SOUTHEAST DIVISION

1. CAROLINA HURRICANES

From Cup champ to a non-playoff club in one season (the ‘Canes finished 11th in the conference), the Hurricanes did little in the offseason, expecting a return from some injured players and a former teammate.

Five players scored more than 20 goals last season: Scott Walker, Rod Brind’Amour, Justin Williams, Ray Whitney and Erik Cole. The club smartly added 30 year-old Chicago upstart Jeff Hamilton, who scored 18 goals after getting a crack at 70 NHL games with the Blackhawks. Hamilton spent years in the minors and Europe, and now gets an opportunity to shine in Raleigh. Matt Cullen returns to center after a year with the Rangers (16 goals). Cullen can easily slot in the first or second lines.

The ‘Canes defense has some good defensemen, but no dominant ones. Bret Hedican is now 37 and was limited to 50 games due to injury last season. Puck-moving d-man Frantisek Kaberle was limited to only 27 games last season; his return to full-time duty is welcome. Glen Wesley turns 39 this October. Mike Commodore, however, is rounding out his game, popping in seven goals and always stepping in to help teammates in the physical department. Commodore could be a very solid number three guy on any NHL team.

Cam Ward (.897SV%; 2.93GAA) won the Conn Smythe trophy, and suffered a tough sophomore campaign on its heels. 353 game winning goaltender Tom Barrasso joins the ‘Canes as minor league player goaltending coach, while Greg Stefan guides the club’s NHL goalies. No other club has this setup. If Ward falters (the ‘Canes were 21st in team goaltending), Jon Grahame itches to share duty.

THE MAN: Rod Brind’Amour

STATS: 2 consecutive Selke trophies: 2006, 2005. 26 goals, 56 assists, 81 points. Captain.

Time for a bounce-back season. They weren’t as bad as their record last season, and there are too many guns to stay down long.

2. FLORIDA PANTHERS

Optimism is on the rise in Miami where the club has failed to make the postseason in the last six tries. The good vibes are borne of the acquisition of Tomas Vokoun to man the nets, giving the club its first glimmer of hope since Roberto Luongo left (Ed Belfour is in Switzerland; Alex Auld, Phoenix).

Olli Jokinen hosted a party this offseason to show the club’s appreciation for its corporate supporters. Evidently, it was quite an affair, and considering that only Columbus has failed to make the postseason for as long as the ‘Cats, it was an astute move.

Two six-year extensions, one each to Stephen Weiss and Nathan Horton, give the Panthers hope. Weiss, 24, recorded career highs last year in goals (20), assists (28) and points (48). Last season, he became the youngest Panther to be named assistant captain. Nathan Horton scored 31 goals with a +15 rating, and thanks to the lack of playoff exposure in Miami, he’s one of the league’s best-kept secrets. Center Josef Stumpel adds some mustard.

On defense, Jay Bouwmeester potted nine even-strength tallies. If he can improve on his 3 PPG output, he’ll become an elite blueliner. He finished the season an outstanding +23. Ruslan Salei and Mike Van Ryn are underrated.

11th in goals for, with 245; 21st in goals against, with 249.

THE MAN: Olli Jokinen. If Olli can lead, especially early and late in the season, the Panthers will return to the postseason. Can’t blame Olli for their playoff absence over the past few seasons.

STATS: 351 shots on goal last season isn’t something that just falls from the trees.

Hockeytalk is buying the bill of goods that Jacques Martin is selling. Playoffs in Miami this season…but spare us those rats, please.

3. ATLANTA THRASHERS

After the Thrashers’ first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Rangers, some wondered aloud whether GM Don Waddell would also exit, which would have made no sense. He has built a decent club in Atlanta, and their first playoff appearance was welcome. He even shipped Keith Tkachuk back to Saint Louis and retrieved a first round pick lost in the original deal.

This will be a big year for Marian Hossa, who is almost certain to test the free agency waters next July 1st. He could easily become a member of the 20% club. That is, since the CBA states that no one player shall take up more than 20% of his club’s salary cap, Hossa will look to reach the ten million dollar plateau in this the age of the $50 Million cap.

On offense, the Thrashers dazzle you with Hossa (100 PTS), Ilya Kovalchuk (42 G) and Slava Kozlov (28-52-80).

Beyond that lies the problem. The shot and goal totals drop precipitously after Hossa, Kovalchuk and Kozlov. Now retired, Scott Mellanby added 12 goals, Eric Perrin, 13. Pascal Dupuis will have to improve on his 14 goals.

But on defense, they are average at best. Kari Lehtonen needs to finally come through in the nets, or he could be replaced by the likes of Ilya Bryzgalov quickly.

THE MAN: Marian Hossa. Most evenhanded trade in recent NHL history; Heatley subtracted, Hossa steps up and produces.

STATS: Cracked 30 goals six times; two of those, 40+. 270 goals in 629 games.

Dogfight in a tough division. Can easily see three clubs (four?) in the playoffs from the Southeast.

4. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

So Doug MacLean now owns the Lightning, huh? GM Jay Feaster will be reporting for regular appointments with his new boss. A non-playoff season could spell the end of Feaster and Coach John Tortorella, despite MacLean's public enthusiasm for working with the pair.

As always, the Lightning feature an excellent offense, so we might as well begin with Tampa’s defense.

Brad Lukowich returns to the club after two seasons in New Jersey and one on Long Island to bolster the Lightning defense. Dan Boyle is nearing Norris trophy consideration, but will be a huge loss after slicing three tendons in his wrist. Never mind the injury timetable on this one. It’ll be longer than they think (4-6 weeks). Tendons are nasty things to slice. Shane O'Brien is a vocal, energetic youngster who doesn't mind a scrap. Filip Kuba and Paul Ranger are steady. Look for 2003 second round choice Matt Smaby's NHL debut in the fifth or sixth spot after 66 games in Springfield of the AHL. At 6'6", 239 lbs., he could one day be a fine partner for Dan Boyle at the top of the 'Ning D. Decent, with some star power in Boyle, but not great. Could improve with Lukowich back and O'Brien blooming.

In goal? Total mystery. Marc Denis fizzled after coming over from Columbus for Frederik Modin. Johan Holmqvist (27 wins) seized the number one job, albeit unspectacularly. 21 year-old Karri Ramo (Springfield, AHL: .906SV%) could easily be called up. Word has it that Robert Esche is working out with Pittsburgh NHLers. Could he land here? Change is afoot in Tampa's nets.

Offensively, left wing Jan Hlavac looks for another chance at NHL success after two seasons in the Czech Republic (20 goals for Sparta Praha in 06-07), one in Switzerland. 25 year-old Michel Ouellet is a surprise addition from Pittsburgh. Ouellet scored 19 goals for the Penguins last season and played junior hockey with Vincent Lecavalier, which opens the possibility that the club will have better depth throughout its forward lines. Center Chris Gratton, now in his third go-around with the 'Ning, is an upgrade at third line center. With the penalty kill ranking 28th last season, Gratton could help there as well. As always, the Big Three of Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards dominates the ice time stats and deservedly so.

THE MAN: Vincent Lecavalier

STATS: (52-56-108; 339SOG), 1 Richard Trophy

Top heavy, the ‘Ning finally wilt. No playoffs.

5. WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Nice moves on paper, they were, the acquisitions of centers Michael Nylander (26G w/NYR) and Swedish Elite League veteran Nicklas Backstrom (12G-28A-40PTS in 48GP). This is the best opportunity yet for both Alexander Ovechkin (46-46-92 and an NHL-leading 392 SOG) and 23 year-old Alexander Semin (77GP; 38-35-73).

Likely to join Nylander and Ovechkin on the first line is a rejuvenated Viktor Kozlov (25G with Islanders), who has seen previous action with Ovechkin on the Russian National Team.

Captain Chris Clark, who potted 30 goals in 2006-07, may join Semin and Backstrom on a vastly improved second line.

Question marks abound on the Caps’ third and fourth lines. The club will hope for emerging talent to break through. Eric Fehr, David Steckel, Boyd Gordon, Jakub Klepis, Tomas Fleischmann, will all be called on to round out the lineup.

The defense gets help from minute-munching Tom Poti (25:42), who came to D.C. from the Islanders.

While the Caps seem another year away from a playoff run, it seems that they won’t fade in January, as they did in 2006-07. Ovechkin and crew will be in it until early April.

THE MAN: Alexander Ovechkin. He fired his agent a year ago because with the NHL’s limit of 20% of payroll going to the top dog, this top dog figured he’s always be the top guy, so why negotiate. The Caps will be negotiating directly with Ovechkin (or his Mom), and it’ll be quick: “Give me 20%,” says Alex!

STATS: 163GP; 98-100-198 plus a ridiculous 819 shots on goal!

Creeping up, could push the Lightning to the cellar of the division.

2008 Western Hockey Network
 

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