Heard kind of an odd statement coming out of the mouth of one of my choice hockey insiders this morning. (And one Ottawa Senator fans would take issue with, no doubt).
Sportsnet and Hockey Night in Canada’s Elliotte Friedman relayed to his co-host, Stittsville resident Kyle Bukauskas, that Buffalo – of all the teams in the NHL – was the organization that could least afford to get off to a slow start this year.
I get where he’s coming from. The Sabres are a fragile group. The club hasn’t made the post-season seemingly since the Gilbert Perreault era, and that pair of losses overseas to the New Jersey Devils this past weekend were stingers.
But come on.
What’s been the theme in Eastern Ontario for the past six-to-seven years?
All-slow-starts-must-be-avoided.
With the Sabres it was pretty much a case of playing poorly throughout the season that got them into trouble. In Ottawa with the Senators, it’s become the same old story of stagnant starts killing their chances before the end of November even hits.
Same old, same old.
But as alluded to in this space last week, today we’re examining Ottawa’s outlook with a new coaching staff (for the most part), a sparkling new toy in goaltender Linus Ullmark, and the expected growth of the core – which is now not-so, so young.
Here’s a crystal-ball gaze on the NHL’s Atlantic Division which features Eastern Ontario’s Holy Trinity of Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto.
(We’ll work this in alphabetical order . . . outside of the local club which we’ll kick off with . . . with predicted season finish).
OTTAWA SENATORS
Ullmark was expected to be the story coming out of camp – and he likely will be one way or the other come springtime – instead though, it’s been the play of first-round selection (seventh overall), Carter Yakemchuk.
The 19-year-old burned it up in the pre-season, leading the club in points with seven. He’d impressed enough for Ottawa to give him at the very least a nine-game look. Yakemchuk was Ottawa’s best player. And yes, we understand it was only the pre-season, but does Ottawa have a stronger option at this juncture to replace him on the D?
Well, the answer to all that conjecture is, no.
Ottawa made the decision to send Yakemchuk back to the WHL on Monday morning. Disappointing news for Senators’ fans.
“Carter had a tremendous training camp, but we made this decision in the best interests of his long-term development,” offered up GM Steve Staios.
So then, moving on. And we go back to the thoughts in our opening graphs. It is the same music playing in the background for the Senators. A sluggish opening to the year is unacceptable. Hum along.
So, what’s to dissuade the argument that Ottawa hits the eight-year plateau for playoffs missed?
Ullmark for one. It’s been written and said but we’ll write it again – the Senators haven’t carried this much stability in goal since Craig Anderson’s days between the pipes.
The argument that Ullmark played behind a much-more credible defensive crew in Boston the past few years is valid. But he also put up strong numbers in goal backstopping the afore-mentioned Buffalo Sabres, who were dreadful back then.
The new-coach-bump should also give the team a lift early on. Reviews are terribly mixed on Travis Green – some say he got a short shrift while in Vancouver, others point to his overall sub-.500 record as a head coach. We’re not overly hyped about the hire but perhaps a change gives the Senators a bit more of a charge . . . early on.
This corner also questioned the less-than inspiring signings in the off-season. Upon further review though, I kind of get what Staios was/is trying to do – instill some veteran pros to help with structure and defensive effort. With David Perron, Mike Amadio, Nick Cousins and Nick Jensen, Ottawa’s a bit more stable and mature.
The key though will be the maturity and growth in stability of the sort-of-youngish base group. Tim Stutzle needs to be better, and Josh Norris needs to be healthy. Thomas Chabot needs to be stronger in his own zone while Shane Pinto needs to follow up on a good exhibition season.
With Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson there aren’t any worries or concerns.
But until this team that’s grown accustomed to losing does a 180 in convincing fashion, it might be a move upward, but a move that just falls short.
(Predicted finish in Atlantic: 5th)
And now, the rest of the Atlantic Division . . .
BOSTON BRUINS
Jake DeBrusk is out, Ullmark is history, in comes Nikita Zadorov and Elias Lindholm.
The Bruins will be big (a pre-requisite for being a Bruin) and nasty to play against. Zadorov stands 6-foot-6, Mason Lohrei is 6-foot-5, Brandon Carlo 6-foot-5 and veteran Hampus Lindholm is 6-foot-4.
And that’s just the blueline.
The key for Boston is simple. Recently signed Jeremy Swayman gets the ball and is the Bruins’ starting pitcher on most nights. As much as the heat is on in Ottawa for Ullmark, you can say the same for Swayman here.
If veteran Brad Marchand (now 36) stays healthy and David Pastrnak continues being David Pastrnak, the B’s soar into the playoffs once again.
(Predicted finish in Atlantic: 3rd)
BUFFALO SABRES
The Sabres didn’t do themselves any favours dropping their opening pair to New Jersey last weekend.
There’s something in the air and in the water in upstate New York that creates pessimism, once again.
Funny, cause Buffalo has such potential with blue-chippers like Bowen Byram, Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power.
The streak, though, continues.
(Predicted finish in Atlantic: 7th)
DETROIT RED WINGS
The toughest one to call in the division.
The Wings were within a hair of making the playoffs last year but lost out to Washington in the race for the final spot.
GM Steve Yzerman hasn’t done a ton to change up the roster, so it’ll be up to returnees like Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane to push the envelope.
There’s nothing overly overwhelming about the make-up of the Wings.
(Predicted finish in Atlantic: 6th)
FLORIDA PANTHERS
Matthew Tkachuk’s team rolled to back-to-back Cup final appearances – winning a classic in a toe-to-toe with Edmonton last spring/summer.
Attrition is taking slow hold here, as it has with Florida’s state rival Tampa. Brandon Montour is gone as is Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and the blueline has questions.
But the Panthers have a steady and all-for-one core that understands what it takes to succeed. Tkachuk is joined by the NHL’s best two-way centre in Alex Barkov, recently re-signed super-sniper Sam Reinhart and one of the game’s most underrated defenceman in Gustav Forslund.
Sergei Bobrovsky in goal is pure clutch.
(Predicted finish in Atlantic: 2nd)
MONTREAL CANADIENS
Martin St. Louis expects growth from his Habs, and he’ll likely see it, but it won’t be enough to muster the young team into a playoff spot.
Losing incoming Patrik Laine to a leg injury in the pre-season was troublesome. Laine was supposed to aid Montreal’s sometimes wavering attack, but he’s likely out at least until Christmas.
The defence is good, and developing, but still very young and unproven. Questions also surround the goaltending situation.
The Habs, as they were last season, will be a fun team to watch and the patient fans will require patience one more time.
(Predicted finish in Atlantic: 8th)
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Tampa’s teetering, right?
Not so fast there Skippy.
The Lightning might have lost some fairly key ‘supportive’ studs the last few off-seasons, but that dynamic core (much alike Florida) still rides high. Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman and Andrei Vasilevsky continue to be the backbone of this team – destined for another playoff spot capture. Adding steady sniper Jake Guentzel was gravy after the club lost out on re-signing long-time captain Steven Stamkos.
(Predicted finish in Atlantic: 4th)
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Might be one of the few out there that puts faith in Toronto’s goaltending tandem, but there you have it. That’s all dependant on health of course.
The Leafs should break through and capture the division as this is the ideal time to take advantage of a somewhat battle-weary Florida team and change-heavy Tampa and Boston.
As well, the Buds added in one key area – defence.
We’re not calling them for the Stanley Cup, but a divisional win and a round or two in the post-season is looking doable.
(Predicted finish in Atlantic: 1st)
To recap . . .
ATLANTIC DIVISION standings prediction
• Toronto Maple Leafs
• Florida Panthers
• Boston Bruins
• Tampa Bay Lightning
• Ottawa Senators
• Detroit Red Wings
• Buffalo Sabres
• Montreal Canadiens
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