2006 NHL Northeast Division Predictions

2006 Northeast Division Preview from Maddux Sports. With the NHL Hockey Season now is the time to get aquatinted with the 2006 teams and players. Remember if you are NHL hockey betting look no further, as we offer hockey picks and can help you turn a profit betting on the NHL this season.

2006 North East Division Preview

This is certainly a conference in flux, with the speedy Buffalo Sabres looking like the team to beat and the Ottawa Senators, although still a powerhouse, a bit weaker due to the loss of defensemen Zendo Chara and Brian Pothier. Still both teams will be tough to keep out of the playoffs.

That leaves three teams—the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs—battling for the three, four and five positions. Of the three, Boston appears to be the most improved, with upgrades in both defense and offense. But goaltending, in a league that has so many fine young net minders, is an unknown for this team.

Montreal has enhanced its first line but still lacks depth. There’s quite a bit of promise in goal, but like the Bruins, the players are unproven over the course of time. The Maple Leafs also have questionable goaltending, having traded for former Bruin keeper Andrew Raycroft. The Leafs are a team in the midst of a new youth movement and are bound to feel a lot of growing pains in 2006-07.

The Sabres possess the best-balanced club in the division. In goal, the young Ryan Miller may be one of the finest in the NHL. Ottawa, with former Hurricane Martin Gerber tending goal, believes it’s well positioned to stop opponents.

Although both Buffalo and Ottawa possess the talent to dominate the division look for tough competition from the other three teams.

2006 Northeast Division Projected Order of Finish

Click on the team names for the individual break downs for each hockey team.

1) Buffalo Sabres
2) Ottawa Senators
3) Boston Bruins
4) Montreal Canadiens
5) Toronto Maple Leafs