Assessing the Leafs at Trade deadline

Although Toronto is sitting dead last in the NHL, this may be one of the most exciting times to be a Leafs fan. Yes, that may have been the first time anyone has said that- but hear me out. For the first time in many years, the team actually seems to have a bright future, and the light at the end of the tunnel may be closer than it seems. Between the trade deadline, June's NHL draft, and the rest of the off-season, come October Toronto may ice one of the most promising lineups they've had since the early 2000's. This article will provide breakdown of what Lou Lamoriello and the rest of Toronto's management did right and wrong at this year's deadline.

The Good

Roman Polak and Nick Spaling- In simple terms, the Leafs got a lot, for Roman Polak and Nick Spaling. Two second-round picks for a fourth or fifth defenceman and a player with 7 points in 35 games is, well, not the greatest deal Doug Wilson has ever made. But hey, Toronto will take it, plus getting Raffi Torres? Gamechanger. Kidding aside, this deal was perfect for Toronto.

Daniel Winnik- Even though Winnik had a year left on his contract, a second-round pick and Connor Carrick was worth losing him a year early. Laich was likely only part of the deal to keep the Capitals above water in terms of cap space, but like Michalek, it's doubtful Laich will spend too much time around the ACC past this season.

Shawn Matthias- Shawn Matthias was a forgotten player whose departure was overshadowed by the Roman Polak deal. Nonetheless, Matthias, a soon-to-be UFA, brought back a fourth-r
ound pick and prospect Colin Smith from Colorado. This is a very low-impact deal for both teams, as Smith will be sent to the Marlies, and the pick isn't substantial. Altogether not a bad trade for either team. 

The (Very) Bad

I wasn't completely opposed to seeing Reimer dealt at the deadline, but this trade was just brutal. It didn't make sense to give him the reported 6 year, $6M contract that he was asking for, but James Reimer was a starting goalie, and the return Toronto got for him was insulting. Two players that go into free agency this season, and a fourth round pick in 2018? I get that the Leafs want to get a better look at Sparks, but they just gave away an NHL starter heading into the prime of his career for nothing at all.




Why are they still here? 

Between P-A Parenteau, Michael Grabner, Brad Boyes and others, the Leafs certainly loaded themselves up with their share of deadline trade pieces this summer, but decided not to pull the trigger on any of them. 

P-A Parenteau- The 32 year-old forward was Toronto's biggest bait for the deadline. Though there's been talk of Parenteau re-signing, he's only getting older, and Toronto was wrong to not take advantage of what he could have brought back. Parenteau should have had no trouble going for at least a prospect and a second-round pick, or a deal similar to how Antoine Vermette was dealt last deadline. If Parenteau isn't back in a Leafs jersey next year, Toronto made a horrible mistake.

Brad Boyes- Boyes will almost certainly head to free agency and not re-sign, and he could have brought back either a pick or an average prospect. Toronto lost out.

Michael Grabner- There was a lot more expected of Grabner when Toronto gave up five prospects for him. Skip to now, Grabner has been largely useless, scoring only 11 points in a Leafs' uniform, while having the worst season of his career. Nonetheless, Grabner could have still brought back a mid/late round pick back or a B level prospect. His trade would have also freed up $3M more salary cap space. Grabner is better than how he's been playing, but Grabner shouldn't be taking a spot on the wing away from a prospect next season. 

Trading these three forwards would have cleared up an extra $5.2M in cap space for Toronto. Especially after acquiring Laich, Toronto really needed at least one of these forwards to have room for a big off-season signing (*cough* Stamkos *cough*). 

Despite a coupe miscues, Toronto actually had a fairly good trading spree at the deadline. The Leafs have set themselves up with two first round picks and three second round picks in this year's draft, and have set themselves up for future success. Although I'm still unbelievably salty about the Reimer deal and not getting rid of Parenteau, for the first time in a very long time, I'm optimistic about the coming years. Good work, Lou, I
salute you.

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Why Toronto lost the Dion Phaneuf trade

When news broke that Dion Phaneuf would finally be leaving Toronto, the general response from Leaf fans was positive. However in the process of getting rid of Phaneuf, the Leafs lost a top-two defenceman, and walked away from the deal with very little. This article will look at why sending Dion Phaneuf to Ottawa may not have been as good as it seems, how the trade could affect the Leafs.

Last season, Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf were Toronto's two biggest commodities. Skip ahead to this year, and neither are left on the team. When Mike Babcock came to Toronto, he said there would be changes, but now with both players gone, what did the Leafs really get back?

When Toronto sent Phil Kessel to Pittsburgh on July 1, the Leafs got a great return, and the future looked optimistic. Toronto received former first-round pick Kasperi Kapanen, as well as a first-round pick in the upcoming NHL draft. The return was perfect for a rebuilding team, but nonetheless, Toronto was immediately weakened by the loss of their leading scorer.      


This left a hole as to who Toronto would be sending away at the trade deadline in February, and the focus was shifted to Dion Phaneuf. Phaneuf has been a top-two defenceman for the Leafs since joining the team in 2010, and despite ridicule from fans and not living up to his hype, he has still put up impressive numbers. The return for Phaneuf however, looks disappointing.

For sending away one of your most valued players, you'd expect to get a top prospect or at least a first-round pick in return, right? Apparently Leafs' management disagreed. In return for Phaneuf, the Leafs received Jared Cowen, Colin Greening, Milan Michalek, Tobias Lindberg, and a second round pick in 2017. Simply put, the Leafs got a former highly touted defenceman who never worked out, in Cowen, a forward who will never make a top six spot, in Greening, and a man who's farther past his prime than Adam Sandler, in Michalek. 

Jared Cowen was drafted by Ottawa 9th overall in 2009, and after winning a Memorial Cup in Spokane, Cowen looked to have a bright career ahead of him. Since then, he's stuck out like a sore thumb on Ottawa's defence core, becoming the perfect mix of unproductive and unreliable. 

Colin Greening has 13 points in 41 games in the AHL. If Toronto wanted to bring up mediocre talent from the minors to try and fill voids on their NHL roster, they have players like Frederik Gauthier waiting- they didn't need to trade for another one. 

Since having a career year in 2011-12, Michalek has struggled with Ottawa, posting 10 points in 32 games this season. Michalek's play is only deteriorating, and he's less than ideal for a young, rebuilding Leafs team. 

The two pieces to this deal that are somewhat hopeful for Toronto are Tobias Lindberg and the 2nd round pick. Lindberg had 78 points in 67 games with Oshawa last season, and has been productive with Binghamton in his first AHL season. Drafted in the 4th round of the 2013 NHL draft, Lindberg shows promise, and may end up on the Leafs within the next couple years. The second round pick is another chance for the Leafs to try and grab young talent, but keep in mind that Toronto hasn't had a second round pick play more than one game with the team since Nikolia Kulemin who was drafted way back in 2006. 

Another problem in this deal is the cap space. Initially moving $7M out of your cap space looks great. However Toronto has actually gained back that cap space and more with the three players they acquired from Ottawa. Jared Cowen is signed for two more years at $3.1M per season and will then become a restricted free agent, Michalek has two years left on his contract with a $4M cap hit, bringing the total right back up to $7.1M. This isn't even counting if Colin Greening is brought up to the NHL, which would take an additional $2.7M out of Toronto's cap space. Since Phaneuf was the only player on the Leafs' main roster traded, they won't gain any more cap space. It's easy to think that Michalek will be dealt fairly quickly to free up $4M of cap space, but as of now, Toronto will have no more space than when they began.

Yes, Phaneuf was overpaid, and his contract seemed impossible to move, so in one way the deal woks out in Toronto's favour. But at the same time, the truth is Toronto just gave up one of their best defenceman for almost nothing. The trade will help the Leafs in their rebuilding process by eventually freeing up space, but unless they're able to free it before the summer, they won't have any more room to go after a big name in free agency. But hey, Jared Cowen's 4 points in 37 games will surely help the struggling Leafs. 

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Six Young Goalies Who Could Become Franchise Players in the NHL

Every year in the NHL new goalies emerge and veterans lose their spot in the crease. With all the goalies coming out of junior each year, only a few ever make it past the AHL. However every once in a while, one goalie will enter the big leagues and make an immediate splash. Here are six young goalies who have the potential to become leaders in their organization.

Petr Mrazek- Detroit Red Wings

Petr Mrazek first caught the eye of the hockey world in the 2012 World Junior Championship, when he outlasted the heavily favoured American team, and celebrated in ridiculous fashion. Since then, Mrazek has won a Calder Cup with Detroit's AHL affiliate, Grand Rapids, and ended up as the Red Wings' playoff starter in the 2015 NHL playoffs. In 73 total NHL games, Mrazek holds an impressive .926 save percentage, and a 2.14 goals-against average (GAA). Since entering the league, Mrazek is still getting more and more playing time, slowly taking the starter role away from Jimmy Howard. With Howard locked up for four years and Mrazek becoming a restricted free agent this summer, the Wings will have to make a choice on which goalie to ride with in the coming years. That being said, if Mrazek can keep up his strong play, Howard could find himself on the trading block sooner rather than later.


Matt Murray- Pittsburgh Penguins

Matt Murray is one of the unlucky goaltenders in the AHL, who is playing in an organization that already has a franchise goaltender, in Marc-Andre Fleury. Murray was drafted in the third round of the 2012 NHL draft, but was never really expected to become an NHL starter. However after a superb final season in the OHL with Sault Ste. Marie, where he finished second in the league in wins, Murray became an AHL starter with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2014. Murray posted an incredible .940 save percentage in 40 games with the Penguins' AHL affiliate in his first year in the minors, and is on a similar track this year with a .933 save percentage. Murray was finally called up to play for Pittsburgh this season, and in a four game stint with the team he held a .938 save percentage and a 1.72 GAA. With Jeff Zatkoff's contract expiring at the end of the season, Murray is a lock to take over the backup role in Pittsburgh.


John Gibson- Anaheim Ducks

It came as a bit of a surprise when the Ducks started John Gibson in the AHL for the beginning of the 2015/16 season, taking Anton Khudobin as their backup goalie over Gibson. However after Anaheim's brutal start to the year, Gibson was called up after neither Khudobin, nor starter Frederik Andersen could manage to find consistency in their play. Since coming to the struggling Ducks, Gibson has posted a league-best 1.91 GAA, and has helped to turn Anaheim's season around. Gibson was rewarded for his play with a trip to the NHL All-Star Game, where he (and John Scott of course), took home the tournament championship for the Pacific Division. Gibson is signed until 2019, and it looks as though the 22 year-old has a bright future in California.


Juuse Saros- Nashville Predators

Juuse Saros is the wildcard of this list. Coming out of Finland and ending up as a mid-fourth round draft pick in 2013, Saros landed in Nashville, where Pekka Rinne has owned the crease for the last 8 years. Saros is in a similar spot as Murray, playing under a prime NHL starter, but has also proven he can play at a high level. In 2014, Saros was one of the main reasons that Finland captured gold in the WJC, knocking off Canada in the semi-finals, and posting a .943 save percentage and a 1.57 GAA at the tournament. Saros has moved up to the AHL this year, and has a 15-5 record with the Milwaukee Admirals. After losing his only NHL start in late November, Saros will hope to rebound in the fuuture and prove himself as an NHL goaltender.

Andrei Vasilevskiy- Tampa Bay Lightning

Drafted 19th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2012, Andrei Vasilevskiy joined the short list of goalies drafted in the first round within the past decade. As a prospect, Vasilevskiy appeared in three consecutive World Junior Championships from 2012-2014, capturing a medal in each appearance. Since then, Vasilevskiy has been splitting time between the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL and the Lightning, even playing in parts of 4 NHL playoff games, and starting a game in the Stanley Cup Finals. However, Vasilevskiy's problem seems to be getting comfortable in the NHL. In the AHL he's put up impressive stats with a .932 save percentage this year, but has been struggling in the past two seasons to earn his spot with Tampa Bay, and can't find NHL consistency. On the flip side, at 6'3" Vasilevskiy is just 21 years old, and with a goalie like Ben Bishop as his mentor, he could turn out to be a top NHL talent.


Calvin Pickard- Colorado Avalanche

Calvin Pickard is one of the many goaltenders who came out of the CHL as a highly touted prospect, but hasn't been able to maintain a spot on an NHL roster since. Pickard has spent the majority of his last four seasons in the AHL, putting up solid numbers in his time. Last season, Pickard looked as though he was finally getting his big break, when he posted a .932 save percentage in 16 games with Colorado. This season, however, he's been very inconsistent in Colorado, with a 2.89 GAA and a mediocre .910 save percentage. Pickard has shown both brilliance and blunder, both shutting out New Jersey, and being lit up for 6 goals against San Jose in January. With both Semyon Varlamov and Reto Berra holding their own in Colorado, Pickard will need to put together consistent play while splitting time between the NHL and AHL to earn his spot with the Avalanche.

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Why Jonathan Bernier should be Worried for His Job

When Jonathan Bernier was traded to in Toronto in 2013, Leafs Nation was thrilled.

Skip ahead to just over 29 months later.

Bernier is now on the outside looking in, watching as James Reimer re-establishes himself as Toronto's number one goalie. On top of that, rookie Garret Sparks has been the first star in two of his three career NHL games. With Bernier posting career-worst numbers this season, a trade or even waivers could be his future in Toronto.

Bernier came to Toronto in June of 2013, as part of a trade that sent Ben Scrivens, Matt Frattin, and a second-round pick to Los Angeles. He was a first round pick in 2006, and had been a backup for the Kings since 2010, posting solid numbers in the few NHL games he played. In his first season with the Leafs in 2013-14, Bernier got off to a great start, finishing 6th among starting goalies in overall save percentage. He took over the starting job from James Reimer, who had been the team's playoff saviour the previous year. But for Bernier, it was all downhill from there.

Last season, Bernier's stats were mediocre, finishing with a .912 save percentage. Bernier's play declined throughout the season, and by the end of the year he had won only 6 of his final 31 games.  This was concerning, but the Leafs had completely collapsed as a whole, interim head coach Peter Horachek was largely useless, and James Reimer actually posted a lower save percentage than Bernier. With all of this going on, Bernier's play could be overshadowed, and labelled as a fluke.

Now in 2015, there are no excuses for Bernier, who has lost all of his nine starts this season. Bernier's save percentage has dropped to a brutal .888, and Toronto has sent him down to the AHL for a conditioning stint. Bernier's play isn't the only part that seems to be leading to his demise as an NHL starter- it's also aided by the play of the Leafs' remaining goalies.

James Reimer came into the season as a backup, who seemed destined to play out the season when needed, then drift away into the free agency pool in 2016. However, Reimer has been the Leafs'
MVP as of late, with a 7-4-1 record for a team at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Reimer has a .935 save percentage in 16 games, matching the likes of Carey Price and Henrik Lundqvist.

Reimer recently dropped down with injuries, leaving the Leafs seemingly doomed to use Bernier in net until his return. But coach Mike Babcock did something unexpected. Babcock called up Toronto Marlies' goaltender Garret Sparks to play in the team's game last week against Edmonton instead of Bernier- and everyone knows how that went. Sparks became the first goalie in Maple Leafs' history to get a shutout in his NHL debut. After a rough outing against Winnipeg, Sparks rebounded beating a skilled St. Louis team, and was named the first star of the game.

So where did Toronto go wrong with their goaltending situation to get to this point?

The team should have let James Reimer ride out his good play into the next season after his playoff performance. Reimer was playing at the top of his game, but was then rewarded with the Leafs essentially pushing him to the side to make room for Bernier. Bernier then came in as the starter, and was expected to perform as an elite NHL goaltender. However what the Leafs seemed to disregard when they tried to make Bernier the face of the team, is that he had only played in only 62 games over the course of six seasons with the Kings before coming to Toronto. Sure his numbers were impressive, but he had never been tested as a starter. The Leafs didn't let Bernier develop into that role, but instead threw him into it, shunning Reimer in the process. This sent the Toronto's goaltending situation into a tailspin, only being recovered now.

With Reimer playing at his best, and Garret Sparks moving up the ranks, Bernier's days in Toronto seem to be numbered. Bernier did make 22 saves for a shutout in his first game with the Marlies on Friday night, but he'll have a tough time squeezing his way back into one of Toronto's top two goaltending spots.

From starter to minor leaguer, Bernier has seen it all since coming to Leafland. He is under contract through next season, but could now find himself forced out of Toronto much sooner than that. Every goalie has his time with a team, and Bernier's time in Toronto may be limited.

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Atlantic Division Preview Part 4- Tampa Bay/Toronto

Tampa Bay and Toronto were two teams that went in very different directions last season. Tampa Bay won the Eastern Conference, only to lose to Chicago in a thrilling Stanley Cup Finals series. The Leafs, on the other hand, missed the playoffs for the ninth time in ten years. This season, fans can expect little to change with the Lightning once again fuelled with talent, and Toronto relying on mediocre players to help make them a competitive team.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Off- season Moves: Tampa Bay made no significant transactions in the off- season, likely due their cap space. Tampa is currently $2 million over the cap limit, making any sort of major trades impossible. The off- season move that they should really be looking out for is locking up Steven Stamkos, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2016.



Direction of the Team: There's no question that the Lightning are off to a slow start this season. Currently sitting in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, and  5th in the Atlantic Division, Tampa Bay's 11-11 record isn't going to get them anywhere. That being said, the Lightning have one of the most skilled teams in the NHL, with a great balance of talent throughout their roster. Up front, Tampa Bay is led by Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, and Tyler Johnson. All are under-performing, scoring 43 points between them in a combined 75 games, but if the threesome can return to what fans saw in the 2015 playoffs, the Lightning will be a tough team to beat. Ryan Callahan,Valtteri Filppula, and Odrej Palat will also be counted on for secondary scoring, when the team starts their drive towards the playoffs. On the back end, the Lightning have one of the most all-around talented defencemen in the league, former second overall pick Victor Hedman. The Swedish-born defenceman made major scoring contributions last season, scoring 38 points in 59 games last season, while also being able to throw body checks that brings fan to their feet, one way or the other. The defence core also includes Anton Stralman, Jason Garrison, Braydon Coburn, and Matthew Carle, making the Lightning one of the most well-rounded defensive teams in the NHL. Ben Bishop was a key piece of the team's playoff run last season, and has been solid for the Lightning this year, carrying a .926 save percentage. If Tampa Bay performs to the best of their abilities, they could be one of the top teams in the NHL without a doubt.

Projected Finish: Going into this year, many people viewed the Lightning as a potential cup contender, however the team now has many doubters after their mediocre start to the season. Many of the team's stop players are not performing anywhere near the best of their abilities, but if their top scorers can find a way to kick it into gear, Tampa Bay could once again find themselves in a deep playoff run.

Final Prediction: Tampa Bay has a considerable about of firepower in their lineup, and could land in 2nd or 3rd in the Atlantic Division.


Toronto Maple Leafs

Off- season Moves: The Leafs made two of the biggest moves of the off- season, trading away their star forward Phil Kessel, in exchange for a number of prospects and draft picks. Though it'll be impossible to determine whether or not the deal turns out well for Toronto for at least a few years, it's clear that the team took an immediate hit from Kessel's departure. The Leafs tried to make up for this gap by signing several B level players such as Brad Boyes, Shawn Matthias, and PA Parenteau, as well as trading for Michael Grabner. Though none of these acquisitions were negative, none of them will produce as well as Kessel. The Kessel trade was a necessary one, but it leaves the Leafs in a bad place for the season. Perhaps the bright spot of the Leafs' off- season came in the management department, signing Mike Babcock, who led the Canadian to their last two Olympic gold medals. Babcock went 10 seasons with Detroit, not once missing the playoffs, and winning a Stanley Cup along the way. Toronto also hired Lou Lamoriello, a veteran in the Devils organization, who will help the Leafs through a proper rebuilding process. Though the team on the ice may not show it, if all goes according to plan, Leafs management could have the Leafs in the playoffs within the next three or four years.

Direction of the Team: Toronto is not a contender, nor will they be next season, or the season after that. But if Leafs fans can endure the pain of wearing their Leafs jerseys for just a couple more seasons, it may all be worthwhile. Though the players that Toronto signed in the off- season may not be too helpful for the team, they could bring in a good return at the trade deadline. Grabner, as well as the rest of the players acquired in the off- season, all become unrestricted free agents at the end of the season, and could help the Leafs to acquire draft picks and prospects. Though there are a number of big players that could be trade bait at the deadline, such as Cam Ward, Eric Staal, and Jaromir Jagr, the secondary players on the Leafs roster may still be a key piece of rebuilding the team for the future, depending on Toronto's asking price. Putting the Leafs situation simply: it's going to be worse before it gets better, but if there's anyone that can make it better, it's Babcock and Lamoriello.

Projected Finish: It's going to be a rough go for Toronto, and they'll likely finish at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Relying on the under-perfroming likes of Jonathan Bernier and Nazem Kadri isn't going to cut it for Toronto, and they are almost surely not going to be a playoff team.

Final Prediction: Toronto will hobble to the finish line between 13th and 16th place in the Eastern Conference.

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Atlantic Division Preview Part 3- Montreal/Ottawa

The Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators were two of most successful teams in the Atlantic Division last year. Through strong defensive play, the Canadiens finished second in the Eastern Conference, only behind the New York Rangers, but couldn't get past Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round of the playoffs. The Senators looked doomed half way through the season, but after an incredible turnaround and surprising heroes, Ottawa clinched their ticket to the playoffs. After an exciting first round series between the two teams, the Canadiens will be looking to make a deeper playoff run this year, and the Senators will be looking to carry their momentum from last year into the 2015-2016 season. Both teams look similar going into this season , and are looking to make a big splash in the league.

Montreal Canadiens

Off- season Moves: The Canadiens have a similar look to what was seen in the 2015 playoffs, with a few new additions. Montreal made a somewhat surprising move, signing buyout victim Alexander Semin to a one-year deal. Though people have criticized Semin for his work ethic, he could prove to be a key asset for Montreal. By spending only $1.8 million on Semin, the Canadiens pulled off a great low-risk move for a skilled forward. Montreal also went and signed former Anaheim Duck, Tomas Fleischmann. This was another great move for the team, gaining depth for the year, while making almost no dent in their salary cap. The Canadiens will be hoping Fleischmann will be able to return to his 2012 form, where he tallied a career-high 62 points for the Florida Panthers. Adding the two forwards may be the depth up-front that Montreal was missing last year, and could allow the team to make a deeper playoff run.

Direction of the Team: Montreal has one of the league's hottest commodities in goaltender Carey Price. Price had a great year coming off winning Olympic Gold, leading the league in wins, save percentage, and goals-against average. The Canadiens finished with the lowest goals against in the league last year, but that can't be put only on Carey Price. With PK Subban, Andrei Markov, Jeff Petry, and Alexei Emelin, the Canadiens had one of the strongest defence cores in the NHL. The group was a great mix of defensively stability, while also being able to contribute offensively. However, when it comes to offence, Montreal is an average. Max Pacioretty was a bright spot for the Habs last season, but as a team Montreal finished only 20th in the NHL in total goals for. Montreal may be looking to make a deadline deal for a forward, but will have to work around their cap space which is set at $4.925 million.

Projected Finish: Montreal will look to finally make a deep playoff run, with many of their players at the top of their game. If Price can stay healthy, the Canadiens could go into the 2016 playoffs as a favourite.

Final Prediction: Montreal will be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, with a 1st or 2nd place finish in the Atlantic Division.


Ottawa Senators

Off-season Moves: After the team's imncredible run last season, no one can blame Ottawa for sticking to their 2014-2015 roster. The only move made this season was shipping off young goaltender Robin Lehner, and David Legwand to Buffalo in exchange for the 21st overall pick, which the Sens used to select centre Colin White, from the US National Under- 18 Team. Lehner is only 24 years old, and has good potential, but has already struggled with injuries since entering the league. Legwand had only one year left on his contract, and put up a career-low 0.34 points per-game average. To get a first- round pick back from the Sabres for Lehner and Legwand was a great deal for Ottawa, especially with the Sens already having a solid goalie pairing of Craig Anderson and Andrew Hammond.

Direction of the Team: Ottawa is a very young team, and in a couple of years Ottawa could be a cup

contender. With Bobby Ryan locked up long-term, and emerging stars Mark Stone, Mike Hoffman, and Mika Zibanejad still restricted by contract, Ottawa looks like they'll have the core of their team for a while. Kyle Turris also scored a career-high 64 points last season, and will need to be one of Ottawa's top forwards again this season. The Senators also have one of the best offensive defencemen in the NHL in Erik Karlsson, as well as stay-at-home defenceman Marc Methot to balance out the Senators' top pairing. The two players will be the anchor to the Sens' defence, and will provide leadership for Cody Ceci, and rookie Chris Wideman. In net, Ottawa has both Craig Anderson and Andrew Hammond playing at their best, and both are signed for three more years.

Projected Finish: In a strong Atlantic division, with both Montreal and Tampa Bay, as well as Boston and Detroit, Ottawa will likely take one of the Eastern Conference wild card spots. The Sens could squeeze in and take the last Atlantic spot, but either way, the team will likely see themselves in the playoffs once again.

Final Prediction: Ottawa will continue to grow stronger this season, and will finish 7th or 8th in the Eastern Conference.

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Atlantic Division Preview Part 2- Detroit/Florida

Not too often can one say that arguably the biggest move of the NHL off- season didn't involve an actual player, but this rings true in the case of the Detroit Red Wings. For the first time in 11 seasons, Mike Babcock won't be seen behind the home bench at the Joe Louis Arena once the season starts up in October. Meanwhile in Florida, changes over the summer have been seldom, and the team looks very similar team to the 2014-2015 Panthers installment. Nevertheless, once again, Detroit and Florida look to be heading in two very different directions going into the upcoming season.

Detroit Red Wings  

Off- Season Moves: One of the biggest changes in Detroit this summer was the loss of longtime head coach Mike Babcock. With Babcock leaving the team after his contract expired, the Red Wings signed Grand Rapids' head coach Jeff Blashill. Although there is no replacing a coach like Babcock, Blashill proved himself in his three seasons with Detroit's AHL team, winning one Calder Cup, and a Coach of the Year award. Blashill is one of the youngest coaches in the NHL at 41 years old, but will be helped out in his first year by the Red Wing's talented team. Last season, Detroit lost a close Round 1 match up against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who went on to win the Eastern Conference. Going into the new season, Detroit has improved greatly, adding two of the most sought after free agents in Brad Richards and Mike Green. Richards is a two- time Cup Champion, and will provide experience for some of the younger forwards such as Tomas Tatar and Gustav Nyquist. Although Richards is past his prime, he will still be able to contribute, and since Detroit only gave him a one year deal, there is very little risk in the signing. Green was an addition that will allow Detroit's defence to contribute more offensively, and Green will likely be the quarterback to the Red Wings' powerplay.




Direction of the Team: With the additions of Richards and Green, Detroit could find themselves in a very good spot in the Eastern Conference. For decades the Red Wings have managed to filter out aging players while bringing in new players, and have never had any real roster changes between seasons. However even with that, Detroit still remains one of the oldest teams in the league, with stars Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall, and others all in their late 30's. This begs the question of whether or not the Red Wings will be on a downward decline over the coming years, but at least for this year Detroit will keep a strong team. One big change that was seen last season with the team was young goaltender Petr Mrazek taking over the number one position from Jimmy Howard. It's fair to say Howard will likely not want to be a back-up goalie for long, so if Mrazek keeps up his play, Detroit may end up making a deal involving their former star goaltender. With four years remaining on his contract, Howard could bring in a good return for the team, with Detroit gaining young prospects to help with the aging problem of the Wings. However for now, Detroit has two strong goalies, that will help to lead the team to another successful season.

Projected Finish: The Wings have continued to improve throughout the off- season, and are looking at another playoff season. The mix of veterans and newcomers seems to be a good balance in Detroit, and for at least this season, fans can expect Detroit to be one of the teams leading the conference.

Final Prediction: Skilled team with the potential for a deep playoff run, 2nd-3rd place finish in the Atlantic Division.


Florida Panthers

Off- Season Moves: The Panthers were extremely quiet in the off- season, making no significant signings or changes to their roster. One move that was made, was swapping forwards with the Bruins, sending Jimmy Hayes to Boston in exchange for Reilly Smith. Both are solid, young players, and the deal was likely just meant to be a shake up for both teams, with the deal making no significant gain or loss for either team.

Direction of the Team: Florida has a very strong group of young players who are all sure to have a bright future in the NHL, however these players are being overshadowed by the aging veterans of the team. In recent years, the Panthers have done an incredible job drafting, picking up Jonathan Huberdeau, Aaron Ekblad, Aleksander Barkov, and others. Ekblad was the team's top defenceman in his rookie season, while Barkov and Huberdeau led much of the team's offense. This group of players will form a strong base for the team in upcoming seasons, but as of now, the core of the team is made up of players past their prime such as Jaromir Jagr, and Willie Mitchell. These players could be moved to a contending team, bringing in a decent return, while giving their younger players more ice time and opportunities. If the Panthers could acquire a strong forward in his prime, it would have a huge upside to the team, giving their younger players someone to feed off of. By keeping the mix of players they have now, the Panthers will have a competitive team, but will often find themselves just outside of the playoffs.

Projected Finish: The Panthers have significant young talent on their roster, but are failing to properly develop them into strong NHL players. Florida can't expect to be a playoff team, after missing the playoffs for many years, and doing nothing to change it.

Final Prediction: The Panthers have a bright future, however they're likely to fall short this season and finish between 10th-13th place in the Eastern Conference.

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Atlantic Division Preview Part 1- Boston/Buffalo

Last year, the Atlantic Division provided the hockey world with intense rivalries, breakout stars, and  much more. From the Senators' streak, to Boston's collapse, to Tampa Bay's rising talent, fans were treated to some of the most interesting hockey in recent years. In the hopes that the upcoming season will be no different, FSM will be providing a preview of every division, and giving predictions on what can be expected from the Atlantic Division.

Boston Bruins

Many fans were shocked when the playoff wagon rolled around for its 2015 installment, and the Bruins were not one of the teams on it. Boston's failure marked the first time in 8 years that Beantown would not see playoff hockey at TD Garden. This was also the first time since Claude Julien joined the team that the Bruins were left on the outside looking in, come playoff time. The team's 9th place finish sparked a shake up in Boston, which resulted in GM Peter Chiarelli needing to find work elsewhere, and many players ending up in a new team's colours.

Off- Season Moves:  The Bruins went through a quick rebuilding phase early on in the summer, trading longtime Bruin and fan favourite, Milan Lucic, to Los Angeles for a 2015 first round pick, prospect Colin Miller, and goalie Martin Jones. The Bruins then turned around, and dealt Jones to San Jose for prospect Sean Kuraly, and a first round pick in 2016. Boston wasn't done there, dealing young defenceman Dougie Hamilton to Calgary for their first round pick in this year's draft, along with two second round picks in the draft. So essentially, through dealing just Lucic and Hamilton, the Bruins acquired two first round picks, two second round picks, and two prospects. The Bruins had three back to back picks in the first round of the draft, and selected Jakub Zboril, Jake DeBrusk, and Zach Senyshyn. In free agency, the Bruins lost two solid forwards, with Carl Soderberg heading to Colorado, but made up for it in a way by signing Matt Beleskey. The Bruins also traded forward Reilly Smith to Florida in exchange for Jimmy Hayes.

Direction of the Team: The moves made by the Bruins could really go either way. New GM Don Sweeney made a smart decision to go through a partial rebuilding stage, without losing too much of the team's core. The Bruins still have the likes of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci locked up for years to come, which allowed them to deal Lucic, who had only one year left on his contract. By trading away some of their players now for future talent, the Bruins avoid having to go through a complete rebuild in a couple years when the age of their team finally starts to show. However, while shipping off Lucic was a necessary trade to make, the Dougie Hamilton deal may not have been the right direction to go. Yes, Boston got an extremely strong return for Hamilton, in a first round pick and two second round picks, however Hamilton is a very talented young defenceman. By dealing him, the Bruins are left with Zdeno Chara, 38, and Dennis Seidenberg, 34, to lead their defence through the rebuild, and both players have been seeing their play deteriorate in recent years due to their age.

Projected Finish: There is no doubt the Bruins have gotten weaker in the off-season, but that being said they will still be a very competitive team. Due to the nature of the Atlantic Division, the Bruins will likely not be able to grab any of the three Atlantic playoff spots, and will have to rely on the wildcard sports. There could be as many as four or five teams going for the two wildcards, so whether the Bruins make the playoffs is still up in the air.

Final Prediction: Potential playoff team, anywhere from 7th-10th place finish in the Eastern Conference. 

Buffalo Sabres

In 2011, the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Buffalo Sabres out of the playoffs in seven games, and in four seasons, Buffalo hasn't been able to find their way back. Since that game seven, Buffalo has entered an awkward rebuilding stage, and can't seem to find their way out of it. They've traded away star players such as Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek during the time being, and are still waiting for the players and prospects they got in return to pay off. After three of their worst seasons in franchise history, the Sabres went to work this summer, and after their drafting, trading, and signings, are finally ready to have a competitive team in the Eastern Conference.

Off- Season Moves: June 26th proved to be the biggest day of the summer for the Sabres, as the team decided to completely re- shape their lineup. First, two blockbuster trades were made leading into the draft. With multiple first round picks, Buffalo decided to use some of their ammunition and pull the trigger on a deal to acquire young goaltender Robin Lehner from Ottawa in exchange for one of their first round picks. Though a first round pick may have been a lot to spend on Lehner, there is a good possibility he could end up being the new franchise goalie the Sabres need. With Lehner also came veteran forward David Legwand, who will be able to provide some experience for the young Buffalo squad. Next, Buffalo made a giant deal, acquiring Ryan O' Reilly and Jamie McGinn from Colorado, in exchange for rising prospects Nikita Zadorov, Mikhail Grigorenko, a draft pick and a prospect. This was a great deal for Buffalo, with O' Reilly signing a 5 year deal with Buffalo after the trade, ensuring that he will be a key piece in Buffalo's rise to success in the next couple years. Buffalo already had so much young talent with the likes of Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen that they were able to give away Grigorenko and Zadorov in order to help them become a contender sooner rather than later. Lastly on draft day, the Sabres selected young talent Jack Eichel with the second overall pick. Coming out of Boston College, Eichel caught the eye of scouts, and had a strong showing at the World Junior Championship. Eichel is likely to make the Sabres' roster for the upcoming season, and will be exciting to watch during the next couple seasons in Buffalo.

Direction of the Team: In the next couple seasons, Buffalo will be a force to be reckoned with. However, it will not begin this season. The team is still too young, and even with the off- season moves, lacks depth defensively. Evander Kane will be joining the team after being acquired last season from Winnipeg, and will join forces with Matt Moulson, Tyler Ennis, Zegmus Girgensons, and others in order to form a very solid forward lineup. On defence, Buffalo will be led by Zach Bogosian, but lack any other sturdy blue liners other than the aging Josh Gorges. Buffalo's main priority as of now should be to acquire a veteran defenceman, which would contribute to a well rounded Sabres squad. Whether or not Robin Lehner will be able to hold the fort as a starting goalie remains to be seen, but if he can, the Sabres could potentially push for a playoff spot. 

Projected Finish: In a few years, this section could likely say "Stanley Cup Finals bound". However for now, it will remain as "work in progress." Buffalo may have improved more than any other NHL team during the summer, but will need all the stars to align if they hope to be playing hockey in April. 

Final Prediction: Competitive team likely to miss the playoffs, 11th-14th place finish in the Eastern Conference.

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David Clarkson Traded to Columbus

The Cannon Goes Off in Columbus.

As per many reports, the Toronto Maple Leafs have traded forward David Clarkson to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Nathan Horton. A deal that one would expect to have taken weeks, if not months, to come together came together in a matter of hours.

What does this mean for the Blue Jackets?

Columbus, a team in a small market, with a lack of financial support from their owner were paying Horton 5.3 mil to sit in the stands, and this was counting against their salary cap. This trade allows the Jackets to pay roughly the same amount for a player that will be in the line-up night in, night out. Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen commented on the move saying, “David Clarkson has been a 30-goal scorer in the NHL who will bring added character and leadership to our group and we believe he will be a valuable contributor to our team.”

How does this help the disintegrating Leafs squad?

By moving Clarkson, Toronto GM Dave Nonis has not only made a huge step towards maintaining his job, but also rebuilding the organization. After inking a contract worthy of 5.25 mil per season deal, Clarkson did not fit in with the Toronto line-up. With a lack of production, Clarkson’s contract was reminiscent of Chris Pronger's contract in Philadelphia. Toronto has rid themselves of a massive contract and provided themselves with a substantial amount of financial flexibility.

Toronto, being a wealthy team, is able to pay Horton the money due to him, while not counting it against the salary cap. This will now allow them to do many things. Options could be to go out and sign a centre-stone to build around, or more optimistically, to retain some salary in deals that could see the exit of Phil Kessel, or Dion Phaneuf from the GTA. Nonis now finds himself with 5.25 million per year of spending money and likely a job for the next few years.

One can only speculate what is to come in Leaf land however one thing is inevitable: there will be no untouchables, and a plethora of new faces in Toronto.

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Top Draft Eligible Players to Watch For in the World Juniors

With the World Junior Championship finally getting underway, to say certain players will be under the spotlight is an understatement. Scouts from all 30 NHL teams will be keeping a close eye on the tournament, gearing up for the 2015 draft. Going into the tournament, FSM is pleased to provide a list of eight draft eligible players to watch for.

Connor McDavid (F)- CANADA- Draft Rank: 1

In 2012, Connor McDavid made hockey history, becoming only the third player in the OHL ever to be granted Exceptional Player Status- and he’s certainly lived up to the title. Currently in his third season in the OHL as a member of the Erie Otters, McDavid has tallied 51 points in only 18 games, and holds the highest point per game average in the league. The forward became Erie’s captain going into this season, and is ranked as 1^st overall for the 2015 NHL Draft in virtually every existing scouting source available. He will wear the “A” for Canada throughout this year’s tournament, and is expected to be a key contributor to Canada’s offense.  

Jack Eichel (F)- UNITED STATES- Draft Rank: 2

At 6’2”, Jack Eichel is able to use his size and strength to gain an edge on the competition. As only a freshman this year in the NCAA, Eichel leads the league in scoring, the first freshman to accomplish this since Paul Kariya did it in 1993. Eichel is already being compared to American Hall of Famer Mike Modano, and has been named the USA captain for the World Juniors. Though McDavid seems to be the front-runner to go first overall as of now, Eichel will definitely put himself into better contention with a strong showing in the tournament.  

Noah Hanifin (D)- UNITED STATES- Draft Rank: 3

Hanifin is the top defenceman eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft, and will be a large part of USA’s defence core throughout the tournament. He has a good shot, and is a great blend of offensive talent and defensive reliability. Hanifin will more than likely see time on the US power play, possibly paired with Boston College teammate Ian McCoshen.  

Zach Werenski (D)- UNITED STATES- Draft Rank: 5

Like Hanifin, Werenski is another left hand shot on the US blue line. He’s a smart, sound skating defenceman who doesn’t take many penalties, and doesn’t get caught pinching often. Werenski was the assistant captain for the US at last year’s U-17 tournament, and he will get lots of ice time in this U-20 tournament. Werenski plays for University of Michigan, where in his freshman year, he has 12 points in 15 games, and is a +9. 

Pavel Zacha (F)- CZECH REPUBLIC- Draft Rank: 8 

Zacha is a power forward, who’s able to use his large frame to win battles in the offensive zone. He will bring experience to the relatively young Czech team, as this will be his fourth time representing his country at an International tournament. Zacha is ranked 8^th by International Scouting, however has grabbed 4^th spot in several other draft sources, such as McKeen’s Hockey. Along with Jakub Vrana, Zacha will turn the Czech squad into one of the most competitive installments that we’ve seen in recent years.

Lawson Crouse (F)- CANADA- Draft Rank: 9 

Crouse worked hard to earn his spot on Team Canada, and will use his strength to grind and get pucks. At only 17 years old, he is already 6’4”, and has represented Canada in both U-17 and U-18 tournaments. Crouse is a second-year OHL player for the Kingston Frontenacs, and is ranked anywhere from 5^th to 9^th through different scouting groups. Due to Canada’s depth in forwards, Crouse may not see a ton of playing time, but expect him to make the most of it when he’s on the ice.

Mikko Rantanen (F)- FINLAND- Draft Rank: 13

Rantanen will be one of the most exciting players to watch throughout the tournament due to his style of play. Though Rantanen lacks physicality, he makes up for it with his hands and quickness, and how easily he is able to get by defenders. Rantanen will be representing Finland for a fourth time in International play, and will likely be a second liner on the defending Champion Finnish team this year.

Ivan Provorov (D)- RUSSIA- Draft Rank: 16

Provorov will no doubt be one of the highlights in the tournament for Russia. He doesn’t follow the traditional tough play of many Russian defencemen, and instead plays a very finesse game, and keys on his passing ability. With Brandon this year in the WHL, he has 37 points in 35 games, with a +14 rating. He is extremely strong offensively, and will more than likely play on both the power play and penalty kill units.

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