Graphic info Slug NHLPREV01 Artist Mike Size 6 col x 15” Section xxxxxx BY RICH CHERE AND COLIN STEPHENSON/STAR-LEDGER STAFF Brendan Shanahan believes Rangers newcomer Marian Gaborik could score between 50 2009-10 and 60 goals this season if he remains healthy. Jamie Langenbrunner says the Flyers have NHL changed the landscape in the Atlantic Division by adding future Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Pronger. This year, The Star-Ledger asked Devils players how they see the Eastern PREVIEW Conference picture unfolding this season, and this is what they had to say. EASTERN CONFERENCE Which Eastern Conference teams and players will you be Maple Leafs are trying to accomplish. Brian Burke is not afraid to change watching this season? 2008-09 STANDINGS that team. Before, they played a little bit of a softer game and you could take advantage of that. It’s not going to be like that anymore.” Jamie Langenbrunner: Team W L OT PTS “The Penguins are New Jersey Devils 51 27 4 106 Zach Parise: “The Islanders are going to be better this year. Everybody is pretty anxious to see how (first overall pick) John Tavares (58g-46a-104p, such a good team Pittsburgh Penguins 45 28 9 99 OHL) does there. It’s definitely not a guaranteed two points against them. and they’re in our ATLANTIC Philadelphia Flyers 44 27 11 99 division. Are they It seems like every year since I’ve been here the Rangers have been a New York Rangers 43 30 9 95 capable of repeat- DIVISION completely different team. They have a couple of young defensemen and ing? I’d definitely New York Islanders 26 47 9 61 added (defenseman) Matt Gilroy (8g-29a-37p, BU).” not put it past them, when you have two Boston Bruins 53 19 10 116 Who are the most interesting players in the conference? of the most talented Montreal Canadiens 41 30 11 93 players in the game Brendan Shanahan: “Marian Gaborik (13g-10a-23p). If Gaborik’s healthy, NORTHEAST Buffalo Sabres 41 32 9 91 — Sidney Crosby he’ll score between 50 and 60 goals. The goalies. Tim Thomas (36w- (33g-73a-103p) and DIVISION Ottawa Senators 36 35 11 83 11l-2.10gaa) in Boston has a lot to prove. Marc-Andre Fleury has a lot to Evgeni Malkin (35g- Toronto Maple Leafs 34 35 13 81 prove. (The Devils’) Marty Brodeur (19w-9l-2.41gaa) always finds motiva- tion. It’s an Olympic year, which also means something to (the Rangers’) 78a-113p) — on Sidney separate lines and a Henrik Lundqvist (38w-25l-2.43gaa).” Crosby Washington Capitals 50 24 8 108 goalie (Marc-Andre Carolina Hurricanes 45 30 7 97 Martin Brodeur: “Gaborik’s going to have the ice Fleury (35w-18l- time to be an impact player on that team (the SOUTHEAST Florida Panthers 41 30 11 93 2.65gaa)) that has Rangers). They’re going to give him all the turned into a pretty DIVISION Atlanta Thrashers 35 41 6 76 chances he needs to be a top guy. He’s a guy that big-time goalie. How Tampa Bay Lightning 24 40 18 66 they’ve been missing since Jaromir Jagr as far as will the Flyers fit that spark offensively and scoring. And Zdeno all those guys in? Chara. For me, you can score as many goals as Obviously, with Chris in, makes a lot of changes ... It’ll be interesting to see, because he’s you want, but if you can’t keep it out of your net, Pronger (11g-37a- outspoken in a tough media spot.” you ain’t winning.” 48p) there, it makes them a little different David Clarkson: “Alex Ovechkin (56g-54a-110p) team. On paper, they Which teams are rarely mentioned as potential Stanley is one of my favorite guys to play against and are better. But you Cup champions but could demand to be noticed? watch. The Caps are still a team that will be up at the top. Their leaders there never know.” Alex Brendan Shanahan: “The Senators and Sabres are two teams that are guys who show by example, Brian Rolston: “Ray Emery (22w-8l-2.12gaa, KHL) is a good goalie from were better than they finished last year, due to distractions or injuries. Ovechkin being one of Ovechkin what I know. I don’t know if he was a gamble for the Flyers. Obviously Buffalo would have made the playoffs if their goalie (Ryan Miller (34w- them. You see that kid that team has to stay healthy and there are a lot of variables, but that’s 18l-2.53gaa)) was healthy. Ottawa had a new coach (Cory Clouston) and every game, every shift.” going to be a good hockey team. Claude Julien does a pretty nice job of there were obviously leaders in the room who weren’t behind him. The coaching the Bruins. They have great goaltending and a good, strong fact that they’ve had a very public fight and the coach came out standing defense with Zdeno Chara (19g-31a-50p).” on his feet, and they got some good players for Dany Heatley (39g- Who are the young players in the East you will 33a-72p), that could band a team together. Boston is still a good team be watching this season? Zach Parise: “Montreal is hoping and praying that Gio (former Devils without Phil Kessel (36g-24a-60p).” winger Brian Gionta (20g-40a-60p) and Gomer (Scott Gomez (16g-42a- Jamie Langenbrunner: “The kid (Steven Stamkos (23g-23a-46p)) in 58p)) find that chemistry that they had here.” Johnny Oduya: “The Hurricanes are always sneaky. They’re a fast team, Tampa got better as the year went on. His improvements can obviously but I would pick them more of a playoff team. During the regular season make the Lightning better.” Martin Brodeur: “Montreal is always an interesting case because of all maybe they struggle.” the moves they made. It’s pretty rare you go and put a bomb in the David Clarkson: “Tavares. You want to see where he fits and what he locker room, explode it and say, ‘Okay, let’s get 12 new guys in.’ That’s Jamie Langenbrunner: “You kind of look at the Florida Panthers as a does. I like that Kyle Okposo (18g-21a-39p) kid. He finished pretty well what GM Bob Gainey did. The most interesting coach, and he’s an Ameri- team right on that brink of being good. At the USA camp I saw David at the end of the year for the Islanders. That young kid in Tampa Bay, can in a Canadian city, is Ron Wilson in Toronto. GM Brian Burke comes Booth (31g-29a-60p) play and he’s a good player. You can see what the Stamkos, really turned it on at the end.” WESTERN CONFERENCE CENTRAL DIVISION NORTHWEST DIVISION PACIFIC DIVISION STORY LINES STORY LINES STORY LINES Detroit has played in the Stanley Cup Finals each of the past two sea- Roberto Luongo (33w-13l-2.34gaa) gave up seven goals in his last playoff Everyone keeps waiting for the San Jose Sharks to win a Stanley Cup, sons, but lost last spring to the Penguins. Are the Red Wings slipping, game for Vancouver last spring as the Canucks were eliminated by the but they keep getting eliminated early from the playoffs. Now that they finally? Are they getting upstart Blackhawks in have Dany Heatley, could old? Chicago was the the Western Conference this finally be the year? 2008-09 STANDINGS feel-good story of the 2008-09 STANDINGS semifinal, but the 30-year- 2008-09 STANDINGS In Anaheim, salary cap is- Team W L OT PTS season last year, but the Team W L OT PTS old signed a 12-year, $64 Team W L OT PTS sues prompted the Ducks Blackhawks had a rough million extension in the to trade D Chris Pronger Detroit Red Wings 51 21 10 112 Vancouver Canucks 45 27 10 100 San Jose Sharks 53 18 11 117 summer. They signed summer. Vancouver also (11g-37a-48p) to Phila- Chicago Blackhawks 46 24 12 104 free agent Marian Hossa Calgary Flames 46 30 6 98 re-signed the Sedin twins, Anaheim Ducks 42 33 7 91 delphia, and make other St. Louis Blues 41 31 10 92 (40g-31a-71p) to a 12- Minnesota Wild 40 33 9 89 Daniel (31g-51a-82p) and Dallas Stars 36 35 11 83 hard decisions, including Columbus Blue Jackets 41 31 10 92 year, $62.8 million deal, Edmonton Oilers 38 35 9 85 Henrik (22g-60a-82p), and Phoenix Coyotes 36 39 7 79 letting Rob Niedermayer Nashville Predators 40 34 8 88 and then it came out he Colorado Avalanche 32 45 5 69 added Ds Brad Lukowich Los Angeles Kings 34 37 11 79 (14g-7a-21p) walk as a was having rotator cuff (0g-8a-8p) and Mathieu free agent to the Devils. surgery and will be out Schneider (9g-23a-32p). Can the Ducks, two years until December. Patrick Kane (25g-45a-70p) got arrested for beating up a Calgary brought in coach Brent Sutter and added D Jay Bouwmeester removed from their Stanley Cup title, remain a top team in the West? cab driver in Buffalo, and Nikolai Khabibulin (25w-8l-2.33gaa) left, leaving (15g-27a-42p), which helps an already strong defense. Cristobal Huet (20w-15l-2.53gaa) as Chicago’s No. 1 goalie. PLAYERS TO WATCH PLAYERS TO WATCH The line of Heatley, Joe Thornton (25g-61a-86p) and Devin Setoguchi PLAYERS TO WATCH Bouwmeester was the must-have trade chip last spring, but Florida held (31g-34a-65p) could score an awful lot of points for the Sharks.