Atlantic Division Predictions

First up in our Division predictions is the Atlantic. The most competitive division in the NHL a lot of teams worked hard in the offseason to compete. (This is going in expecting the current rosters because who knows where Larkin and Hellebuyck may end up)

1. Tampa Bay Lightning:

   The Lightning are on of those teams who have seemingly been in the Cup race for over 10 years and that continues this year. Adding John Carlson, an established veteran who is essentially a better version of Darren Raddysh, is the best move they could have made. Despite the high octane offense and the missing presence of Victor Hedman, the Lightning had the 3rd lowest xGA in the NHL. The core is aging, but it is like fine wine. Jon Cooper remains the best head coach in hockey.

2. Florida Panthers:

   Florida is back and better than ever. With the big fish acquisition of Brady Tkachuk to pair up with brother Matthew it solidifies one of the best forward cores we have ever seen in the National. There are still question marks with this team mainly who guards the crease. Jacob Markstrom had a terrible HDSV%. Now Florida will give up less high danger opportunities, but when they need a save will they get it, the data doesn't look so good. Will Sasha Barkov be the same before an ACL surgery? The hype is real, the overhype is even realer.

3. Montreal Canadiens:

   Three years from now, Montreal will be one of the best teams in the league. This year is just another year to add to the toolbox for their young core. They locked up their guys through the 2031 season. There's no real hole to this team on paper. A high flying offense, deep defense, and a stud goalie. Will they replicate last season, NO. They shot at the highest SH% in the league. Had a below average HDCF%, meaning they give up more high danger chances than they get. They were below average for scoring chances as well. Last year was a very lucky one for them, and a step back down to average brings this team back to a quick gut check.

4. Boston Bruins:

   Boston is rebounding quick from the departures of Chara, Krejci, and Marchand. They're a team that relies on great goaltending. Jeremy Swayman delivers that. Boston gets to the high danger opportunities and capatilizes on them. They also shoot at a high percent, and get outshot and outchanced. The depth on forward is a Dylan Larkin away from being very good, and the defense has some holes as well. Will Morgan Geekie continue to get better each year as he's done throughout his career or will he hit a wall and possibly regress?

5. Buffalo Sabres:

   An anomaly from last year to will themselves into the first seed in a very good Atlantic. I think things are different this year. You can highlight the loss of Bowen Byram or Alex Tuch. I think this team doesn't have enough guys to get in done and too many question marks. The goaltending situation being the biggest. A very average team last year in terms of xGF% who happened to get lucky and shoot at a higher percentage than other teams last year. The fall back to reality will be harsh.

6. Ottawa Senators:

   Here's a highlight for you Sens fans: the lowest xGA in the league last year. Other than that, it doesn't look too good. The roster similarities to Buffalo is very apparent, yet the depth isn't there and the departure of Brady Tkachuk happened as well. No matter how you look at it, he helped the team win games. Now could the departure leave the locker room with a weight off their shoulders, probably, but in a highly competitive division that won't win. Although I do like the HDCF% Ottawa posted last year, I think they have trouble competing.

7. Toronto Maple Leafs:

   Sorry Leafs fans, here comes another average year. Maybe Gary Bettman will want the best for the NHL and gives you guys Dupont as well to bring hype and media to one of its biggest hockey markets. Losing Mitch hit hard, hard enough to miss the playoffs and land the first overall pick bringing in McKenna. Toronto had the 4th lowest xGF% in the league last year, adding an offensive defenseman in Darren Raddysh who leached off of Kuch on the powerplay will not help that. Sergei Bobrovsky could, bringing a chip on his shoulder, but at 38, it's yet another reach from Toronto that will keep them average. Jim Hiller is the biggest x-factor in this situation. Will he stay true to his offensive creativeness he stated and let his horses run free like they should, or will he revert to the days in LA where he tried to deploy a defensive strategy that backfired.

8. Detroit Red Wings:

   Blow it up. Now. Steve Yzerman can't even fix what's going on here. Dylan Larkin doesn't want to play for his hometown team anymore. John Gibson isn't what he used to be. The young pieces are there: Raymond, Seider, Edvinsson, the list is there. Unfortunately not enough pieces are ready or there to compete. Take a couple of years, and things may look not so bleak. Below xGF%, HDCF%, and CF% show.