2008-2009 NHL Season Preveiw Part II: The Eastern Conference:

And we march on...

Atlantic Division:

Pittsburgh Penguin Scum: (47-35; 102 points; 1st Atlantic Division, 2nd Eastern Conference, 4th Overall; Lost in Stanley Cup Finals to Detroit): Clearly they feel that it doesn't matter who they put around their star players, but that theory will not be tested much in overrated Atlantic Division even without Sergei Gonchar and that Scumbag Ryan Whitney

New York Rangers: (42-42; 97 points; 3rd Atlantic Division, 5th Eastern Conference, 9th Overall; Lost to Pittsburgh in the Second Round): Gone are old guys Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan. In are old guys Markus Naslund and Wade Redden. Some things never change though the Rangers identity becoming a little more clear.

New Jersey Devils: (46-36; 99 points; 2nd Atlantic Division, 4th Eastern Conference, 6th Overall; Lost to New York Rangers in First Round): One of these days Genius Manager Lou Lamoriello will realize that just Martin Broduer is not enough. Another team "putting the band back together," only Joisey can get away with it in the Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division.

Philadelphia Flyers: (42-42; 95 points; 4th Atlantic Division, 6th Eastern Conference, 11th Overall; Lost to Pittsburgh in Eastern Conference Finals): Back with a vengeance last season but will have trouble repeating the performance again with just Steve Eminger new on the blueline. Unless of course the officials intervene...

New York Islanders: (35-47; 79 points; 5th Atlantic Division, 13th Overall, 26th Overall; Did not qualify for the Playoffs): Out is Ted Nolan and in is a youth movement. The only good news is that there isn't too far for them to fall.


Northeast Division:


Montreal Canadiens: (47-35; 104 points; 1st Northeast Division, 1st Eastern Conference, 3rd Overall; Lost in Second Round to Philadelphia): Should have lost in the first round to Boston but pulled it out. Carey Price is good but he isn't Patrick Roy, so will he last in Montreal because Patrick Roy didn't.

Buffaslugs: (39-43; 4th Northeast Division, 10th Eastern Conference, 18th Overall; Did not qualify for the Playoffs): Still bleeding talent but the upside is that everybody else in their division save for Montreal is worse than they are.

Ottawa Senators: (43-39; 2nd Northeast Division, 7th Eastern Conference, 13th Overall; Lost in the First Round to Pittsburgh): Ray Emery is gone but the downward spiral continues as they try to recover from one of the more spectacular collapses ever seen. Bryan Murray still doesn't have a clue.

Boston Bruins: (41-41; 3rd Northeast Division, 8th Eastern Conference, 15th Overall; Lost to Montreal in the First Round): Enigmatic franchise made the playoffs last year despite what were considered devastating injuries. Expected to seriously contend but aren't built to handle the pressure.

Toronto Maple Leafs: (36-46; 5th Northeast Division, 12th Eastern Conference, 24th Overall; Did not qualify for the Playoffs): Yes we took a shot at Coach Ron Wilson a short while ago, but you have to recognize that he'll improve this team enough to the point where they will contend for a playoff spot but not make it which will continue to hamper their rebuilding efforts.


Southeast Division:


Carolina Hurricanes: (43-39; 92 points; 2nd Southeast Division, 9th Eastern Conference, 16th Overall; Did not qualify for the Playoffs): Barely missed the playoffs for the second year in a row. You have to think they'll be focused for the entire season and some good health couldn't hurt either.

Washington Capitals: (43-39; 94 points; 1st Southeast Division, 3rd Eastern Conference, 12th Overall; Lost in the First Round to Philadelphia): We'll explain this more tomorrow.

Tampa Bay Lightning: (31-51; 71 points; 5th Southeast Division, 15th Eastern Conference, 30th Overall; Did not qualify for the Playoffs): New owners claim they'll win the Southeast Division this year but a more realistic goal will be finishing first in the state of Florida.

Florida Panthers: (38-44; 3rd Southeast Division, 11th Eastern Conference, 22nd Overall; Did not qualify for the Playoffs): If anybody can figure out what this team is trying to do, please let us know. Thanks!

Atlanta Thrashers: (34-48; 76 points; 4th Southeast Division, 14th Eastern Conference, 28th Overall; Did not qualify for the Playoffs): How bad are things in Atlanta? They really are trying spend confederate $$$$$ for players. Not because nobody wants to play there despite having Ilya Kovalchuk and Kari Lehtonen but because they have no other source of funds... But seriously, nobody is going to be mistaking John Anderson for Bruce Boudreau.