NHL 2008-09 Season Predictions: Western Conference

Calgary mainstays Jarome Iginla, Dion Phaneuf, and Mikka Kiprusoff are the backbone of this team, and they should all do well in the upcoming season. Kipursoff had an off season last year, but I'm gonna assume it was the exception rather than a new pattern.

I like the Flames' chances of winning the division even more if Mikka is limited to under 70 games, since he seemed tired as the season closed. I think Iginla will once again hit the 100-point mark this season, primarily thanks to the offseason addition of Mike Cammalleri, who I think will thrive in a hockey-mad market like Calgary.

The departures of Kristian Huselius and Alex Tanguay will hurt the offense, but the continuing emergence of Matthew Lombardi, along with the additions of Curtis Glencross and Rene Bourque should be able to plug that hole, if not fix it entirely. 

4. San Jose

Will this finally be the year that San Jose lives up to their playoff potential and gets past the second round? Well, if they don't, they won't have Ron Wilson to blame it on.

For a team that has been a Cup favorite for a few years now, the time to get things done is beginning to run out. Luckily for Sharks fans, all the praise this team has received wasn't unmerited.

San Jose is a very good team. They're big, fast, and can play physical or finesse hockey. Joe Thornton is one of the best forwards in the game, and is considered by many to be the premier playmaker in the league. Milan Michalek, Joe Pavelski, and Devin Setoguchi provide good secondary scoring, while players like Mike Grier are great in the corners.

Last season, both Johnathan Cheechoo and Patrick Marleau had subpar years by their standards, and the Sharks will need them to bounce back if they are going to contend in the ultra-competitive Pacific.

On defense, the departure of Brian Campbell and Craig Rivet was met by the arrival of Dan Boyle and Rob Blake. Though I think that's actually a step back, most would disagree—so we'll see how that plays out.

Both Boyle and Blake missed considerable time last year. If that happens again, look for the Sharks hopes to rest on Vezina-nominee Evgeni Nabakov. Nabby played terrifically last year—and that solid play continued into the playoffs in which he made two of the nicest saves of the year against the Stars.

Everything said, expectations are high in San Jose.

5. Anaheim 

I almost bumped them down to a further spot due to their lack of offensive production, but I was swayed by their stellar defense. With Scott Niedermayer back for the whole season and the continued presence of Chris Pronger and Francois Beauchemin, the Ducks sport one of the better blue lines in the game.

However, the departure of Mathieu Schneider—assuming Burke doesn't pull another rabbit out of his hat—will hurt Anaheim more then people seem to think. Schneider was a plus-22 last season, second among defensemen behind Kent Huskins—who predicted that one?—with the three other defensemen already named all ending the season in the minus.

In the crease, J-S Giguere can be expected to be as solid as always—but if he gets injured or needs to take a rest, Ilya Bryzgalov won't be there anymore to step in.

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