Summer ESPN Power Rankings

Welcome back to all of my loyal readers. I've taken the last few weeks off for some well needed rest and relaxation!!

ESPN has released their Summer Power Rankings courtesy of Scott Burnside:

here

As expected the Penguins are in the top spot in the East. What really catches my eye though is not where the Pens are ranked, but is actually how many teams from the Atlantic Division are in the top 6. Yep - 4 out of 5. Obviously there is some carry over here from last years playoff rankings - I don't think that the Rangers or Devils should be ranked that high - but that speaks volumes for the level of competition in the division.

And then there's the Islanders. Not at the bottom spot, but at 14 only surpassed in futility by the Thrashers. Somewhere, this morning, Garth Snow is weeping in his Wheaties. That is a team that is in disarray. A new coach and a roster that could probably lose regularly to many AHL teams. Hmmmmm.

Tampa Bay being ranked an 8 is mostly believable. They were, however, dead last at the end of the previous season and with a new coach behind the bench - MELROSE! - could have a tough time out of the gates. I think they will hit their stride and probably make the playoffs but it may be a struggle with a long streak needed to wrap it up.

Burnsy didn't go out on much of a limb with any of these. But I'm going to. Here is my Eastern Power rankings:

1. Pittsburgh - I am a yinzer!
2. Montreal
3. Washington
4. Philadelphia
5. New York Rangers
6. Carolina
7. Tampa Bay
8. Buffalo
9. New Jersey
10. Boston
11. Toronto
12. Ottawa
13. Florida
14. New York Islanders
15. Atlanta

That's right. New Jersey out of the playoff picture. I don't believe that their defense first strategy has room in this NHL any longer. They will need to produce offense to win games and will be hard pressed to do so.