Ottawa Senators
The most significant personnel move for the Senators this summer had nothing to do with their own roster. It was the defection of goaltender Curtis Joseph from the Maple Leafs to the Red Wings in the Western Conference. No more nemesis issues in the form of improbable goaltending exploits at their expense.
No one will argue with the speed and skill on the Senators' top two lines. And their defensemen and goaltending are very sound. So what holds them back? Mostly a lack of depth and identity on their third and fourth lines. Ottawa had little success finding the right blend of experienced players to augment its burgeoning stable of youthful talent. This season, it looks as if it is more of the same, with veterans Shaun Van Allen and Jody Hull back in rerun stints. The acquisition of exiled Peter Schaefer from the Vancouver Canucks for defenseman Sami Salo was a nice touch. Plus, a couple of youngsters might crack the lineup, namely winger Petr Schastlivy, although he is coming off reconstructive knee surgery. But Ottawa has a host of talented youngsters, particularly Jason Spezza up front and Anton Volchenkov on the backline. The Sens seem intent on using vets ! to! check on the third and fourth lines and to round out its top six blueliners. Still, the strength of Ottawa remains the depth of its young talent.
So while the Sens embark on their annual team-building odyssey, they do it under the suspicion that they remain less than rugged up front -- long held as their debilitating weakness. Yet Ottawa seems to have settled on the notion that it is not so much out-and-out toughness that will spur the team on as it is an improved determination -- a rank-and-file resolve -- throughout the entire lineup. To that end, the Senators made strides last season, including a much better showing in the postseason.
Much of their relative success in the playoffs was due to the fine play of goaltender Patrick Lalime. Keeping him out of the top ranks among NHL netminders is his penchant for extended slumps. He can get on a roll with the best in the business, but he has stretches of inconsistency that the truly elite keep to a minimum. Lalime has to limit his low points and provide stability, because the Senators rely on young legs to carry them, notably budding stars Marian Hossa and Martin Havlat -- only 23 and 21, respectively. They, too, suffered from bouts of inconsistency last season, which given their ages, isn't that surprising. If Hossa and Havlat can even out their effort and Lalime shortens his lulls, the Senators are poised for a breakout season, the type of run many thought possible a couple of seasons ago.
And the payoff? Well, there is the additional development time afforded Ottawa's next impressive crop of talented youngsters -- away from the glare of NHL expectations. More pertinent, though, the Senators won't have to contend with CuJo ... at least not until June.
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens made their way back to the postseason, providing two of the year's greatest stories: the return to action of cancer-stricken captain Saku Koivu and the emergence of goaltender Jose Theodore.
General manager Andre Savard has quietly assembled a veteran collection in Montreal, one that proved adept at carrying out a game plan to perfection in the first round of the playoffs last spring. The Habs took advantage of an opportunity afforded by their opponent by sticking to the scheme devised by the coaching staff. That strategy centered on forechecking -- three men actively involved in the offensive zone, wreaking havoc, forcing turnovers and ultimately creating scoring chances.
Their first-round win last year may have provided a glimpse of what they are capable of under the guidelines set forth for this season by the league. More unimpeded puck pursuit and unencumbered, outnumbered attacks due to the NHL's goal of eradicating interference favors the Habs like no other team in the East. They are a team that puts a premium on skating, relegating size to secondary status. Even their blueliners are more apt to use positioning to defend as opposed to resorting to physical punishment.
So, stylistically, the Canadiens have a chance to flourish this season. Add these known components -- goaltending to keep them in every game; strong penalty killing; and the top face-off man in the league -- and the reason for optimism in Montreal becomes clear. Add to the mix their two best offensive players, Koivu and Donald Audette, both of whom missed almost all of last season -- plus the acquisition of like-minded scorer Mariusz Czerkawski -- and any anxiety concerning their offense is certainly lessened. If Koivu and Audette can stay healthy -- no small feat for either, as each has long histories of missed games -- Montreal's power play stands to move from middle-of-the-pack to top-10 status.
It will be interesting to see how the loss of assistant coach Guy Carbonneau affects this team. Head coach Michel Therrien took heat in the postseason for various decisions, which is rare when you win a playoff round as the eighth seed. How Therrien embraces this roster and applies it to the way the officials are to interpret the game is critical. New assistant Guy Charron is more offensive-minded than Therrien, who favors a defensive game. Maybe -- like everything else for the Canadiens this year -- the two philosophies will compliment each other nicely and everything will come together for Les Habitants.
Buffalo Sabres
The hallmark of playing youth at the skill positions is inconsistency. The enticement and excitement stems from the boundless enthusiasm and potential.
Which NHL team had a winning record against opponents with a mark above .500 and was better in the second half of the season than the first, despite losing their captain for the final month of the season? The Buffalo Sabres. Which team was second-worst in the league against teams with losing records and saw their new No. 1 netminder falter in close games, going 9-12 in one-goal contests? Those very same Sabres. It all netted a .500 record -- five points short of qualifying for the playoffs -- despite posting the second-best divisional record in the Northeast. These seemingly contradictory statistics -- and the eventual outcome -- point to the perils of icing a team in which 70 percent of the roster is 26 years old or younger.
All of which underscores the on-ice promise of this year's Sabres. The youngsters who were relied on last year should be more consistent this time around, especially Martin Biron in goal, center Tim Connolly, winger Maxim Afinogenov and defenseman Dmitri Kallin. Throw in continued offensive growth by wingers J.P. Dumont and Taylor Pyatt, along with the solid addition of Jochen Hecht, and the Sabres will ice a lineup that, while not prolific, is certainly balanced.
More than anything, though, the Sabres have to find a way to improve on the power play. They had more man-up opportunities than any team in the league, yet ranked only 26th in efficiency. First, Buffalo needs someone to prove capable of running the power play from the top. Second, somebody other than Miroslav Satan has to establish themselves as a legitimate threat down low. If those things happen, watch the Sabres' attack take off in all situations, as they gain the confidence that comes with posting improved offensive numbers.
Certainly, Buffalo's fortunes for the season rest precariously in the hands of younger players, thus the numerous "if" statements in the preceding paragraphs. But, while we're at it, here is one more to consider: If most of these variables turn out favorable for the Sabres, they will be this year's surprise team, much like the Coyotes in the West a season ago.
The most significant personnel move for the Senators this summer had nothing to do with their own roster. It was the defection of goaltender Curtis Joseph from the Maple Leafs to the Red Wings in the Western Conference. No more nemesis issues in the form of improbable goaltending exploits at their expense.
No one will argue with the speed and skill on the Senators' top two lines. And their defensemen and goaltending are very sound. So what holds them back? Mostly a lack of depth and identity on their third and fourth lines. Ottawa had little success finding the right blend of experienced players to augment its burgeoning stable of youthful talent. This season, it looks as if it is more of the same, with veterans Shaun Van Allen and Jody Hull back in rerun stints. The acquisition of exiled Peter Schaefer from the Vancouver Canucks for defenseman Sami Salo was a nice touch. Plus, a couple of youngsters might crack the lineup, namely winger Petr Schastlivy, although he is coming off reconstructive knee surgery. But Ottawa has a host of talented youngsters, particularly Jason Spezza up front and Anton Volchenkov on the backline. The Sens seem intent on using vets ! to! check on the third and fourth lines and to round out its top six blueliners. Still, the strength of Ottawa remains the depth of its young talent.
So while the Sens embark on their annual team-building odyssey, they do it under the suspicion that they remain less than rugged up front -- long held as their debilitating weakness. Yet Ottawa seems to have settled on the notion that it is not so much out-and-out toughness that will spur the team on as it is an improved determination -- a rank-and-file resolve -- throughout the entire lineup. To that end, the Senators made strides last season, including a much better showing in the postseason.
Much of their relative success in the playoffs was due to the fine play of goaltender Patrick Lalime. Keeping him out of the top ranks among NHL netminders is his penchant for extended slumps. He can get on a roll with the best in the business, but he has stretches of inconsistency that the truly elite keep to a minimum. Lalime has to limit his low points and provide stability, because the Senators rely on young legs to carry them, notably budding stars Marian Hossa and Martin Havlat -- only 23 and 21, respectively. They, too, suffered from bouts of inconsistency last season, which given their ages, isn't that surprising. If Hossa and Havlat can even out their effort and Lalime shortens his lulls, the Senators are poised for a breakout season, the type of run many thought possible a couple of seasons ago.
And the payoff? Well, there is the additional development time afforded Ottawa's next impressive crop of talented youngsters -- away from the glare of NHL expectations. More pertinent, though, the Senators won't have to contend with CuJo ... at least not until June.
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens made their way back to the postseason, providing two of the year's greatest stories: the return to action of cancer-stricken captain Saku Koivu and the emergence of goaltender Jose Theodore.
General manager Andre Savard has quietly assembled a veteran collection in Montreal, one that proved adept at carrying out a game plan to perfection in the first round of the playoffs last spring. The Habs took advantage of an opportunity afforded by their opponent by sticking to the scheme devised by the coaching staff. That strategy centered on forechecking -- three men actively involved in the offensive zone, wreaking havoc, forcing turnovers and ultimately creating scoring chances.
Their first-round win last year may have provided a glimpse of what they are capable of under the guidelines set forth for this season by the league. More unimpeded puck pursuit and unencumbered, outnumbered attacks due to the NHL's goal of eradicating interference favors the Habs like no other team in the East. They are a team that puts a premium on skating, relegating size to secondary status. Even their blueliners are more apt to use positioning to defend as opposed to resorting to physical punishment.
So, stylistically, the Canadiens have a chance to flourish this season. Add these known components -- goaltending to keep them in every game; strong penalty killing; and the top face-off man in the league -- and the reason for optimism in Montreal becomes clear. Add to the mix their two best offensive players, Koivu and Donald Audette, both of whom missed almost all of last season -- plus the acquisition of like-minded scorer Mariusz Czerkawski -- and any anxiety concerning their offense is certainly lessened. If Koivu and Audette can stay healthy -- no small feat for either, as each has long histories of missed games -- Montreal's power play stands to move from middle-of-the-pack to top-10 status.
It will be interesting to see how the loss of assistant coach Guy Carbonneau affects this team. Head coach Michel Therrien took heat in the postseason for various decisions, which is rare when you win a playoff round as the eighth seed. How Therrien embraces this roster and applies it to the way the officials are to interpret the game is critical. New assistant Guy Charron is more offensive-minded than Therrien, who favors a defensive game. Maybe -- like everything else for the Canadiens this year -- the two philosophies will compliment each other nicely and everything will come together for Les Habitants.
Buffalo Sabres
The hallmark of playing youth at the skill positions is inconsistency. The enticement and excitement stems from the boundless enthusiasm and potential.
Which NHL team had a winning record against opponents with a mark above .500 and was better in the second half of the season than the first, despite losing their captain for the final month of the season? The Buffalo Sabres. Which team was second-worst in the league against teams with losing records and saw their new No. 1 netminder falter in close games, going 9-12 in one-goal contests? Those very same Sabres. It all netted a .500 record -- five points short of qualifying for the playoffs -- despite posting the second-best divisional record in the Northeast. These seemingly contradictory statistics -- and the eventual outcome -- point to the perils of icing a team in which 70 percent of the roster is 26 years old or younger.
All of which underscores the on-ice promise of this year's Sabres. The youngsters who were relied on last year should be more consistent this time around, especially Martin Biron in goal, center Tim Connolly, winger Maxim Afinogenov and defenseman Dmitri Kallin. Throw in continued offensive growth by wingers J.P. Dumont and Taylor Pyatt, along with the solid addition of Jochen Hecht, and the Sabres will ice a lineup that, while not prolific, is certainly balanced.
More than anything, though, the Sabres have to find a way to improve on the power play. They had more man-up opportunities than any team in the league, yet ranked only 26th in efficiency. First, Buffalo needs someone to prove capable of running the power play from the top. Second, somebody other than Miroslav Satan has to establish themselves as a legitimate threat down low. If those things happen, watch the Sabres' attack take off in all situations, as they gain the confidence that comes with posting improved offensive numbers.
Certainly, Buffalo's fortunes for the season rest precariously in the hands of younger players, thus the numerous "if" statements in the preceding paragraphs. But, while we're at it, here is one more to consider: If most of these variables turn out favorable for the Sabres, they will be this year's surprise team, much like the Coyotes in the West a season ago.
