NHL: An In-Depth Look at the Central Division

Today, I am going to take an in depth look at the Central division.

Detroit Red Wings

Key additions: Mike Modano, Jiri Hudler, and Ruslan Salei

Key losses: Brett Lebda and Kirk Maltby

Up front the Red Wings are a much improved group. They lost a solid player in Kirk Maltby but added two very good forwards in Mike Modano and Jiri Hudler.

With the addition of Mike Modano they added another veteran who can still play the game. In my opinion Modano still has one of the best wrist shots in the league and he can play all situations. He brings a ton of experience to a team filled with experienced players which should help.

With the addition of Jiri Hudler they add a familiar face who knows the system. Hudler is a top-six forward who has a ton of talent and could put up 65-70 points for the Red Wings this season. With the addition of Hudler they add yet another Stanley Cup ring to the team and added even more depth to a deep team.

On defense the Red Wings lost Lebda and replaced him with Salei. Lebda is the better player no doubt, but Salei is a more experience player and that is what the Red Wings are all about. It is also worth noting that like many Red Wings, Salei has played in a Stanley Cup finals.

The Red Wings kept their goaltending tandem of Howard and Osgood in tact. I personally am a huge fan of Howard and think he is a top 10 goaltender in the league already. I know he plays for a great team but he is a very talented goaltender and is out to prove that last season was not a fluke. In Osgood they have an experienced goaltender who will help Howard develop into the best goalie he can be. Overall the Red Wings have a very good situation between the pipes.

I think the Red Wings are an better team this year than they were last season and in my opinion are good enough to win the Central Division.

Expectation: 1st in the division

Chicago Blackhawks

Key additions: Viktor Stalberg, Fernando Pisani, and Marty Turco

Key losses: Kris Versteeg, Andrew Ladd, Antti Niemi, Ben Eager, Brent Sopel, John Madden, Dustin Byfuglien, Colin Fraser and Adam Burish

Up front the Blackhawks lost a ton of depth but are still a very talented group.

In Viktor Stalberg they added a very speedy winger who should thrive with some extra ice time especially on a team like the Blackhawks. Stalberg can stretch the ice and will contribute on both ends of the ice. Stalberg also brings a want to win as he hasn't won before, that should help keep the Blackhawks motivated to win again.

With the addition of Fernando Pisani they added a good depth forward who will contribute on both ends of the ice if he remains healthy. Pisani also brings a ton of experience to the Blackhawks. Pisani also is playing for a contract next season which should help him keep focused. If he doesn't stay healthy or show that he can still produce in the NHL he could find himself in Europe or without a contract.

On defense the Blackhawks retained all of their defenseman with the exception of Brent Sopel. I expect the Blackhawks to be a very strong defensive team as they kept their big guns in tact with Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Niklas Hjalmarsson, and Brian Campbell.

In goal the Blackhawks lost their starting goalie in Antti Niemi but added a very experienced goaltender in Marty Turco. The Blackhawks are expected to buy Huet out or send him to the minors which leaves the Blackhawks with Marty Turco and Corey Crawford as their goaltenders for the upcoming season.

If you ask me that is a very solid group as Crawford is very talented and Turco's experience should only help him grow as a player.

All in all the Blackhawks kept most of their core in tact but they are not as good as the Red Wings in my opinion. Expect the Blackhawks to put up a good battle with the Wings for top spot in the division but in the end, the Red Wings skill and experience is too much in my opinion.

Expectation: 2nd in the division

St. Louis Blues

Key additions: Vladimir Sobotka, Jaroslav Halak

Key losses: Paul Kariya, Keith Tkachuk, and Mike Weaver

Up front the Blues lost two veterans on the downside or end of their career and added a solid third line player in Sobotka.

Sobatka is a solid defensive forward who at times can put the puck in the net. Sobotka is one of those guys who just loves the game and will do anything he can to help the team. He will likely kill penalties and when hot, see some time on the powerplay.

On defense the Blues lost a solid team guy in Mike Weaver. The Blues will look to fill the roster spot with players within the system, Alex Pietrangelo looks like the most obvious pick.

In goal the Blues made a massive addition in Jaroslav Halak. Halak is a young up and coming goaltender who has untapped potential and has all the talent in the world. Halak is a very mature goaltender for his age and proved that last year in the playoffs with the Canadiens. Halak will be a huge upgrade in goal from Chris Mason (who is pretty solid). The Blues will continue to go with Ty Conklin as their backup who in my opinion is one of the best in the league.

The Blues are an improved team and will battle for a playoff spot. Whether they make it or not remains to be seen but they will definitely put up a good fight.

Expectation: 3rd in the division

Nashville Predators

Key additions: Matthew Lombardi, and Sergei Kostitsyn

Key losses: Dan Hamhuis, Jason Arnott, Denis Grebeshkov and Dan Ellis

Up front the Predators added some much needed offense in Matthew Lombardi and Sergei Kostitsyn.

You can expect Lombardi to play a solid two-way game and to give a 100 percent effort every time he is on the ice. Lombardi can play on the penalty kill, the powerplay and can skate with the best of them. He is also a very solid play-maker so he should help guys like Kostitsyn, Erat and company score more goals. In my opinion Lombardi is a very underrated player and will be a huge addition to the team.

In Sergei Kostitsyn they added a streaky scorer, but with a change of scenery he could become a consistent offensive player like he has the talent to be. He will upgrade the powerplay and hopefully provide some much needed goals that the Predators need.

On defense the Predators lost two solid defenseman in Dan Hamhuis and Denis Grebeshkov; however, the Predators have a lot of depth on defense and will go with players within the system to replace them.

In goal the Predator still have Pekka Rinne but are in need of a backup goalie. If a goalie doesn't sign at a reasonable price they will just go with a goaltender in the system.

Overall I think the Predators are a solid team, I think they will be in contention for a playoff spot but will finish in the 10/11/12 range.

Expectation: 4th in the division

Columbus Blue Jackets

Key additions: Ethan Moreau

Key losses: Milan Jurcina

Up front the Blue Jackets will go with pretty much the same group as last season with the exception of Ethan Moreau.

Blue Jackets ownership wants them to make the playoffs as soon as possible. With the addition of Ethan Moreau the Blue Jackets got a solid defensive player who will bring a ton of experience to a young team. He is also a solid penalty killer.

The Blue Jackets will rely a lot on Rick Nash and young guns like Jakub Voracek and Nikita Filatov to provide the majority of the offense this season.

The Blue Jackets have kept all of their defenseman under contract with the team aside from Milan Jurcina. The Blue Jackets are still looking to add a defenseman so I can't really say much right now.

In goal the Blue Jackets will go with a tandem of Steve Mason and Mathieu Garon. In my opinion that is a great group as Steve Mason is looking to bounce back from an off season and if he does struggle Garon is more than capable of starting the majority of the games.

All in all the Blue Jackets have a pretty good team but I can't see them making the playoffs this season.

Expectation: 5th in the division

This concludes my in depth look at the Central division, enjoy.

If you have any questions or comments feel free to email me at [e-mail] anytime, thanks.

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