Glancing at NHL 2010: Way Too Early Western Conference Playoff Picks

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

It's the middle of July, and I'm sitting at my TV, playing NHL '05. Yeah, sure, it's out of date, but whatever.

I come to thinking, "I wish real hockey would start soon." Then I realize, "Well, it can, or at least I can try to predict how it will be when it does start."

From there, I got to the idea of making playoff projections. About nine months early.

I began with the Eastern Conference edition, which can be read if you just click here. From there, ideas for the Western Conference edition began. And here they are: the Guinness World Record for earliest playoff predictions ever (hopefully)!

Division Winners (seeds one to three)

1. Detroit Red Wings

107 Points

They've really gotten beat up this past month in free agency, but the 'Wings are still loaded with talent.

Hossa, Samuelsson, and Kopecky are all gone, which will hurt, as well as backup goaltender Ty Conklin, who now has a future in St. Louis. New in town is Jeremy Williams and Kris Newbury, who will likely somewhat soften Detroit's losses, but definitely not replace them.

However, if they can get another solid year out of aging Chris Osgood in net, the Red Wings have plenty of talent still left on both offense and defense to capture the top spot in the West, despite dropping a bit in terms of points from last year.

2.  Calgary Flames

104 Points

After major renovations at both the 2009 Trade Deadline and then recently at the beginning of Free Agency, the Flames look to have become one of the league's elite.

After bringing in Oli Jokinen at the trade deadline last season to accompany captain Jarome Iginla, Calgary has once again made some major moves this July. The addition of Jay Bouwmeester as well as youth prospect Keith Seabrook will likely bring the defense to a whole new level, as many called Bouwmeester the best defenseman in the market.

Also new are former-Cap Kronwall, former-Ranger Fredrick Sjostrom, and former-Thrasher Colby Armstrong.

However, the departures of Adrian Aucoin and Mike Cammalleri will hurt, and Murray and Leopold are also gone.

Overall, though, the Flames have now become a star-filled, talented team that could easily win their division and capture a very high seed. But that's all if Kiprusoff can get back to his former self.

3. San Jose Sharks

98 Points

Many will be surprised with this, but I feel that last year was the Sharks' year. And even though they still have depth and talent, this won't be their biggest year. But they still have a good chance at getting a top three seed by winning the Pacific Division.

So far, the Sharks haven't made too much of a splash in free agency, bringing in a decent third-line, physical forward in Scott Nichol and another possible starter with Joe Callahan. Former Hurricane Dwight Helminen was also added.

On the other hand, though, San Jose has not been badly effected by losses, either, with only backup goalie Brian Boucher and Armstrong gone.

In the big picture, the recent mini-slumps of Patrick Marleau (and the lack of leadership, in his case) and Joe Thornton has led the Sharks into a situation where they will likely drop at least 15 points, in my opinion. It's all on if the Ducks can catch them.

Best of the Rest (Seeds four to six)

4. Chicago Blackhawks

105 Points

The Blackhawks may not be division winners this season, but they're going to still be a talented team. However, despite likely finishing with higher points than at least San Jose, the highest they can finish is fourth (unless they overtake the Wings).

This offseason, Marian Hossa has been moved in from Detroit, and may replace Patrick Sharp on the top line for the 'Hawks. Also knew is former-Red Wing Kopecky and John Madden, who was on the Devils' squad this past season. These movements were intended to steady up the second and third lines behind Chicago's league best top pairing.

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