Atlantic Division heavyweights poised to reshape Eastern Conference

Montreal's ascension continues. The Habs just missed winning the division last season, and they bring back essentially the entire team that went to the Eastern Conference Finals. Still looking to improve at second-line center, Montreal could be aggressive at the trade deadline. If not, highly touted center prospect Michael Hage, currently at the University of Michigan, is expected to join the fold in April. 

Buffalo may not be able to compete for the division with the losses of winger Alex Tuch (Washington) and defenseman Bowen Byram (Chicago). It's also hard to know if Buffalo's three-goalie tandem is legitimate or just a flash in the pan. Still, the Sabres have been on a hot streak between drafting and talent acquisition. Winger Zach Benson, a rising young star himself, made the point that Buffalo's ability to collect young talent is why he's confident in the team.

It's No Picnic in the Rest of the Atlantic

The Florida Panthers return isn't the only one the division should watch. The Toronto Maple Leafs have only one way out: through. The Leafs bottomed out last season with a messy goaltending room, a banged up Auston Matthews and no clear replacement for Mitch Marner. Toronto cleaned house in the front office and along the bench, but this isn't a rebuild. Toronto doesn't have either of its next two first-round draft picks, neither of which is protected. So Toronto reloaded, adding big ticket items in goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and defenseman Darren Raddysh. Those are both interesting, high-risk bets. The Leafs overhauled the entirety of their bottom six, bringing in forwards Nick Paul, Colton Sissons, Jack Roslovic, Teddy Blueger and Brandon Duhaime.

Ottawa has tough decisions ahead of it. The Senators were an analytics darling last season, but all eyes will be on whether winger William Eklund can produce. The Senators used part of the return for Tkachuk to acquire Eklund from San Jose. Like Toronto, its goaltending situation is high-upside, but full of risk.

No one expected the Bruins to make the playoffs last season, yet Boston found a way on the heels of elite goaltending, a strong power play and hot five-on-five shooting. The Bruins addition of winger JJ Peterka and defenseman Will Borgen makes it clear that Boston wants an encore.

The Dylan Larkin of It All

Detroit's placement in the division is almost entirely reliant on where Dylan Larkin lands. If Detroit's new management, once hired, convinces Larkin to return, then the Red Wings could at least plausibly push for a wild-card spot. Detroit does have shooting talent, special teams ability, high-end defensemen and goalie John Gibson coming off a strong season. Detroit also has one of the best prospect pools in the league. 

It's likely all of that comes undone if, or when, the Red Wings trade Dylan Larkin. The Wings would be wise to steer into a one-year retreat in this brutal division, but that certainly wasn't how Steve Yzerman planned to run the team before his abrupt resignation.

Montreal and Toronto open the NHL's preseason next month with dual squad games in each city.