The beginning of the NHL season is nearly upon us. It seems to be one of the most intriguing seasons in recent memory. Each division has amazing storylines that promise to keep our attention all the way till early June. If you are like me, you are reading this waiting for me to touch on your corner of the NHL and we will. This is why each division is the most interesting one in the league.
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THE ATLANTIC:
This division has four of the original six franchises in the NHL. The Atlantic is the best division in hockey because it has three teams that have a legitimate shot at representing the East and maybe winning the cup – Boston, Tampa Bay, and Montreal. Add to that, the Toronto Maple Leafs are the soap opera that the GTA echo chamber cannot leave alone. Ottawa has one of the best young defencemen in the league and is led by a “bug-eyed walrus”. The Florida Panthers look to make a jump up the standings with a lot of veteran additions and some great young talent. If you want to brag on the Atlantic division, brag that the Eastern champ will come from there, just don’t argue that they would win the West.
THE METROPOLITAN:
The Metro division is the best division because no one knows how it will play out. By my count, five of the teams could win the division if the breaks go their way, the Penguins, Rangers, Flyers, Jackets and Capitals. Also, with the exception of Pittsburgh and the Rangers it wouldn’t be surprising if there was a complete turnover of what teams make the playoffs. If you want to be intrigued and see a roller coaster of a season with the standings changing day to day, the Metropolitan division is the best.
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THE CENTRAL:
If you want to see quality hockey teams from top to bottom, a division that is the juggernaut of the NHL, you think the Central is the best division. The team that won this division last year and was 5 points away from a Presidents Trophy isn’t even projected to win the division this year. Three teams; the Avalanche, Blues, and Blackhawks, broke 100 points last season and two others broke 90, the only division that did this. This is by far the deepest division in the league. Oh, I forgot one of their non-playoff teams from last season has one of the best goalies in the league. If you want to see the best hockey night in and night out, you love the Central.
THE PACIFIC:
This division is the Atlantic of the West. The top three teams in this division could all win the cup, after that it’s a bit of a drop off. The three California teams could win the cup with the Kings being the favorite but no one being surprised if the Ducks make a run. The only reason that anyone would be surprised if the Sharks win it is that they are talent rich and playoff success poor. If you want to see cup contenders beat up on their poor division mates, you like the Pacific.