Adams Division Preview

Doug MacLean here for the New England Sports Network, and your hometown Boston Bruins. As the pre-eminent hockey prognosticator in the PHL, I will lay in on how things WILL unfold in the always TOUGH Adams division.

This years Adams division is not the division it was in the past. Last year this division could definitely claim the title as TOUGHEST to play in, in the entire PHL. Several teams have downgraded at key positions, and this years Playoff picture on paper at least is clear.

Let’s get’er goin’…..

PHL 8 STANDINGS
GP W L T GF GA PTS PCT
NORDIQUES 80 48 27 5 319 257 101 .631
WHALERS 80 45 26 9 326 264 99 .619
BRUINS 80 41 29 10 302 282 92 .575
CANADIENS 80 43 32 5 293 281 91 .569
SABRES 80 29 42 9 271 305 67 .419



Les Nordiques de Quebec

New ownership, new GM taking over a team that MANY felt over achieved last year. Can this leadership produce a 100+ points this year??? This EXPERT is not convinced. There are some glaring holes on this team.

Key Players

C Torrey Mitchell
LW Vadim Karaga
RW Russ Courtnall
D Carlo Colaiacovo
G Ryan Mior
G Alexie Volkov

Line one is solid, secondary scoring is a MAJOR issue!!! If this line does not produce some major points, this team could battle for a playoff spot. The backend is solid. A top four of Carlo, Belle, Coburn, and Kuba can hold them in, but the Nords will be counting on some offensive production from this group as well. The goaltending is solid. Mior and Volkov both player OK last year, and will be battling for starts this year.

All in all I see this Nords team as an annomoly. They produced on one line last year, and ended up taking the division. I think they fall from grace this year…..

PHL8 – 1st in the Adams – 101 Points
PHL9 – 579 in the Adams – 76 Points


Hartford Whalers

Another new ownership group in the Adams. The Paul Gagne group is FULL of piss n’ vinegar, and believes that have a team that can contend this year. I personally think they are HUFFIN’ Gas……

Key Players

C Blair Jones
LW Patrick Maroon
RW Marek SVatos
D Green
D Lavin
D Wennerlof

Up front this Whalers team made some ”INTERESTING” moves in the FA draft….Nedorsot is rumored to be retiring before year end….that means Blair Jones is their ONLY Pro caliber center. Maroon was a nice surprise in the offseason, and combined with Svatos they should produce for this team. The Backend is very strong, Green, Lavin, and Wennerlof are all LEGIT number 1 dmen in the PHL, the Whalers need forward type offensive numbers from these three. Ryan Miller is solid, and will be in net for his usual 50-70 games.

I see the Whale winning some 1 goal games, scoring will be a problem….which does not help at rerate time. Gagne and the rest of his troupe think this team is a first place team….I am thinking battle for the playoffs….

PHL8 – 2nd in the Adams – 99 Points
PHL9 – 4th in the Adams – 79 Points


Boston Bruins

George MacIntyre took this team over midway through last year. The team was in a battle for 1st in the Adams, but had VERY little in the system. After some major deals the Bruins dealt stars for projects and prospects. Fortunately these projects for the most part have worked out. On Paper this Bruins team is MUCH better than last years….ON PAPER!!!!

Key Players

C Eric Staal
LW Matt Martin
LW Ryan Bayda
RW Shane Doan
D Derrick Morris
G Matthew Spezza

The top six on this Bruins teams is FAR & AWAY the crème de la crème of the Adams. Scoring should not be a problem. Eric Staal is a bonafide number one, and with the wingers on this team he and Reinprecht should both have BIG years once again. Look for youngster Matt Martin to fill the net this year, he was the key to the Jeff Taffe deal in the offseason. The defense was a MAJOR question mark heading into FA, then Macintyre pulled a horse shoe out of his ass, and signed Morris, and traded for Seabrook, the D is solid. Matt Spezza, is the undisputed number ONE. He has looked TERRIBLE this pre-season.

This is the Bruins division to lose. On paper their depth should win them this division. MacIntyre has a short leash on Mike Sullivan, anything less than 100 points and he will be GONE!!!!

PHL8 – 3rd in Adams – 92 Points
PHL9 – 1st in Adams – 109 Points


Les Habitants de Montreal

The Habs….ugh. Playoff winners of the Adams, and ARCH nemesis of the Bruins. This team simply wore the Bruins down in the Adams division finals last year…..

The offseason rerates were NOT kind. The big three at Center is now the big two, as Breault looks like he has spent too much time at Supersex this offseason.

Key Players

C Sidney Crosby
RW Patrick Eaves
RW Jimmy Hayes
D Zdeno Chara
D Zarley Zalapski
G Dan Ellis

Sidney is NOW the man. 58 Points last year was a HUGE disappointment, and he needs to produce like a number one center for this team to have a chance. The rerate bug seems to have hit their D as well. The Z’s are solid, but the once vaunting defense is not the same. A lack of number one LW means Sid will have to rely on Eaves or Hayes to help him lead.

This reporter thinks the Habs battle the Whales for third or fourth. Habs have more offence, and to me Sid the Kid gets them in to the race for the cup.

PHL8 – 4th in Adams – 91 Points
PHL9 – 3rd in Adams – 85 Points


The Barfalo Sabres

Edwin “EDDIE MAC” Macdougall has SANBAGGED his way through the last couple season, building constantly and earning the nickname “SIR TRADES A LOT.” Though lil Brent Goertz is a close second!!!!

This sabers team is NO longer the door mat of the Adams. The team has depth now, and though their first line may not match up with others in the division, their 2nd, and 3rd most definitely does!!!

Key Players

C Ryan Getzlaf
LW Andy MacDonald
RW Mike Gartner
RW Ales Hemsky
D Rob Blake
D Ed Jovanovski

Lake & Jovo are studs. They both will play big minutes, and combined with Getz, Andy Mac, and Hemsky make a very formidable 1st line. Samuelson is a solid number 2, and will need to produce to get this team over the hump. If everything works out the way it looks on paper this Sabres team could be number 2 in the Adams….

PHL8 – 5th in the Adams – 76 Points
PHL9 – 2nd in the Adams – 92 Points

There you have it folks….now get on www.westjet.ca, and book your flight to Vegas…Lay in on the LINE, cause DOUGIE MAC SAID SO!!!!

For NESN, this is Doug MacLean from the Beatiful shores of PEI!!!!