Okay, with the East out of the way, let's get rolling with the West:
1. Detroit
Wow, this team is good. Let me reiterate that—WOW this team is good.
Detroit was the class of the league last season and in the playoffs as the Wings looked nearly unstoppable en route to the Cup. Unfortunately for the rest of the league, that doesn't look to change, as the Red Wings will ice almost the exact same team this year.
Oh wait, one difference is they signed top free agent Marian Hossa. I'm sure that won't help out an offense that already led the West in goals last season.
Seriously, does anybody else think that Ken Holland might be a witch? There is no way any person should be as good at their job as he is. Mike Babcock, who has been one of the best coaches in the NHL year in and year out, will once again coach a team many believe to the best puck-possession squad since the Soviets.
On top of that, the Wings have an absurd amount of talent. Two of the best all-around players in Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk will lead a forward group that consists of Johan Franzen, Valtteri Filppula, Tomas Holmstrom, Dan Cleary, Jiri Hudler, and recently Hossa.
On the back end, future hall of famer Nicklas Lidstrom leads an equally-impressive supporting cast featuring Brad Suart, Niklas Kronwall, Brian Rafalski, and Chris "Look ma! I found the fountain of youth" Chelios, among others.
All in all, Detroit has the best GM in the sport, one of the best coaches, and one of the best rosters. How could anyone bet against them?
2. Dallas
I know San Jose is the sexy pick to win the Pacific—as they have been for the past few years—but I like Dallas to come out of the incredibly tough division.
Everyone keeps saying what a tough team Dallas was to play against, and how they play a gritty, in-your-face style. While those are accurate statements, I feel most have failed to assess that Dallas can also put up some points. They finished second in the West last year and there is no reason to expect them to drop from that perch.
With Mike Ribeiro and Brenden Morrow, the Stars have at least two potential 30-goal scorers. Add to that the impressive two way play of Mike Modano and trade-deadline acquisition Brad Richards, along with agitators Steve Ott and Sean Avery—who, as people learned last year, can actually play hockey—and the Stars will be a formidable team up front.
We know the defense is solid led by perennially-underrated Sergei Zubov, and Marty Turco is among the upper echelon of goalies.
Assuming Avery fits in as well as he did in New York, Fabian Bruusntrom produces like he's believed to be able, and Richards fully adapts to the Stars' style, Dallas will compete for the division title.
3. Calgary
This was a tough one. The Northwest is tight conference—though not as good as it was last year.
Although Minnesota and Edmonton will be right with Calgary, I'll give Calgary the slight edge due to the fact that last year they were still adapting to Mike Keenan's system. This year, they should have it down from the get go—and as a result, shouldn't have such a tough time getting going.
7 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Miah D. 9 months ago
agreed on dallas coming over san jose ... but we ll have to wait on that one
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Nick Colon 9 months ago
Good setup. My brother would hate what you said about Colorado, but they always seem to be in the mix. I happen to agree about the goalie situation, but I think they'll squeak into the playoffs like always. As for Dallas, I'm a big fan, and I like where you put them. Behind Detroit? Yeah, for now I concur. However, like you said, Dallas puts up points, and their young defense is so dynamic, they'll be in cup contention again. I like them over Detroit this year, but that's just because I'm a Stars fan.
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Evan Radtke 9 months ago
Great article, I still find it funny how many hockey fans underestimate dallas, they have consistantly done well for nearly the past decade, I also really like what you said about chicago but would;ve placed over edmonton.
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James Sheehy 9 months ago
Evan, yeah Dallas is perennially underrated (even by me last year, won't make that mistake again). As a Montreal fan, the Stars are the last team I would want to see in the playoffs, even less so than the Wings. I had Chicago and Edmonton interchangeable with those spots, but I'm still interested to see if some one can jump up and fill Lang's center position before. If Chicago gets a solid roster player in return for Khabibulin (assuming he's traded), then I'd DEFINITELY have Chicago over Edmonton.
And Nick, though I think Colorado will be in contention, I can't imagine the NW getting 4 teams in this year, and I think Colorado is just slightly behind the other 3.
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mike peardon 9 months ago
Colorado will make the playoffs.While I'll agree they didn't make a big splash,(tucker is faster than brunno and brings other intangibles,I like that one,raycroft well you got me there,I can't figure that one out)But they did bring foote and salei in at the deadline,for a very solid defense(unlike edmonton).And I think they have a real top six(unlike calagary OR minny)with a good checking line.third line should look something like tucker-arnason-hensick/jones,not bad I would say.The weak link everyone would agree is goaltending,and i'm not overly concerned with budaj who most people don't realize has played 126 gms,61 w,36 l,16 t/otl.And most importantly, there not going to lose 375 man games to injuries,and that alone would put them in the playoffs
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Gradin santana 9 months ago
vancouver will win the division NOT CALGARY all the other NWD teams suck
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Nick Colon 9 months ago
It's a good point James, and like I said at first, I tend to agree with you. But I see Minnesota or Calgary winning it, and Vancouver in a lot of trouble actually...IMHO.
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