In recent years, we didn’t have to worry too much regarding predicting which teams would make (or not) make the playoffs in the Atlantic Division.
Indeed, the Senators, Red Wings and Sabers have all been in the cellar for several years. These teams respectively missed the spring tournament for five, six and 11 consecutive years.
Even the Panthers were one of the biggest laughingstock in the league, but they just won the Presidents’ Trophy.
Slowly, things are changing in this division and it’s not a good sign for the Canadian. These teams, which had been in the doldrums for years, have just improved drastically, while it’s the opposite with the Habs.
Ottawa, which already had a growing group of youngsters, will see Jake Sanderson, Alex DeBrincat, Claude Giroux and Cam Talbot join its roster next year.
In less than a week #Sens GM Pierre Dorion:
a) Acquired two top-6 forwards in DeBrincat & Giroux
b) brought in a starting goalie in Cam Talbot
c) Shed a bad contract (Matt Murray) & is on the hook for just 25% of it.Helluva job. And he’s not done.
— Mike Zeisberger (@Zeisberger) July 13, 2022
And Pierre Dorion is still counting on $18 million under the salary cap to continue improving his team. Could he get a player like Matthew Tkachuk to give his offense even more bite?
We are witnessing a very similar situation on the side of the Red Wings. The young group composed of Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider and Dylan Larkin among others continues to progress, then Steve Yzerman has just added excellent veterans to this group.
No team has been busier on the opening day of free agency than Steve Yzerman’s Red Wings!
Notable signings today:
Andrew Copp
David Perron
Ben Chiarot
Dominic Cuban
Olli MäättäDetroit’s Stanley Cup futures at @FanDuel have gone from +7000 to +5500…Playoffs? ???? pic.twitter.com/60nVUfuLfA
— TSN EDGE (@TSN_Edge) July 13, 2022
Although, unlike the Senators, we’re not talking regarding stars here, Detroit has gotten its hands on some excellent hockey players who will make this team even more competitive.
The Sabers haven’t made any big signings, but following 11 years of misery, all these high choices will one day lead to something. The team finished fifth in the division last year and it is to be expected that they will be even better.
After joining Buffalo late in the season, former No. 1 overall pick Owen Power is expected to play a full season, which should also help.
While the Panthers, Leafs, Lightning and Bruins haven’t necessarily improved today, their core remains intact and it’s to be expected that these rosters will remain competitive.
Where does the Canadian – who finished the season in 32nd and last place in the NHL, I repeat – among all these teams? Handcuffed by the salary cap, Kent Hughes was unable to move today. Despite the acquisitions of Dadonov, Slafkovsky and Dach, the team is not much improved from its lackluster 2021-2022 season.
The lack of experience in defense is flagrant and the second chapter of the Allen-Montembeault duo risks being very difficult.
Knowing that the CH will play 26 of its 82 games once morest a very powerful Atlantic division, it is very difficult to imagine a scenario other than in which the club still finishes last.
Unless Carey Price makes a comeback…
But even the Metropolitan division, which the team will face 24 times, is greatly improved.
The Flyers had finished last in this division, but with the arrival of John Tortorella, there is no indication that the club will begin a reconstruction.
The Devils just signed Ondrej Palat and should be better too. Then with the signing of Johnny Gaudreau, the Blue Jackets sent a clear message to the rest of the league that they wanted to be competitive.
In short, the chances that the Canadian will finish last in the east are excellent. This should allow the team to get their hands on a top pick in the excellent 2023 draft. Many people dream of Shane Wright Connor Bedard. The current alignment of the CH should not displease them too much.
At least it’s next to impossible for the club to finish last once more…
jonathan toews and patrick kane showing up to the blackhawks’ training camp this year pic.twitter.com/LUfXpaI713
— Ava (@avatarrant) July 10, 2022
A lot of
– Finally, it is today that Kent Hughes will speak to the media.
#Habs Kent Hughes will speak to the media via Zoom on Thursday. We wonder if he will have settled a case or two by then.#GoHabsGo Kent Hughes will speak to the media via Zoom on Thursday and you gotta wonder if he’ll make a deal or two in the meantime.
— L.A. Lariviere (@L_A_theRiver) July 14, 2022
– Fully agree
“It’s a scandal,” says @FLord_TVA ! https://t.co/gPslZvEqZ8
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) July 14, 2022
– If so, he is very thin.
Is there a market for Jeff Petry? https://t.co/U2k5jGUKds
– The Sports Press (@LaPresse_Sports) July 14, 2022
– But Klingberg’s situation will have a big impact on this case.
Barring a significant last minute change, expectation is John Klingberg will not sign with a club today. Talks are expected to go into Thursday.
– David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 14, 2022
– Will it be enough for the supporters to be there?
How’s Johnny looking in his new @BlueJacketsNHL threads? ???? pic.twitter.com/iRdoVErkbv
— BarDown (@BarDown) July 14, 2022
