NHL Northeast Division Preview
The Senators offense, lead by center Dany Heatley (105 PTS) is potent. Last season young goalie Ray Emery (.918 SV%) proved to be a pleasant surprise. Other key point producers this season should include center Jason Spezza and winger Daniel Alfredsson, both of whom totaled 87 points last season. Although they tied for first in short-handed goals last year, the Senators lacked and still lack enforcers.
If any team can score more goals than Ottawa, it’s the Buffalo Sabres. The club scored an average of 3.63 GPG in 2006- 07. The club has lost some scores from last season, but the first line of winger Thomas Vanek, center Tim Connolly and winger Maxim Alinogenov is one of the most formidable in the league. Look for Paul Gaustad and Andrew Peters to use more force this season. Goalie Ryan Miller (.911 SV%) is the real thing.
There’s a definite fall off in the division with Boston, Toronto and Montreal all needing to prove something. Boston has talent in Marc Savard, Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara and a promising prospect in Finnish tender Tuukka Rask. New coach Claude Julien was hired to toughen up the team, and he will. If healthy, winger Phil Kessel could be an All-Star.
Toronto had a basic problem last year—too many goals were let in and not enough scored. Hardworking winger Jason Blake (69 PTS), from the Islanders, may help and the durable Mats Sundin (76 PTS) is back for another season. Goaltender Vesa Toskala (908 SV%), from San Jose, should provide better stopping power.
The Canadiens are still rebuilding. In goal, rookie Carey Price could be the future. Last year, center Saku Koivu (75 PTS) proved he could score, but he had a terrible minus-21 rating. The Canadiens were tops on power play and short-handed goals. Last season they did not make the playoffs; expect the same in 2007- 08.
Projected Finish in 2007- 2008
1) Ottawa Senators
2) Buffalo Sabres
3) Boston Bruins
4) Toronto Maple Leafs
5) Montreal Canadians
Check out the other Eastern Conference divisions previews including the Atlantic and Southeast.
