NHL 2009-10 Preview: Central Division

Chicago Blackhawks

Plus

1. Offseason moves: By signing Marian Hossa and being able to keep Versteeg and the rest of the RFA's (despite the horrible screw ups of the team), the Chicago Blackhawks secured their chances at a Central Division crown for the first time in ages. If there is any team that has the talent to dethrone the Detroit Red Wings, it's the 'Hawks, who have finally come back to life. Key stat: The Hawks gave out $107.48 million in contract money this offseason.

2. Talent: Continuing to improve, Chicago has one of the best teams in the NHL and will only get better. They have the best chance to dethrone the Red Wings’ stranglehold of the Central Division and challenge for the Stanley Cup.

Minus

1. Goaltending: Cristobal Huet is a capable goaltender, but Nikolai Khabibulin was the big name in 2008-09. Can Huet pickup the slack and carry this team on his shoulders?

2. Organization problems: Whatever the deal with Dale Tallon, the RFA screw ups, Patrick Kane antics, and the "truth" that Martin Havlat keeps talking about, it better not get in the way of the on-ice product. Because if it does, then Chicago’s fans that just rejoined the team last season will disappear like a cheese steak in the Wachovia Center.

Analysis

If Chicago’s goaltending holds up, they are my pick to win the Stanley Cup. However, I am unsure if it will and think that it could ultimately lead to their downfall in the playoffs. 

Nonetheless, they have an unbelievably talented team this season and every Blackhawks fan should start believing. This could be the year the curse is broken. To all the non-'Hawks fans, come see the Chicago team that has actually won a championship in the past 101 years.

Prediction: Second in Central Division, fourth in Western Conference.

St. Louis Blues

Plus

1. Potential: There are tons of young players on the roster, which will turn out well for St. Louis. With guys like T.J. Oshie, Patrik Berglund, David Backes, Brad Boyes, etc, the team will continue to improve.

2. Returns from injury: There were numerous injuries last season for the Blues and although that isn’t the only reason they made the playoffs, it contributed to the cause. The Blues will start the season healthy (like every other team) and should have some success as the season gets underway.

Minus

1. Inexperience: The majority of their team is extremely young, which is a good thing. But every team needs a bit of experience, which the Blues do not have. Only four players are over 30-years-old.

2. Goaltending: Chris Mason and Ty Conklin are both great backup goalies, but can either of them lead a team again, especially one that is so close to making the playoffs? Conklin played well in Detroit last year, but St. Louis does not have the defense that the Wings do. Yes, Chris Mason had an unbelievable year last season, but he is getting up there in years.

Analysis

It will be another year of close calls for the Blues, who will ultimately finish out of the playoff race. It will be a good year, development-wise, though, as the Blues continue to bring their prospects into the NHL to test the pro-waters. The expectations should not get too high, though, despite their barely playoff qualification last season.

Prediction: Fourth in Central Division, ninth in Western Conference.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Plus

1. Cap room: According to NHLSCAP.com, the Blue Jackets have almost $12 million in cap space (that is the "key stat", by the way). With that much money available and with Scott Howson allowed to spend it, Columbus can make some moves during the remainder of the offseason and throughout the regular season to improve the team and qualify for the postseason again.

2. A year to grow: The Jackets have some of the best young talent in the league with Brassard, Filatov, Mason, etc. With a year of pro experience under their belts, they will be even more improved this season. How much better can Mason get?

Key stat: The Jackets have just three players on their roster over age 30.

Minus

1. Toughest Western Division: See Nashville Predators.

2. Sophomore slumps: Looking at a year to grow, just take the opposite. Could it happen?

Analysis

A second-straight playoff berth is in the works in Ohio. The team has been put together extremely well and coach Ken Hitchcock has done a great job of coaching and leading this team to the Promised Land.

Prediction: Third in Central Division, seventh in Western Conference.

Detroit Red Wings

Plus

1. Being the Red Wings: They’re just that good. No one expects them to stop anytime soon. 

Key stat: They’ve won a ton of Stanley Cups. Duh.

2. Best personnel in hockey: Ken Holland is the best GM in the league and Jim Devellano has enough experience and success to share with all 30 teams. Mike Babcock is one of the top coaches in the NHL, while Jim Nill, Hakan Andersson, and their incredible scouting staffs continue to develop players like it’s their job. Oh, wait...

Key stat: See stat above.

Minus

1. Offseason moves: The Red Wings decided to replace Jiri Hudler, Tomas Kopecky, Ty Conklin, and Marian Hossa with some prospects. Is that a good move? Well, based on their track record, I wouldn’t worry too much. But can Justin Abdelkader, Darren Helm, and Jonathan Ericsson make up for the star talent they lost?

2. Chris Osgood: Every year we discuss this and every year he proves his detractors wrong.  He can still play the game and he even outplayed Marc-Andre Fleury in the Stanley Cup Finals last season (his team sure didn’t, though). Nonetheless, he may not have the same support that he’s had in the past and asking an older goalie to step up his game may not work out as they plan.

Analysis

The Wings will continue to dominate this league, although it may not end with a Stanley Cup. They continue to be successful, but they lost too many pieces this year to challenge some other up and coming teams. Another Central Division crown will be considered a success in my mind for them, but I’m sure Holland wouldn’t agree.

Prediction: First in Central Division, third in Western Conference.

Nashville Predators

Plus

1. Barry Trotz: Still one of the top-five coaches in the league in my opinion, he continues to keep his teams competitive even though the talent is clearly not there. 

Key stat: Last year was the first time since the 2002-03 season that the Predators did not make the playoffs.

2. Potential: They indeed have young talent on their roster, including Ryan Ellis, in my opinion the best Canadian defenseman in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Ellis will up their production from the back end and will be able to contribute for more than a decade. 

Key stat: Ellis had 89 points in 57 games for the Windsor Spitfires last season.

Minus

1. Tough division: The Central Division is the toughest division in the Western Conference and arguably the toughest in the league.  No team is a sure bet to miss the playoffs, although, you can probably assume which teams won’t make it. Nonetheless, Nashville’s point totals will continue to decrease as teams like Detroit, Columbus and Chicago continue to improve.

2. Finances: No one quite knows how the Predators are doing as far as finances go. We can assume they are in the red, but is it by enough to stunt the growth of the team? If David Poile cannot spend money to improve the team, then he is no better than the Coyotes (both of which were attempted to be bought by Balsillie, FYI).

Analysis

The Predators still have a long way to go if they want to return to the playoffs. They have some pieces in place, but they will not return to postseason glory at least until Chet Pickard becomes a bona fide NHL starter. This team needs to take it easy and not stress too much if they begin to lose some games. If they can remain calm, then the season will go that much better for them.

Prediction: Fifth in Central Divison, 13th in Western Conference.

Alan Bass is a writer and reporter for The Hockey News magazine and TheHockeyNews.com.  You can contact him at BergHockey24@gmail.com.

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