The Icemen Cometh
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

Eastern Conference
ATLANTIC DIVISION
1 (Projected Finish) N.Y. Rangers It seemed on the surface to be a case of déjà vu all over again, the Rangers making a big splash in the free agent marketplace and adding two high-priced forwards. But the difference this time is the system and the supporting cast. If Henrik Lundqvist can deliver another Vezina-caliber season and if Jaromir Jagr plays at an elite level — two thoroughly reasonable propositions — the Blueshirts should go deep into the playoffs and compete for the Cup.
Key Additions: Scott Gomez, Chris Drury
Key Subtractions: Michael Nylander, Matt Cullen, Karel Rachunek
2 Pittsburgh Penguins The Pens took a huge leap forward last season, with emerging superstar Sidney Crosby leading the way. Crosby tallied 120 points in a stellar sophomore campaign, while rookie Evgeni Malkin broke out with 85 points. But perhaps the most overlooked factor in the Pens’ revival has been head coach Michel Therrien, responsible for instilling a sense of discipline that’s enabled their playing to belie their obvious lack of seasoning.
Key Additions: Daryl Sydor, Petr Sykora
Key Subtractions: Jocelyn Thibault, Michel Ouellet, Josef Melichar, Eric Cairns
3 Philadelphia Flyers A return to the postseason would make this the fastest rebuilding effort in recent memory. Free agent signee Daniel Brière will join Simon Gagne on the top line, and the vastly underrated Kimmo Timonen should give the power play a much-needed jolt. There is no question that the Flyers will be much improved, but are their bloodthirsty fans prepared to embrace a team that’s going to get by on skill and guile rather than tenacity and grit?
Key Additions: Daniel Brière, Kimmo Timonen, Scott Hartnell, Joffrey Lupul
Key Subtractions: Joni Pitkanen, Geoff Sanderson, Mike York
4 New Jersey Devils Every summer, more front-line players leave New Jersey and more obituaries are written for the Devils’ dynasty. And every spring, the Devils somehow battle their way back to the post-season. But the off-season losses of Scott Gomez and Brian Rafalski might just be too much for the resilient Devils to handle. Of course, they cannot ever be counted out, not so long as Martin Brodeur is toiling between the pipes. But unless youngsters Zach Parise, Travis Zajac, Paul Martin, and Andy Greene all take huge leaps forward, it could be a long first season for the Devils in their new digs in Newark.
Key Additions: Dainius Zubrus, Karel Rachunek, Vitali Vishnevski, Kevin Weekes
Key Subtractions: Scott Gomez, Brian Rafalski, Brad Lukowich
5 New York Islanders The disappointing departures of Ryan Smyth and Jason Blake forced GM Garth Snow to engage in some unexpectedly aggressive roster remodeling. The addition of Bill Guerin as captain is a good one, and he should help head coach Ted Nolan keep the team focused and driven. The buyout of perennial underachiever Alexei Yashin was an indisputable case of addition by subtraction. But it’s difficult to see how the Isles can be expected to compete in what might be the NHL’s toughest division.
Key Additions: Bill Guerin, Mike Comrie, Ruslan Fedotenko, Andy Sutton
Key Subtractions: Ryan Smyth, Jason Blake, Tom Poti, Alexei Yashin
NORTHEAST DIVISION
1 Ottawa Senators The 2007 Eastern Conference champions have remained largely intact and should emerge as the cream of the Northeast Division this season. Their defense is the deepest in the entire NHL, and an expected bounce-back season from third-year rearguard Andrej Meszaros should make them stronger. Up front, the fearsome trio of Dany Heatley, Daniel Alfredsson, and Jason Spezza should once again make their power play a lethal weapon.
Key Additions: Niko Dimitrakos, Luke Richardson, Shean Donovan
Key Subtractions: Mike Comrie, Tom Preissing, Peter Schaeffer, Oleg Saprykin
2 Buffalo Sabres The departures of co-captains Daniel Brière and Chris Drury have left two gigantic holes in the lineup and locker room. Although Tim Connolly and sophomore Drew Stafford have the talent to help make up for the losses on the ice, there is good reason to wonder whether the Sabres can handle the loss of leadership. Unless all the breaks fall their way, it’s quite possible that they’ll be on the outside looking in when the 2008 playoffs begin.
Key Additions: Jocelyn Thibault
Key Subtractions: Daniel Brière, Chris Drury, Dainius Zubrus, Ty Conklin
3 Montreal Canadiens Sheldon Souray’s (26 goals) departure might appear to be a huge loss, but his atrocious minus-28 rating was a clear indication that he lacks the foot speed to be effective at even strength. Look for newcomer Roman Hamrlik to be a capable substitute. The biggest wild card for the Habs is rookie goaltender Carey Price, the NHL’s top goaltending prospect. It is far too early to start drawing comparisons to Patrick Roy, but it is worth noting that Price will be the same age this spring (20) that Roy was when he led the Habs to the Cup in 1986.
Key Additions: Roman Hamrlik, Bryan Smolinski, Patrice Brisebois, Carey Price
Key Subtractions: Sergei Samsonov, Radek Bonk, Sheldon Souray
4 Toronto Maple Leafs Former Islander Jason Blake may not be the best fit alongside top-line center Mats Sundin, as both players employ a “shoot first, ask questions later” strategy. But because the window is rapidly closing on Sundin’s opportunity to win a Cup in Toronto, look for him to try his hand at playmaking in an attempt to get the most out of his new linemate. The biggest bright spot for Toronto is rearguard Tomas Kaberle, who will contend for the Norris Trophy as the league’s finest defenseman.
Key Additions: Vesa Toskala, Mark Bell, Jason Blake, Scott Clemmensen
Key Subtractions: Michael Peca
5 Boston Bruins His first season in Beantown was an unmitigated disaster, but look for captain Zdeno Chara to bounce back nicely this year. New assistant captain Andrew Ference, acquired at the trade deadline from the Calgary Flames, has developed into a very reliable rearguard and leader. And up front, gritty wingers Peter Schaeffer and Shawn Thornton should provide some much-needed sandpaper for a lineup that was far too soft last season. Key Additions Manny Fernandez, Shawn Thornton, Peter Schaeffer Key Subtractions Petr Kalus, Hannu Toivonen, Wade Brookbank, Jason York
SOUTHEAST DIVISION
1 Washington Capitals Last season, we continuously bemoaned the lack of talent surrounding forwards Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin. What a difference a summer makes! The arrivals of playmaking Swedish centers Michael Nylander and Nicklas Bäckström should give the Caps two very solid scoring lines. And with puck-moving rearguard Tom Poti quarterbacking the power play and setting up Semin for his laser-like shot from the point, the Caps will be the most improved team in the NHL.
Key Additions: Tom Poti, Viktor Kozlov, Michael Nylander,
Key Subtractions: Jiri Novotny
2 Carolina Hurricanes The 2006 Cup champions suffered an inevitable hangover last season, a combination of injuries, exhaustion, and free agent departures doing them in. Expect the ‘Canes to return to prominence this season, with top-line center Eric Staal and 2006 Conn Smythe Trophy winner Cam Ward both delivering strong bounceback performances. The ageless Rod Brind’Amour improbably remains one of the game’s finest players, while returning forward Matt Cullen’s versatility should make him one of the off-season’s most prescient acquisitions.
Key Additions: Matt Cullen
Key Subtractions: Anton Babchuk, Anson Carter,Josef Vasicek
3 Atlanta Thrashers Groin troubles have plagued starting netminder Kari Lehtonen during the pre-season, a bad sign indeed. And GM Don Waddell’s ill-advised future mortgaging at the trade deadline last March means that the Thrashers’ past is now brighter than their future. With star forward Marian Hossa due to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, it appears to be a question of when — rather than if — he’ll be traded.
Key Additions: Todd White, Eric Perrin
Key Subtractions: Keith Tkachuk, Jon Sim, Greg de Vries, Eric Belanger
4 Tampa Bay Lightning GM Jay Feaster is still searching for an answer to the post-lockout departure of goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin. Making matters even worse, power play quarterback Dan Boyle suffered a freak injury when a skate fell on him in the Lightning locker room and severed tendons in his wrist. It’s shaping up to be a ugly season for the once-mighty Lightning. Key Additions Chris Gratton, Michel Ouellet, Brad Lukowich, Jan Hlavac
Key Subtractions: Cory Sarich, Eric Perrin, Ruslan Fedotenko, Luke Richardson
5 Florida Panthers Not unlike the Isles’ buyout of Alexei Yashin, the departure of cantankerous goaltender Ed Belfour to the Swedish Elite League was a case of addition by subtraction. And the acquisition of Tomas Vokoun gives the Cats a game-stopping goalie to replace the sorely missed Roberto Luongo. There are some solid young players on this Panther team, but it’ll probably take one season longer for them to gel and emerge as a legitimate playoff contender.
Key Additions: Richard Zednik, Brett McLean, Tomas Vokoun, Radek Dvorak
Key Subtractions: Chris Gratton, Martin Gelinas, Alexei Semenov, Alex Auld
Western Conference
CENTRAL DIVISION
1 Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland did a fine job replacing the departed Mathieu Schneider this off-season, moving quickly to land Michigan native Brian Rafalski. The former Devil should be a great fit alongside Nicklas Lidström on the point of the Wings’ power play. But there’s good reason to wonder whether Holland is wise to again rely upon 42-yearold Dominik Hasek in goal. Key Additions Brian Rafalski, Dallas Drake, Brad Ference Key Subtractions Mathieu Schneider, Robert Lang, Todd Bertuzzi, Kyle Calder, Danny Markov (UFA)
2 Nashville Predators Offseason reports of the Preds’ demise now look to have been overstated. The team’s future in Nashville was secured by a cadre of local businessmen. GM David Poile did a fine job making up for the departures of Kimmo Timonen and Paul Kariya. Radek Bonk should provide a steady checking-line pivot, while Jason Arnott and David Legwand will do just fine centering the top two lines. With future Norris Trophy winner Shea Weber leading the way. the team could return to the playoffs again.
Key Additions: Jed Ortmeyer, Radek Bonk, Greg de Vries, Martin Gelinas
Key Subtractions: Kimmo Timonen, Scott Hartnell, Paul Kariya, Peter Forsberg
3 Chicago Blackhawks The ‘Hawks have been terrible for so long, a turnaround is all but inevitable. Last season, they showed great promise, getting off to an excellent start before they were derailed by an injury to top performer Martin Havlat. This year, the talent is better distributed throughout the lineup. All they need is an average season in goal from Nikolai Khabibulin to compete for a playoff spot.
Key Additions: Sergei Samsonov, Andrei Zyuzin, Yanic Perreault, Robert Lang
Key Subtractions: Jassen Cullimore, Adrian Aucoin, Jeff Hamilton
4 St. Louis Blues Free agent winger Paul Kariya joins an emerging Blues team that should be much better this year. Rookie blueliner Erik Johnson will suffer the inevitable growing pains, but should still make an immediate impact.
Key Additions: Keith Tkachuk, Paul Kariya, Hannu Toivonen, Erik Johnson (R)
Key Subtractions: Radek Dvorak, Curtis Sanford
5 Columbus Blue Jackets The hapless Blue Jackets did little to improve in the off-season, and first-year GM Scott Howson’s long-term job security depends a great deal on what he’s able to procure in return for UFAs-to-be Sergei Fedorov and Adam Foote in advance of the trade deadline. The Blue Jackets will likely be the worst team in the NHL.
Key Additions: Michael Peca, Kris Beech, Jiri Novotny
Key Subtractions: Bryan Berard, Brian Boucher, Anders Eriksson
NORTHWEST DIVISION
1 Calgary Flames Adrian Aucoin struggled in Chicago, but should rebound playing in front of Miikka Kiprusoff on a deep defense corps. Up front, the Flames will again lean upon captain Jarome Iginla. Perhaps the most interesting storyline in Calgary will be how new coach Mike Keenan gets along with winger Kristian Huselius. The pair was in constant conflict during their time together in Florida. But the liberated Huselius emerged as one of the Flames’ most reliable offensive performers last season.
Key Additions: Adrian Aucoin, Cory Sarich, Owen Nolan, Anders Eriksson
Key Subtractions: Andrei Zyuzin, Roman Hamrlik, Brad Stuart, Byron Ritchie
2 Vancouver Canucks No player is more valuable than Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo. Perhaps with that in mind, GM Dave Nonis made the wise decision to import the reliable Curtis Sanford as a backup. The biggest question mark for the Canucks is captain Markus Näslund, who faded last season. If he doesn’t start shooting the puck with greater frequency and accuracy, it’s difficult to imagine the Canucks winning this tough division for a second consecutive season. And it’s quite possible that they’ll miss the post-season altogether.
Key Additions: Ryan Shannon, Brad Isbister, Curtis Sanford, Aaron Miller
Key Subtractions: Bryan Smolinski
3 Minnesota Wild The Wild caught fire in the second half of last season, propelled by the return of oft-injured winger Marian Gaborik. But as the supporting cast continues to improve, dependency on Gaborik inevitably reduces. 2003 draftee Brent Burns has emerged as the Wild’s most reliable rearguard, while Minnesota’s goaltending tandem of Nicklas Bäckström and Josh Harding should be solid.
Key Additions: Petr Kalus, Eric Belanger, Sean Hill
Key Subtractions: Manny Fernandez, Todd White
4 Colorado Avalanche Joe Sakic isn’t getting any younger, and so the Avs surrounded him with some much-needed veteran talent. Ryan Smyth should be a nice fit riding shotgun for Sakic on the top line, while the hard-hitting Scott Hannan will give the Avs’ defense some serious bite. But questions abound in goal. Peter Budaj was excellent in his first full season with the Avs, but his track record isn’t long enough to call him the certain starter. And José Théodore, a former Hart Trophy winner, is the NHL’s most overpaid — and overrated — player.
Key Additions: Scott Hannan, Ryan Smyth, Dale Purinton
Key Subtractions: Brett McLean, Ken Klee, Patrice Brisebois, Pierre Turgeon
5 Edmonton Oilers GM Kevin Lowe made a huge splash with his aggressive signings of defenseman Sheldon Souray and forward Dustin Penner, but neither maneuver is likely to work out particularly well. The Oilers play an up-tempo game on the NHL’s fastest ice surface, and Souray and Penner’s plodding skating styles won’t mesh well. But by extracting Joni Pitkanen from Philadelphia, Lowe might have made up for it; a scenery change may be all that’s needed for the talented rearguard to get back on track.
Key Additions: Dick Tarnstrom, Joni Pitkanen, Geoff Sanderson, Sheldon Souray
Key Subtractions: Petr Sykora, Jason Smith, Joffrey Lupul
PACIFIC DIVISION
1 San Jose Sharks The Sharks managed to replenish their lineup with top young talent, and this is the season they’ll finally break through. Look for Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau to deliver strong post-season performances for the first time, and for winger Milan Michalek to break out with an 80-plus point campaign.
Key Additions: Alexei Semenov, Jeremy Roenick
Key Subtractions: Bill Guerin, Vesa Toskala, Mark Bell, Scott Hannan
2 Anaheim Ducks It is unknown at this time whether captain Scott Niedermayer will retire or return to last year’s Cup winners, but the most likely scenario would be for him to return at mid-season — should the Ducks be in contention. New arrival Mathieu Schneider — ostensibly expected to replace Niedermayer — is likely out for the first month of the season with a broken bone in his left ankle. If Schneider can play at a high level upon his return — and if Niedermayer rejoins his mates — then the Ducks will again be a formidable contender for the Cup. But those are two enormous “if’s”.
Key Additions: Mathieu Schneider, Todd Bertuzzi, Shane Hnidy
Key Subtractions: Dustin Penner, Shawn Thornton, Ryan Shannon
3 Dallas Stars Last spring, Marty Turco proved that he has what it takes to deliver an elite-level post-season performance. It was only his team’s inability to score on Roberto Luongo that prevented Turco from leading the Stars into the second round. His confidence renewed, look for Turco to deliver a Vezina Trophy-caliber season between the pipes. If the rest of the team remains reasonably healthy (they lost 296 man-games to injury last season), the Stars should again be in the mix for a playoff spot.
Key Additions: Todd Fedoruk
Key Subtractions: Daryl Sydor, Ladislav Nagy
4 Los Angeles Kings GM Dean Lombardi has gotten off to a great start in Los Angeles. On the blue line, rookie rearguard Jack Johnson should compete for the Calder Trophy. But the biggest improvement will be in goal, where Jason LaBarbera is expected to share duties with top prospect Jonathan Bernier.
Key Additions: Michal Handzus, Ladislav Nagy, Kyle Calder, Jack Johnson (R)
Key Subtractions: Mathieu Garon, Aaron Miller, Tom Kostopoulos
5 Phoenix Coyotes Things aren’t likely to improve for the Coyotes anytime soon. They don’t boast top-tier talent at any position, and most of their best prospects aren’t yet ready to make a huge impact at the NHL level. It’s probably going to be a long season for Wayne Gretzky’s Coyotes, who will compete with the Blue Jackets for the title of the “NHL’s Worst Team.”
Key Additions: Mike York, David Aebischer, Radim Vrbata, Alex Auld
Key Subtractions: Owen Nolan, Jeremy Roenick, Kevyn Adams, Dave Scatchard