2025-2026 Previews – Atlantic Division

Hi there once more, Razzball devoted!

I’m very excited to be again on the hockey facet of issues for the 2025 season! When Viz despatched out the ‘puck-beacon’ into the evening sky, asking if anybody was down to assist write some phrases about our beloved frozen fandom, I obtained that Flame within the stomach once more. 

After I spotted it was not indigestion, or Jarome Iginla, all it took was a fast message from Gray asking if I’d be involved in leaping again in on the word-Zamboni, and I used to be in.

A few of you may bear in mind me from just a few years in the past once I wrote up some DFS for Viz right here. Since then, I’ve been hammering out phrases on the baseball facet most just lately as our Prime 100 Beginning Pitchers author for the final two years. You may test that stuff out right here if in case you have a number of time in your palms and/or have learn by the divisional preview 25 occasions already.

As for me, I instructed Viz that I’d be glad to preview the divisions and produce you names and a few notes that can assist you get your squad as much as snuff for the 2025-2026 season. After that, I’ll be coming again every Wednesday to do the Tuesday evening recaps. 

The plan is to hit the Japanese Convention for the primary two weeks, then end us off within the West proper round Halloween. 

My favourite division to observe is the Atlantic, so I figured that was a pure place to begin this week.

To provide you a heads up – I’ll give the ultimate standing of every staff’s end from final 12 months, the outdated/new faces on every staff’s roster, in addition to what MY strains would seem like if I have been answerable for the locker room whiteboard. Lastly, I’ll do a write-up on a participant to observe, a participant to fade, and a youthful title that ought to be poised for higher issues this 12 months, or worthy of a stash in these dynasty leagues with a bunch of minor league reserve slots.

So with out additional ado, I provide you with…

Boston Bruins – 33-39-10. 76 PTS – eighth within the division.

Oh boy. The one place the once-mighty Bruins are in first place today is once we checklist the groups in alphabetical order. After one hell of a run over the previous couple of a long time, B’s followers slowly died inside because the membership acknowledged they weren’t going to make a lot noise with Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm each on the IR for intensive durations of time. As a substitute of loading up on the commerce deadline, the Bs lower bait on anybody that was nonetheless on the hook and began the inevitable retool.

IN: Tanner Jeannot, Sean Kuraly, Michael Eyssimont

OUT: Brandon Bussi, Cole Koepke, Vinni Lettieri, Tyler Pitlick, Parker Wotherspoon, Jakub Lauko, Ian Mitchell.

DEPTH CHART

Different notable names on the depth chart: John Beecher, Marat Khusnutdinov, Georgii Merkulov, Michael Callahan, and Michael DiPietro

Marmo Magic – One title to anticipate good issues from this 12 months

Fraser Minten – The Brandon Carlo deadline commerce netted the Bruins a reliable younger middle. Followers knew that the times of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci solidifying the center have been numbered, however that didn’t make it any simpler to see names like Morgan Geekie and Charlie Coyle pencilled in as their #1 middle choices final 12 months. Minten may simply as simply have been our Rookie decide right here, however I needed to save lots of that spot for one more. The Bruins ought to give the 21-year-old Minten each probability to win the third line middle spot, particularly now that they’re absolutely transitioned away from constructing a perennial juggernaut roster with Prime 9 guys who would slot a lot larger on different groups’ depth charts. Control this child.

Marmo Meh – A participant I’d keep away from drafting or including to my roster (for now)

Matthew Poitras – It’s a little bit of a theme right here, as every of our write-ups is a baby-faced child with a bunch of potential. I’m not saying we should always utterly abandon hope on a 21-year-old prospect with oodles of potential. I’m simply saying that Poitras must work on his recreation on the minor league stage and placed on some extra beef if he’s going to make his mark within the huge leagues this 12 months. Boston’s lack of choices down the center final 12 months was a giant motive why this child obtained pushed right into a Prime 6 position, and he seemed like a boy overmatched towards males in his first stint within the NHL. Hopefully, the Bruins’ restocking of facilities means Poitras can proceed to develop in Windfall for some time. Don’t anticipate an enormous level explosion right here for at the very least one other 12 months. 

Marmo Marvel – A Rookie/Teen who has the potential to impress. You need to add these guys to your Dynasty rosters proper now

Fabian Lysell – After transport out any and (virtually) all of their prospects of any price during the last 15 years prematurely of their annual playoff run, the Bruins shifted gears final season for the primary time for the reason that days of Joe Thornton and Sergei Samsonov. B’s administration made positive to take Fabian Lysell’s title out of any commerce deadline discussions when rival GMs got here calling during the last three years. If he takes camp by storm, I may see them operating the shifty winger out on the third line for Recreation 1. Prospects must step up sooner or later, and the 22-year-old Swede could possibly be a vivid mild in what may be one other cloudy season in Beantown.

Buffalo Sabres – 36-39-7. 79 PTS – seventh within the division.

Ah, the Sabres. With all due respect to the Goo Goo Dolls, “Buffalo’s best” was as soon as once more a puzzling group final 12 months. Every season, this roster appears considerably higher on paper, however then actuality units in, and the Sabres wrestle to make the playoffs. It’ll be robust to select them as a playoff staff this 12 months, however I’ll fall for it once more and say “I just like the look of the lineup” for 2025-2026. They received’t be pretty much as good because the Payments, however they will’t be as dangerous as they have been final 12 months…proper?

IN: Alex Lyon, Alexandar Georgiev, Josh Doan, Michael Kesselring, Conor Timmins

OUT: Sam Lafferty, Connor Clifton, James Reimer

DEPTH CHART

Different notable names on the depth chart: Jordan Greenway, Zach Jones, Devon Levi, Alexandar Georgiev, Konsta Helenius

Marmo Magic – One title to anticipate good issues from this 12 months

Tage Thompson – I almost went with Owen Energy right here, who’s due for a pleasant increase in his 4th full season. However finally, the one who swings the heaviest sabre in Western New York is Tage Thompson. A 44-goal season is nothing to show up your nostril at, however Tage hasn’t hit that ‘famous person’ gear simply but. 72 factors in 76 video games (final 12 months) is a superb return on funding in your fantasy league, and in his age-27 season, the large ahead is poised to leap to the subsequent stage because the Sabres’ go-to level getter. The one knock on him is that he received’t provide you with many PIMs or Hits in these leagues with further classes outdoors of your primary scoring ones, however he’ll make up for it with twin eligibility (RW/C).

Marmo Meh – A participant I’d keep away from drafting or including to my roster (for now)

Bowen Byram – Oodles of potential is nice if you happen to’re a 21-year-old defenseman who’s on the cusp of hitting that subsequent gear. Byram continues to be younger (24), however the historical past of accidents and concussions makes me a bit leery of including him as early as he’ll probably be drafted in our leagues. The 5-year veteran isn’t a nasty decide, however you received’t discover worth right here with him combating Owen Energy and Rasmus Dahlin for PP time.

Marmo Marvel – A Rookie/Teen who has the potential to impress. Add these guys to your Dynasty rosters proper now

Devon Levi – A buddy advisable I’m going with Helenius, but in addition mentioned that he doubts the child breaks camp. So, I went with the netminder right here. Devon Levi may be buried behind three different goalies proper now (Luukkonen, Georgiev, and Lyon), however there’s no query he’s the one to focus on in dynasty leagues if you wish to lock within the subsequent huge Sabres backstop. 

If goalies aren’t your factor, I’d take a look at Shane Doan Jr. (Josh Doan), too. If that child is half pretty much as good as his dad was, he’ll grow to be a fan favourite fairly shortly.

Detroit Pink Wings – 39-35-8. 86 PTS – sixth within the division.

Lengthy gone are the outdated Pink Wings that was an auto-qualifier for the playoffs. Final 12 months was their ninth consecutive 12 months of lacking out on the large dance. They’ll be hungry to get again there and snap the streak this 12 months.

IN: Ian Mitchell, James van Riemsdyk, Travis Hamonic

OUT: Jack Campbell, Alex Lyon, Jeff Petry, Craig Smith

DEPTH CHART

Different notable names on the depth chart: Justin Holl, Nate Danielson, Carter Mazur, Ian Mitchell

Marmo Magic – One title to anticipate good issues from this 12 months

Moritz Seider – He recorded his 4th straight 82-game season, so you’re going to get a dependable blueliner with this decide. His +/- isn’t even all that dangerous on a staff that missed the playoffs but once more. 12 months 5 may see a giant bounce ahead for the 24-year-old as he ought to get the lion’s share on the again finish of PP1 with Alex Debrincat or Lucas Raymond.

Marmo Meh – A participant I’d keep away from drafting or including to my roster (for now)

James van Riemsdyk – We may have picked Patrick Kane right here as an alternative, however I’m extra comfy betting that Kaner out-earns van Riemsdyk so far as factors, taking part in time, and avoiding 6-8 again ache capsules after every recreation are involved. 

Marmo Marvel – A Rookie/Teen who has the potential to impress. Add these guys to your Dynasty rosters proper now

Marco Kasper – A 2nd line middle who’s slotted in on PP2 is an effective sufficient wager to roll the cube on within the later levels of your draft. The truth that he completed tenth in Calder voting final 12 months (albeit with simply 7 votes) ought to imply that dynasty leaguers have already got him on their radar. The shortage of a big-name middle to problem him for the 2C spot is one other bonus.

Florida Panthers – 47-31-4. 98 PTS. third within the division.

The plan of a cakewalk three-peat became a plummetting crash again to actuality after Aleksander Barkov’s season-ending harm was introduced this previous weekend. Add in Matthew Tkachuk’s anticipated December return, and the Panthers look a bit much less daunting than they did once they hoisted Lord Stanley’s {hardware} again in June.

IN: Brandon Bussi, Nolan Foote, Jack Studnicka, Jeff Petry

OUT: Kaapo Kahkonen, Jesse Puljujarvi, Vitek Vanecek, Rasmus Asplund, Nate Schmidt, Zac Dalpe, Nico Sturm

DEPTH CHART

Different notable names on the depth chart: Aleksander Barkov (IR), Matthew Tkachuk (IR), Tomas Nosek (IR) 

Marmo Magic – One title to anticipate good issues from this 12 months

Brad Marchand – The Bruin fan bias in me is displaying right here, however with Barkov and Tkachuk sidelined for at the very least the primary 3 months of the 12 months, somebody goes to must step it up and produce. I do know Grandpa Marchy’s finest days are behind him, and I’ve seen Mackie Samoskevich penciled in for PP1 time, however are you going to be the one who doubts that Marchand doesn’t have one thing left within the tank? Once more?

Marmo Meh – A participant I’d keep away from drafting or including to my roster (for now)

Aleksander Barkov – The expertise is sky excessive, however if you happen to’re heading into a web-based draft with an extended time restrict between every decide, ensure you double-check your queue so that you don’t find yourself auto-drafting a man who’s on the shelf for the subsequent 7-9 months. Tkachuk is in that very same IR boat, however he’s “solely” anticipated to be out till “December-ish” based on the Panthers’ GM.

Marmo Marvel – A Rookie/Teen who has the potential to impress. Add these guys to your Dynasty rosters proper now

Mackie Samoskevich – I mentioned it above within the Marchand blurb, however Samoskevich has a giant alternative to run with if he can show that his rookie season wasn’t a fluke. In case your league tracks hits, too, it’d assist that he averaged virtually two a recreation final 12 months.

Montreal Canadiens – 40-31-11. 91 PTS. fifth within the division.

Mixing in some reliable scoring threats with a rookie of the 12 months blueliner and two blossoming ace forwards in Nic Suzuki and Cole Caufield means the Habs ought to proceed their march in direction of making some noise within the playoffs.

IN: Noah Dobson, Joe Veleno, Samuel Blais, Kaapo Kahkonen

OUT: Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak, Michael Pezzetta

DEPTH CHART

Different notable names on the depth chart: Joe Veleno, Jakub Dobes, Jayden Struble, Sammy Blais

Marmo Magic – One title to anticipate good issues from this 12 months

Patrik Laine – This one may come again to chew me, however let’s not neglect that there have been some ‘consultants’ who have been saying that Laine would find yourself being a greater participant than Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews approach again in 2016. I mentioned to one of many youngsters in school that he jogs my memory a number of one other former Hab, Alexei Kovalev, in that he appears to show it on when he feels motivated to do one thing. Kovalev was the right instance of a man who may go 5 video games with no level, then flip in a 4-goal effort on a whim.

In case you’re considering the identical about Laine, you may be glad to know that the sniper is within the closing 12 months of a 4-year deal, so he ought to have loads of incentive to place in a 12 months of eye-popping stats to safe one final big-time contract at age 28.

Marmo Meh – A participant I’d keep away from drafting or including to my roster (for now)

Josh Anderson – I bear in mind just a few years in the past once I held out hope that Columbus would commerce this man to my favourite staff. Now I’m glad they didn’t. He’s nonetheless serviceable in deep leagues, but when he’s driving the 4th line and never registering any PP time, it’s a tough move for me.

Marmo Marvel – A Rookie/Teen who has the potential to impress. Add these guys to your Dynasty rosters proper now

Ivan Demidov – This was a simple one, however I requested considered one of my former college students (hello, Hudson) who he’d decide as a teenager pick-to-click anyway, and he mentioned Demidov, too. Prime 6 minutes and PP1 time for a 19-year-old child who had 49 factors in 65 video games within the KHL final 12 months earlier than making the bounce to La Belle Provence in April? Mais oui! C’est formidable!

If that magnificence instance of my twin language mastery doesn’t promote you on him, test this out.

Ottawa Senators – 45-30-7. 97 PTS – 4th place within the division.

If Linus Ullmark can keep wholesome all season and the Sens can get manufacturing all through the lineup, we should always anticipate one other 90+ level season from Canada’s capital metropolis representatives. Can the Sens unlock Dylan Cozens’ potential as a 2nd line middle? Will Thomas Chabot ever sniff 55 factors once more? It’ll be price conserving tabs on the Sens this 12 months to see if the combo of ancients and youngsters can gel once more.

IN: Nick Cousins, Lars Eller, 

OUT: Anton Forsberg, Travis Hamonic

DEPTH CHART

Different notable names on the depth chart: Arthur Kaliyev, Olle Lycksell, Nikolas Matinpalo

Marmo Magic – One title to anticipate good issues from this 12 months

Tim Stutzle – It’s fairly superb that Stutzle is headed into his sixth season with the Senators on the age of 23 (he doesn’t flip 24 till January). Stutzle is 2 seasons faraway from a 90-point marketing campaign through which he scored 39 objectives and added 51 assists. He hasn’t cracked 80 factors since then, however because the Sens’ 1C, with Drake Batherson and Brady Tkachuk flanking him, I anticipate his purpose whole to be nearer to the 39 he had in 2022-2023 than the 24 he had final 12 months. (EDIT: Batherson is predicted to be questionable for opening evening on account of harm – Giroux ought to fill the spot).

Marmo Meh – A participant I’d keep away from drafting or including to my roster (for now)

David Perron – Perhaps it’s as a result of I at all times consider him in reference to David Backes, however I believed this man was finished three years in the past. Yikes. The excellent news is he’s slated to get Prime 6 minutes. The dangerous? The final time he had 60 factors was in 2019. If you wish to use a decide on a 37-year-old coming off a 9-goal season (in 43 video games), I’d advise towards it.

Marmo Marvel – A Rookie/Teen who has the potential to impress. Add these guys to your Dynasty rosters proper now

Shane Pinto – We may have gone with Stutzle right here, who’s a 12 months youthful than Pinto, however issues are lining up properly for the 3C this season. He missed half of the season two years in the past on account of a suspension, however scored 21 objectives in 72 video games final 12 months and registered a 16.5% taking pictures share. The one factor I wouldn’t wager on right here is him being within the subsequent BetMGM business with Wayne Gretzky and Connor McDavid. As a result of everyone knows how a lot the NHL hates playing. (insert the shake my head emoji right here).

Tampa Bay Lightning – 47-27-8. 102 PTS – 2nd within the division.

The primary line is deadly, and a few outdated stalwarts proved they nonetheless had some gasoline left within the tank. If Victor Hedman and Andrei Vasilevskiy can maintain off Father Time for one more 12 months, Tampa ought to be a shoo-in for a playoff spot within the Springtime.

IN: Pontus Holmberg, Simon Lundmark, Jakob Pelletier

OUT: Derrick Pouliot, Cam Atkinson, Logan Brown, Luke Glendening

DEPTH CHART

Different notable names on the depth chart: Conor Geekie, Jack Finley, Mitchell Chaffee

Marmo Magic – One title to anticipate good issues from this 12 months

Jake Guentzel – He scored a profession excessive 41 objectives in his first 12 months in Tampa final 12 months, the third 40-goal season of his profession. He’s again to driving shotgun with Brayden Level on the primary line and has a Prime 5 total expertise in Nikita Kucherov on the appropriate facet. To not point out, he’s obtained a full 12 months of chemistry with these guys underneath his “orange” belt now, too. If he stays wholesome, he ought to juice it up and take a severe run at 50 objectives.

Marmo Meh – A participant I’d keep away from drafting or including to my roster (for now)

Brandon Hagel – It feels bizarre to fade a man who scored 90 factors final 12 months, however right here we’re. His earlier excessive was 75 factors, and he suffered a concussion within the playoffs final 12 months. Studies say that the bell-ringer didn’t have an effect on his offseason exercises, and I don’t assume he’s essentially on account of tank this 12 months, however I wouldn’t wager on a repeat of 90+ factors. Like I say with my Leaf fade beneath, I don’t assume this man goes to crumble, however a little bit of regression wouldn’t be a shock.

Marmo Marvel – A Rookie/Teen who has the potential to impress. Add these guys to your Dynasty rosters proper now

Conor Geekie – The 21-year-old left-hand shot RW/C obtained his ft moist after which some with a 52-game rookie season in Tampa final 12 months. The 6’4” ahead nonetheless has time to place extra muscle on his 207 lb body and ought to be a goal in dynasty leagues even when he finally ends up again in Syracuse to begin the season.

Toronto Maple Leafs – 52-26-4. 108 PTS – 1st within the division.

I’m fairly positive Leaf followers aren’t overly enthusiastic about successful the division, then dropping one of many “Core 4” in a commerce with Vegas proper earlier than free company opened on July 1st. Marner went from a hometown golden boy to a “go to hell” heel as quickly as followers realized he in all probability wasn’t going to return again. It doesn’t matter what type of collectively delusional ranting we get from the Leaf fandom, these 102 Marner factors aren’t going to get replaced by their commerce return, Nicolas Roy. 

IN: Michael Pezzetta, Travis Boyd, Vinni Litteiri, Dakota Joshua, Nicolas Roy, James Reimer (no, critically).

OUT: Mitch Marner, Max Pacioretty, Matt Murray, Pontus Holmberg, 

DEPTH CHART

Different notable names on the depth chart: Nicholas Robertson, Michael Pezzetta, David Kampf, Vinni Lettieri, Calle Jarnkrok, Matt Benning, Phillipe Myers, Henry Thrun

Marmo Magic – One title to anticipate good issues from this 12 months

Matthew Knies – I discussed the “Core 4” above, and dropping Mitch Marner will sting for Leaf followers on the scoresheet and on the penalty kill. There are lots of people in Leaf Nation who assume Knies is able to fill the open spot in that Core 4. Armed with an extension that pays him so much lower than his former teammate (7.75 AAV), constructing on his 2025 breakout season may make the brand new deal seem like a discount as early as this 12 months.

Marmo Meh – A participant I’d keep away from drafting or including to my roster (for now)

John Tavares – 38 objectives and 74 factors in 75 video games final 12 months qualify as a pleasant bounce-back from his disappointing season in 2023-2024. Signing a pleasant “hometown low cost” deal for 4 years with an AAV of $4.38 million is even higher. Betting on one other 80-point season from a 35-year-old ahead? That may be a harder one to money in on. J.T. received’t collapse by any means, however a little bit of regression wouldn’t shock me.

Marmo Marvel – A Rookie/Teen who has the potential to impress. Add these guys to your Dynasty rosters proper now

Easton Cowan – I almost went with Dakota Joshua on this spot simply because he’s nearly assured a spot on the opening evening roster. As a substitute, I went with Easton Cowan. Cowan may get despatched again to London within the OHL by the point that is revealed, however I’d be including this child in my Dynasty league if I may. I went with my dad and my youngsters to observe the 2025 Memorial Cup MVP when he got here to city final 12 months, and this child is the actual deal. The velocity is deadly, and the purpose manufacturing has been stable (69 pts in 46 video games final 12 months). If the Leafs can discover area for him, I’d add him in redraft leagues too. He wouldn’t look misplaced in a Prime 6 position alongside a number of the different burners the Leafs have as effectively.

There’s no scarcity of spotlight reels on YouTube for him, and this one from final Could is only a peek at what sort of talent the child has proven in London.

That’s all, people! I hope you loved it. Be happy to drop any questions or feedback beneath, and make sure to come again to go to me subsequent Wednesday once I preview the Metropolitan Division.

Comply with me @marmosdad on Twitter/X and Bluesky @marmosdad.bsky.social