Glancing at NHL 2010: Way Too Early Western Conference Playoff Picks

It's the middle of July, and I'm sitting at my TV, playing NHL '05. Yeah, sure, it's out of date, but whatever.

I come to thinking, "I wish real hockey would start soon." Then I realize, "Well, it can, or at least I can try to predict how it will be when it does start."

From there, I got to the idea of making playoff projections. About nine months early.

I began with the Eastern Conference edition, which can be read if you just click here. From there, ideas for the Western Conference edition began. And here they are: the Guinness World Record for earliest playoff predictions ever (hopefully)!

Division Winners (seeds one to three)

1. Detroit Red Wings

107 Points

They've really gotten beat up this past month in free agency, but the 'Wings are still loaded with talent.

Hossa, Samuelsson, and Kopecky are all gone, which will hurt, as well as backup goaltender Ty Conklin, who now has a future in St. Louis. New in town is Jeremy Williams and Kris Newbury, who will likely somewhat soften Detroit's losses, but definitely not replace them.

However, if they can get another solid year out of aging Chris Osgood in net, the Red Wings have plenty of talent still left on both offense and defense to capture the top spot in the West, despite dropping a bit in terms of points from last year.

2.  Calgary Flames

104 Points

After major renovations at both the 2009 Trade Deadline and then recently at the beginning of Free Agency, the Flames look to have become one of the league's elite.

After bringing in Oli Jokinen at the trade deadline last season to accompany captain Jarome Iginla, Calgary has once again made some major moves this July. The addition of Jay Bouwmeester as well as youth prospect Keith Seabrook will likely bring the defense to a whole new level, as many called Bouwmeester the best defenseman in the market.

Also new are former-Cap Kronwall, former-Ranger Fredrick Sjostrom, and former-Thrasher Colby Armstrong.

However, the departures of Adrian Aucoin and Mike Cammalleri will hurt, and Murray and Leopold are also gone.

Overall, though, the Flames have now become a star-filled, talented team that could easily win their division and capture a very high seed. But that's all if Kiprusoff can get back to his former self.

3. San Jose Sharks

98 Points

Many will be surprised with this, but I feel that last year was the Sharks' year. And even though they still have depth and talent, this won't be their biggest year. But they still have a good chance at getting a top three seed by winning the Pacific Division.

So far, the Sharks haven't made too much of a splash in free agency, bringing in a decent third-line, physical forward in Scott Nichol and another possible starter with Joe Callahan. Former Hurricane Dwight Helminen was also added.

On the other hand, though, San Jose has not been badly effected by losses, either, with only backup goalie Brian Boucher and Armstrong gone.

In the big picture, the recent mini-slumps of Patrick Marleau (and the lack of leadership, in his case) and Joe Thornton has led the Sharks into a situation where they will likely drop at least 15 points, in my opinion. It's all on if the Ducks can catch them.

Best of the Rest (Seeds four to six)

4. Chicago Blackhawks

105 Points

The Blackhawks may not be division winners this season, but they're going to still be a talented team. However, despite likely finishing with higher points than at least San Jose, the highest they can finish is fourth (unless they overtake the Wings).

This offseason, Marian Hossa has been moved in from Detroit, and may replace Patrick Sharp on the top line for the 'Hawks. Also knew is former-Red Wing Kopecky and John Madden, who was on the Devils' squad this past season. These movements were intended to steady up the second and third lines behind Chicago's league best top pairing.

The losses of defensemen Matt Walker and Sammy Pahlsson and goalie Nikolai Khahibulin will likely greatly increase the Blackhawks' "goals allowed" column this next year unless the spots they left are filled quickly.

Despite all their tough losses, Chicago's incredible goal scoring ability will still manage to drive them into a prominent position for another Conference Finals run.

5. Vancouver Canucks

99 Points

Vancouver has been slowly but steadily solidifying their lineup into a deep, talented, and balanced team, and that is a recipe for the playoffs every single time. The Canucks, however, are in a tough division, and it may end up slowing their progress down to just a moderately-high playoff seed.

In free agency, the Canucks added and lost several low-class players, with their only big loss being defenseman Matthias Ohlund. Former 'Wing Samuelsson was brought in instead, and will likely make a fine replacement.

If Roberto Luongo can hold his ground, the Canucks have the depth on both sides of the puck to make themselves into a solid, tough team for years to come.

6. Anaheim Ducks

94 Points

The Ducks may not be quite an elite team yet, but they still have the ability to capture a top-three seed if they can overtake San Jose.

The Ducks first showed their talent against the Sharks in last year's playoffs, upsetting San Jose in a hard-hitting, tough series. Now with the addition of Saku Koivu from Montreal, they will likely be even better. Not to mention that they also managed to hold Todd Marchant and Rob Neidermeyer for several more years.

All this improve is likely going to lead to an improvement in playoff position, which makes it likely that they will at least get the sixth spot. Which would, assuming San Jose grabs the third, lead for yet another thrilling first round series between these two California rivals.

Barely In (Seeds seven & eight)

7. Nashville Predators

92 Points

The Predators seem to be like the dark horse heading into this upcoming season. They were a talented playoff team two years ago, and despite falling short last year, proved very consistent and balanced.

Steve Sullivan was retained and re-signed this month, which was to be a huge part of their success heading into next year. Despite losing Nichol and Zanon, the Predators are still a balanced team.

It's all on how the goalie can perform, like it is for so many teams. But right now, I have a feeling this might be a good year for the Preds'.

8. Columbus Blue Jackets

90 Points

It is frankly incredible how much this team's success relies on their two stars: Rick Nash and Steve Mason.

Mason was sensational in his rookie season in net last year, but the pressure may begin to get to him as more and more of the Blue Jackets' team relies on him. Rick Nash, on the other hand, is just reaching his prime and seems a likely candidate to have a huge year.

Columbus has also done well this month, losing absolutely no one, but yet inking former Chicago Blackhawk Sammy Pahlsson and goaltender Garon to attempt to hold up young Steve Mason.

Columbus may not be the most talented team, but they are good enough for a playoff spot. Hopefully.

Barely Out (Spots nine to 12)

9. Minnesota Wild

89 Points

If the Wild had held onto Gaborik, it would have been a seventh seed at worst for Minnesota this season. But they didn't, and it will hurt.

Havlat may try his hardest, but he's just an older, more injury-prone player than Gaborik. And that, in the end, will be the difference.

t-10. St. Louis Blues

87 Points

Yeah, yeah, they were a playoff team last year. But it wasn't a good showing against Vancouver in the first round, and I was surprised they got in at all, truthfully.

Don't take me wrong, I like the Blues, but I just can't see how they have the goal-scoring ability to make it into the playoffs consecutive years.

t-10. Dallas Stars

87 Points

Marty Turco is taking so much blame, it seems like it might be hard to just survive. But it's not really his fault. In fact, I feel this may be an "up" year for Turco. But it's just the team and it's morale around him that will continue to hold them out of the playoffs.

Brendan Morrison was lost this offseason, although he will likely be replaced nicely by Petr Skrastins from Florida.

12. Los Angeles Kings

85 Points

The Kings continue to improve, little by little, but they still don't have the power or experience to make it to a playoff spot, or even within a couple points of one.

It has been yet another successful yet quiet offseason for LA, as Stanley Cup-winner Scuderi was signed as a big improvement to the defense. However, him alone will not push the Kings into contention, yet.

Draft Lottery, Please

13. Edmonton Oilers

81 Points

It looked as if this could be a good year, especially with Khahibulin new in town, until the lost one of the most underrated forwards in the league; Kotalik. Sorry, Oiler fans, but it's going to be at least another year before you're up there in the playoff race.

14. Colorado Avalanche

74 Points

They just don't have the depth, the morale, the talent, or the goalie. Wait, that's just about everything, and they don't have it. Sorry, Avs, this is a rebuilding era.

15. Phoenix Coyotes

69 Points

Just go ahead, move them to Winnipeg. They don't have anything to find here in the desert.