Eastern Conference..., #1-8 | Kev316's Blog

With just over a week or two until NHL training camps start, been thinking about the playoffs and who will make them based on this past off season.

#1 - Pittsburgh Penguins - no question this is the number one team heading into the season. With Malkin and Crosby scoring, Fleury being the goalie they drafted and a terrific defense, Pittsburgh will be seeded #1. Sure they lost half their roster but, I think Satan and Fedotenko can make up for the losses of Roberts, Recchi and the others.

#2 - Washington Capitals - Coming off a great year and getting kicked out of the playoffs in the first can hurt but, this team will bounce back. They're in the weakest division period and someone has to win it. The one signing that will most definetely pay off for the Caps is Mike Green's resigning..., he is a Norris candidate and should replicate last seasons 18 goals, possibly hit 20.

#3 - Boston Bruins - This seeding had been bothering me for a while..., was going to throw MTL in there but, I am not sold on Price. Don't think he's a number one yet and Boston's goaltending is solid..., Thomas, Fernandez and Rask. If Boston trades one of the first two, they can get a young player who can be thrown into the mix. Sad to see Murray go but Ryder should rebound..., and their defense is one of the better in the East.

#4 - New Jersey Devils - Always a contender and now they got Rolston and Holik back, they'll contend all year with Pittsburgh.

#5 - Montreal Canadiens - This is the 100th anniversary of this historic franchise and will be a great season. But as stated earlier..., I don't think Price is the man right now and he kind of reminds me of Luongo, a high first rounder who hasn't really done a lot. Difference being, Price is on a playoff team. Streit will be missed on the blueline and I think if they start out slow, they could be as low as #7.

#6 - Philadelphia Flyers - Surprise of last season..., never had them in the conference final! I don't think Biron's the same guy as he was in the playoffs. They were the best at several points last year but tailed off..., if they do likewise, Biron's gotta bail them out again and doing that 2 straight years is asking a lot. Briere, Carter and Richards will have good years but it may not be enough.

#7 - New York Rangers - The only reason I included the Rangers is Lundqvist..., he got them to the playoffs last year. Without Jagr, Straka, Shanahan this team is pretty much done..., Naslund and Redden won't be enough.

#8 - Ottawa Senators - Was thinking about throwing the Lightning here but, their defense is awful! Ottawa is basically a four man team..., Spezza, Fisher, Heatley and Alfredsson are the Senators and with Gerber and Auld in net, they're in trouble.

Tampa with Stamkos, Buffalo and Carolina will be close but, I don't see them hitting playoff high ground this year. Tampa's defense is full of question marks, Buffalo has a lot of youth and Carolina seemed to load up on defense but, it won't be enough. Florida is rebuilding for the fifth straight year and won't seriously contend and as for Atlanta..., they'll once again draft high next year. As for my Leafs..., I will stick by them no matter what team they ice. They may contend if Toskala and their defense holds up and someone other than Antropov can light the lamps..., maybe that's asking too much though?

Will do the West tomorrow.