Maybe it was Ollie Jokinen's fault they never made the playoffs? The Panthers traded their captain—who has never been to the playoffs—to Phoenix, in exchange for a couple of solid defensemen in Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton.
The blue line is big, mobile, and should be effective. Offensively, the youngsters will be counted on to contribute more this season, especially Stephen Weiss, and Nathan Horton. The duo will likely pair together on the top line, and the pressure will be on them to perform—along with veteran FA Cory Stillman, who will provide leadership and his usual point per game.
Richard Zednik will attempt to return after a horrific injury that almost cost him his life, let alone his career. It will be interesting to see if he can play the same game he did before the incident.
13. Toronto Maple Leafs
Without Mats Sundin, the Leafs don't have a proven scorer, and not much potential this season. Nik Antropov figures to shoulder much of the offensive load, but he can run hot and cold.
Youth will be served, and lots of experience will be gained by young players in the system. They will be very solid defensively, and backstopped in net by Vesa Toskala, who will steal some games.
The defensive corps is actually one of the more dependable in the conference, but can you really justify the salary given to Jeff Finger? If Coliacovo can stay healthy (and that is a big IF), they will not have issues here. The big problem will be scoring goals, and there are a lot of 1-0, 2-1 shootout games in the Leafs' near future.
14. New York Islanders
This is a team in transition. Their leading scorer didn't even crack the 50-point mark, and that, combined with a difference in philosophies with the GM, cost coach Ted Nolan his job.
They have built from the net out, as DiPietro is an Islander for life it seems. The blueline is a nondescript group without any standouts, although it will be interesting to see what FA acquisition Mark Streit does. Was the Swiss Swingman a product of Montreal's PP success, or a reason for it? The Isles have bet a lot of money that it was the latter.
A duo of freshmen in Kyle Okposo and Sean Bergenheim are the future of the club, and they will be pushed off the plank into the deep end this year as the Islanders are not a deep organization.
15. Atlanta Thrashers
Well, they do have Ilya Kovalchuk.
Rookie head coach John Anderson has his work cut out for him, as this group is largely unproven and there isn't an abundance of talent. Kovalchuk is a supreme talent, but he doesn't have the supporting cast. Jason Williams is a good player, but should not be a top-line centre on any club.
The defense is lacking in star power, and might be forced to rush third-overall pick Zach Bogosian into the lineup before he is really ready. Kari Lehtonen is a talented goalie, but spends more time in the IR than between the pipes.
They could be the top contender for the No. 1 overall selection come June. On the bright side, did I mention they have Ilya Kovalchuk?
That sums up how I see the East Shaking down this season, but anything can happen—and in a Conference this tight, it probably will. One key injury can sink a team's chances, and one unexpected performance by an unsung player can boost a club into the hunt.
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