Atlantic Division Preview
Roster Movement
The Devils made a few significant signings this summer when they brought in veteran sniper Brian Rolston and brought back Bobby Holik, who will fit in well under gritty coach Brent Sutter. Lou Lamoriello also signed Sergei Fedorov's enigmatic brother, Fedor. The younger Fedorov is a supreme talent who has dominated European hockey the past few seasons, but has never done much in North America. Out are Karel Rachunek, the reliable Sergei Brylin and tough guy Arron Asham. The Devils are better now than they were last season.
Prelimary Top Line Combinations:
Patrik Elias - Brian Rolston - Jamie Langenbrunner
Zach Parise - Travis Zajac - Brian Gionta
Top Offensive Defenceman
Sports
Goalie Depth Chart
Probable First power-play unit
Patrik Elias, Brian Rolston, Zach Parise, Brian Gionta, Paul Martin
Battle For Jobs
Travis Zajac proved that he wasn't a number one center yet, which means that Brian Rolston or Patrick Elias will shift from the wing to center, but the two will likely play together on the top line. The no-name defensive corps still doesn't have a quarterback to run the power-play, and the Devils will likely play four forwards and have either Rolston or Elias lug the puck up the ice to gain control of the offensive zone. Heralded prospect Nicklas Bergfors should challenge for a roster spot out of training camp.
Key Injuries
None
New York Islanders
Roster Movement
The Islanders signed aging center Doug Weight and forward/defenseman Mark Streit in the off-season, in which they lost much more than they gained, with the exception of Kyle Okposo, who was brought in with six games to go and will be a significant player in his upcoming rookie season. Save for the Weight signing, the Isles have finally shifted to a youth movement and said goodbye to veterans Miroslav Satan, Bryan Berard, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Ruslan Fedotenko and Wade Dubielewicz.
In: Doug Weight, Kyle Okposo, Mark Streit
Out: Miroslav Satan, Ruslan Fedotenko, Bryan Berard, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Wade Dubielewicz
Preliminary Top Line Combinations
Sean Bergenheim - Doug Weight - Bill Guerin
Jeff Tambellini - Mike Comrie - Kyle Okposo
Top Offensive Defensemen
Goalie Depth Chart
Rick DiPietro
Joey MacDonald
Yann Denis
Probable First power-play unit
Comrie, Guerin, Weight, Streit, Campoli
Battle for jobs
Doug Weight will start the season as the top center because of his history with captain Bill Guerin, while another small center, Mike Comrie, will likely play with super rookie Kyle Okposo. If healthy, defenseman Chris Campoli should play on the top power-play unit alongside Mark Streit. The youth movement on Long Island will allow Okposo, Frans Nielsen, Sean Bergenheim and Jeff Tambellini plenty of ice time.
Key Injuries
Rick DiPietro had surgery on his other hip this past spring, which will hopefully solve his degenerative condition. The Isles' entire season revolves around their outstanding goalie. Campoli should be fully recovered from the shoulder surgery he had in January, and veteran Mike Sillinger should also be ready for training camp after having hip surgery in February. Jon Sim missed most of the season after undergoing major reconstructive knee surgery last October, so he will require more than just training camp to get back to speed.
Philadelphia Flyers
Roster Movement
The Flyers have come so far that they are only fine-tuning their roster at this point. They brought in veteran Glen Metropolit, who can play on any line, much like the departed R.J. Umberger did last year. Arron Asham brings even more toughness to an already gritty lineup. Ossi Vaananen and Steve Eminger add depth to a relatively shallow blueline. Vaclav Prospal went back to Tampa Bay, but he was only a rental for the stretch drive, anyway. Patrick Thoresen decided to ply his trade in Europe, but he wasn't in the Flyers' long-terms plans.
Preliminary Top Line Combinations
Simon Gagne - Daniel Briere - Mike Knuble
Scott Hartnell - Mike Richards - Joffrey Lupul
Top Offensive Defensemen
Goalie Depth Chart
Probable First power-play unit
Daniel Briere, Mike Richards, Mike Knuble, Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn
Battle for jobs
The Flyers are incredibly deep at forward and star youngster Jeff Carter remains on the third line. They may try to find a way to get him among their top six, but they are deep enough to roll three very offensive lines. Steve Downie will likely start the year on the fourth line, but will be pushing hard to move up the depth chart. Top prospect Claude Giroux was good enough to make the team last year, but GM Paul Holmgren kept him in junior for one more season, so he figures to be in the mix. Training camp will be intense as the players jockey for their roles on the team.
Key Injuries
Simon Gagne is one hit from retirement, but if he has truly recovered from severe post-concussion syndrome, he can put up 40 goals. This is the definition of a high risk-high reward pick. Similarly, Kimmo Timonen had a blood clot in his leg in the spring, which is not a minor condition. However, he appears to be fine, as his quick return to the lineup proved.
New York Rangers
Roster Movement
The times, they are a changing in Manhattan. Out are superstar Jaromir Jagr, super-pest Sean Avery, and two reliable defenders in Fedor Tyutin and Christian Backman. The Rangers did bring in veteran sniper Markus Naslund, whose best years are well behind him, and enigmatic Russian Nikolai Zherdev. They signed Aaron Voros, a poor-man's Avery and underachieving defenseman Wade Redden. Dan Fritsche was also brought on board. Veteran sniper Brendan Shanahan remains unsigned and it's unclear if the Rangers are even interested in his services at this point.
Preliminary Top Line Combinations
Brandon Dubinsky - Scott Gomez - Nikolai Zherdev
Nigel Dawes - Chris Drury - Markus Naslund
Top Offensive Defensemen
Goalie Depth Chart
Henrik Lundqvist
Stephen Valiquette
Probable First power-play unit
Scott Gomez, Markus Naslund, Nikolai Zherdev, Chris Drury, Wade Redden
Battle for jobs
With so much movement in the off-season, there isn't much certainty in New York. Markus Naslund and Nikolai Zherdev will be amongst the top six forwards, but one will likely play with Gomez and the other will play with Chris Drury. Brandon Dubinsky may be asked to shift to the wing, which would keep him among the top six forwards too, and speedster Nigel Dawes appears poised to snag the last spot on the second line.
Key Injuries
None
Pittsburgh Penguins
Roster Movement
Like most other successful teams, the Penguins have had to deal with some roster turnover this summer, as they simply couldn't afford to keep all their players. Power forward Ryan Malone is gone, as is superstar Marian Hossa, who was a rental anyway. They signed burly winger Ruslan Fedotenko, who should be able to replace Malone's goals, if not his grit. Miroslav Satan is certainly no Marian Hossa, but he can score and will once again, now that he is slotted in on Sidney Crosby's line.
Preliminary Top Line Combinations
Jordan Staal - Evgeni Malkin - Petr Sykora
Pascal Dupuis - Sidney Crosby - Miroslav Satan
Top Offensive Defensemen
Sergei Gonchar, Kris Letang, Ryan Whitney
Goalie Depth Chart
Marc-Andre Fleury
Dany Sabourin
Probable First power-play unit
Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Miroslav Satan, Sergei Gonchar, Kris Letang
Battle for jobs
Jordan Staal will likely work for a spot among the top six forwards, which means that he would have to shift from center to wing, or have one of Crosby or Malkin shift, but he should force his way onto one of those lines. If he can't make the switch, then Fedotenko will reap the benefits of playing with a superstar.
Key Injuries
Whitney will be out of action at least until December after undergoing surgery to correct a left foot injury. This will be a big blow to the Penguins' power play. Look for Letang to step up and play a key role and keep an eye on Alex Goligoski, who could be a sleeper. Mark Eaton underwent reconstructive knee surgery in December, which caused him to miss the rest of the season, but he should be fine when training camp rolls around in September. He adds a steadying influence to a relatively green blueline.
