NHL Northwest Preview: Flames Pace a Tough Division

In what's arguably the toughest division in hockey, the Flames, Wild, Canucks, Avalanche, and Oilers will all jockey for position against one another.

Here's a look at what to expect from the NHL Northwest in the 2007-2008 season.

1. Calgary Flames

After earning 96 points and a playoff berth last season, the Flames look to make a deeper run into the postseason in '07-'08.

The Flames hired Mike Keenan this offseason, a coach known for getting the most out of his players. Keenan boasts an impressive 569-457-140 record with 12 different NHL franchises.

After signing a five-year contract extension, team captain Jarome Iginla will be the go-to guy for a Calgary offense that got off to a slow start last year. Around him is a strong supporting cast of Alex Tanguay, Matthew Lombardi, Kristian Huselius, and Daymond Langkow.

If the Flames are to have a big year, they'll need their offensive stars to get off to a quick start.

On the blue line, the Flames were hit with the loss of Hamrlik, Stuart, and Zyuzin. Replacing them with Aucoin and Sarich, Calgary will look to establish a physical brand of play.

The partnership of Dion Phaneuf and Robyn Regehr should help.

Blessed with size and speed, Phaneuf will be counted to log the lion’s share of minutes. Regehr is a solid defensemen who can be used in all types of situations.

Between the pipes is former Vezina Trophy winner Miikka Kiprusoff, who will be looking to build on his 40 wins and seven shutouts a season ago.

As long as Kiprusoff can stay healthy, the Flames will have a chance to win each and every night.

Prediction

It will be essential for Calgary to do well against their division foes if they're to battle for a high seed in April. “Iron Mike” will deliver the winning tactics that former head coach Jim Playfair never could.

Expect a first place finish in a very tough division. 

2. Minnesota Wild

Minnesota will be look to avoid another quick playoff exit after being swept by the Cup-winning Anaheim Ducks last season.

The Wild will rely on solid defense and goaltending—and a frustrating style of play that no opponent wants to face. 

Slovakian superstar Marian Gaborik needs to stay healthy if the Wild are to take their game to the next level. Gaborik has only averaged 59 games per season over a three-year span.

When healthy, the duo of Gaborik and veteran forward Pavol Demitra gives the Wild plenty of offensive punch. Brian Rolston will also be counted on to produce goals after tallying 31 last year.

The Wild defense thrived under head coach Jacques Lemaire. Rising stars Nick Schultz and Brent Burns lead a shutdown unit, and Kim Johnsson will be looking for a better year after posting just 22 points in 76 games.

The departure of former starting goaltender Manny Fernandez speaks volumes about the Wild’s faith in Niklas Backstrom. Backstrom posted a sensational 1.97 GAA and a .929 save percentage in his 36 starts; don’t be surprised if he has similar numbers this year.

Prediction

The Wild will have every chance to come out on top in the Northwest provided Gaborik can stay healthy. Backstrom and the defense will give the team a chance to win every game.

A second place finish in arguably the league’s toughest division would be admirable.

3. Vancouver Canucks

After a successful campaign under head coach Alain Vigneault, the Vancouver faithful will be looking for an even better result this season.

Riding on the shoulders of goaltender Roberto Luongo, the Canucks will be contenders in the Northwest.

Offensively, the Canucks—save for the Sedin twins and Taylor Pyatt—were unable to produce a year ago. Vancouver will count on captain Markus Naslund to regain his scoring touch after he put up only 60 points last season. Brendan Morrison will also be looking for a better year after posting only 51 points.

One could argue that the absence of former teammate Todd Bertuzzi had an impact on Morrison and Naslund in '06-'07; they'll need to be better this year for their team to succeed.

Defensively, the Canucks have a talented and underrated core led by Kevin Bieksa and Mattias Ohlund. Behind them are steady veterans Sami Salo, Willie Mitchell, and Aaron Miller.

These blueliners will be looking to support star netminder Roberto Luongo, whose arrival from Florida gave the Canucks exactly what they didn’t get from Alex Auld.

Luongo's dazzling 2.28 GAA stole games for Vancouver down the stretch. Expect nothing less than a fantastic season from the Vezina candidate.

Prediction

The Canucks have to improve their offense. Luongo can compensate for some offensive incompetence—but if the Canucks can't score consistently, a third place finish is more than likely.

4. Colorado Avalanche

After shelling out for Ryan Smyth and Scott Hannan, the Avalanche will be looking for big things in '07-'08.

Coach Joel Quenneville leads a team that finished ninth in the Western Conference a season ago—just barely out of the playoffs.

Future Hall-of-Famer Joe Sakic heads a dangerous Colorado offense. In his 18th season, Sakic managed to put up an astounding 100 points. He's currently signed to a one-year contract.

Behind Sakic are two excellent scoring lines. After rediscovering his offensive prowess, Milan Hejduk lit the lamp 35 times. Phenoms Paul Stastny, Wojtek Wolski, and Marek Svatos provide  excellent depth. The arrival of the grinder Smyth will give the Avalanche a mixture of flair and grit up front.

The offensive talent is matched by a young defensive line. John-Michael Liles and Brett Clark lead the backend of a dangerous power play. Free agent Scott Hannan will bring toughness to the unit.

Jordan Leopold, meanwhile, has yet to justify the loss of sniper Alex Tanguay to Calgary.

From a goaltending perspective, GM Francois Giguere made a big mistake in taking on Jose Theodore’s $5.5 million salary. With young netminder Peter Budaj on the rise, Colorado will need to make a quick decision in net.

Any false moves could result in another subpar finish.

Prediction

The Avs have a young and improving team—but only when they resolve their goalie situation will they contend for the playoffs.

Fans in Denver will be expecting nothing less than a postseason berth. For now, a fourth-place prediction seems fair.

5. Edmonton Oilers

What a difference a year can make.

After reaching Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals, the Edmonton Oilers have officially hit rock bottom.

With the Chris Pronger drama shaking up all of Edmonton, the Oilers struggled mightily in '06-'07. In shipping Ryan Smyth to the Islanders, GM Kevin Lowe officially launched the rebuilding process in Oil Country.

The jury is still out on Lowe. Unable to convince top-line center Michael Nylander to move up north, the Oilers resorted to signing restricted free agents. They were unable to land Austrian superstar Thomas Vanek, but did manage to sign Dustin Penner to a five-year, $21.25 million offer sheet.

The addition of Penner fails to replace Smyth, though, who was Edmonton’s heart-and-soul player. On the bright side, the Oilers return budding superstar Ales Hemsky and gritty two-way forward Jarrett Stoll.

The disappointing Joffrey Lupul was dealt away after only one season in Edmonton, and Petr Sykora, the Oilers' leading point-scorer, left via free agency.

Up front, the Oilers simply don’t have the firepower to produce points on a consistent basis.

Defensively, Lowe took a very big gamble when he traded Lupul and former captain Jason Smith to the Flyers for Joni Pitkanen.

Pitkanen is coming off a rough year in which he finished with a horrifying –25 +/- rating. Combine that with a –28 from free agent addition Sheldon Souray and the Oilers have a recipe for disaster on the backline.

At least the Oilers did manage to keep hardworking defensemen Steve Staios and pick up point-man Dick Tarnstrom.

Prediction

All hope is not lost for Edmonton.

The Oilers have a promising group of prospects in Cogliano, Schremp, Nilson, O’Marra, and Gagner. In time, they'll make for a formidable team. For now, they have a long way to go.

A last place finish in the Northwest is inevitable for head coach Craig MacTavish and his club.