RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Feb 27, 2026; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) moves the puck against Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) during the third period at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The Atlantic Division of the NHL is a scary place. With multiple cup-contenders, extremely competitive teams and fierce rivalries, weaker teams get eaten alive here. In this article, I will be detailing what the best and worst outcomes for each team would be. Obviously, winning the Stanley Cup would be the best case scenario for every team. However, in this article, I will be looking at the more realistic outcomes for each of the Atlantic Division teams.
Boston Bruins: Infamous Identity
Mar 26, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88), Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) and Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha (18) celebrate Pasternak's goal against the Florida Panthers during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Bruins have been one of the more interesting case studies in the NHL since the departure of Brad Marchand in March of 2025. After being the worst team in the Atlantic that year, Boston had a surprising bounce back in 2026. Their playoff run was thanks to stellar goaltending from Jeremy Swayman, production and leadership from David Pasternak, and the stunning meteoric rise of Morgan Geekie. The ladder led in goal-scoring throughout the entire NHL during the 2025 calendar year. Much like some of the other teams in the Atlantic Division, the question is how do they follow up a season filled with pleasant surprises?
Best Outcome: Make the playoffs
Boston making the playoffs once again in 2027 would open so many doors for the future of the team. Boston is in a position where their success can beget future success. With Pasternak, Swayman and Geekie all signed through at least 2030, making the playoffs would attract more talent to Beantown. Heck, Marchand might wear the spoked B one last time in the future. Boston’s youth movement is nothing to sneeze at either. Most notably, James Hagens, the seventh overall pick from 2025, will be sure to add more high-end talent in the coming years. There’s a lot to look forward to for Bruins fans, and proving that this team is built to last would only make their future brighter.
Worst Outcome: Lose the Bruins identity
As a Red Wings fan, there’s one iron law I have learned in the past decade: never count the Bruins out. In the 2025 season, when they lost Marchand and were last in the Division, I thought I could breathe easy. Of course, in 2026, they proved me wrong, as they always do. Boston has an identity. They are mean, tough, and most of all, resilient. They’ve made the playoffs every year in the past decade aside from 2025.
If the 2027 goes poorly for Boston, that identity will slip. Missing the playoffs would be frustrating for the players and deter free agents from joining the Bruins. Pasternak’s future with the organization could be in question again (like it was when Marchand left). Swayman is a goalie who thrives on confidence, and a tough year would be very detrimental to his future success.
Buffalo Sabres: Cinderella Or Colossus
May 10, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson (72) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period in game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Buffalo has clawed their way from the basement of the NHL. After ending their 14 year playoff drought last season, Sabres faithful finally got a team worthy of such a hockey-loving city. After sitting near the bottom of the standings in December, Buffalo got the rare new GM boost after Kevyn Adams was fired. After which, the team couldn’t be stopped, highlighted by a 32-6-2 stretch in February and March. Buffalo’s party ended at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens in game seven of the Divisional round, but the Sabres proved they could be a problem for the entire league.
Best Outcome: Prove last season wasn't a fluke
With ten players over .5 points per game, Tage Thompson taking the mantel of being a true star, and a fresh atmosphere in the organization, Buffalo making the playoffs due to luck. The question remains of if that progress is sustainable. Having a solid season in 2027 would prove to the whole NHL that this is a new Sabres team. Much like Boston, Buffalo has an opportunity for their success to beget more success. The best case scenario for Buffalo is to build off of last year’s triumph, keep being an endearing, exciting team and making a deep playoff run.
Worst Outcome: Prove last season was a fluke
Buffalo cannot afford to miss the playoffs again. Trading Alex Tuch and Bowen Byram over the offseason for draft picks might hurt the team dearly, but Buffalo can be successful without them. Success will come from buy-in and culture within the Sabres organization. If Buffalo misses the playoffs, the team culture will suffer dearly. There’s too many bad memories from the 14 year drought. The best thing for Buffalo is to prove that last year’s success is the new Sabres, not a flash in the pan.
Detroit Red Wings: Motown’s Mediocrity
Mar 19, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings right wing Alex DeBrincat (93) celebrates with defenseman Simon Edvinsson (77) and left wing J.T. Compher (37) after scoring a goal during the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-Imagn Images
Detroit is in the worst spot in the Atlantic Division. Captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade, GM Steve Yzerman has stepped down , and the centennial season ended in bitter disappointment. The Red Wings now hold the longest playoff drought in the NHL. There’s very little hope in Hockeytown. However, as it i...
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