Central Division:
Blackhawks: Despite being guilty of being guilty of drastically overpaying players during this summer's frenzy, the Hawks have made enough of a push to their roster to finally get them over the playoff birth hump. And while that may sound rather enticing to their fans, keep in mind just how much Huet's and Campbell's contracts impede on future raises to this team's youngsters down the road. I personally felt that this team was ready to make a playoff appearance, regardless.
Blue Jackets: Although Umberger had a fine playoff, he is hardly a guy I would want to bank on as a #1 centreman. But with that said, the improvements made to their defensive game happens to be right up head coach Hitchcock's alley. The real question that remains, is if newcomer Kristian Huselius will buy in to the system, or not. Look for a team that is much harder to play against, giving them a real chance to burst their non-playoff bubble.
Red Wings: Barring injury, the Red Wings give us real reason to believe in a team's chances at winning back to back cups, than the Ducks, Hurricanes or Lightning did before them. Even in a worst case scenario where Hossa plays extra soft to ensure he does not end up hurt in a one year contract term, or if Conklin returns to the days of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit simply did not give up anything of note from last season's champion team. Look for records to be broken this season.
Predators: Due to the recent developments regarding Alexander Radulov, the Predator's chances are completely up in the air. And while there is still a possibility in getting this youngster back in the ranks for one more season, if his heart isn't in Nashville, what would be the point? And when you compound that with Sullivan's health issues and ownership legality troubles, this might be too much for one of the League's best managing teams to be able to overcome.
Blues: Beyond playing tug o' war with the Vancouver Canucks, the Blues didn't do a whole lot this summer other than trade for Chris Mason formerly of the Nashville Predators. And while the future looks brighter each and every passing day, the present does not. Don't be afraid to book a vacation this coming spring if you are a fan of the Blues. You won't be missing out on anything.
Projected Standings:
Wings: 118 pts
Blackhawks: 95 pts
Blue Jackets: 92 pts
Predators: 81 pts
Blues: 77 pts
Northwest Division:
Flames: I was quite impressed with the offseason maneuvering of the Calgary Flames this summer. And I could see a line up that consists of Cammaleri, Burtuzzi, Glenncross, and Bourque, etc. giving them close to 10 more points on the season and possibly upward to 30 more goals for. I think many will be pleasantly surprised by a team that appeared to go under the radar these past few months.
Avalanche: All signs point toward a disaster year. Even if Joe Sakic decides to come back to the team. And whoever decided on Budaj and Raycroft as a tandem, will surely not have a job this time next year. But as a whole, this team gave up on too much talent and replaced it with too many question marks. And that goes right up to the head coaching position.
Oilers: Kevin Lowe went a second straight summer looking to use other methods to retool his team, other than relying on the frenzy. And twice now he has accomplished that feat, this time through trades. While moves to bring in Cole, Visnovsky and Strudwick have raised some eyebrows out there, I have my doubts.
Wild: Though the Wild may have said goodbye to both Demitra and Rolston, they did manage to pick up a bunch of serviceable, if not household names in Miettinen, Brunette, Nolan, Locke, Zidlicky, Bergeron, etc. And despite the fact that there isn't much reason to believe in an improvement in the standings this season, I believe they have accomplished enough to keep on par with seasons past.
Canucks: The Canucks desperately needed to make a splash this summer in order to justify the replacement of Nonis with Gillis. And although they did attempt to leapfrog over rival teams by offering Mats Sundin a handsome amount of money, realistically all they have to show for this offseason is Demitra and Wellwood. Both of which are not nearly enough to expect a much improved offensive side of their game. Really, Sundin would be a nice piece to their puzzle, but Gillis should have taken a more practical approach in augmenting the changing of the guard with names such as Naslund, Morrison and Linden on their list of departed. And unfortunately diving into the game of offersheets with a measly offer to Backes isn't going to win Gillis any friends should he look towards a trade to salvage this offseason.
Projected Standings:
Flames: 104 pts
Wild: 95 pts
Oilers: 90 pts
Avalanche: 87 pts
Canucks: 80 pts
Pacific Division:
Ducks: The success of the Ducks offseason hasn't been completely written just of yet. Really it will all hinge on what they can muster up as a return for vet D-man Schneider. However it is doubtful that they will receive enough back considering that they are still somewhat tied to their cap. As of now, the defense looks solid, but having lost out on Penner, McDonald, Selanne and Bertuzzi since they last won a cup, Brendan Morrison simply isn't going to be enough up front. Look for a team with little offensive depth this upcoming year. Sound familiar, Canuck fans?
Stars: Having added the anti-christ in Sean avery, the youtube wonder in Fabian Brunnstrom and a full season of Brad Richards up front, the Stars appear to be the wild card in the West. Coming off an impressive playoff, it is not yet in stone if this team can build on the season before. But at this point in time, there is plenty of reason to remain optimistic.
Kings: The's decision to keep junior phenom out of this year's draft, may prove to be an exercise in futility. For there was little doubt that he would have gone 2nd overall to the Kings, where he will no doubt be going to anyway, as far as this offseason seems to be shaping up. Having given up on Cammaleri, Visnovsky, Nagy and Blake, only to have Stoll to show for it, there really is only one thing left to say. I hope he can coach in between taking face-offs.
Coyotes: Perhaps it was decided that the goaltending of Bryzgalov opened up an opportunity to relieve the team of some of it's defense to acquire a guy like Jokinen to the team. But in my opinion, the acquisition of Jokinen was no more sensible than the plans of the Tampa Bay Lightning to focus strictly on offense when they were ready to improve in that area from within already. Don't expect any more Gretzky for Jack Adams rumors this year.
Sharks: I've heard a lot of critics make some noise about what the Sharks gave up to acquire Boyle and Lukowich out of Tampa. But if Boyle can play a healthy season, I suspect that he will prove to be far better than any of the defenders that were plucked out of free agency this summer. And when you add to that the acquisition of Rob Blake, the defense looks all that much better without taking a chunk out of the offense, like teams such as the Panthers and Jackets have. Put all of that together with a new coaching philosophy and the Sharks may just live up to expectation this season.
Projected Standings:
Sharks: 112 pts
Stars: 101 pts
Ducks: 93 pts
Coyotes: 88 pts
Kings: 70 pts
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Overall Standings:
East:
Canadiens: 108 pts
Flyers: 99 pts
Capitals: 97 pts
Bruins: 97 pts
Devils: 96 pts
Senators: 95 pts
Rangers: 94 pts
Panthers: 93 pts (more wins)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leafs: 93 pts
Penguins: 92 pts
Lightning: 91 pts
Hurricanes: 88 pts
Islanders 82 pts
Sabres 75 pts
Thrashers: 73 pts
West:
Wings 118 pts
Sharks: 112 pts
Flames: 104 pts
Stars: 101 pts
Wild: 95 pts
Blackhawks 95 pts
Ducks: 93 pts
Blue Jackets: 92 pts
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oilers: 90 pts
Coyotes: 88 pts
Avalanche: 87 pts
Predators: 81 pts
Canucks: 80 pts
Blues: 77 pts
Kings: 70 pts
Source
No comments:
Post a Comment