NHL 2022-23 Atlantic Division Preview
Another year of NHL hockey is right around the corner, and teams across the Atlantic Division are looking to fight their way back to the promised land and raise a banner to the rafters of their barn.
Here’s a preview of all 8 teams from around the Atlantic Division.
Boston Bruins
The B’s were able to get a one-year deal done with long-time captain Patrice Bergeron, who was hinting at retirement in the off-season. The Bruins also brought back David Krejci, after last season’s departure, when he returned home to the Czech Republic.
The Bruins also traded for Pavel Zacha, a former 6th overall pick of the New Jersey Devils, in exchange for fellow center Erik Haula.
The Bruins will be without two of their biggest stars, Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy on opening night as they continue to heal from off-season hip surgery they’re expected to return in November or December.
Buffalo Sabres
Following a very encouraging last year, the Sabres will be continuing their player development this season.
Apart from minor tweaks, not much was done over the off-season to enhance Buffalo’s lineup. 2021 1st overall pick, Owen Power, will be joining the Sabres blueline after a short stint at the University of Michigan.
63-point scorer, Jeff Skinner will continue guiding the young core of Buffalo toward snapping an 11-year playoff drought.
Detroit Red Wings
GM Steve Yzerman inked a deal with Andrew Copp from the Rangers and left winger David Perron from the Blues in free agency, who will boost goal scoring in front of defensive stud and Calder Trophy winner, Mortiz Seider as he enters his sophomore season.
Coming off of their best seasons, gritty captain Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi now have new life on offense.
Ex-Blues goaltender, Ville Husso, will be holding it down in net this season, while the Wings’ new head coach Derek Lalonde will be behind the bench after a 4-year term with the Lightning.
Florida Panthers
Florida said goodbye to a long-term player, Jonathan Huberdeau and sent him off to Calgary along with MacKenzie Weegar in exchange for Matthew Tkachuk, who was given an 8-year contract shortly after.
Though Tkachuk is coming off his best season, it will be hard to fill the void left by Huberdeau. Former Jets coach, Paul Marice, will be making his coaching debut in Sunrise this season.
Forward Anthony Duclair will not be available for the start of the season as he continues to rehab surgery following a torn Achilles tendon.
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens have begun overhauling their lineup, parting ways with captain Shea Weber, Jeff Petry, Alexander Romanov, Jeff Petry, Cedric Paquette, Mathieu Perreault, and Tyler Pitlick.
Montreal is in the midst of a youthful rebuild, naming 23 year old Nick Suzuki their 31st captain in franchise history.
General manager Kent Hughes picked up Kirby Dach, Sean Monohan, Evgenii Dadonov, and Mike Matheson to strengthen their roster.
While it is doubtful that Montreal reaches the postseason this year, it is an exciting time in Montreal as this year’s 1st overall pick, Juraj Slafkovsky, looks to crack the opening-day lineup.
Ottawa Senators
It was quite the active off-season for GM Pierre Dorion, who acquired players of all positions to assist the young star Tim Stutzle and captain Brady Tkachuk.
Dorion picked up veteran winger Claude Giroux in free agency from Florida and added Alex DeBrincat from the Chicago roster for two draft picks in this year’s draft.
The Sens and the Wild swapped goaltenders, trading Filip Gustavsson for Cam Talbot in a 1-for-1 trade.
Tampa Bay Lightning
After a failed “three-peat,” Tampa remains ambitious to make another deep run in the postseason.
The Lightning inked 8-year extensions with defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, Erik Cernak and forward Anthony Cirelli.
The Bolts parted ways with two big-time veterans, losing winger Ondrej Palat to New Jersey and defenseman Ryan McDonagh to Nashville in cap dumps.
The Bolts will begin this season without forward Anthony Cirelli and big defenseman Zach Bogosian as they are both healing from off-season shoulder surgery.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto is loaded with talent going into this season, led by the 2022 Hart Trophy winner, Auston Matthews.
The Leafs had a fantastic regular season and had Stanley Cup aspirations entering the postseason, but made another first-round exit, they're seventh since 2004.
The team enters this season with two new masked men between the pipes; Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov.
Consistency for both goaltenders has lacked in recent years, so Leafs fans hope they regain their form in Toronto. GM Kyle Dubois remains optimistic that his core of Matthews, Tavares, Marner, and Nylander can lead the way to a deep playoff run.
Owen Gelber is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email omg5144@psu.edu.
