[quote name='TekJansen']They finished tenth this year, and that's with Bogo playing like garbage due to the wrist injury. They even played better without Kovy. The East is incredibly weak and they added Buff, Ladd, Mason, Eager, Sopel and more.
Sure, Washington, New Jersey and Pitt are locks for the playoffs, but no one else is. Bruins have a good chance. Sens goaltending is terrible. Sabres are worse on D this year, anything less than another stellar year from Miller and they could be out. Canadiens are placing all their hope in Price, that could backfire. Flyers might be great, or they could stink it up, Rangers too. Wouldn't be surprised at all if ATL and Tampa Bay make the playoffs next year. Hell, I wouldn't be that surprised if Toronto did. The East is wide open.[/QUOTE]
Atlanta is perennially "better." I can see them finishing in the top 8 just as easily as I can see them finishing out of the playoffs again. The question is, how will Pavelec do? If he's not healthy again, how will Mason do? How will these guys perform in front of 8 thousand people? What will Buff and Ladd do away from Chicago, where, incidentally, they didn't do that well point wise during the regular season? And when your go to guy is Nik Antropov, you've got problems. They lost Afinogovev, who produced, so I don't know where they'll get their offense from. I think they are pinning too much on Evander Kane next year and I also think trading Morin was a HUGE mistake. Chicago did extremely well getting that kid.
And Tampa should make the playoffs when you've got Stamkos, St. Pierre, Lecavalier, etc.. But will Mike Smith be OK?
As you say, the bottom half of the east is wide open. I was surprised Montreal made it last season with the crap they have.