The puck drops on the 2024-25 NHL season in just a couple of weeks as the Sabres and Devils play a two-game set at O2 Arena in Prague. In this preview, we'll take a look at the eight teams that reside in the Atlantic Division, in no particular order.
Montreal Canadiens
Make no mistake, the Canadiens remain in full rebuild mode, even after landing a big fish in Patrik Laine over the Summer. The needle is certainly pointing up after an injury-plagued 30-win campaign but it's going to be difficult to gain much ground in the ultra-competitive Atlantic. The Habs are brimming with young talent led by the likes of Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield who are fast-entering their prime. Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook are two key pieces up front that return healthy. The biggest issue for Montreal could be between the pipes where a lot is asked of the lower-tier tandem of Samuel Montembault and Cayden Primeau. With plenty of youth behind veterans Mike Matheson and David Savard on the blue line, Habs goaltenders figure to get peppered on most nights.
Boston Bruins
The Bruins enter the season as a big of a wild card following a second-place finish in the Atlantic in 2023-24. There was a massive roster overhaul during the offseason with familar faces like Jake DeBrusk, Matt Grzelcyk and Linus Ullmark moving on. Face of the franchise Brad Marchand isn't getting any younger and required multiple offseason surgeries leaving many to wonder how much he will be able to contribute. The addition of Elias Lindholm should provide a spark up front and certainly boosts the ceiling of likely linemate David Pastrnak. Between the pipes the number one job will belong to Jeremy Swayman. We've seen a time-share between Swayman and Ullmark in recent years but the former is undoubtedly ready to take the next step.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Contract issues swirl around Mitch Marner as training camp opens this week. The Maple Leafs did make a number offseason personnel changes but elected to keep the so-called 'Core Four' intact. Little was done to bolster the blue line and that's a concern. Christopher Tanev will provide some depth but he's by no means a game-changer. Anthony Stolarz was brought in to provide backup relief to starting netminder Joseph Woll who has yet to really prove himself as a true number-one option. You have to think this will be the last ride for this particular era of the Leafs if they fall short of expectations (again).
Detroit Red Wings
By all accounts, general manager Steve Yzerman has done a solid job of improving the roster, largely by building from within with a host of young talent. With that being said, the Red Wings missed the playoffs last season and for a fan base that's desperate for a winner, patience is starting to run thin. Vladimir Tarasenko was the big add in free agency. Patrick Kane was re-signed as well. You do have to wonder how much either player has left in the tank at this stage of their respective careers. The blue line lacks depth as far as offensive production goes. Moritz Seider is a stud but the rest of the D-corps is average at best. The Wings are hoping one of Cam Talbot, Ville Husso and Alex Lyon will rise up and take hold of the starting goaltender role. Three might turn out to be a crowd in this particular case.
Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres were thought to be a possible sleeper team in the Eastern Conference last season but fell well short of expectations. Their roster is filled with familiar faces - few teams stood pat the way Buffalo did in the offseason. Whether that's a good or bad thing is up for debate. There's no question the Sabres boast plenty of top-line talent, both up front and on the back-end. Guys like Dylan Cozens, Zach Benson and John-Jason Peterka appear ready to take a step forward. Veterans Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch should chip in as well. Defensively, you'd be hard-pressed to find a stronger trio than Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power and Bowen Byram. In goal, there's depth but also not a lot of reliability. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen figures to hold down the number-one job.
Ottawa Senators
The Senators always seem to make a splash in the offseason and this year was no different as they acquired goaltender Linus Ullmark from the Bruins via trade. Goaltending has been an issue in Ottawa for years so the addition of Ullmark should provide some stability. There's reason to question how much patience Brady Tkachuk will have if this team struggles again. A player like Tkachuk who is on the verge of superstardom could certainly benefit from moving to a bigger market and whispers of that have already begun. Aside from Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle is really the only forward that moves the needle. This is a team that will need to be better as a sum of its parts rather than relying on its limited number of top-end superstars.
Florida Panthers
Like most Stanley Cup winners, there is plenty of roster turnover for the Panthers to deal with as they begin defense of their title. Their blue line depth will be tested after Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson exited in the offseason. Up front, the top six are set but again depth could become an issue should injuries arise. Starting goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky proved he still has plenty left in the tank during Florida's championship run and will be back between the pipes. Chris Dreidger and Spencer Knight will battle for the backup job after Anthony Stolarz left for Toronto. Defending a championship is never easy but the Panthers should once again find themselves near the top of the Atlantic.
Tampa Bay Lightning
It's the end of an era in Tampa with Steven Stamkos packing his bags for Nashville in the offseason. A lot will be asked of Nikita Kucherov but he'll have plenty of support with Brayden Point remaining in the fold and Jake Guentzel brought over from Carolina. Defensively, Mikhail Sergachev is a key loss. Victor Hedman showed tremendous durability last season, appearing in 78 games and contributing 76 points. He was named team captain earlier this week. The Bolts are set in goal with Andrei Vasilevskiy still one of the best netminders in the world and backup Jonas Johansson capable of taking on a 25-30 game workload.