After predicting that the Boston Bruins would come out of the Eastern Conference we now take a look at the Western Conference, starting with the Central Division.
Last years Central Division winner just so happens to have won the Stanley Cup. It was their first Stanley Cup in 59 years but this year the Chicago Blackhawks have a bit of a different look which, some fans are not happy about. The Hawks had to shed some salary this summer and got rid of a few key guys that helped them get their names etched in the cup. Goalie Antti Niemi and forward Dustin Byfuglien were two of the big names shipped off, along with a few others. The Hawks did add goaltender Marty Turco, who has not looked too hot in recent years, making him a high risk. They also added forward Fernando Pisani to add scoring depth. One thing is for sure as long as they still have Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp they will score a lot of goals. They also have one of the better defenses in the league especially the Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook pairing. Expect the Hawks to have no problem getting back to the playoffs but another cup is probably not going to come this year, thanks to lack of goaltending.
Last years Central runners up were the Detroit Red Wings. After a late second half resurgence the Red Wings once again finished among the top in the West and look to do so again this season. The Wings have two goalies who could compete for the top spot. The first is two-time Stanley Cup champion Chris Osgood while the other is the talent youngster Jimmy Howard who made a name for himself during last year's campaign. On paper the Wings still have one of the best overall teams in the NHL. They have not lost much and are expecting a big year from guys like Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. Forward Johan Franzen is typically quiet in the regular season but he steps his game up to a new level, when the playoffs roll around. And with a solid defense, the biggest worry for the Red Wings could be staying healthy as they are one of the older teams in the league. Expect a deep playoff run from the Wing this year and it might not be a stretch to see them make their third finals appearance in four years.
Next we have the Nashville Predators. They managed to make the playoffs last year and had a strong season but coming into this season they are one of those teams that is simply an enigma. They have a young, up and coming goalie in Pekka Rinne, who has proven to be an every day netminder. The Preds also added to their defense bringing in Ryan Parent and Francis Bouillon. The biggest worry is whether or not they will be able to put the puck in the net. Gone is the talent and leadership of Jason Arnott and someone will need to fill his skates. With out adding much as far as forwards this summer (except Matthew Lombardi) the Preds will rely strongly on the shoulders of their season veterans Steve Sullivan and Martin Erat. The only question is if these two will have enough to put the team on their shoulders and lead them to the playoffs. Our guess is no.
The other two division teams the St. Louis Blues and the Columbus Blue Jackets, failed to make the playoffs last year. The Blues have a young squad and might be a sleeper pick this season. They made a real good off season pickup and have been cultivating their youngsters for some time now. The Blues picked up goalie Jaroslav Halak which was impressive, however the defense in front of him is a bit thin and unproven. Though many of the forwards on the Blues are unknown, expect to learn the names of TJ Oshie, Brad Boyes and David Backes before the end of the season. We can say with confidence that the Blues will make it back to the playoffs after a few years off.
The Columbus Blue Jackets on paper look pretty good but that was what we thought last year too. The Jackets are led by NHL superstar Rick Nash, who has carried the team on his shoulders the past few seasons. Mix in Anoine Vermette and RJ Umberger and the potential to score goals is certainly there for the Jackets. The defense could be a question mark for the Jackets as they have a glut of fourth and fifth defense men, which could hinder the growth of all-star netminder Steve Mason. Mason has been just what the doctor ordered since his call up from the AHL. The Jackets are on the bubble but on paper certainly have what it takes to make their second ever playoff appearance.
Next we look at the Northwest Division.
Last year's winner was the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks are coming off one of their best seasons and despite a relatively quiet summer they are once again poised to make a good run. They did bolster up their defense to give help to one of the leagues best goalies, Roberto Luongo. They brought in veteran Keith Ballard, who like to hit and the speedy Dan Hamhuis. While they picked up a couple of fourth line forwards, the Canucks still have a potent offense led by the Sedin twins. If they want a chance at Lord Stanley's Cup, they will need a solid year from their second and third line players like Mason Raymond and Alexandre Burrows. The Canucks have a strong overall team and if they can keep their lesser talent scoring, we would not rule out a trip to the Western Conference Finals.
The Colorado Avalanche have been cultivating a young team for quite some time now. Last year they finished the division in second and this year could be a sleeper pick coming out of the West. The Avalanche failed to bring in any talent this summer which means they will heavily rely once again on their young talent on offense and defense. The biggest question mark is the teams goalie situation. The Avs have two net minders who are not real good and unproven. If they want to be a contender one will have to step up and play well or else they might need to make a deadline pickup. Either way look for the Avs to make the playoffs and perhaps sneak out of the first round.
The remaining three teams failed to advance to the playoffs last year, the first being the Calgary Flames. The Flames could be in a bit of trouble as they have an aging goaltender, a history of being unable to score and last year they traded away a good chunk of their defense. Just a few years ago Mikka Kiprusoff was playing out of his mind but has come back to reality and needs to rely on the defense in front of him now as much as ever. Robin Regehr and Jay Bouwmeester are the keys to their success. The offense is still a question mark but expect a big year from Jerome Iginla and Olli Jokinen as per usual. The playoffs do not seem to be likely this year for the Flames though.
The Minnesota Wild are a team also looking to bounce back from a tough year last season. The Wild have a lineup that has a few weapons not to many are aware of. Their breakout player last season was Guillaume Latendresse and many expect another big season from him while playing with the injury prone all-star Martin Havlat. The Wild also picked up Cam Barker to bolster their defense and help goalie Niklas Backstrom. All and all the Wild have a good squad but to see them going much further than the first round of the playoffs is unlikely.
The Edmonton Oilers finished last season as the worst team in the NHL, so they really have no where to go but up. While the Oilers brought in a new coach this summer, they did not bring in too much talent. Their opening day goaltender, Nikolai Khabibulin has been in trouble with the law, so proven back up Martin Gerber might be getting a bulk of the starts. There are not too many bright spots , but one guy to watch is Sam Gagner, who is poised for a breakout season. The Oilers on the other hand, are likely to continue as cellar dwellers.
Last we look at the Pacific Division.
The San Jose Sharks have been the division winners the past few years but have been a disappointment when the hockey counted. Though they always look real good on paper, will they ever live up to those expectations? The sharks have a new goalie, Stanley Cup champion Antti Niemi but not much else has changed, other than that they basically have the same team. Expect good years from Danny Heatley and Joe Thorton as per usual. Despite losing a key defense man the Sharks have players that can step up and contribute. They certainly have the right pieces and this year they hope to shake the playoff cobwebs. This team could hoist the cup or lose in the first round, your guess is as good as ours.
Last years runners up were the Phoenix Coyotes. Led by Ilya Bryzgalov in goal the Coyotes have a good team with a mixture of youth and veterans. Shane Doan will be back and healthy this season and even though their roster is a bunch of lesser knowns do not tell them that. They have a good balance of scoring and their defense steps up in big situations. They took Detroit to seven games last year so they have shown they can play with the big boys. Expect a big year from Kyle Turris, a former first round draft pick who has been a bust to this point but has shown he is capable to compete on a high level. Keep an eye on these 'Yotes as we think a trip to the finals might be in their future.
The Los Angeles Kings are a team with a lot of talent. After a loss in the first round of the playoffs the Kings are looking for strong bounce back this year. Despite losing Alexander Frolov to the Rangers the Kings have plenty of weapons who can keep coaches changing their game plan. With a top notch defense the biggest worry comes in net. Jonathan Quick has the makings of a quality goalie but at 24 is still real young. He will have to take the team and put them on their shoulders, especially since we think the Kings have a legit shot but expect a a loss in the Western Conference Finals.
The last two teams failed to reach the post season last year. The Anahiem Ducks have changed a lot in the past few seasons. Teemu Selanne announced that this will be his final season which came as good news after the Ducks lost forward Rob Niedermayer. The Ducks will rely heavily on just a few key forwards such as Bobby Ryan and Ryan Getzlaf. Their defense is young and very inexperienced which could really hurt blossoming goaltender Jonas Hiller. If the Ducks sneak into the playoffs it will be as a seventh or eighth seed but do not expect too much.
Rounding out the Pacific Division are the Dallas Stars. Expect a better year for last seasons cellar dweller. The Stars made a few minor pickups this off season but nothing to really help them gain ground in a tough division. Kari Lehtonen is now the everyday goaltender and he will have a strong veteran presence in front of him led by Stephane Robidas. Scoring has become a bit of a problem for the Stars but they can only hope that will change this season but we are not holding our breath. Expect the Stars to be on the bubble.
Our pick to come out of the West this season: Phoenix Coyotes
Our 2011 Stanley Cup Champion: Boston Bruins
