Atlantic Predictions

1) Detriot - When you look at this team it is deep all over, but the big five jump out at you. Crosby, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Tavares and Kopitar, not too many countries can put together a top five like this.  This team has a solid defense and you add Quick in net, this is their division to lose.

2) Boston - Parise, Toews, Spezza, Kessel and Giroux may not look as sexy as Detriot's top five, but there are some GM's who would take them over Detriot's.  With Keith leading the defense and a good year from Ward many believe they will push Detriot for the division.

3) Buffalo - Up front this team has a lot of skill, but for teams playing Buffalo it is time to tighten up the chin strap. Mike Richard, Dustin Brown and Jordan Staal can put the puck in the net with the best of them and will really make you pay the price to score against them.  Doughty will lead a pretty tough defense with Lehtonen looking to have a strong year in net.

4) Toronto - As Lundqvist goes, so do the Leafs.  Maybe the best goalie in hockey right now.  Suter and Kronwall headline not a bad defense.  The Leafs hope to get scoring from all four lines.  Defensive hockey will be Toronto's mantra.  My bias pick to win the Cup!!

5) Ottawa - The defending Stanley Cup Champs will be led by Bobrovsky in net.  The first line of Vanek, Lecavailer and Iginla will score and lead the offence.  No one picked this team to win the cup last year, so you can never count them out, but on paper they will be in a dog fight to make the playoffs.

6) Montreal - The defense in very solid in Montreal.  Backstrom will be good in net, but where are the goals going to come from.  O'Reilly and Galchenyuk will lead the offense.  The future is bright for this offence with Strome and Jarnkrok on their way. 

7)  Tampa Bay - Byfuglien, Gonchar, Yandle and Vlasic make up a very solid defense, Pavelski is a very versatile forward and Halak is solid in net.  This team over achived last year, led by their coaches and GM, so expect them to suprise again this year.

8)  Florida - This team is a year or two away but the future is bright, Couture and Herique are still young and becoming all stars.  No team has the defensive prospects Florida has in the system.  A future d-line of Nurse, Ristolainen, Murphy and Pouliot with Vasilevski coming up in goal will make the Panthers a very tough team to play in the very near future.