Buffalo Sabres

Division Projected Order of Finish - 3rd

Current Lineup Score... 73.4

Division Rank 4th

Financial Power Flexibility Score... 11.3

Division Rank 4th

Quality Draft Capital... 7.0

Division Rank 5th (tied)

Jared currently does not have the most potent lineup based on league rates.  One of those reasons is that he's got a slew of vets whose contracts have expired.  Owning a player's hometown rights does have some perks in a competitive UFA market, so it will be interesting to see who he keeps or tries to keep.   Sitting on almost 40 million in cash is huge, and Jared will surely be a massive player during the silly season with that kind of loot.  He could use an upgrade in goal, so watch that aspect of free agency for him, as Cam Talbot is not the type of tendy to lead anyone on a long playoff run.  It might be difficult for Jared to land home ice in next year's playoffs, but he's still a fairly sure bet to return to the postseason.

Biggest Strength: Patience.  Jared has the assets to build via UFA or trade.  He won't make any stupid, spur-of-the-moment decisions

Toronto Maple Leafs

Division Projected Order of Finish - 4th

Current Lineup Score... 73.9

Division Rank 3rd

Financial Power Flexibility Score... 10.4

Division Rank 5th

Quality Draft Capital... 9.0

Division Rank 4th

Garrett has some really solid pieces in place.  I really wasn't sure about ranking him here, as I don't see a strong desire to actually run with this team.  For instance, he posts the names of his top SEVERAL players on the league trade block regularly.  I think once the puck drops, he will be surprised at what this team can do.  Knies, Huberdeau, Dubois, McCabe, Cernak, etc, all have solid rates; as does John Gibson in net.  As long as he doesn't tear it all down, which might happen, he's got a ton of cap space and assets to make this team a contender.  He might have the best team on paper out of all franchises to be blessed with the cap room he possesses.

Biggest Strength:  Cap space and team depth