EASTERN CONFERENCE: The Southeast

Atlanta Thrashers
Last season record: 43-28-7-4 97 points
Division: 1st
Conference: 3rd

OFF-SEASON
arrivals: C Todd White(MIN), RW Eric Perrin(TB), RW Chris Thorburn(t-PITT), D Ken Klee(COL), D Joel Kwiatkowski(PITT), RW Milan Bartovic(EUR), D Karel Pilar(TOR), C Alexandre Giroux(WSH)
departures: C Eric Belanger, D Greg De Vries, D Shane Hnidy, RW Scott Mellenby-retirement, RW Jon Sim, C Keith Tkachuk.

The Thrashers finally gave Ilya Kovalchuk a #1 center to play with when they signed Todd White. The Thrashers wasted no time at all in signing White, making him the first signing on free agent frenzy, July 1st. The biggest signing the Thrashers made was re-signing veteran LW Slava Kozlov to a 3 year contract. Kozlov and Marian Hossa had huge success playing with each other last year posting career years with 80 and 100 points respectively. The Thrashers were unable to re-sign C Eric Belanger who had success late last year playing in between Hossa and Kozlov and didn't sign anyone to replace him so there either Bobby Holik or Jim Slater will fill in there. The Thrashers other big signing for their organization anyways was Tobias Enstrom from Europe. Enstrom will look to help the Thrashers 22nd ranked powerplay. All the other signings the Thrashers made were moves to fill in depth through out the forward and defense positions.

FORWARDS
My Projected Lines:
1- I.KOVALCHUK-T.WHITE-B.STERLING
2- S.KOZLOV-J.STALER-M.HOSSA
3- P.DUPUIS-B.HOLIK-E.PERRIN
4- B.LARSEN-S.RUUCHIN-C.THORBURN
E- E.BOULTON-B.LITTLE-D.HAYDAR
The Thrashers have the makings of two very good lines. The 1st line with Kovalchuk and White combo, is very good the question is at RW where it is anyones game to take that spot. Brett Sterling and Pascal Dupuis are probably the front runners for the spot. Sterling was the AHL rookie of the year last year while leading the AHL in goal scoring too with 55 goals. I like Sterling ahead of Dupuis because he could fit in so good along side White and Kovalchuk if he produces. He is a goal scorer just like Kovalchuk and with White as the set-up man, Kovalchuk and Sterling could be very productive. The second line is very strong even without a legitimate center. Hossa and Kozlov have all the chemistry the line needs. The 3rd and 4th lines have lots of good grinders on it who can also score, lead by Dupuis and Bobby Holik. The only forward position that is opened is on of the center spots whether Steve Ruuchin is able to recover from a concussion that kept him out of 25 games at the end of last year. If he isn't fully recovered, look for Bryan Little to take the last center spot and maybe even play between Hossa and Kozlov.

DEFENSE
My Projected Pairings:
1- N.HAVELID-T.ENSTROM
2- G.EXELBY-A.ZHITNIK
3- S.McCARTHY-K.KLEE
E- K.PILAR-M.POPOVIC
The defense is strong but not overly strong. Niclas Havelid is definitely the Thrashers #1 defensemen. Havelid averaged more than 25 minutes a game last year and will look to build on that. He will also be looked at to help Enstrom learn the North American game. Alexei Zhitnik who also averaged more than 25 minutes a game last year, will be looking to fit in more in his first full season with the Thrashers. Garnet Exelby continues to develop and dish out some absolutely crushing hits and will benefit from playing alongside Zhitnik. The final pairing is also solid especially with the signing of Ken Klee who showed last year that he can still play.

GOALIES
1- K.LEHTONEN
2- J.HEDBURG
3- O.PAVELEC
The Thrashers have solid goaltending too. The key to Kari Lehtonen being a star goalie though is consistency. If Lehtonen can find consistency, the Thrashers will have themselves a top 10 goalie in the league. Johan Hedburg also brings the Thrashers good depth so in case Lehtonen does have consistency problems, Hedburg can fill in right away.

OVERALL
Overall the Thrashers look to make the playoffs again this year, but make it past the first round. The Thrashers are looking for a new captain this year with the retirement of Scott Mellanby so some leadership is needed. If the Thrashers are in contention during the end of the season they have some cap room with only 42 million dollars spent. I personally think the Thrashers with their inconsistencies and tougher competition in the East didn't involve like other teams did and for this they will miss the playoffs but not by much.

Predicted Finish- 4th Division, 10th Conference

Carolina Hurricanes
Last season record: 40-34-4-5 88 points
Division: 3rd
Conference: 11th

OFF-SEASON
arrivals: D Wade Brookbank(NAS), C Jeff Hamilton(CHI), C Matt Cullen(t-NYR), G Michael Leighton(t-MON)
departures: D Anton Babchuk, C Joe Barnes, RW Anson Carter(FA), D Andrew Hutchinson, D David Tanabe, C Josef Vasicek

The off-season for the Carolina Hurricanes was relatively quite. Carolina's GM Jim Rutherford main goal of the off-season was to find his team a legitimate #3 center after attempts with Trevor Letowski, Eric Belanger and Josef Vasicek failed. On July 1st it looked like they had found their man when they signed Jeff Hamilton away from the Chicago Blackhawks. Later in August the Canes made a trade with the New York Rangers involving former Hurricane centerman Matt Cullen. So now Matt Cullen will line up as the 3rd line center just like when the Hurricanes won the Cup and Jeff Hamilton will center the 4th line. This gives the Canes very good depth at center. The only thing the Canes filled to address was adding a legitimate top 2 defensemen. This which could come back to haunt them, if hasent already after GM Rutherford traded away #1 prospect D Jack Johnson to the L.A. Kings last season.

FORWARDS
My Projected Lines
1- C.STILLMAN-E.STAAL-E.COLE
2- R.WHITNEY-R.BRIND'AMOUR-J.WILLIAMS
3- A.LADD-M.CULLEN-S.WALKER
4- C.LaROSE-J.HAMILTON-C.ADAMS
E- R.BAYDA-J.PETRUZALEK-T.LETOWSKI
The Hurricanes are the strongest at the forward position. Their depth is definitely one of the best in the league. The top two lines have the perfect combination of youth and experience. The first line is the line that has to rebound from a off year last year. This starts with Eric Staal who dropped 30 points from the previous year. Cory Stillman missed 39 games and will have to be healthy. So as long as this line re-groups and jells like they did in 2006 the Hurricanes will be in very good shape. New addition and familiar face Matt Cullen should have no problem working back in the organization and should complete a very grind and scoring third line with Andrew Ladd and Scott Walker for the Canes. Jeff Hamilton will also come in key not only on the 4th line but with injuries with him being capable of also playing on the wing. Other than that line rebounding Carolina looks to have a very potent offense this season.

DEFENSE
My Projected Pairings
1- F.KABERLE-B.HEDICAN
2- T.GLESSON-M.COMMODORE
3- G.WESLEY-N.WALLIN
E- D.SEIDENBERG-C.BORER
This could be a question mark for the Hurricanes all season. The Hurricanes fail to have a legitimate #1 or#2 defensemen which like I said will haunt them if they aren't able to find one via free agency or the draft after they traded Jack Johnson last season. Mike Commodore, Niclas Wallin, Frantisek Kaberle and Brett Hedican are very capable #3 or #4 defensemen but as a group they could struggle. Glen Wesley brings the leadership to the group while Tim Glesson brings the youth. If you look at it closer, when the Hurricanes won the Cup in '06, they never had a legitimate #1 or#2 defensemen then either so it is more of their defense staying healthy and consistent. If Kaberle is able to rebound from a injury plagued 27 game season and Hedican can too stay healthy, they should be able to take over this defense and the Hurricanes will be ok as a team.

GOALIES
1- C.WARD
2- J.GRAHAME
3- M.LEIGHTON
The only question about this group of goalies is if Cam Ward can rebound from a so-so year. He looked unbeatable in '06 with his focus and determination but Ward failed to show that last year. Ward has the potential and talent to lead the Hurricanes back to glory but it is just a question is when he will do that. John Grahame gives the Canes great depth and will be able to come in for Ward if Ward is struggling or needs the night off and still win. Michael Leighton also adds good depth in case of a injury.

OVERALL
The Hurricanes just need to rebound as a team after their Cup hangover season last year. There will be a ton of pressure on the young guys like Staal and Ward to play like they did back in '06. This team has a ton of talent and cannot be taken easily. The Canes are sitting at 45 million dollars so there is room if moves are needed. I think the Canes will rebound this year. Staal will regain his play and set his place with the games best and lead the Canes back to the playoffs and a division title.

Predicted Finish- 1st Division, 3rd Conference

Florida Panthers
Last season record: 35-31-8-8 86 points
Division: 4th
Conference: 12th

OFF-SEASON
arrivals: LW Richard Zednik(WSH/NYI), RW Radek Dvorak(STL), LW Brett McLean(COL), D Cory Murphy(EUR), G Tomas Vokoun(t-NAS)
departures: G Alex Auld, G Ed Belfour(EUR), LW Martin Gelinas, C Chris Gratton, RW Juraj Kolnik(EUR), D Alexei Semenov

The Panthers had a relatively quiet but productive off-season. The Panthers started right away locking up future star Nathan Horton to a 6 year contract and veteran Jozef Stumpel who has seemed to find himself in Florida to a 2 year contract. Then on draft day the Panthers took advantage of Nashville's mini firing sale and acquired G Tomas Vokoun who will fill in the huge, huge hole left behind by Roberto Luongo They then made a couple of signings on July 1st signing LW Richard Zednik and LW Brett McLean. Later in the off-season the Panthers signed Radek Dvorak to finish off their FA signings. McLean's signing seemed to make sense, he is young and had a career year with Colorado. The signing of Dvorak and Zednik are kind of questionable considering both had trouble staying in the line-up with their respective teams and both look like on the down side of their career. They finished the off-season by locking up C Stephen Weiss to a 6 year contract The Panthers filled in their biggest need in goaltending so you would have to say this was a good off-season for the Panthers.

FORWARDS
My Projected Lines:
1- R.OLESZ-O.JOKINEN-N.HORTON
2- B.McLEAN-S.WEISS-J.STUMPEL
3- V.PELTONEN- G.CAMPBELL-R.ZEDNIK
4- D.BOOTH-D.LARMAN-R.DVORAK
E- R.GLOBKE-K.KREPS-A.STEWART
The Panthers are a very young team with lots of potential. They have/could have two very good top 2 lines. The first line isn't really a problem with Oli Jokinen posting back to back 88+ point seasons and Horton coming off back to back 28+ goal seasons. The development of Rostislav Olesz is the key for that line to full click and become a legitimate #1 line. The second line has a few questions. McLean is coming off a career year and there will be pressure for him to continue to produce, while Weiss has to become more consistent and produce more offensively. Stumpel will bring the leadership to this line and help in the development in both players. The 3rd and 4th lines are the biggest questions for the Panthers. Zednik and Dvorak have to produce and not become healthy scratches while Gregory Campbell, Drew Larman and David Booth have to continue to develop.

DEFENSE
My Projected Pairings:
1- J.BOUWMEESTER-B.ALLEN
2- R.SALEI-C.MURPHY
3- M.VAN RYN-B.MEZEI
E- S.MONTADOR-N.WELSCH
The defensive corps of the Panthers are the youngest and have the least amount of leadership on the team. Jay Bouwmeester is on the verge of being a star defensemen but has to show he can take that next step. The Panthers future on defense revolves around Bouwmeester so there is a lot of pressure for him to develop into that star defensemen. The development of Bryan Allen, Mike Van Ryn and Branislav Mezei has to take the next step also. The Panthers brought in powerplay specialist Cory Murphy from Europe and his development and contribution have to show up this year too. He was the 2007 Finish league MVP after scoring 50 points. Ruslan Salei is really the only defensemen who can bring any leadership and he will have to help the other young Panthers develop in order for the Panthers to continue to grow.

GOALIES
1- T.VOKOUN
2- C.ANDERSON
3- T.PLANTE
After the tandem of Alex Auld and Ed Belfour didn't work out for the Panthers last year and them both being UFA's this summer, the Panthers were in need of some serious goaltending help. This help came on draft day when the Panthers acquired Vokoun from the Nashville Predators during the Preds short fire sale. Vokoun will be able to give the Panthers #1 goaltending and fill in that enormous hole left by Luongo. Craig Anderson will be the back-up but has very little NHL experience.

OVERALL
The Panthers could either be very good this season and take the next step to the playoffs or they could be just another year away from the playoffs with all of their young players. Acquiring Vokoun was the best move the Panthers made this off-season and will help them take the next step forward. The Panthers are only sitting at 42 million dollars, it is just a question if they will be buyers or sellers at trade deadline time. I dont think the Panthers are ready fro "Prime Time" yet but will greatly improve from last year. I think guys like Stephen Weiss and Jay Bouwmeester will develop into star players and things will be bright in the future for the Panthers.

Predicted Finish- 5th Division, 11th Conference

Tampa Bay Lightning
Last season record: 44-33-3-2 93 points
Division: 2nd
Conference: 7th

OFF-SEASON
arrivals: LW Jan Hlavac(EUR), RW Michel Ouellet(PITT), Chris Gratton(t-FLA), C/LW Craig McDonald(CHI), D Brad Lukowich(NJ), D Dan Jancevski(MON), D Jay Leach(t-BOS), Bruce Lampman(t-NYR), D David Schneider(EUR), LW Mathieu Darche(SJ)
departures: LW Ruslan Fedotenko, RW Eric Perrin, D Cory Sarich

The Tampa Bay Lightning had a very productive off-season and did it under the radar. The Lightning desperately needed a winger to play alongside Brad Richards after Ruslan Fedotenko failed miserably. The Lightning got their guy with a little bit of luck when the Pittsburgh Penguins declined to offer a contract to RFA Michel Ouellet. The Lightning quickly scooped him up and Richards now has someone to play with. Ouellet only 25 years old and coming off a 19 goal season is exactly the type of player the Lightning needed, young with tons of potential. The Lightning weren't done there, they then signed former NHLer Jan Hlavac formerly of the New York Rangers who had spent 3 years over in Europe to also add some scoring whether playing on the 1st or 2nd line. The Lightning then had to fill in the defense after loosing Cory Sarich to the Calgary Flames. They signed veteran but reliable Brad Lukowich. Finally the Lightning re-acquired Chris Gratton to fill in their 3rd line centerman, this will be Gratton's second go around with the Lightning.

FORWARDS
My Projected Lines:
1- J.HLAVAC-V.LECAVALIER-M.ST-LOUIS
2- V.PROSPAL-B.RICHARDS-M.OUELLET
3- R.CRAIG-C.GRATTON-J.WARD
4- A.ROY-T.TAYLOR-N.TARNSKY
E- K.STEWART-A.KARLSSON-K.WANVING
The Lightning offense revolves around the 'Big Three' in Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St.Louis and Brad Richards. Lecavalier and St.Louis can play on a line all by themselves it really doesn't matter who you put on the left side. Both players are coming off career 100 point seasons with Lecavalier scoring 52 goals and St.Louis scoring 43. Hlavac can contribute on their line and playing with them probably guarantees him 50 points if he sticks with them. Richards and Ouellet could give the Lightning a 2nd combo. Richards needs to rebound after an off year and this could be it with Ouellet reaching his prime of his career. Adding Vaclav Prospal on the left side just gives the line some insurance and another point producer. The 3rd and 4th lines got better after the acquisition of Gratton. Gratton will center the 3rd line while Tim Taylor can now play the 4th line. With Ryan Craig and Jason Ward on Gratton's left and right side, the 3rd line could be a very good one.

DEFENSE
My Projected Pairings:
1- D.BOYLE-P.RANGER
2- F.KUBA-S.O'BRIEN
3- B.LUKOWICH-D.JANCEVSKI
E- D.SCHNEIDER-D.JANIK
Once again look for Dan Boyle to be the leader of this defense. The defense got better after last season's acquisition of Shane O'Brien from the Anaheim Ducks. O'Brien is young and brings a very physical game. He has the potential to be a very good 3rd defensemen. Also look for more development from Paul Ranger. Ranger could be a very good #2 behind Boyle and playing beside Boyle will help him do that. Flip Kuba was solid last year and should pair up with O'Brien very well. Lukowich will help the third pairing and will help whichever young defensemen wins the last defensive job.

GOALIES
1- J.HOLMQVIST
2- M.DENIS
3- K.RAMO
Johan Holmqvist developed fairly good considering he was just thrown in net and into the playoffs. Holmqvist had some very good games and some very bad games but look for him to get past that this year. Marc Denis was easily one of the biggest disappointments last season. He completely flopped and better rebound because highly regarded Karri Ramo is just waiting for his time to pounce.

OVERALL
The Lightning should be a better team this year with more depth at forward. The Defense should continue to develop with the leadership of Boyle and Lukowich. Holmqvist is the biggest question with this team but I think he will come through. If he doesn't, the Lightning only have 42 million dollars locked up if they need a veteran towards the end of the season. Lecavalier and St.Louis will continue on their torrid pace and Richards will rebound with the help of Ouellet. The Lightning will put up a huge fight for the division but will come just short.

Predicted Finish- 2nd Division, 5th Conference

Washington Capitals
Last season record: 28-40-3-11 70 points
Division: 5th
Conference: 14th

OFF-SEASON
arrivals: D Tom Poti(NYI), RW Viktor Kozlov(NYI), C Michael Nylander(NYR), F Jame Pollock(EUR), C Kyle Wilson(PHO), RW Joe Motzko(ANA), C Jason Morgan(MIN)
departures: C Kris Beech, C Jiri Novotny, D Bryan Muir

The off-season for the Washington Capitals was a very productive one with them able to fill in key holes throughout the roster. The Caps were another team to waste no time on getting what they wanted on July 1st. They signed Tom Poti to be their #1 defensemen and to lead their very, very young defense. They also added RW Viktor Kozlov to add some depth to the other side of the Alexander's. Kozlov seemed to revitalize his career, last year in Long Island. He posted a career high with 25 goals to go along with 51 points. The Capitals biggest signing came on July the 2nd when they stole center Michael Nylander from the Edmonton Oilers who at the time seemed to be Nylander's new team. Nylander will play alongside Alex Ovechkin and this could help Ovechkin score over 50 goals again and be right up with Crosby with points. Nylander was also signed to help young Nicklas Backstrom become a #1 center. The rest of the moves made by the Caps were to add depth to the organization.

FORWARDS
My Projected Lines:
1- A.OVECHKIN-M.NYLANDER-C.CLARK
2- A.SEMIN-N.BACKSTROM-V.KOZLOV
3- M.PETTINGER-B.SUTHERBY-E.FEHR
4- T.FLEISCHMANN-B.GORDON-B.CLYMER
E- D.BRASHER-B.LAICH-J.MOTZKO
The signing of Nylander and Kozlov in the summer and the signing of Backstrom from Europe adds much needed help to the Capitals depth at forward. The Capitals now have 4 pretty strong lines starting with line 1. Look for the Ovechkin and Nylander duo produce big time. Ovechkin has been missing a #1 playmaking center his first two years of his career and still produced 52 and 46 goal seasons and we have all seen what Nylander did with Jagr in New York, so really enough said. Adding Kozlov on the right side also finally gives the Caps much needed help on that side. Backstrom was said to be one of the most ready prospects right after he got drafted to come to the NHL but wanted to finish out his final year on his contract with his Swedish team. Backstrom will be groomed to replace Nylander and be Ovechkin's new setup man. Backstrom and emerging star Alexander Semin could make a very lethal duo also. The 3rd and 4th lines fro the Caps are filled with grinders. Matt Pettinger is coming off a 16 goal season and Eric Fehr has been nothing else but a goal scorer in his career, so these lines should be able to produce some goals too.

DEFENSE:
My Projected Pairings:
1- T.POTI-B.POTHIER
2- S.MORRISSON-M.JURCINA
3- J.SCHULTZ-S.EMINGER
E- M.GREEN-J.ERSKINE
The signing of Tom Poti will improve this very young group vastly. Poti will be able to eat up huge minutes whether it is 5 on 5, 5 on 4 or 4 on 5 and will be the instant leader of this group. Brian Pothier was developing nicely in Ottawa and continued that in his first year with Washington but I think he can only get better because now he doesn't have to be the leader and eat up the big minutes even though he will still be greatly involved on Washington's point. Guys like Milan Jurcina and Jeff Schultz made huge strides last year, especially Jurcina and proved they are capable 3, 4 d-men. Shaone Morrisson and Steve Eminger are capable 5 and 6 defensemen. Mike Green and John Erskine add good depth and physicality when they are in the line-up.

GOALIES
1- O.KOLZIG
2- B.JOHNSON
3- S.VARLAMOV
Olaf Kolzig returns at the age of 37 with being able to still play at a very high level. He will continue to be Washington's starter until Simeon Varlamov is ready to take over the staring job and has said he would want to stay around with the Caps until they are able to win a Cup. Brent Johnson gives the Caps half decent back-up goaltending and is capable on still wonning games on Kolzig's off night.

OVERALL
The Caps made some great moves in the off-season and could very well be one of the most improved teams in the league. Look for the Alexander's to continue to score lots of goals and even more with the additions of Nylander and Backstrom. I think the Caps will be the most improved team in the league, beating the Flyers by the slimmest margins. They win because I think they will make the playoffs. For the first time the Caps will be buyers at the deadline and will have money to spend with only 33 million dollars locked up.They will be this year's Pittsburgh Penguins and just like the Pens will loose to Ottawa in the first round. It's amazing how Ovechkin and Crosby keep getting compared and are so much alike.

Predicted Finish- 3rd Division, 8th Conference