An excerpt from Adam Proteau’s article in The Hockey News which ranks the NHL divisions:

5. Northeast. Forget that two of the worst off-season free agent signings (Michael Ryder in Boston and Jeff Finger in Toronto) speak to the sizeable desperation levels existing in this division. Forget that, aside from the astounding Canadiens, there are medium-to-mountain-sized holes in every other team in the Northeast.

On second thought, remember all that stuff. Also remember how transcendentally awful the Senators looked after last Christmas, how hot-and-cold the Bruins were all season long, the Sabres’ disappointing performance and the Maple Leafs’ all-around mediocrity. Yes, there’s something to believe in for each Northeastern team, but there’s also some faith-shaking factor for all five franchises as well.