NHL preview - Atlantic Division

Division overview

The Atlantic is pretty simple. The Rangers are the class of the division, even though they were bounced in four games by New Jersey during last season’s playoffs. The Rangers got better in the off-season, while the other teams didn’t really do a whole lot. Philadelphia and New Jersey are both riddled with question marks, while the Penguins and Islanders are playing to avoid the draft lottery. That said, take these five teams lightly at your own peril.

New York Rangers

In the past, the Rangers over-spent on free agents, and got nothing in return other than a seven-year playoff drought. Then the lockout came along, and suddenly the Rags figured it out. They rocketed to the top of the Eastern Conference last season, but ran out of fuel near the end of the season. To that end, they added some very nice complementary talent to the lineup in hopes the added depth will lead to additional playoff success. Forwards Brendan Shanahan, Matt Cullen and Adam Hall bring scoring, leadership, speed, penalty killing and toughness to the lineup, while defenseman Aaron Ward is just four months removed from anchoring the Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup-winning blue line. And did I mention Vezina Trophy-nominee Henrik Lundqvist or Hart Trophy-nominee Jaromir Jagr?

Fantasy Sleeper: Petr Prucha is a sniper who scored 30 goals as a rookie despite missing time because of injury.

Rookie Watch: Nigel Dawes is a talented winger that made a name for himself playing for Canada’s World Junior entries in 2004 and 2005. The Rangers hope he can bring some talent to the third or fourth line.

Philadelphia Flyers

They’ll go where Peter Forsberg takes them. When healthy, there are few that can match Forsberg’s talent and drive. The Flyers gave big money to Simon Gagne in the off-season, and he will be expected to produce big numbers. Keith Primeau’s retirement hurts the Flyers down the middle, but they remain strong at centre with Michal Handzus, Mike Richards and Peter Nedved behind Forsberg. The wings are solid, and moves were made in the off-season to quicken a plodding defensive group. This is a very talented team, as long as they stay healthy. Coach Ken Hitchcock is regarded as one of the best in the business, and another playoff flop will be unacceptable in Philadelphia. The goaltending tandem of Robert Esche and Antero Niitymaki should give the Flyers a quality goalie in net every night, and a chance to win every night.

Fantasy Sleeper: Freddy Meyer had 27 points in 57 games from the blue line. He’ll split time between the first and second power play units and should improve on those numbers.

Rookie Watch: Barring injury (which is never safe in Philly), the Flyers won’t have any rookies among the regulars in the lineup.

New Jersey Devils

New coach, basically the same roster. The Devils have strengths. Claude Julien is an excellent coach. Colin White is one of the best defensemen in the game. Patrik Elias, Brian Gionta and Scott Gomez combined to be one of the league’s most prolific scoring lines last season. And Martin Brodeur is on his way to being considered the best goalie ever to play the game. But that’s about it. Scoping depth is a real concern. Production from the blue line is an even more dire affair. But, having an all-world goalie gives them a chance to win every game they play. Jay Pandolfo and John Madden are two thirds of a checking line that really has no equal, but they’ll have to chip in some goals for the Devils to really succeed. Paul Martin has developed very quickly, and the Devils are starting to rebuild some of their defensive depth that was lost after the 2004 season.

Fantasy Sleeper: This is Zach Parise’s year. The sophomore forward has to step up and come through with the promise he’s shown for years.

Rookie Watch: Travis Zajac made the team out of camp after posting impressive numbers with North Dakota in the NCAA last year. The Devils hope he can be another scoring presence.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Don’t expect it, but don’t be surprised if the Penguins make the playoffs in what could be their swansong in Pittsburgh. Everyone knows Sidney Crosby’s incredible talents. The 19-year old, who finished sixth in points last season, spent the summer working on his “weaknesses” and will probably be in the running for the Art Ross Trophy this year. He’ll play with Colby Armstrong all year after they developed excellent chemistry in the second half of last season. Newcomer Nils Ekman is an excellent two-way forward with good offensive upside. Rookie Evgeni Malkin starts the year on the shelf with a shoulder injury, but looked right a home playing against NHL talent at the 2006 Olympics and World Championships. The Penguins still have holes in their team defense and rely too much on their power play, but this team is not far off. If they’re close, look for a trade near the deadline for a proven defenseman.

Fantasy Sleeper: Didn’t get Ovechkin, Crosby, Thornton or Jagr in your fantasy draft? Grab a sidekick. Armstrong had 40 points in 47 games last year and should approach 90 at Crosby’s side.

Rookie Watch: Malkin is the odds-on favourite to win the Calder Trophy this year, while defenseman Kris Letang and centre Jordan Staal (the second-overall pick in June) will both start the year with the team and don’t figure to be sent back to junior.

New York Islanders

This team is a mess. But they’ve got a maid. They enter the year with a roster very similar to the one that lost 40 games last season, but there are some good pieces in good places. Alexei Yashin, while overpaid, is a good first-line centre, while Mikes York and Sillinger are good second- and third-line centres, and Shawn Bates has a motor that doesn’t quit. Mix in Jason Blake and Miroslav Satan, and the Isles have the makings of two decent forward lines. Alexei Zhitnik is still among the best defensemen around, and he’ll be joined by Brendan Witt, who still takes too many penalties, but is an imposing physical presence. Tom Poti will likely quarterback the power play, and youngsters Bruno Gervais and Chris Campoli looked good as rookies last year. In goal, 15 years is a long time, but Rick DiPietro is one of very few goalies I’d give even a five-year deal to. The Islanders are very certain he’ll win 30 games for them each year for the next decade and a half, and it’s not inconceivable.

Fantasy Sleeper: Campoli had 34 points as a rookie defenseman, and should improve with help from Poti, who knows a thing or two about running a power play.

Rookie Watch: No rookies made the team out of camp, though Jeff Tambellini and Gervais have played just 53 games between them, and any number of call-ups could see time during the season.