Ranking The Atlantic Division Bluelines
A couple of weeks ago, I took a stab at ranking the Goalies in the as-yet-unnamed division that the Senators were going to be a part of for the next few seasons.
Now I will attempt to take a look at the blueline units from each team in the Atlantic Division and rank them from 8-1. I will look at potential pairings as they sit right now, who is young and who might be aging. So without further delay, flip the page to get the countdown started!
8. Buffalo Sabres
Apr. 11, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Christian Ehrhoff (10) and defenseman Tyler Myers (57) battle for position with Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) in front of Buffalo Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth (1) during the third period at First Niagara Center. Montreal beats Buffalo 5 to 1. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
POTENTIAL PAIRINGS:
Christian Ehrhoff – Henrik Tallinder
WILDCARDS: Rasmus Ristolainen & Nikita Zadorov
Its a very good thing the Sabres spent two first round picks addressing their shortcomings on the blue line. After Ehrhoff, there is a lot to be desired, and unless Myers returns to some semblance of the player who looked like a future Norris Trophy candidate, this could be a disaster.
7. Tampa Bay Lightning
March 9, 2013; Tampa FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (77) against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period at Tampa Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
POTENTIAL PAIRINGS
WILDCARD – Slater Koekkoek
Another unit that could struggle with some aging players, and not many players in their “prime” The Lightning still have Mattias Ohlund on the payroll for three more seasons, and he hasn’t played in 2 years due to injury. Hedman still has room for improvement, and Aulie should be better than he has been, but the emergence of Koekkoek will be a big factor for the Bolts, but it might not be this year.
6. Florida Panthers
Mar 26, 2013; Toronto, ON, Canada; Florida Panthers defenseman Brian Campbell (51) skates with the puck as Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Joffrey Lupul (19) chases him at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
POTENTIAL PAIRINGS
Brian Campbell – Ed Jovanovski
Erik Gudbranson – Dmitry Kulikov
Gudbranson and Kulikov are a future top pairing, but as of right now the undersized but skilled Campbell and the aging Jovanovski will still have to carry the load. The Panthers don’t really have a “can’t miss” prospect in the system other than Gudbranson, so the prospects for a quick improvement in this area are slim.
5. Detroit Red Wings
May 12, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall (55) moves the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period in game seven of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
POTENTIAL PAIRINGS
Niklas Kronwall – Jonathan Ericsson
WILD CARD: Xavier Ouellet
The Red Wings are still smarting from the loss of Nicklas Lidstrom, who although he looked like he could play forever, had to call it quits at some point. There is help on the horizon, with Smith and DeKeyser potentially moving up the depth chart in short order. Ouellet is a year or two away, especially since Detroit likes to be very patient with its prospects (DeKeyser aside).
4. Toronto Maple Leafs
May 8, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf (3) carries the puck against the Boston Bruins during game four of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at the Air Canada Centre. The Bruins beat the Leafs 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
POTENTIAL PAIRINGS
Jake Gardiner – Carl Gunnarsson
John-Michael Liles – Korbinian Holzer
WILD CARD : Morgan Rielly
Phaneuf isn’t the player he was two or three years ago, and although the Leafs are very solid 1 through 6, they lack that true #1 that you will see the top three teams in the ranking posess. They could be the deepest in the division, but can Franson repeat his stellar 2013, assuming they can get the RFA under contract?
3. Montreal Canadiens
May 9, 2013; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K.Subban (76) celebrates his goal against Ottawa Senators with teammate defenseman Anderi Mark Markov (79) during the first period in game five of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
POTENTIAL PAIRINGS
Raphael Diaz – Francis Bouillon
There are a lot of questions surrounding the Habs’ blue line after Subban. Size is an issue, as is the ability to stay healthy. Andrei Markov is injury prone and aging, and after playing a full season (split between KHL and NHL) healthy, can he do it again. Emelin likes to hit, and hit hard, but that style of play isn’t really conducive to a player of his stature. Tinordi can help in the size and strength if he can advance to become a full time NHLer this season.
2. Ottawa Senators
May 14, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Marc Methot (3) checks Pittsburgh Penguins center Joe Vitale (46) along the boards during the third period in game one of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
POTENTIAL PAIRINGS
Jared Cowen – Patrick Wiercioch
WILD CARD – Cody Ceci
Obviously a return to health for Karlsson is needed for the Senators to maintain this ranking, but Methot showed that his is truly a top pairing defenseman on his own, even without Karlsson. Cowen also has to show he can stay healthy, and after those three, the pairings could take any form with the other 4 blueliners. Ceci probably needs a full year in Binghamton before he will be considered to fill a full time roster spot.
1. Boston Bruins
Feb 28, 2013; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) talks with defenseman Dennis Seidenberg (44) during the first period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
POTENTIAL PAIRINGS
Zdeno Chara – Dennis Seidenberg
Dougie Hamilton – Adam McQuaid
Although Chara is getting up there and his days of Norris Trophies are probably behind him, he is still a dominant presence on the ice and will eat up minutes while the younger players get an opportunity to learn on the job. The loss of Ference cannot be understated, and the Bruins roster will have 3 very young players. It will be interesting to see if Krug can continue his playoff performance or if it was just a case of catching lighting in a bottle.