Eastern Conference post-olympic needs

Sporting News, The, March 4, 2002

Atlantic Division

NEW JERSEY DEVILS: The Devils lack consistency. If new coach Kevin Constantine wants to change that, he will have to find a way to spread out the scoring. The `A' line of LW Patrik Elias, C Jason Arnott and RW Petr Sykora is the only combination getting goals on a regular basis. Constantine's biggest challenge will be finding someone who can spark C Scott Gomez--if Gomez is not dealt. If the coach doesn't find/motivate a scorer, G.M. Lou Lamoriello might trade for a winger who can score and a faceoff specialist.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS: It has been a surprising year for the Islanders, and the good run could continue--with a few deadline deals. G.M. Mike Milbury is rumored to be going after a solid defenseman (Darius Kasparaitis, Jason York and Teppo Numminen are possibilities) and a winger who could play alongside C Alexei Yashin (Tony Amonte? Bill Guerin?). Some of those moves might be pipe dreams, but you never know with Mad Mike at the helm. If a scoring winger can be found and Yashin shows up in the postseason--giving the Isles three scoring lines--this team could be dangerous in the playoffs. The midseason signing of RW Kip Miller has sparked C Dave Scatchard and LW Mats Lindgren.

NEW YORK RANGERS: The Rangers have been an enigma all season. They started strong thanks to the goaltending of Mike Richter, but the team has regressed to last year's form, when it allowed too many shots. D Igor Ulanov will be shopped around the league. If the Rangers make the playoffs, it will be because of Richter's play and the offense produced by the FLY line--LW Theo Fleury, C Eric Lindros and RW Mike York. If they miss the playoffs, don't expect coach Ron Low back next season.

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS: The Flyers were in a groove before the Olympic break. If a question exists about the team's lasting power, it is in goal. An upgrade is needed over Roman Cechmanek, and there is concern that Brian Boucher is not the answer. After a great start, Boucher hasn't been the same since injuring his hamstring. Working for the Flyers is the strong play of its American Olympians--C Jeremy Roenick and LW John LeClair--whose momentum likely will boost a playoffs roll.

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS: If the Penguins have any chance of making the playoffs, it lies solely on the shoulders (or hip) of Mario Lemieux. If he can play every game, they have an outside chance. It's hard to determine whether the Pens will buy or sell before the trade deadline because a run at the playoffs isn't out of the question. If things look good, much-needed offensive D Tom Poti might be brought in. If things don't look good, it wouldn't be a surprise to see C Robert Lang and/or D Darius Kasparaitis moved. --David Walton

Northeast Division

BOSTON BRUINS: Talk has circulated about G.M. Mike O'Connell dealing G Byron Dafoe and/or RW Bill Guerin, but the team has a lot to offer and little to gain from a trade. Aside from having a top-notch goalie in Dafoe (who could be playing better), it has a big-minutes mule on defense in Sean O'Donnell and a superstar power center in Joe Thornton. Any changes, other than a minor tweak, would jolt locker-room cohesion and derail the best B's train ride in a long, long time.

BUFFALO SABRES: G Dominik Hasek and C Michael Peca have been missed. Don't think so? Take a look at the standings. For the team to have any playoff shot, it again must buy into coach Lindy Ruff's system (or a new system), G Martin Biron must step up his play, and the front office must get something of value in a package that likely will include big-salary F Chris Gratton. In other words, look to 2002-03. D Richard Smehlik's poor play might have taken him off the trading block.

MONTREAL CANADIENS: What the team needs is an arena that isn't cursed. The Habs continue to lead the league in playergames lost but somehow they have managed to remain in the hunt for a postseason spot. C Doug Gilmour must perform like it's 1993 to get his latest (and likely last) team into the playoffs. A good return for G Jeff Hackett in a trade could buy some points. If newcomer LW Sergei Berezin rediscovers his scoring touch (he was a successful sniper in Toronto), then the Habs could sneak into a playoff spot.

OTTAWA SENATORS: The team's surprising offense and steady defense will need to continue. A big center is still a necessity, but neither the Canucks' Andrew Cassels nor the Flames' Marc Savard--the most often-mentioned possibilities--will fill that hole. The Senators apparently are willing to part with fragile LW Magnus Arvedson to get help, but there won't be much return. G Patrick Lalime has been good, but the memory of his poor performance in last season's playoffs is too fresh. His work will determine Ottawa's future.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS: Though the team is rumored to be seeking D Darius Kasparaitis, don't look for a major move. The test will be how G Curtis Joseph deals with being pushed aside at the Olympics by Team Canada coach Pat Quinn, who also happens to be the Leafs' coach. Speaking of the Games, if the club's eight Olympians don't get tired, the team could hold things together. Otherwise, it will rely heavily on LW Darcy Tucker, RW Alexander Mogilny, LW Gary Roberts, D Bryan McCabe and C Shayne Corson, which isn't that bad a thing, considering the season each is having. As always, C Mats Sundin's play is the key. His reaction to Sweden's shocking loss will be watched. --Paul Grant