2008-09 Division Diagnostic: Northeast Division

It's hard to believe that a new school year is almost upon us. And with a new school year means that the sports season gets going for another year. I'm talking the NFL starting soon, NCAA football gets going next weekend and basketball is set to start in a month while the NBA gets going later on. So to sum it, summer is over and winter is here. Please take the next few seconds to swallow that.

It also means that a new NHL season is set to begin. Training camps are still a few weeks away but that's not going to stop me from getting my season preview started early starting with the Northeast Division. So here is part one of six of Division Diagnostic 09.

1. Ottawa Senators

Ottawa's off-ice problems were very well documented last year and all those off-ice issues led to their downfall. But one year later, it looks like all the bad seeds from last season are gone, most notably Ray Emery.

Ottawa still has a few issues going into this season like secondary scoring. But that's been the story for years so that's nothing new.

But Ottawa's biggest off-ice issues are now dealt with and the team is now back on the same page. And when this team works as a unit, look out because not many can stop them. I believe that a division crown and a return to Eastern Conference supremacy are in the cards early on.

2. Montreal Canadiens

I think anyone who is already handing the East's regular season title to Montreal needs to take off the blinders, because this team played way over its head last season. They are young and very talented and have lots to look forward to in the future, namely goalie Carey Price, the Kostitsyn twins and now the sigining of Alex Tanguay.

But Montreal's kryptonite has always been that they're a small team that relies more on speed and talent. Now that will get you around in the new NHL, but they lack intensity and that's been the story for years. And you definitely noticed that last year in the playoffs. And signing Georges Laraque won't turn that around anytime soon.

I'd be surprised if Montreal missed the playoffs this season, but I don't think they'll finish with home-ice advantage. If the Habs proved anything last year, it's that they aren't as good as their regular season record indicated.

3. Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo once again fell victim to the salary cap last season and lost another good player in Brian Campbell. But if there's one thing we've learnt about the Sabres over the years, it's that you never count them out as long as Lindy Ruff is coaching. He knows how to get the best out of what he's got and he really only lost one player.

Buffalo has a great crop of young players and even without Campbell, they still are one of the better teams in the East. And barring injuries, I do believe Buffalo has the potential to still be an Eastern Conference powerhouse, but for now, a return to the post-season seems likely.

4. Boston Bruins

This was a really tough one for me to make, because I don't believe Boston is a fourth place team in this division. They have so much to like from Marc Savard to Zdeno Chara. Then there's their crop of youngsters like Milan Lucic and David Krejci. Not to mention the return of Patrice Bergeron, who sat out most of last year after sustaining a concussion in a nasty hit.

One reason I picked Boston to finish fourth is that they kind of had a year similar to Montreal in that they overachieved. But unlike Montreal, they got into the playoffs by the skin of their teeth. I could be wrong, this team may finish higher and possibly win the division, but I think they're more likely to battle for a playoff spot.

5. Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs sure are a mess right now. Everyone says this team is rebuilding but it's more of a regressing. They made a smart move buying out Darcy Tucker and Andrew Raycroft contracts. But they follow that up with more some really dumb moves. They buyout Kyle Wellwood contract and take the cap hit. And then trade Bryan McCabe to Florida but won't move him until his signing bonus kicks in on Sept. 1. And they're still holding out that Mats Sundin is their savior and he'll return and lead this team to greatness once more.

The only bright spot about the Leafs this season is that goaltending should be more solid this year. Vesa Toskala is the number one guy no doubt and with Raycroft now gone, that means that Justin Pogge should likely be the backup. But that's it because the Leafs will struggle all year and the only postive to come out of it is a good pick in the '09 draft.