There has been a sea of change in the always competitive Atlantic Division.
Toronto basically hired I-Got-Junk this summer to alter the look and feel of a franchise that floundered in a large way in 2026-27. Meantime, all of Florida, Buffalo, Tampa and Ottawa stepped into the fray in a significant way as well.
With new faces in new places, let’s have a look at who needs to ‘step up’ and ‘feel the heat’ for each of the member clubs. (We’ll go alphabetically here.)
BOSTON BRUINS
Who needs to step up?
The B’s were relatively quiet compared to the rest of the circuit but did land JJ Peterka, a highly talented forward with upside, from Utah.
The 24-year-old will undoubtedly feel some heat, especially if he lines up with all-star David Pastrnak (which is likely the game plan).
Potential is a word strongly associated with Peterka. Let’s see how he fares with that kind of heat.
BUFFALO SABRES
Who needs to step up?
In a perfect Buffalonian world, the club would find some way to bring aboard Connor Hellebuyck from the Jets . . . clearly, he would be the guy carrying the most heat.
But for now, we have a variety of candidates.
No. 1 just might be blueliner Olen Zellweger who arrives courtesy of the Anaheim Ducks. Zellweger has plenty of game; he’s slick and quick. He also replaces the departed Bowen Byram who gets a fresh start with the Blackhawks.
Youngster Zach Benson is another candidate. He’s a pain to play against and boasts goal-getting skill.
DETROIT RED WINGS
Who needs to step up?
Likely someone in management who knows how to build a hockey team.
Detroit is a true mess. Captain Dylan Larkin wants out and even with that, the organization made zero significant off-season moves (so far) to improve.
After a decade of playoff no-shows, we don’t see that improving.
FLORIDA PANTHERS
Who needs to step up?
If any team needs to hire a ‘discipline coach’ it’d be these guys. Cause if the Cats don’t lead the league in penalty minutes, it’d be a jaw-dropper.
Matthew Tkachuk, Brady, Radko Gudas, Sam Bennett, Jonah Gadjovich, Garnet Hathaway and uber-pest Brad Marchand lead the charge.
But the guy we’ll be eyeing as a difference-maker is Brady. The Panthers paid a big price to get the NHL’s preeminent power forward.
He’ll need to deliver . . . and not just in penalty minutes.
MONTREAL CANADIENS
Who needs to step up?
Miniscule changes to the off-season roster means the Habs like what they already have.
And why not? This is a team poised to win the division.
It’s a tough challenge to select one player among the group to ‘step up.’ But will stick with netminder Jakub Dobes. Can he duplicate his playoff excellence?
OTTAWA SENATORS
Who needs to step up?
Tough one to call but with Brady on the outs, the team needs both Jake Sanderson and Tim Stutzle to carry the load.
There’s no doubt they are both capable. Both skaters continue to grow.
Also?
Like Dobes in Habs-land, can Linus Ullmark duplicate his own playoff excellence?
Coach Travis Green’s tight defensive system will certainly help out.
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Who needs to step up?
It’s pretty much status quo down in south Florida.
The Bolts lost both 70-point defenceman Darren Raddysh and rugged bottom-sixer Nick Paul to the Maple Leafs but hauled in reliable (if elderly) John Carlson from Anaheim.
Still, the meat is still on the bone in Tampa when guys like Andrei Vasilevskiy, Nikita Kucherov, Brandon Hagel, Jake Guentzel, Brayden Point and Victor Hedman dot the roster.
If it’s the regular cast that steps up, Tampa – as is their history – will be alright.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Who needs to step?
Well folks, somebody already has . . . and the guy doesn’t generally wear a pair of skates. That’d be new GM John Chayka who’s gone at the roster like the shark in Jaws.
Changes?
You bet.
In are: rookie Gavin McKenna, W; Sergei Bobrovsky, G; Darren Raddysh, D; Nick Paul, W; Emil Andrae, D; Jack Roslovic, W; Colton Sissons, C; Teddy Blueger, C; Brandon Duhaime, W.
On the way out are: Joseph Woll, G; Brandon Carlo, D; Nick Robertson, W; Simon Benoit, D; Mattias Maccelli, W; Dennis Hildeby, G.
The huge overhaul is something else.
But this is still Auston Matthews’ team and as he will go, so go the Buds.
thegrossgame@yahoo.com
Photos: Jake Sanderson courtesy Sportsnet; Tim Stutzle, courtesy sport.de
