NHL Central Division 2008-2009: Where Will the Surprises Come From?

Now it’s the moves that Columbus and Chicago made in the offseason that have most (including me) thinking that the Predators will fall within the division.

Columbus upgraded up front by adding R.J. Umberger, Kristian Huselius, and Raffi Torres to a lineup already featuring Rick Nash. They shored up their defense by adding Fedor Tyutin and Christian Backman and so long as Pascal Leclaire can remain healthy, Columbus seems to be a dangerous team entering the season.

The same can be said for Chicago who, along with holdovers Patrick Kane, Jonathon Toews, and Duncan Keith, worked to strengthen their goaltending situation by adding Cristobal Huet (although it remains to be seen what will be done with Nikolai Khabibulin). They also added their puck-moving defenseman in Brian Campbell.

The team that’s been overshadowed by the Detroit Red Wings for so long in the division is now even further south on the map, but that’s just where they like it.

Columbus and Chicago aren’t used to expectations. Nashville is comfortable without having any. The ‘Hawks and Jackets are loaded with young, explosive talent. The Preds are just a hard-working team that refuses to get wrapped up in any hype, and quite literally take it “one game at a time.”

Don’t be surprised if the Nashville Predators are fighting to hold on to that eighth playoff spot come April.

While the Predators are surprising, the St. Louis Blues could feature some surprises of their own.

The Blues, much like the Predators, are the beneficiaries of playing in a division where a lot of stock is being put in the three teams ahead of them. While Toews and Kane will be expected to repeat their outstanding rookie years, and Nash and Umberger will be expected to forge immediate success, St. Louis is free to develop a roster of fresh, exciting young players.

Marek Schwarz, the young Czechoslovakian goalie, could benefit from the diverted attention.

While there’s no spot for him as either a starter or a backup on the roster at the beginning of this season—NHL vets Chris Mason and Manny Legace are ahead of him on the depth chart—it could be sooner rather than later before Schwarz sees NHL action once again.

Although he got the call briefly last season (two games played, 0-1) and was largely unimpressive (7.20 goals-against average and a .647 save percentage), both Mason and Legace are concerns for the Blues. Legace has played through knee problems the past two seasons, while Mason was plagued by ineffective stretches last season, losing seven in a row at the beginning of the season and suffering through a nine-game winless streak in late-February through to March.

The other factor at play is that both goalies are in contract years, meaning that if teams come calling looking to add depth to their goaltending situations around the trade deadline (or sooner), Schwarz could see consistent ice time with the Blues and may be able to put a little something special together.

The other two players that the Blues have could rival the success of Kane and Toews last season. If you haven’t heard of T.J. Oshie and Patrik Berglund, you may want to check out St. Louis’ depth chart.

While Lars Ellers seems to be a few years away from regular NHL action, word out of St. Louis is that the Blues feel Oshie and Berg

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