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2011 NHL New Year’s resolutions: Southeast Division

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James O’Brien

For many people around the world, the beginning of 2011 elicits the creation of a list of new year’s resolutions. Many scoff that odes to stop smoking or lose 20 lbs. are pipe dreams, but what’s wrong with a little optimism as the world cleans the slate of its calendar?

With that in mind, we decided to recommend a few changes (or sometimes with successful teams, what not to change) for each NHL team. We’ll go division by division in alphabetical order, because one of our resolutions is to be fair.

Click here for the Atlantic Division post.

Click here for the Central Division post.

Click here for the Northeast Division post.

Click here for the Northwest Division post.

Click here for the Pacific Division post.

Now, our final resolutions post: the Southeast Division.

Atlanta

Don’t ask Dustin Byfuglien to lose weight

Really, just tell him to keep doing what he’s doing. Even if you disagree with my opinion that he’s had a Norris-worthy first half of the season, he’s been an enormous (literally and figuratively) presence for the Thrashers.

Keep Ondrej Pavelec fresh

So far, Atlanta has a decent ratio going with Chris Mason making 18 appearances and Pavelec playing in 30 games. That is a little misleading, though, since Pavelec missed a big chunk of the season with his scary fainting spell. The Thrashers should be careful not to over-work their potential Vezina candidate, as the 23-year-old goalie’s NHL career high for games played is only 42.

Carolina

Take advantage of easier second half

Much has been made of a tough beginning schedule for the Hurricanes, but the flip side of that is the second half will be much easier. Carolina has a shot to make a late playoff run - seemingly an every other year tradition - if they take advantage of six more home games than road contests going forward.

Improve special teams

The Canes rank in the NHL’s lower third in penalty kill (79.4 percent for 23rd overall) and power play efficiency (16.6 percent for 21st overall). Those numbers need to improve if Carolina hopes to get the occasional easy win, something most playoff teams squeeze in here and there.

tradevokoun

James O’Brien

Florida

Now or later? Make it later.

Year after year, the Panthers fall short of the playoffs. For a while they fell way, way short but lately they’ve been within an arm’s reach in many cases. Quitting isn’t something pro teams do openly, but at one point will the franchise acknowledge that they aren’t there yet and the best course might be to get blue chip prospects?

Trade Tomas Vokoun

There might not be much of a market for Vokoun anymore (his $5.7 million cap hit won’t be easy to stomach, even if it’s reduced since it won’t be for a full season), but if someone’s willing to give up some value for him, the Panthers should seize that opportunity.

Tampa Bay

Like Carolina, they need to exploit easy second half

The Lightning hold seven more home games than road contests during the rest of the season, so they should use that disparity to hold off the Capitals and hang onto the division lead.

Don’t settle

You really never know when your best chance to win big might be, so the Lightning shouldn’t just assume that these opportunities will come along every season. If they get the chance to improve their short-term future without significantly hurting their mid and long-term outlooks, they should pull the trigger.

They also shouldn’t just say “Well, we traded for Dwayne Roloson” and give up on looking out for goalie improvements. If the 41-year-old netminder cannot get it done, they should keep their eyes open for other options.

bruceboudreauatwc

James O’Brien

Washington

Get tougher on the road

The Capitals have altered their game plan a bit to be more playoff-friendly, but a barely above .500 (9-8-1) doesn’t instill much confidence that they can get over their Game 7 struggles if they don’t take a top three seed.

Don’t forget who you are

It would be a shame if Washington totally abandoned their high-octane offensive approach because let’s face it, they’re never going to smother people defensively like Boston does with their roster.

There’s a fine line between evolving to become a better playoff team versus just trying to keep up with the Joneses. We’ll see if the Capitals can walk that line effectively.
2011 NHL New Year’s resolutions: Pacific Division