Captain Kerr (Posted 2008-10-02 11:10:14)
"any one of four teams could bring another Cup – following in the footsteps of Tampa in ’04 and Carolina in ’06 – to the division in the near future". You have got to be kidding. Washington looks to be very close to a serious Stanley Cup contender (if they aren't already). But Florida? They had Vokoun last year and sucked. How is losing Jokinen and adding McCabe going to make them Cup contenders? Tampa? No defence, no goaltending = no playoffs. Carolina? They are better than Tampa and Florida, but have too many "what ifs" to be Cup contenders either this year or in the near future. This division will produce fewer playoff teams than the Atlantic or Northeast for years to come.

Jordan (Posted 2008-10-02 08:41:47)
Cant say I agree the South East has drastically improved. Tampa's forward corps is obviously better, but their defense is pretty weak since they traded away Boyle and Kuba, and got the younger and more offensive minded Clowe and Meszaros. Smith in goal is also a question mark since he has yet to be a starter. Florida's defense easily got better with the addition of McCabe,Boynton and Ballard, but their offense took a step back by trading Jokinen and signing Stillman. You still need tos core to win. Carolina hasnt gotten any better since they won the cup. While most teams keep increasing their payrolls, Carolina keeps theirs about the same, so the only signifcant players they have been adding are through trades. They're not keeping up with the Joneses so to speak. The Caps are getting better because their young guys are coming into their own, but Theodore is going to hurt that team more than help it. Of course, then there's Atlanta who as long as they have Waddell will never be good.

Alexis Lemieux (Posted 2008-10-02 02:51:24)
I think people are actually overrating the Tampa Bay Lightning. Yes they have made numerous spectacular changes to their lineup all summer long, and they've drafted Stamkos... but what about the TBL's defensemens? there are too many questions to be answered, and I can't figure out why most of the media and hockey fans across America seem to be considering the Tampa Bay Lightning as a playoff spot contender. They've added a few assets to their offense, but their blue line is still one of the worst in the NHL. The Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes will still be the only two teams in the race for one or two playoffs spot in the Southeast. And to Pete who said Northeast is weaker than Southeast, my dear friend you are completely wrong.

John (Posted 2008-10-02 00:12:45)
How poor is a division where the top two teams are battling to the finish line and the loser misses the playoffs altogether in a league that allows more than half it's teams in the playoffs? Without Huet's great stretch run, the Caps wouldn't have been even close. Carolina's not improved any; Florida and Tampa are still very questionable; Atlanta's horrible. The idea that the Northwest is weaker, with three teams making the playoffs last season and likely again this season, is inane. The Central's clearly the weaker division in the West with Nashville, St Louis and Columbus, just as they were last year.

pete (Posted 2008-10-01 22:04:05)
i dont know the northeast is pretty hurtin. the habs had one amazing season so its too soon to say they are amazing. and not to mention the suckage of the leafs, boston being the most average team in alsomst all catergories, buffalo leaking talent more then ever, and the implosion of the sens def makes me think that the northeast is the weakest

Mark (Posted 2008-10-01 21:25:57)
No, seriously Jeff, look it up. The Flames and Oilers both had very good goaltending for their respective runs, but what team DOESN'T have stellar 'tending when they get past the third round??? Pronger and Pisani were both candidates for the Conn Smythe, and that Iginla fellow had a very good playoffs in 2004 as well. Flukes would include the Flames and Oilers defeating their Western opponents because of injuries, or players scoring on their own nets, etc. I wouldn't call the Flames to be hands-down favourites, but they sure as hell have a better chance of winning the Cup compared to any team from the SE. People are getting a little too high on the Caps and Panthers. Washington has Theodore for their starter, and the Panthers have no offence. Sorry, I'll take the Flames and Oilers making the playoffs over any two teams from the SE. The NW isn't the strongest division, but they're surely more powerful and competitive than the SE...

Jeff (Posted 2008-10-01 20:13:06)
Calgary is a Cup threat? Whatever you are smoking, count me in. They may have a few good players, but a team on the playoff bubble cant be called a Cup threat. They've backed into the playoffs 2 years in a row. They didnt finish in the top 10 in any major category last year. Detroit, San Jose, Anaheim and Dallas are all contenders because everyone knows they are a lock for the playoffs, no doubt about that. Every year someone like Mike Brophy or Nick Kypreos says "Oh watch out for Calgary this year." Oh and sorry Matt but Mike Keenan is the most overrated coach ever. The guy has never stayed with one team for longer than 3 years, never has good relationships with his teams star players.

Matt (Posted 2008-10-01 19:16:59)
Calgary regressing? What's the problem Edward, you don't like Mike Keenan? Maybe still a little pissed of at Todd Bertuzzi? Because those are the only two logical reasons I can think of when you make a statement like that. This team is looking great heading into the regular season and would handily win the Southeast division if they were fortunate to play against such fodder twenty four times a season.

Craig (Posted 2008-10-01 18:30:23)
Yes I am a homer, and yes I agree the teams in the Northwest have regressed, but I beg to differ on declaring them worst division in Hockey. Might I draw your attention to the Central Division. Sure they have the best team in Hockey with the Wings, but beyond that what do they have? Yes Chicago looks promising, but promise and substance aren't the same thing and until the Hawks prove it on the ice can you really give them that much more credit then Calgary or Minnesota? Then there is Nashville, a fine example of regression. And bringing up the rear you have the Columbus Blue Jokes and the St. Loser Blues. Anyone who thinks that Kristian Huselius and RJ Umberger take the team from worst to 8th your even less descerning then Barry Melrose at the Barber shop. And the Bluies have what exactly? A promising young defenceman in the press box, an over the hill top line and a pint sized back up goalie masquerading as a starter. Will the Northwest be exciting? no, Jaques Lemaire will be the poster boy for the division, but it boasts three of the top ten goalies in the world, arguably 2 of the top 3 and some of the best forwards in the game Iginla, Gaborik, the Sedins, Statsny. To say they are done is selling them short. The worst division in hockey just has one really bright and shiny smile in Detroit, but has absolutely no substance.

Mike (Posted 2008-10-01 18:17:34)
Jeff, really? really?! Calgary was made the playoffs every year since their run, Carolina has missed every year since they won. Tampa Bay worst team in the league last year, Edmonton well is medicore... but less mediocre than Carolina, Tampa Bay, Florida and Atlanta. Florida and Atlanta are especially pathetic, are one has to do is look at the point totals. Northwest got 463 points last year, Southeast got 418 points last year. Washington got worse with Theodore over Huet, Tampa got better, Carolina remained the same, Florida remains the same despite acquistions on D they lost their best forward, Atlanta got even worse. Little room for improvement and the northwest stayed the same with the Wild and Canucks getting worse while Calgary, Edmonton, Avs got better.

Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-10-01 17:44:16)
I can see 2 or 3 teams from the NW making the playoffs this year. The SE looks stronger but, realistically, only the Caps and 'Canes have a chance. Goaltending in Washington appears weaker and Carolina should be strong if they can avoid injury. TB can probably score but do little else. Panthers still need help and I hope Alex's post was a typo.

Mike (Posted 2008-10-01 17:21:17)
I completely disagree Edward Fraser, the southeast division is still the bottom of the barrel. How can you say the Northwest is the weakest division? Just because Mike Green and Ovechkin have career years last year doesn't mean they'll be tops in the league this year. I'd take Calgary's roster over Washington's roster any day of the weak although its tough to give up Ovechkin, you don't have the Regehrs and the Kiprusoffs in Washington. Although almost every team in the league leaves something to be desired in one spot or another these days, unlike with Atlanta, the northwest doesn't have a completely uncompetitive team in their division. Northwest plays defensive, tough, physical hockey, I doubt the players that go into any one of those 5 arenas and thinks this'll be an easy two points. Teams walk into the Leafs, Kings, Islanders, Thrashers and probably still Columbus and can say that. Northwest is all strong teams, maybe not elite teams like Detriot but 5 solid teams, that can't be said in any other division.

Caz (Posted 2008-10-01 17:10:11)
The fact that Carolina dropped from 3rd in the East to out of the playoffs last year shows a problem with the playoff seedings. It may happen again this year in the Southeast and/or Northwest. I agree you should be rewarded with a playoff spot for winning your division but not automatically be given the 3rd seed. History shows that a team finishing 6th has more success playing the winner of the weakest division than a team finishing 5th and playing the runner up in the strongest division. The 5th place Pens had to play Ottawa 2 years ago while the 6th place Rangers easily swept Atlanta.