As analysts, fans, media and others dissect the new North Division, predictions as to which Canadian team might run the division are everywhere. Just the other day, Justin Bourne said the Toronto Maple Leafs were favorites to win all 56 games they play in. Another analyst doesn’t agree.
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Brian Burke was on with Tim and Sid on Monday and noted that the Montreal Canadiens were the most playoff-ready team of the seven Canadian clubs in that division. “Well, the team that’s best geared up for a playoff success for me is Montreal.”
Burke went on to add that the additions of Jake Allen as a backup goaltender and the additions of Joel Edmundson and and Josh Anderson were huge additions for the team in the toughness and skill department. Finally, he notes, “the emergence of their two young centers in their return to play with Kotkaniemi and Suzukia, I think they’ve got the most playoff-ready team.”
Who Does Burke Have Next?
Saying he likes the moves the Maple Leafs made, he had them to finish just behind the Canadiens. He then picks Calgary third, saying they made the biggest changes to improve their team. He said he’d wait and see on the other ones.
All of the hosts agreed that it should be interesting because six of the seven Canadian teams all except to make the playoffs and only four of the seven will. It’s a good thing that all the team seem to be trending in the right direction, but a few teams that thought they’d be there, won’t be.
Burke said even the Ottawa Senators will be a tough team to play against and there won’t be any nights off in this North division.
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