Previewing The Central Division: It's Red and Black Time

The Central division has long been dis-interesting. There's been no real rivalry, and no, Detroit Vs. Nashville doesn't count just yet. The top of this division won't change this year, but the other playoff spot or two that will surely come from the Central are up for grabs thanks to some rising teams. The long standing original six rivalry between Detroit and Chicago should return in full force this season. Perhaps even giving us a long anticipated playoff matchup.

Here they are, in order of predicted finish.

Detroit Red Wings

The Stanley Cup champs should be able to reclaim this division, mostly unopposed. That's not to say their in-division games will be a breeze because they sure weren't last season. Detroit however retained every important piece of their cup-winning campaign and even added superstar forward, Marian Hossa who will play alongside Pavel Datsyuk. Henrik Zetterberg will now play on the 2nd line with Johan Franzen to give the team more balanced scoring. This team played so well against the rest of the NHL that it didn't even matter that they struggled against their own division. Questions for this team: Can Johan Franzen pick up where he left off in 2007-08? Can Chris Osgood handle being the #1 goalie for an entire season? Can Hossa-Datsyuk-Holmstrom be the top line in the NHL?

Chicago Blackhawks

There are some who think the Blackhakws are a fringe playoff team at best. I'm not one of them. I see this Blackhawks team making the playoffs as a #6 seed or better. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews exceeded expectations in their rookie campaigns. Patrick Sharp had a breakout season as well and hopes to build on it. Martin Havlat could be one of the top stars in the league if he could stay healthy. The Blackhawks have the best collection of young defensive talent in the NHL, not to mention the addition of Campbell, and their goal-tending is now solid with Huet. This team has a ceiling as high as the #4 seed if they improve as projected. Questions for this team: Can Martin Havlat finally have a healthy season? Can Christobal Huet take charge in goal? Can the Blackhawks end their playoff drought?

Columbus Bluejackets

Since Ken Hitchcock took over as coach of this team, there has been noticeable improvement. Perhaps the biggest mark Hitchcock has left on this team has been Rick Nash's transformation into a 2-way player and getting the team to collectively play better defense. This could be the year that Hitchcock is vindicated with the bluejackets first playoff berth. The team largely depends on Pascal Lecalire continuing last seasons success. His breakout campaign featured 9 shutouts. 1st round draft pick Nikita Filatov will be someone to watch and should spark the offense, while veteran defense-men Hainsey and Foote lead a solid defense. Its hard going in the western conference, but led by great coaching, the jackets should make the playoffs as the #8 seed. Questions for this team: Is Pascal Leclaire a 1 year wonder? Is this team better off without Fedorov? Do the Bluejackets have enough talent to compete?

Nashville Predators

The Predators are coming off a tumultuous off-season in which they saw their rising star, Alexander Radulov leave the NHL. He will soon be departing for the KHL in Russia. The Predators have been counted out before. Just last off-season there was a fire-sale on this team, but they still recovered and made the playoffs as the #8 seed. Can lightning strike twice? I wouldn't count Nashville completely out but it doesn't look good for this team to repeat as a playoff contender. If there's hope, it lies with last year's rookie standout goaltender, Dan Ellis. He was unquestionably the MVP of the team down the stretch last season and will need to build off that more than ever. Meanwhile this team will depend on career 2nd liners JP Dumont and Martin Erat to step it up a notch to make up for the absence of Radulov. Defensive standout Shea Weber will need to stay healthy and have a breakout season for this team to have a chance. Questions for this team: How much will Radulov's departure affect this team? Can Dan Ellis carry the load? Can Nashville surprise two years in a row?

St. Louis Blues

Erik Johnson's probable season ending injury just days ago is bad news, but although this team is improving, they weren't a playoff team either way. There's some good, even great pieces on this team. Manny Legace is a very solid goaltender, Brad Boyes is coming off a monster season. However, the veterans on this team are past their primes and are fading fast. Paul Kariya and Keith Tkachuck can't be counted on to lead this team, and with the team's best young player (Johnson) out for the season, it will fall on Boyes to take charge. Andy McDonald and Lee Stempniak will be counted on to provide some offense and Barrett Jackman will lead the defense. The Blues will likely try to use this season to develop more young talent, especially if they fall behind fast. Questions for this team: Was Boyes' 07-08 season a fluke? Do veterans like Tkachuck and Kariya have anything left in the tank? Can this team show improvement despite losing Johnson?