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Toronto Maple Leafs: Way Too Early Atlantic Division Predictions

By Mitchell Hartman

Sep 25, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman T.J. Brodie (78) battles with Montreal Canadiens forward Mathieu Perreault (85) in front of Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ian Scott (70) during the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman T.J. Brodie (78) battles with Montreal Canadiens forward Mathieu Perreault (85) in front of Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ian Scott (70) during the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Josh Anderson Montreal Canadiens Toronto maple Leafs
MONTREAL, CANADA – MARCH 13: Josh Anderson #17 of the Montreal Canadiens   (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

8th Place-Montreal Canadiens

The Habs are unfortunately going to be stuck at the bottom of the Atlantic for the 3rd-straight season, but maybe it’s for the best.

Montreal is very clearly the weakest team in this division. It’s obvious they are in a rebuild and have a lot to work on before their team is a contender, but they are on the right path. Cole Caufield looks like he’ll be a perennial Rocket Richard contender, and Lane Hutson will likely become one of the best offensive d-men in the entire NHL.

The Habs are doing a lot of things right in their rebuild, but as of now they are far and away the weakest team in the division.

7th Place-Detroit Red Wings

For the second year in a row, I have the Detroit Red Wings finishing seventh in the Atlantic. Even with the recent acquisition of Alex DeBrincat, I don’t believe the Red Wings will make the playoffs.

Detroit is in a very weird spot, they aren’t good enough to make the playoffs but aren’t bad enough to get a top-5 draft pick. They picked up some decent veteran players in free agency this year, but it likely won’t be enough.

One main problem with Detroit’s rebuild has been their lack of a true franchise player leading the way. Moritz Seider is a good start, and he’ll likely blossom into a top-pair d-man if he hasn’t already. But with all due respect to Dylan Larkin, the Red Wings don’t have a franchise forward leading their team.

They need a Jack Hughes, Nathan Mackinnon, or even a Jack Eichel-type of player, which they haven’t yet found.

At this point, Detroit looks like a team full of decent hockey players thrown together. Maybe they’ll prove us all wrong next year, but as of now, I have them finishing in 7th.

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