Is it me, or will the east conference seem top heavy next year?

[DChero]

Gill wasn't on the 2008 roster. He was only on for one year.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

I think that Washington is just fine on defense but the young enigmatic goaltenders do concern me.....

 

[PhillyPhaithful48]

I think the lightning will contend this year. We'll see how the year plays out, but can't count too many teams out. Just the Thrashers and Sabres jk lolz

 

[Bizzle McDizzle]

I think the lightning will contend this year. We'll see how the year plays out, but can't count too many teams out. Just the Thrashers and Sabres jk lolz

summer 2009 flashback.. summer 2009 flashback... summer 2009 flashback.. summer 2009 flashback...

 

[DChero]

I think the Southeast may be much more open this year. Washington didn't really strike me as upgrading, yet the Lightning and Thrashers seem to be on the rise - albeit at a slow pace. If Stamkos and St. Louis get a good defense, they may contend. Atlanta's still probably a year away, but who knows with all of the management changes in the division.

I also think the Red Wings are on their way back up due to process of elimination. The Hawks seemed to put all of their eggs in one basket last year. It was worth it, but they may feel the effects this coming season.

Since I'm on a rant, I just want to congratulate the B's for an impressive off-season. They didn't make any blockbuster moves, but they made a necessary trade and picked up a great talent in Seguin.

 

[HonusWagner66]

Gill wasn't on the 2008 roster. He was only on for one year.

Ummm yeah he was. He was acquired from the Maple Leafs for two draft picks the same day the Penguins made the Hossa trade. Haha how do you not remember this? It was 2 years ago...

 

[HonusWagner66]

and chris...sadly we can't even show the roster right now, because our forwards are TBD. i guess i'm just really excited to have a solid D (on paper) for once.

Orpik-Letang
Gogo-Z
Martin-Lovejoy
Engeland

not sure if that's how the pairings work out. but a nice mix of D and O. i'd like to see Z and martin together, but Gogo cant be Lovejoy's first partner in the NHL. Lovejoy will be solid though. funny how our depth chart on D has completely shifted.

I think it will be more like:

Martin - Michalek
Letang - Orpik
Goligoski - Lovejoy

I think this is the most balanced. This has a blend of puck-movers and defensive defensemen on each pairing. It also has a LH and RH shot on each pair. Letang and Orpik have experience together, as do Goligoski and Lovejoy (briefly in the NHL and considerable time in WB/S).

The third pairing is inexperienced, but they should be okay. The top 2 pairings should be able to eat up a ton of ice time anyway. Goligoski will get his minutes on the power play too. They are not paying Martin $5 million a year to be a third pairing defenseman.

And I'd rather sign a veteran defenseman for 550k-750k to be the 7th guy than Engelland. I wouldn't mind Engelland, but there is really no point in having him sit in the press box when he could be playing in WB/S.

I also wouldn't be shocked to see Michalek and Orpik together if they want a "shutdown pairing," but I like the first sets I mentioned more.

Is it September yet?

 

[CatScrap]

I think the lightning will contend this year. We'll see how the year plays out, but can't count too many teams out. Just the Thrashers and Sabres jk lolz

I hate you...
Enjoy your Briere contract punk. He would've played for us for 4.5 mil/year if our management didn't suck.

 

[PhillyPhaithful48]

Hey, his contract looks a lot sexier when we start playing games 83 and onward.

 

[Urkie]

I've thought about this ever since the Sens got Gonchar.

I think with that edition they are more of a team to be feared and honestly who in the Northeast is really better then they are? Alfredsson, Spezza, Kovalev, Michalek and Fisher is a pretty formidable top 5 offensive players and then you add in Gonchar on the back and those players all of the sudden have the capability to score a lot more goals. Not to mention Foligno and Regin really stepped up in the playoffs last year.

If Gonchar can stay healthy then I think the Sens win the NE division fairly easily and they also pick up a forward at the trade deadline to solidify their position as contenders.

The question mark to me is the goaltending but people forget that Elliott was very very solid last season. Not great in the playoffs but it was his first shot at it.

 

[Darkstone42]

I think the conference may resemble this:

 

[Bizzle McDizzle]

Not sure why people keep putting Philly in as one of the top 2 in the east... they had a GREAT run and almost pulled it off, but were still a low seed and still have issues between the pipes.

Did people think Edmonton was a top team in the west in 2006-2007? They did the exact same thing, even took it one more game.

Philly's in the upper half of the east, yes, playoff team, yes... but to ink them in as the top or one of the top two? Not convinced.

Get your goalie issue resolved, and I'll be more on board. Leighton as your go-to will keep you 5-8 in my book.

 

[maddogmark25]

Philly underperformed all year because of injuries and lockerroom turmoil, before the start of the season they were considered by many to be the favorite to win the east...so in that sense, they were inked as top 2 and lived up to it in the playoffs

 

[pixburgher66]

all i know is that the east is looking like the superior conference. still some more movement to go down before it can be officially judged, but it's pretty tough at the top.