Puck picks: Penguins’ offseason work will pay off this season

Craig Ramsay’s coaching will make this team one of the best at keeping the puck out of the net, even if the Thrashers can’t score enough to make it mean something.

11. Tampa Bay

The opposite of Atlanta, the Lightning are going to score a ton and have a tough time keeping goaltenders Dan Ellis and Mike Smith from becoming victims of a shot avalanche. Steve Yzerman might have this franchise on the right track, but I don’t expect his moves to pay off so soon.

12. New York Rangers

It’ll be another offensively challenged year on Broadway, where the Rangers should be scouring the streets for a No. 1 center. Henrik Lundqvist won’t be able to do enough to make the Blueshirts a postseason threat.

13. Toronto

Tyler Bozak is the No. 1 center. That’s all you need to know. While Phil Kessel could score 50, and the Leafs might boast one of the top five top sixes on the back end, there are still plenty of flaws to keep this team in the lottery.

14. Florida

The Panthers will stay out of the basement by virtue of a second-half surge that’ll be sparked by the youthful likes of Jacob Markstrom in goal and other prospects once GM Dale Tallon clears out some more veterans.

15. New York Islanders

As if they didn’t show up to camp bad enough, they lose Mark Streit, Kyle Okposo and Rob Schremp to injury before the season starts. The Isles will be battling Dallas for the No. 1 pick come April.

Western Conference picks

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