once again. There is simply no one else who can challenge them. But when you are not challenged within your own division and have too easy of a time, what happens when you reach the playoffs? (see last year) The boys from Beantown lost Phil Kessel and Aaron Ward, but they added Derek Morris and get back Marco Sturm, who was injured most of last season. Is Morris an upgrade over Ward? That is arguable. Sturm is a very good player, but he always seems to be hurt. While these guys will win the division without much trouble, I don't see them advancing far in the postseason.
Buffalo has it's share of weaknesses, but they should be better than their Canadian neighbors. Ryan Miller is always tough and these guys probably would have made the playoffs last year if he didn't get injured. They lost one of their best defensemen in Jaroslav Spacek, but Steve Montador is a nice plug in. Mike Grier was also added and he brings some much needed grit, so this team might be a bit better than they were last year. They should make it to the postseason, but they can not match up with the Bruins.
My surprise pick for third is Toronto, and I'll even predict that they will be fighting for a playoff spot right up until the end. Luke Schenn is just going to get better and better. They over-paid for Mike Komisarik, but he's a good addition, and the rest of their defense looks serviceable. Lee Stempniak, Matt Stajan, and Mikhail Grabovski are under-rated forwards. A lot will depend upon the goaltending and Vesa Toskala is very inconsistent, but will "The Monster", Jonas Gustavsson have a monster year? Stranger things have happened.
Will newcomers Scott Gomez, Brian Gionta, and Mike Cammalleri revitalize the Montreal Canadiens? I wouldn't count on it. This team's roster does not impress and I don't see playoffs in their immediate future. Carey Price has not proven himself as a winner and can't even consistently out-play counterpart Jaroslav Halak. The defense doesn't scare anyone. The big question is, will anyone in Montreal care? They seem more concerned that very few players on the team speak French. Fans will soon learn that even though coach Jacques Martin does speak French, that doesn't necessarily make him a good coach.
Ottawa improved their play a lot last year when it was too late to matter. Will they be able to continue their improved performance when it counts? I doubt it. Don't get me wrong, there is still some skill and talent on their roster, but they seem dysfunctional. Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson are very good players, but there is a drop off after that. And there is no guarantee that newcomers, Jonathan Cheechoo and Milan Michalek will find their scoring grooves. After Anton Volchenkov, the defense looks weak. The goaltending might be okay, but I look at the roster and I see last place.
* * *
Cory's Take:
1. Boston
2. Buffalo
3. Montreal
4. Ottawa
5. Toronto
0 recs |
24 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Cory – I loved reading that Oct ’08 piece. You really do have a clairvoyance gene. You nailed, dead-on.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
Yeah, dead on
Let’s see, there was the “not drinking the blue blanc and rouge kool-aid” and the note about Chara winning the Norris. Not too shabby.
Embrace big ideas!
My Pick
I had to take the Canadiens because I believe that the Bruins lost too much in the off-season and Thomas won’t have as good of a year as last year. I think Buffalo will disappoint once again. :) The Sens will be fairly weak and I would have to go with Toronto as my sleeper pick here. They could be a little bit of a surprise…
If the Canes' had a post season like the Habs,
there’d be a funeral for a “failed hockey team in a non-hockey market” by every major sports outlet.
I’d pick the Boys from Bean town over any of their fellow inmates in the asylum known as the NE Division.
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
No move of Coyotes to NE territory:
Balsillie ends bid
by Andrea's evil twin on Oct 1, 2009 8:49 AM EDT reply actions
The ruling put a complete end to Basille’s attempts to move the team without League approval. His claims were dismissed with prejudice and on top of that the Judge found that the NHL’s rules are valid and pro-competitive. I don’t know that this is the end, but it does mean that if Basille does want to move the Coyotes to Hamilton, which could happen after this season still, he’s going to have to work with the NHL to do it.
Embrace big ideas!
good luck today, Andrea!
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Oct 1, 2009 10:26 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Damn
I forgot. Good luck on your defense.
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
Okay lady, spill it
how did it go?
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
This division is all Boston's to lose
Buffalo will be a borderline playoff team again.
the Hab’s… I have no freaking clue what they are going to do this year. I feel they could make the playoffs, but doubt they will.
by packpigskinfan25 on Oct 1, 2009 9:44 AM EDT reply actions
I truly believe Boston will make the playoffs. After that, not so much. I was disappointed when Florida collapsed and let Montreal in the playoffs last year. A good laugh for all SE fans this year.
I really thought Florida was finally going to put it together at the end of last season and finally realize their potential. They’ve got a good group down there, but no real game breakers.
Embrace big ideas!
I think Booth is the definition of a game breaker … one of my favorites to watch. The main problem, IMO, is Horton is a chronic underachiever. They need a big body that can be a consistent offensive threat.
by Cory Lavalette on Oct 1, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
WTF?
http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/article/2009-09-29/penguins-bruins-flyers-should-feast-east
As much as I like the underdog status, there are still times I think many in the press have a serious case of cranial/rectal inversion.
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
Craigs either an idiot or a poor writer and I didn’t understand his points. Atl. still isn’t gonna have PO win at the end of this year. To even think they ahve a shot is optomism on a grand scale indeed. I noticed he mentions 9 teams? I will agree with his locks. Pitt, Phil, Boston and the Craps are all probably going to the second season. I think we have as good a chance as anybody so with that there are only 3 spots left….
It’s gonna be a tight year and I think the points to get in will be about where they were last year, say 94 or so to get in. I think Fla. had 93 and lost out on a tie breaker gig.
Starts tonight, looking forward to the Habs and Leafs, either of them could be much better or just suck, I wanna know!!
A
hehe
why can “Ward only carry a team so far” and guys like Emery will “have a breakout year and lead his team”?
Is this classic “both sides of the mouth” or "which end i
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
?????
the last line should read:
Is this classic "both sides of the mouth" or "which end is he speaking out of?
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- In which former NHL coach Ken Hitchcock foils a shoplifter
- Montreal's Price talks new 2-year contract, expectations post-Halak
- Donald Fehr aware of Kovalchuk drama, mum on everything else
- Puck Headlines: Savard's agent rants on Bettman; Halak in Montreal
- Boudreau, Crawford placed on the coaching hot seat
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
