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Bolts Southeast Division Rivals

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 7, 2008

A team-by-team analysis of the Lightning's rivals in the Southeast Division this season:

Atlanta Thrashers

Coach: John Anderson

2007-08 record: 34-40-8 (76 points)

Who's new: D Mathieu Schneider, D Ron Hainsey, C Jason Williams

Who's out: RW Mark Recchi, C Bobby Holik, D Ken Klee

Outlook: Since winning the division in 2006-07, the Thrashers have fallen back to the bottom of the league standings, which led to last season's trade of Marian Hossa. Outside of Ilya Kovalchuk, there's not much of an offensive threat and the book is still out on G Kari Lehtonen. Schneider will help on defense, but expect him to be moved before the trade deadline.

Carolina Hurricanes

Coach: Peter Laviolette

2007-08 record: 43-33-6 (92 points)

Who's new: D Joni Pitkanen

Who's out: RW Erik Cole, C Justin Williams

Outlook: Injuries took their toll last year and it has continued before this season starts with Scott Walker (hand surgery) out six weeks and Jason Williams expected to miss most of the season following knee surgery. Captain Rod Brind'Amour, who underwent reconstructive knee surgery last season, needed minor work on the same knee before camp opened and is questionable to start the year.

Florida Panthers

Coach: Peter DeBoer

2007-08 record: 38-35-9 (85 points)

Who's new: D Bryan McCabe, D Keith Ballard, LW Cory Stillman, D Nick Boynton

Who's out: C Olli Jokinen

Outlook: The Panthers might be ready to make the jump into a legitimate playoff contender if they can find some consistent offense. The defense is as solid a group as there is in the league and G Tomas Vokoun is top-10 caliber. But with Jokinen shipped to Phoenix, new coach DeBoer - in his first year - will be counting on the likes of Nathan Horton and Stephen Weiss to pick up the points Jokinen takes with him to the desert.

Washington Capitals

Coach: Bruce Boudreau

2007-08 record: 43-31-8 (94 points)

Who's new: G Jose Theodore

Who's out: G Cristobal Huet, G Olie Kolzig

Outlook: The preseason favorite to become the first repeat division winner since the Capitals in 1999-2000 and 2000-01, and based on last year's finish you'll get few arguments. Alex Ovechkin is coming off a 60-goal season that won him the Hart Trophy as league MVP while D Mike Green is coming off a breakout year with 18 goals. The big question mark is going to be the play of Theodore in goal.

SOUTHEAST DIVISION RIVALS

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