NHL / Richard Douglas / 12 October 2009 / Leave a comment

The NHL is underway. Below, Richard Douglas gives his team-by-team guide to the Eastern Conference and tells us why the status quo is likely to prevail.

"In addition to an already vastly experienced squad, The Penguins have brought in Jay McKee as cover. They could retain their crown."

Atlanta Thrashers

Approx odds for Eastern Conference: [51.0].

Offenseman Ilya Kovalchuk is the only NHL player with at least 40 goals in each of the past five seasons. The addition of Nik Antropov will also help the attack too. But the rest of the side will struggle. They are young in key areas and lack quality in goal.

Boston Bruins

Approx odds: [6.5].

On the plus side, the Bruins have virtually the same eye-catching squad as last season. Tim Thomas was goalie of the year, Zdeno Chara was defenseman of the year and Claude Julien was coach of the year. They will miss Phil Kessel, last year's leading scorer, who could not agree a new contract. All they need to do is live up to their potential. But can they?

Buffalo Sabres

Approx odds: [29.0].

A tight-knit, organised but underfunded unit. Goalie Ryan Miller has to stay fit - not only for the Sabres but the US Olympic squad. Left wing Thomas Vane is extremely effective as well. However, those two apart, this side lacks important players in important positions. They will win friends and their fair share of points but making the play-offs will be an achievement.

Carolina Hurricanes

Approx odds: [17.0].

A team on the rise. Momentum is with them having recovered in the back half of the regular season, finished sixth in the East and then worked their way to a Conference Final. Goalie Cam Ward is fundamental to their cause and they know it. That is why he signed a $37.8-million, six-year contract extension just before the start of the season.

Florida Panthers

Approx odds: [34.0]

The Panthers have not reached the play-offs since 1999-2000 and that is unlikely to change. The team gambled that top-quality offenseman Jay Bouwmeester would stay. He did not. Rookies David Booth, Nathan Horton and Michael Frolik have to cover the gap. One saving grace is a goaltending department stocked with Tomas Vokoun and Scott Clemmensen.

Montreal Canadiens

Approx odds: [23.0].

There has been a major overhaul at the Molson Centre. Eleven of the squad have gone, seven have arrived. In addition a new coach, the deadly dour Jacques Martin, has been appointed. He has brought in small, quick offensemen in Michael Cammalleri, Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta plus big, slow defensemen in Hal Gill, Paul Mara and Jaroslav Spacek. It is a big ask to get the blend right in his first season.

New Jersey Devils

Approx odds: [21.0].

While the regular season should be pretty straightforward, can the Devils shake off that horrible Game Seven defeat to Carolina in the Round One of the play-offs? Jacques Lamaire's side were leading with 80 seconds left yet managed to lose. Major departures leave them more defensively-minded than ever. Destined to be play-off fodder.


New York Islanders

Approx odds: [101.00].

The Islanders are relying on a 19-year-old, number one draft pick John Tavares, to hoist them away from the NHL's basement. That's worrying. Coach Scott Gordon has plenty of goalies but none are that good. That's worrying too.



New York Rangers

Approx odds: [17.0].

Seemingly a two-man team. Marian Gaborik has been brought in from Minnesota to carry the offensive line on his broad shoulders. All-star goalie Henrik Lundqvist is the only NHL stopper to start his career with four straight 30-win seasons. The Swede has a history of making the play-offs but going little further. One suspects his team will do likewise.

Ottawa Senators

Approx odds: [26.0].

The departure of Dany Heatley will be welcome given his rows with coach Cory Clouston last term. The Senators also got Milan Michalek in return, a decent deal. The offense was further boosted by the arrival of Alex Kovalev and Johnathan Cheechoo. The 2007 Stanley Cup runners-up have fallen a long way very quickly but they have started well.

Philadelphia Flyers

Approx odds: [9.0].

The Flyers are going for strong-arm tactics this season. They have chosen to solve a perceived soft-centre with the 6ft 6ins, 214lbs frame of defenseman Chris Pronger, who has been a play-off player for 11 of his 16 seasons. He will help but they are still reliant on Ray Emery in goal. Two seasons ago he was bombed out by the Ottawa Senators and ended up exiled in Russia's KHL.


Pittsburgh Penguins

Approx odds: [3.8].

Last year's Stanley Cup winners always had room for improvement. Their leading players in 2008-09 were very young - Sidney Crosby, 22, Evgeni Malkin, 23, Eric Staal, 21, and Marc-Andre Fleury, 24.

The loss of Rob Scuderi and Hal Gill will affect the defense but Brooks Orpik and Alex Goligoski can fill the gap. In addition, the vastly experienced Jay McKee has been brought in as cover. They could retain their crown.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Approx odds: 34.

Started poorly but still possible play-off candidates. Coach Rick Tocchet acquired 18-year-old, 6ft 6ins, Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman as No 1 draft pick. He then brought in veteran Mattiss Ohlund - same position, same country - to act as a mentor. In offense, Martin St Louis is a consistent scorer while Vincent Lecavalier has his own chapter in the Lightning record books.

Toronto Maple Leafs.

Approx odds: [41.0]

General Manager Brian Burke has strengthened throughout the side. Extracting Phil Kessel from Boston could be crucial given his 36 goals last term. Meanwhile former Anaheim defenseman Francois Beauchemin can offer much in powerplays. Finally bringing in Swedish goalie Jonas "The Monster" Gustavsson has created competition for Vesa Toskala. Something the NHL's worst defense in 08/09 will need. Started very badly though.

Washington Capitals.

Approx odds: [5.0]

There is plenty to like about the Capitals this season. Last season, they were knocked out in the Conference semi-finals - a very decent run. They also have NHL's shining star, Alex Ovechkin. He has been the League's top-scorer and MVP for the past two seasons. Last term he had 528 shots on goal, the second biggest tally in the competition's history. Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin offer excellent offensive support. The competition between goalies Jose Theodore and Semyon Varlamov could be crucial.

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