Over the next couple weeks I will be breaking down each division and highlighting all of the most interesting stories to follow from the good, the bad and the ugly. To get things started, we will begin with the Eastern Conference Champions.
5. Will the Lightning face a post Stanley Cup appearance hangover?
TAMPA, FL – MAY 22: Rick Nash #61 of the New York Rangers scores a goal during the first period against Ben Bishop #30 of the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on May 22, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
After a run that many had not expected before the playoffs started, the Lightning were the toast of the league toting many young stars that carried the team to levels that they believed they wouldn’t reach for a couple of seasons. Now, many questions will need to be answered this upcoming season both on and off the ice. Will Steven Stamkos’ next contract provide distractions to both the team and the player? Will the “triplets” line be able to sustain their play from last year? Will Victor Hedman be able to carry his late season play into a Norris contending season?
All signs point to yes as this team is built to contend for years to come, but then again this is the NHL after all where you come to expect the unexpected.
4. Will anything Don Sweeney did pan out?
SUNRISE, FL – APRIL 9: A Boston Bruins fan holds up a towel late in the third period against the Florida Panthers at the BB&T Center on April 9, 2015 in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers defeated the Bruins 4-2. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
This summer was an interesting thrill ride for Bruins fans. Gone are the likes of Dougie Hamilton, Milan Lucic and Carl Soderberg. New faces include Matt Beleskey and Jimmy Hayes. Does this do anything to inspire any confidence in picking this team to bounce back?
The short answer is no as this team will be rebuilding on the fly. They are doing it rather efficiently considering they were able to fetch themselves two first round picks this offseason and make sure their prospect pipeline was replenished. Their need for truculence was also fulfilled with Zac Rinaldo joining the fold as well. Expect the Bruins to be one of the bigger question marks coming into next year as young players will need to step into important positions.
3. Are the Detroit Red Wings going to be sneaky good?
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 7: Pavel Datsyuk #13 and Henrik Zetterberg #40 of the Detroit Red Wings discuss a play in a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 7, 2009 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Blue Jackets defeated the Red Wings 8-2 on the strength of a hat trick by Rick Nash. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
Not a lot is going to be expected from the Red Wings as Mike Babcock has left the team and joined the Toronto Maple Leafs (more on that later in the article). They were able to pick up the right-handed defenseman they have been sorely lacking in Mike Green this offseason, who as an offensive specialist is still quite good and at the term they were able to sign him brings good value.
Their prospects continue to develop as well with the likes of Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha knocking at the door. The addition of Brad Richards won’t hurt either as he proved to be a valuable cog during the Blackhawks’ Cup run this past year. Is it possible for a team with a 24-year playoff streak to sneak up on people? They are going to sure as hell try.
2. Will Carey Price carry the Canadiens once again?
MONTREAL, QC – APRIL 17: Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens watches play during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on April 17, 2015 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Senators 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)
After Carey Price won pretty much every major award the NHL has to offer, the only thing he wasn’t able to do was bring the Canadiens the Stanley Cup. A Michel Therrien led team has had some players moving on to greener pastures and finding success, which brings attention to the man behind the bench. Bringing on Alexander Semin at a low price has turned some heads but will he find a place on a team coached by a notoriously bull headed coach? Will Alex Galchenyuk ever move over to center as has been promised the past few seasons? It won’t really matter if Carey Price has anything to say about it.
1. What in the world will the Leafs do next?
TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 2: Tyler Bozak #42 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal against the Dallas Stars during an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on December 2, 2014 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
An eventful offseason would be described as an understatement wouldn’t it? The trade of Phil Kessel to the Penguins sent shockwaves through the NHL not because it was surprising, but because it changed the balance of power in the NHL so heavily. They were also able to bring in Mike Babcock, widely considered one of the best coaches in the NHL and Lou Lamoriello, former GM of the New Jersey Devils who led his former team to multiple Stanley Cup wins. The moves were odd not only for the name factor but also because many believe the Leafs to be in the middle of a deep, deep rebuild. Having also signed multiple players to one-year deals as well, they will look to be sellers during the deadline and continue restocking a prospect pool that had been bereft of any stars in years past. Strap in Leafs fans.