As high as the temperatures rise in Florida, the hockey’s been even hotter. Look back at the past five Stanley Cup Finals, and you’ll see the Sunshine State well-represented. The Tampa Bay Lightning had a stranglehold from 2020 to 2022 with two Cups and a runner-up, followed by the Panthers taking over. After falling just shy in 2023 the Cats bounced back and claimed the franchise’s first-ever championship last June.

But what about the rest of the Atlantic? It’s Cup or bust across several markets, and as we look across the powerhouse division, one question keeps coming up: Are we absolutely sure we can’t let in a few extra playoff teams? As Florida looks to run it back, and the other usual suspects eye game No. 83, the rest of the division is heating up and looking to disrupt the status quo.

Here’s how we see things shaking out.

1. Florida Panthers: Heavy is the head that wears the crown, etc., but considering their uphill climb to reach the throne last year, is anyone really doubting the Cats’ ability to run it back? While the Stanley Cup champions lost a few key pieces, especially on the blue line with Brandon Montour now in Seattle and Oliver Ekman-Larsson cashing in with the Maple Leafs, most of this championship core is still intact. Re-signing leading scorer Sam Reinhart to a bargain of an eight-year deal was a huge win, and, like last year, general manager Bill Zito and head coach Paul Maurice are once again relying on a few inexpensive reclamation projects to fill in the gaps. Consistency in the crease will be key, and while Sergei Bobrovsky proved last year he can endure a long run, he’s got some extra help in Spencer Knight and Chris Driedger. Until they show us otherwise, the Panthers remain at the top.

2. Toronto Maple Leafs: Amid calls of varying volume to break up The Core Four, general manager Brad Treliving kept the quad intact, instead seeking other avenues to shake up the roster. Head coach Sheldon Keefe was replaced by veteran bench boss Craig Berube, John Tavares graciously handed the captain’s ‘C’ to leading scorer Auston Matthews, and the blue line got bigger — and, yes, a little older — with the additions of veteran rearguards Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Joseph Woll takes over the No. 1 job in net, and while his skill is not in question his health will be a talking point all year.

All eyes are on the left side of the ice to see who fills the job openings there — youngsters Nick Robertson and Matthew Knies are expected to make a push, but a PTO for Max Pacioretty makes things a little extra interesting. No Leaf faces more pressure than Mitch Marner, whose summer skating sessions have been the subject of much interest — as has his future in blue and white. A ninth straight playoff berth isn’t really in question here — it’s everything that comes after that is the focus in Toronto.

3. Tampa Bay Lightning: Steven Stamkos is a Nashville Predator.

You can read and write and say those words again and again, but it won’t feel real until we actually see the Lightning hit the ice without No. 91 this fall. After back-to-back first-round exits, Julien BriseBois’ decision to cut his captain loose and instead target Jake Guentzel for the top-line job sends a message that he’ll stop at nothing to keep his team’s window wide open. He also traded away blue liner Mikhail Sergachev for a package including forward prospect Conor Geekie and brought back a familiar face in Ryan McDonagh. It won’t be easy staying above the fold in an Atlantic Division brimming with talent at the top and rebuilding clubs trying to leapfrog them, but underestimating the battle-tested Lightning is a dangerous game to play.

4. Boston Bruins: An eventful off-season in Boston saw changes up and down the lineup, including landing big-splash free agents like defenceman Nikita Zadorov (six-year deal) and forward Elias Lindholm (seven) and trading away one half of the NHL’s most beloved goalie tandem. Linus Ullmark is now a Senator while Joonas Korpisalo’s comeback campaign begins with a fresh start in Boston, but the crease belongs to Jeremy Swayman… so long as he actually re-signs, that is. The RFA is due a new deal for the second straight summer, but are the Bruins willing to pay him No. 1 netminder money?

The health of captain Brad Marchand will be a focal point after he underwent a trio of procedures over the summer, and while the top six is pretty locked in, their fate could rely on the depth to do its part.

5. Buffalo Sabres: Nope, that’s not déjà vu — Lindy Ruff really is back behind the bench in Buffalo. The veteran head coach is now tasked with reviving his old squad after a few false starts. Though, “old” isn’t the right word here, of course — these Sabres are packed with young stars, particularly on the blue line where top picks Owen Power and Rasmus Dahlin are now joined by deadline pickup Bowen Byram.

After a down year on the scoresheet for the team’s top point-getters, the Sabres need a bounce-back across the board if they’re to finally, finally, make the jump into the post-season. It’s been well over a decade since we’ve seen the Sabres in the playoffs, and 2025 brings that skid to an end. A springtime sprint into the post-season would open a new era in Buffalo, at last. 

6. Detroit Red Wings: They. Were. So. Close.

So close to making the playoffs. So close to finally being a contender after a long rebuild. So close to finally showing us what the Yzerplan is all about. So, is this the year they’ll turn meaningful hockey down the stretch into a post-season run? That’s the hope, but there are question marks up and down the lineup after another busy off-season and a to-do list that still includes signing top RFAs Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider.

Yzerman brought in veteran Vladimir Tarasenko and brought back Patrick Kane, both of whom are well-versed in what it takes to win it all. If everyone could just kindly sign on the dotted line, the Red Wings could finally be ready to join the contenders conversation, but overcoming questions in the crease and a tough playing field in the Atlantic is a big ask.

7. Ottawa Senators: Hear that?

After a few years of noise around this franchise — ownership changes, arena negotiations, sweeping front-office turnover in the wake of a major no-trade clause snafu — things are noticeably quieter around the rink, and that’s a good thing. It’s time we talk hockey in Ottawa, and the first and only question on everyone’s mind is whether this is the year the Senators can finally make the jump.

Brady Tkachuk had a front-row seat this summer to see just what, exactly, goes into winning the Stanley Cup. A good goaltender’s a great place to start… can former Bruin Linus Ullmark be the answer? Seven years is a long time to go without a post-season appearance, and something’s gotta give way soon. Moral victories aren’t what this team is seeking, but meaningful hockey in March might have to be the consolation prize.

8. Montreal Canadiens: Injuries up and down the roster derailed any hopes of last year being the year the young Canadiens would emerge from the basement of the standings and show the rest of the league what they’ve been building. All eyes will be on newly acquired Patrik Laine as he gets a fresh start and looks to regain his 50-goal form — if he can get there, watch out — and on 2022 first overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky after he hit a hot streak in the second half of the season.

But this blue line is not to be missed, either, with an influx of youth searching for spots. Goaltending is still one big question mark, and while true contender status is likely still a few years off, there’s plenty to be excited about in Montreal.