Division Breakdown: Atlantic

With the NHL season exactly 22 hours away, I figured I would do like any mediocre journalist would do and write my pre-season predictions for this NHL season.

First stop, the Atlantic division.

1st Place: New York Rangers
With the amazing acquisitions of Gomez and Drury in the offseason, the Rangers will be the force in deep east to be reckoned with. Early reports said that Gomez's speed and explosiveness would compliment Jagr's play style, but recently Head Coach Renney paired Jagr with the more methodical play of Drury. Keep a close eye on who gets paired with who during the regular season because that, coupled with how good King Henrik is in net, will determine if the Rangers can pull through the Atlantic this year.

2nd Place: Pittsburgh Penguins
Syd the Kid is coming off 120 point season and with the addition of Petr Sykora flanking Sydney's right side now, these Pens will be a fun team to watch and are probably the most dangerous team on the power play. I don't know if Fleury is a good enough goaltender to put the Pens in first in the Atlantic, but if he does step it up (we've seen him do it before), watch out... this team may just go beyond the Eastern Conference Finals.

3rd Place: Philadelphia Flyers
After the Flyers appalling season (22-48-12) last year, there was only 1 way to go, Up. The city of brotherly love shelled out some cash-money-hoes in the off-season to sign Briere to an 8 year, $52million dollar contract. He will play on the line, dubbed "KGB", with Gagne and Knubble. They also added veteran defenseman Timonen from Nashville and right winger Lupul from Edmonton. I still think it won't be until next season that this team meshes together. Also, goaltending is in question. Can Martin Biron be the go to guy all season?

4th Place: New Jersey Devils
The only reason I put them ahead of New York Islanders is because the Devils have been known for a very structural (and boring) game. And of course you add in the Marty Brodeur factor and you can't be THAT bad.

5th Place: New York Islanders
No scorers, crappy defense, need I say more? Goal tending will be put to the test, but this is defiantly a rebuilding year for the Islanders, who are not going to get ANY help from their fans either after Rangers just picked up Gomez and Drury. They offered Ryan Smyth a bigger contract than Colorado did and he still with the Avs.