Atlantic Division Preview - CNN/SI

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=atlanticdivisio&prov=cnnsi&type=lgns

Atlantic Division Preview
Darren Eliot, SI.com

The Devils are proof positive that defense wins. They have long established that they have a successful formula for frustrating their opponents to tears and yielding the fewest goals in the league. It starts with the peerless presence in goal of Martin Brodeur and continues through their steadfast blueline corps, led by the intimidating physical play of captain Scott Stevens and the understated excellence of skating marvel Scott Niedermayer.

Up front, the Devils employ big, bruising forechecking forwards like Grant Marshall and Jay Pandolfo, mixed in with pesky speedsters like John Madden, Sergei Brylin and Brian Gionta. Their effort opens up just enough room for the skill guys like Patrik Elias, Jeff Friesen and Jamie Langenbrunner to score just enough to carry the day. All are responsible and disciplined defensively, no matter their role.

It all sounds simple, and the Devils make it appear so. But don't be fooled. Much commitment and selflessness goes into the equation. The Devils perennially ice a solid, veteran team aware of the fundamentals inherent to NHL success: Good teams take care of business in their division and on home ice; good teams rarely get outshot. The Devils executed on those levels to perfection last season and won a championship for their efforts.

Not much will change this season. The Devils' lack of depth on the blueline beyond their top four and the loss of Joe Nieuwendyk in the middle -- Igor Larionov at 43 years old is not an even-up replacement -- might lead to the Devils slipping slightly, with the Philadelphia Flyers supplanting them atop the Atlantic. Given that the Devils accumulated just a single point more than the Flyers a season ago, that is hardly a prediction of a precipitous plummet.
.
.
.

I agree with the general premise that the Atlantic will go

Flyers
Devils
Isles
Rags
Pens


but some errors in there ... said that Flyers finished 8th in the NHL in goals scored last year... they were actually 17th.

I agree with the general premise that the Atlantic will go

Flyers
Devils
Isles
Rags
Pens


I just can't see Jeff Hackett taking the Flyers to #1 in the Atlantic. Will he even stay healthy? He didn't look very sharp in the pre-season from the little I saw of him. I heard him say something about having to get used to the d-men in front of him... he better hurry up!

I've gotta say Devils, Flyers, Isles, Rag$, Pens.

I just can't see Jeff Hackett taking the Flyers to #1 in the Atlantic. Will he even stay healthy? He didn't look very sharp in the pre-season from the little I saw of him. I heard him say something about having to get used to the d-men in front of him... he better hurry up!

I've gotta say Devils, Flyers, Isles, Rag$, Pens.

Esche will take over as the #1. Flyers will still be very good defensively, may give up a few more goals, but should also score quite a few more than last year.

Offense should move from 17th to the 7-10 range.
Defense may go from 1 to 3.

Esche will take over as the #1. Flyers will still be very good defensively, may give up a few more goals, but should also score quite a few more than last year.

Offense should move from 17th to the 7-10 range.
Defense may go from 1 to 3.

Why should their oft struggling offense suddenly jump to life and do what it should have been doing two years ago?

Is Esche really an upgrade over Cechmanek? I think it would be hard to find people that believe that.

Why should their oft struggling offense suddenly jump to life and do what it should have been doing two years ago?

Is Esche really an upgrade over Cechmanek? I think it would be hard to find people that believe that.


We get Amonte & Kapanen for full seasons.

Gagne is back and healthy again, and should be good for 30 or more, after scoring just 9 last year.

Williams & LeClair also missed 40 games last year.

I'm not saying that we'll all of a sudden going to become the Senators, but we should have a much better offense than last year.

----------------------------------------------

I didn't say Esche will be better than Cechmanek, but he was equal to him last year when getting a game a week.

Our regular season goaltending may be slightly worse, but I think it will be better come playoff time

---------------------------------------------------
Flyers & Devils were separated by just a point last year and the Devils were much healthier last year.

I don't think the Flyers will run away with the division, but I do think they will win the Atlantic.

Come playoff time though the devils will still be considered more of a threat.

Why should their oft struggling offense suddenly jump to life and do what it should have been doing two years ago?

Is Esche really an upgrade over Cechmanek? I think it would be hard to find people that believe that.

I don't think their offense will jump to life, and I'm hoping Esche is a big upgrade over Hackett. I think the Flyers will get really close to first place, but get shut out by the Devils.

So, I'm thinking: Devils*, Flyers*, Islanders*, Rangers, Penguins. The starred teams make the playoffs.