[table][tr][th]Ranking[/th][th]Team[/th][th]Goaltending[/th][th]Defence[/th][th]Offence[/th][th]Prospects[/th][th]Analysis[/th][/tr]
[tr ][td]1[/td][td]Leafs[/td][td]C+[/td][td]B-[/td][td]A[/td][td]A-[/td][td]The perennial top team in the East is not as powerful as they once was. This doesn't mean that they can't still take top spot in the weak East. Goaltending is futile and current D corp is average at best. Team's success is powered by their talented forwards. Will be hard to succeed against teams in the West. Future: There's plenty of good prospects that they can add to this already talented team.[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]2[/td][td]Islanders[/td][td]A-[/td][td]B+[/td][td]A-[/td][td]B-[/td][td]This team has been and will be a 2 lines team. There are plenty of talents with in the forward group, but there's probably lacking leadership and depth to get them deep into the PO. On defence, another stellar group of offensively focused D. Isomaki doesn't have a lot of time left, does he have it in him to take them deep. Future: Their GM is crafty enough to buy and trade to keep them competitive. Some highend talents but then quality drops off[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]3[/td][td]Hurricanes[/td][td]B+[/td][td]B+[/td][td]A-[/td][td]C+[/td][td]Their GM has done a fine job in assembling a very balanced team. The forward line with Vicker leading the way will win you many games. Weaver is an young star in the making on the blueline. Young starte Flaman can be a very good goalie in the future so there's a lot to work with. Future: The only drawback is that the core guys are getting old and not much in the system to keep them up there as a contender for much longer. Need to be creative and build for the future.[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]4[/td][td]Thrashers[/td][td]B+[/td][td]B[/td][td]A-[/td][td]C+[/td][td]With superstar McKay on your team, you have a chance to win on any night. This is the case for the Thrashers. Their GM has surrounded him with a decent supporting cast. The acquistion of Saffer should help them generate more production but will that be enough for them remain a contender in the East. Just barely, Fedorov is not the answer in goal. Future: In trying to keep up with the Leafs for so long. The quality of prospects and picks will affect them soon[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]5[/td][td]Sabres[/td][td]C+[/td][td]B+[/td][td]A-[/td][td]B-[/td][td]Led by Clark and Cooper, this team can score with the best of them. Their D is among the top group in the East so they should win most nights. If the want to get into the top 3 then they need to improve their goaltending. Joseph will keep you in games but will not win them for you. Still a few years away from being a contender. Future: Their GM did well in the last 2 drafts to add more talents[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]6[/td][td]Rangers[/td][td]B-[/td][td]B-[/td][td]B[/td][td]B[/td][td]A decent team that can competes every night. They have talented players sprinkled throughout but no one really stands out as an elite player. Really weak down the middle, the addition of Soderberg still leave a big question mark to how they will improve next year. Future: Slow methodical build through the draft will allow the Rags to be a solid team in the near future.[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]7[/td][td]Penguins[/td][td]B+[/td][td]B-[/td][td]B-[/td][td]B-[/td][td]Their goalie Green should be able to steal them a lot of close games. He will be bailing out their old Dmen, upcoming star Fabian won't be able to shoulder all weight on D. Upfront, they have a few nice looking forwards to play along side some oldies but goodies. Hopefully these veterans can keep up with the kids. Otherwise, it will be up to the kids to to it themselves. Which will not be happening. Future: Not much quality in the system so it will be interesting how this team will fare[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]8[/td][td]Flyers[/td][td]B[/td][td]B-[/td][td]B-[/td][td]B+[/td][td]If McNeil can elevate his game to the next level then this team will have a decent year. Their defence is geared to drive their offence. Upfront with the exception down the middle, they are desperately need of some youthful injection. Future: There are some nice talents coming up so look for the Flyers to climb into a PO spot sooner than later.[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]9[/td][td]Lightnings[/td][td]B[/td][td]C+[/td][td]B[/td][td]B[/td][td]Power will need to stand on his head to pull this team up the ranking. The D corp won't put fear in their opponents nor keep attacking forwards out of the defensive zone. Their forwards however will have to do an amazing job to keep an sustained attack during a game to give them a chance to win. Vokey is awesome and he will need to make his wingers even better for them to have a successful season. Future: They need to address some key areas in order to transition out the old guys[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]10[/td][td]Panthers[/td][td]B-[/td][td]B[/td][td]B-[/td][td]B-[/td][td]This team should be performing at a higher level. Due to mismanagement, next season will be hard for them to compete with so many holes to fill. There are some top notch players on the roster but not enough talents to balance out their 21 man squad. Could really fall down the ranking. Future: Need to address the weakness down the middle where it was their strength.[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]11[/td][td]Senators[/td][td]B-[/td][td]B[/td][td]B-[/td][td]B[/td][td]This is a team on its way up but there's still a lot of work to be done. A young talent D corp but they might be too young to make an impact this season. Lacking some veteran presence on the blueline. The forward group is even younger so the jury is out on how well they can adapt to the big league. It will be a season of experimentation for the young Sens. Future: Need to address their short coming down the middle.[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]12[/td][td]Canadiens[/td][td]B-[/td][td]C+[/td][td]B-[/td][td]B-[/td][td]A team in transition so most of the players are young and inexperienced. Avg age of team is 24.7 which will be good for the future. Team depth looking good so overall as their GM restock the cupboards. They should be another season or two away from competing for a playoff spot. Future: Rebuilding through the draft is key for this team. Need to draft carefully and build a balanced team to compete with the likes of Isles/Leafs[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]13[/td][td]Capitals[/td][td]B[/td][td]B-[/td][td]C+[/td][td]B-[/td][td]A decent team with no real elite talent in the lineup. Defense is suspect with no shutdown D. Offense is average so they should be in for a pretty uneventful season. Future: Some good talents in the system so they should be competitive[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]14[/td][td]Devils[/td][td]C+[/td][td]C[/td][td]C[/td][td]B[/td][td]It will be a long road to recovery for this franchise. Their GM is doing it the right way by rebuilding through drafting and careful growth. Future: Turgeon and Freeman will form the foundation for the rebuild in Newark.[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]15[/td][td]Bruins[/td][td]D[/td][td]C+[/td][td]C+[/td][td]C[/td][td]This organization was very balanced in depth but years of AI management has left the cupboard pretty bare. Lots of work to be done for an in coming GM. Downward decline from here on in. Future: In need of top end talents and quality at every position[/td][/tr][/table]
. Fedorov was not the answer in net per say, unless of course you were talking about the back-up job 