EASTERN CONFERENCE PRE SEASON POWER POLL

EASTERN CONFERENCE PRE SEASON POWER POLL

- Joe Bartnick 9/24/13

The East is wide open, unlike the West the East has three playoffs locks ( Boston, Pittsburgh, Detroit ) and after that mega parity and no team that is God awful. Making these predictions even more daunting is the fact two teams I like for the top eight the Rangers and the Maple Leafs are dealing with issues. The Ranger’s Derek Stepan’s is holding out and they begin the season with a 10 game road trip. The Maple Leafs will probably lose Phil Kessel and David Clarkson to large suspensions due to the brawl in Buffalo.
1. Boston – Best team in the East. Emphasis on team. No weakness.

2. Pittsburgh – Toughness will be a little question, goal tending a BIG question that will only be answered in playoffs.

3. Detroit – Eastern time zone will help preserve old vets and a full season will give young defensemen time to learn and gel.

4. NY- Rangers – Lots of talent but needs to overcome early season adversity and new Head coach Alain Vigneault needs to prove he can handle the Big Apple

5. Toronto – Must forget about last season’s playoff debacle and this season’s preseason debacle.

6. Philadephia –They will have plenty of offense but as always defense and goaltending will be problem and as ALWAYS the team will be mismanaged.

7. NY- Islanders- John Tavares will move from star to superstar. If goaltending holds up. Look out

8. Montreal – Canadiens addressed their size problem but will Michel Therrien’s grind wear them out over 82 games?

9. New Jersey – Lou Lamarillo’s teams always play better on ice than paper.

10. Washington –Ovi and company will no longer be feasting on the weak Southeast division.

11. Columbus – Blue Jackets are definitely on the way up, shame they moved to the East because they would be a playoff team out West.

12. Ottawa – Senators will miss Alfie and Gonchar’s leadership. Last year’s karma has worn off.

13. Tampa Bay –Will be fun to watch if you like 6-5 hockey games. Lots of offense but no defense and less goaltending.

14. Buffalo – Sabres have a Napoleon complex, little’s man’s disease. They worry too much about being a tough team and not a winning team.

15. Carolina – The Staals will get to spend a lot of time on the golf course together.

16. Florida – Last but not hopeless, Seattle will be happy with this team.