NHL 2008-09 Season Predictions: Western Conference

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.

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