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Scouting The Southeast Division

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 3, 2007

ATLANTA THRASHERS

2006-07: 43-28-11 (3rd in the East)

General Manager: Don Waddell (8th Season)

Coach: Bob Hartley (5th Season)

Points Leader: Marian Hossa (100)

Goals Leader: Marian Hossa (43)

Assists Leader: Marian Hossa (57)

PIM Leader: Bobby Holik (86)

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2007-08: After sprinting out to an insurmountable early lead in the division, the Thrashers made the playoffs for the first time in team history before being swept out of the first round by the Rangers. The defense of their division title will depend on the continued improvement of G Kari Lehtonen and whether the defense can become an effective complement to a relatively high-scoring offense led by Marian Hossa, Ilya Kovalchuk and Slava Kozlov.

CAROLINA HURRICANES

2006-07: 40-34-8 (11th in the East)

General Manager: Jim Rutherford (12th Season)

Coach: Peter Laviolette (4th Season)

Points Leader: Ray Whitney (83)

Goals Leader: Justin Williams (33)

Assists Leader: Rod Brind'Amour (56)

PIM Leader: Mike Commodore (113)

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2007-08: The 2005-06 Stanley Cup champions didn't make the playoffs last season, and they'll try to bounce back this year by depending on many of the same players that won the Cup two years ago. Much depends on whether G Cam Ward can find the form that made him the playoff hero two years ago. There is enough offense with Eric Staal, Erik Cole, Rod Brind'Amour and Justin Williams to counter most attacks in the division.

FLORIDA PANTHERS

2006-07: 35-31-16 (12th in the East)

General Manager: Jacques Martin (2nd Season)

Coach: Jacques Martin (3rd Season)

Points Leader: Olli Jokinen (91)

Goals Leader: Olli Jokinen (39)

Assists Leader: Olli Jokinen (52)

PIM Leader: Steve Montador (119)

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2007-08: After stumbling through the debacle of a season created by the ill-conceived Roberto Luongo trade, the Panthers may have made the best acquisition of the offseason by trading draft picks to Nashville for G Tomas Vokoun. His presence won't make up for a dearth of scoring punch beyond Olli Jokinen and Nathan Horton, but Vokoun could turn Florida into a dangerous opponent for teams in the playoff hunt down the stretch.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS

2006-07: 28-40-14 (14th in the East)

General Manager: George McPhee (10th Season)

Coach: Glen Hanlon (4th Season)

Points Leader: Alexander Ovechkin (92)

Goals Leader: Alexander Ovechkin (46)

Assists Leader: Alexander Ovechkin (46)

PIM Leader: Donald Brashear (156)

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2007-08: The additions of C Michael Nylander and rookie C Nicklas Backstrom could be the boost the Caps need to escape the doldrums. LW Alex Ovechkin and LW Alexander Semin now should get even more scoring opportunities with Nylander and Backstrom setting them up. The weakness is on defense, but if G Olaf Kolzig can make up for the team's deficiencies on the blue line, Washington could contend for a playoff berth.

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