This particular NHL season has a little more riding on the line in the early going, as countries prepare to name their rosters for the Olympic competition in 2010.
The Final Four is now set, but which players have had the greatest individual success through the first two rounds of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs?
RealGM Search
Boston Bruins (2008-09 RECORD 53-19-4-6)
Notables coming in: Steve Begin (FA-DAL)
Notables going out: Phil Kessel (T-TOR) Steve Montador (FA-BUF) Manny Fernandez (UFA)
Positives: Four of the Bruins top six forwards are under the age of 25. The team that took a big step forward in 2008-09 actually still has room to grow. The team was 1st in the NHL in goals against (190) and second in goals for (270). All-Star goaltender Tim Thomas signed a four-year extension and should continue to play well with one of the Eastern Conferences deepest defensive groups playing in front of him.
Negatives: General manager Peter Chiarelli was forced to move leading scorer Phil Kessel to the Toronto Maple Leafs because of salary cap issues. He did land two first round picks and a second round pick, but for a team on the cusp of competing for a championship now, those selections don’t provide an immediate boost to the line up.
Prospect Watch: Brad Marchand took a step forward in the AHL last year, finishing second in scoring with 59 points. He plays a hard nosed game and could be ready to contribute at the NHL level at some point this season.
The Lowdown: Despite the loss of leading scorer Phil Kessel, the Bruins will still find themselves among the elite teams in the conference. Their ability to get over the loss is a testament to their depth and strong group of prospects. Any problems that lie ahead will come after the season when the Bruins are forced into decisions on a highly skilled group of restricted and unrestricted free agents.
Buffalo Sabres (2008-09 RECORD 41-32-4-5)
Notables coming in: Steve Montador (FA-BOS)
Notables going out: Maxim Afinogenov (UFA) Dominic Moore (UFA) Jaroslav Spacek (FA-MTL)
Positives: Despite a slip in 2008-09, Ryan Miller is still one of the games premier goaltenders. The Sabres also had the 7th ranked power play last year, do in large part to sniper Thomas Vanek who scored a league leading 20 goals with the man advantage.
Negatives: With Jaroslav Spacek moving to Montreal, the Sabres are very thin on defense. The team is in such desperate need, they may need to hurry prospect Tyler Myers to the NHL instead of giving him a year in the AHL to develop.
Prospect Watch: Zach Kassian was the Sabres first round pick in this year’s draft and it was a good one. The team lacks a physical power forward, and the 6’3” right winger fits the bill. He won’t join the team until next season at the earliest in all likelihood, but help is certainly on the way.
The Lowdown: The Sabres have a core of players in their mid to late 20’s, but may not have the depth on defense to capture a playoff spot. Lindy Ruff is the longest tenured coach in the NHL and may need to work some magic to keep that title through all 82 games this season.
Montreal Canadiens (2008-09 RECORD 41-30-4-7)
Notables coming in: Mike Cammalleri (FA-CGY) Hal Gill (FA-PIT) Brian Gionta (FA-NJ) Scott Gomez (T-NYR) Jaroslav Spacek (FA-BUF)
Notables going out: Christopher Higgins (T-NYR) Saku Koivu (FA-ANA) Mike Komisarek (FA-TOR) Alex Kovalev (FA-OTT) Mathieu Schneider (UFA) Alex Tanguay (UFA)
Positives: Young, 22-year-old goaltender Carey Price is better then he played last year, and should step forward to embrace the number one role. The team is fast and should boast a great power play. Mike Cammalleri and Brian Gionta were positive free agent signings.
Negatives: The team features eight new faces, while 16 players saw themselves leave the organization over the offseason. The many changes could cause a problem with chemistry. Also, the new players represent change, but don’t necessarily fix problems the team faced in the past. The Canadiens are still without a big center, and actually lost grit on the blueline with the departure of Mike Komisarek. The team is also without an official leader after Saku Koivu signed with Anaheim, and defenseman Andrei Markov reportedly rejected the captaincy.
Prospect Watch: P.K. Subban was electric for Canada at the World Junior Championships and could bolster the teams blueline in the near future. Similar to many Montreal’s current players, he is very good offensively but must work on his defensive play. Injuries or a strong start to the season could see a promotion to the big club at some point in 2009-10.
The Lowdown: The team is different, but not necessarily any better then the one squeezed into the playoffs last season. The development of Price will be very important to the Montreal’s success, as will be the chemistry between Scott Gomez and Mike Cammalleri. Jacques Martin comes in as coach as has the experience to help a team in transition, only time will tell if it’s enough to keep the team in the top 8 of the Eastern Conference.
Ottawa Senators (2008-09 RECORD 36-35-5-6)
Notables coming in: Jonathan Cheechoo (T-SJ) Alexi Kovalev (FA-MTL) Milan Michalek (T-SJ)
Notables going out: Mike Comrie (FA-EDM) Dany Heatley (T-SJ) Alex Auld (T-DAL)
Positives: The Senators finally have some stability in goal with Pascal Leclaire. Alexi Kovalev has the potential to replace some of the offensive void left by the departure of Dany Heatley.
Negatives: The fact Heatley’s trade demands were made public meant the Sens couldn’t get full value for him. Milan Michalek is a solid addition, but Jonathan Cheechoo has been on the decline for three years. A team that finished 23rd in goals for last season (213) may regress in 2009-10.
Prospect Watch: Center Peter Regin had a great camp and may find himself with the big club for an extended period this season. The Dane has the potential to provide much needed secondary scoring.
The Lowdown: The Senators could struggle to replace Heatley, which will cause their offense to undeniably slide. Alexi Kovalev is one of the most talented players in the game when motivated, and could find great chemistry with Jason Spezza. New starting goalie Pascal Leclaire will need to recapture his form of two years ago to give Ottawa a chance to make the playoffs.
Toronto Maple Leafs (2008-09 RECORD 34-35-6-7)
Notables coming in: Phil Kessel (T-BOS) Francois Beauchemin (FA-ANA) Garnet Exelby (T-ATL) Mike Komisarek (FA-MTL) Colton Orr (FA-NYR) Jonas Gustavsson (FA-Sweden)
Notables going out: Pavel Kubina (T-ATL)
Positives: GM Brian Burke promised to give the team an identity and he has done just that. The revamped line up features a brand of toughness and skill that has been missing since the lockout. Phil Kessel will give the team a legitimate scoring threat when he returns from injury in mid-November, while Francois Beauchemin and Mike Komisarek will help a defense that struggled mightily last year. Jonas Gustavsson was very good in the Swedish Elite League and could provide a boost in goal.
Negatives: The team was last in the league on the penalty kill last season, and didn’t replace Dominic Moore who was traded at the deadline. In adding toughness, the team did end up with players with reputations for ending up in the penalty box. The team will need to avoid undisciplined play. Offensively and in goal, the team has been one of the leagues worst since the introduction of the shootout.
Prospect Watch: Nazem Kadri was sent back to the OHL after a fantastic camp. He is expected to continue to grow in junior and in the minors, but should make an impact when he does reach the NHL next season or in 2011-12.
The Lowdown: The Leafs finally have a sense in direction. They may not challenge for a top spot in the conference, but they will be much tougher to play against and could find themselves back in the playoffs. With Vesa Toskala a free agent at seasons end, Jonas Gustavsson will be given plenty of opportunity to prove he is capable of being the goaltender of the future.
