from Craig Custance of The Athletic,
Today, we look at the Atlantic. First, a quick refresher. The five categories that gave the Capitals a championship advantage — and the original story provides additional explanation on the categories — look like this:
1. Great centers
2. A game breaker
3. Offensive defensemen
4. A core hardened by the playoffs
5. SizeSo how does the Atlantic division compare to the Capitals in these categories?
A game breaker – The Red Wings lost a ton of one-goal games last season in large part because they didn’t have that elite player to pull them ahead in crucial moments. They hope they’ve got one in Filip Zadina, but we don’t even know if he’s going to make the team out of camp. It’s a little early to give him game-breaker status here.
Offensive defensemen – Detroit brought back Mike Green in large part because he was one of the few Detroit defensemen to provide offense last season from the blueline. Filip Hronek may get there one day and will get a look in camp, but he’s not there yet. Trevor Daley can skate and transport the puck but doesn’t provide a ton of offense. This is a real area of need at the NHL level for Detroit.
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