NHL Predictions 2011-12: 12 Things You Need To Know about the Northeast Division

The Northeast division is home to several of the NHL's best teams and most passionate fan bases. The Boston Bruins, who the division last season, are the defending Stanley Cup champions for the first time since the 1972-73 season.

Boston's rivalry with the Montreal Canadiens, the best in the league, is alive and well again. After three playoff series in the last four years, the rivalry has really begun to write a new chapter in its storied history.

The Buffalo Sabres, have a real chance at knocking the Bruins off their perch in this division, and made some bold and expensive summer signings to improve their squad.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators finished in the bottom of the division last season, and both will look to improve this season.

Let's look at 12 things you need to know about the Northeast division in 2011-12.

3 Elite Goaltenders to Play Against

The Northeast division has arguably three of the top five goalies in all of hockey. Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres, Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins and Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens are all elite goalies who are crucial to the success of their respective teams.

Miller and Thomas are the last two Vezina Trophy winners, with Thomas winning it last season.

Playing in a division with these goaltenders is difficult, and makes you earn every point you get.

There Are Many Emerging Stars

This division has several young emerging stats, such as Boston's Tyler Seguin, Montreal's PK Subban, Toronto's Luke Schenn and Buffalo's Tyler Myers.

Myers, Schenn, and Subban are all defenseman, and are vitally important to their teams. Schenn led defensemen in hits last season, Myers just got a new long-term contract for his outstanding two-way play and Subban is a fabulous offensive defenseman with silky smooth skating ability.

The Northeast division has plenty of young talent ready to blossom this season.

Bruins Are Defending Cup for 1st Time in Nearly 40 Seasons

The Boston Bruins ended their 39-year Stanley Cup drought last season when they beat the Vancouver Canucks in seven games.

The Bruins haven't been the defending champs since the 1972-73 season, and have returned much of the same team.

Defenseman Tomas Kaberle and forwards Michael Ryder and Mark Recchi were the only notable departures.

The Bruins open up their season Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers, and play several top teams in a grueling October schedule, including matchups with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks and Montreal Canadiens.

Toronto Maple Leafs Can Make the Playoffs

The Toronto Maple Leafs haven't made the playoffs since the 2003-04 season, a drought that hasn't stopped their fans from showing up to the games and supporting the team.

With a good roster from top to bottom, the Maple Leafs have a legitimate shot at making the eighth or seventh seed in the Eastern conference.

However, several of their young stars, like Phil Kessel, will have to play very well for that to happen.

Buffalo Sabres Had an Expensive Summer

The Buffalo Sabres made a big splash in free agency this summer when they signed offensive defenseman Christian Ehrhoff, formerly of the Vancouver Canucks, to a 10-year deal worth $40 million.

They also signed former Philadelphia Flyers winger Ville Leino to a six-year, $27 million contract.

The Sabres showed their fans and their own players that they believe the team can win right now, and not only did they spend big, they spent on two positions they needed, defense and wing depth.

PK Subban and Carey Price Playing for Big Cash

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Pk Subban and goaltender Carey Price are the two best players on their team, and both will be playing for big contract extensions next summer.

Both Price and Subban will be restricted free agents next season, and both will be due for a big raise. Price is a top five goaltender in the NHL, but is far from being paid like one.

Subban is a rising star on defense, and will deserve and likely receive a massive raise.

Players typically play their best when a new deal is on the line, so this situation will have its advantages for Montreal.

Jason Spezza Is the Star Who Could Be Traded

Jason Spezza is the Ottawa Senators' best player and is often mentioned in trade rumors around the trading deadline.

Although his large contract makes him difficult to move, The Hockey News reported recently that rumors of a possible trade aren't going away.

It will be interesting to see if Spezza gets moved this season.

Tyler Seguin Will Become a Star

Tyler Seguin is the next star of the Boston Bruins, and in year two of his NHL career, he is expected to make great strides in his development.

Seguin scored 11 goals last season, and had three in the playoffs.

He is arguably the most offensively skilled player on the team, and will get more ice time as a regular on the second or third line for the Bruins.

Seguin will score 30 goals this season, and become a league star.

Ryan Miller Will Be a Vezina Finalist

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller won the 2010 Vezina Trophy, but last season he did not play at that same level throughout the season.

Miller will rebound this season and become a Vezina Trophy finalist again. He has a better team in front of him on defense, and the offense will score more goals, giving him more opportunities for wins.

Phil Kessel Will Score 40 Goals

Phil Kessel has yet to fulfill his potential with the Toronto Maples Leafs after being acquired via trade from the Boston Bruins prior to the 2009-10 NHL season.

Kessel will score 40 goals this season, and playing with a No. 1 center in Tim Connolly, Kessel will have ample opportunities to score goals and improve the Maple Leafs' offense.

Kessel will become a real star this season.

Ottawa Will Fight for the Top Pick in the 2012 NHL Draft

The Ottawa Senators had a lot of salary cap space to use this season but didn't make any significant signings to improve the hockey club, and thus will suffer through another long season.

The Senators will have a tough time competing this season, and will fight for a top draft pick next year.

Northeast Division Is Filled with Solid Defenseman

The Northeast division is stacked with great defenseman, both of the offensive and shutdown kind.

The Bruins have the best shutdown pairing in the league with Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg. The Canadiens have a solid star tandem in veteran Andrei Markov and young PK Subban. 

The Sabres signed Christian Ehrhoff to a new contract, and re-signed young star Tyler Myers to a new contract.

Toronto signed Luke Schenn to a new contract, and he will be a fixture of their defensive corps for a long time. The young Maple Leafs star was a physical force last season.