NHL Bold Predictions 2011-12: 10 Teams on the Move

The NHL season is finally here. The puck is set to drop on the 2011-12 season this Thursday in what promises to be an epic year for the league. With increased television coverage, a "new" team in Canada, an impending NBA lockout and upcoming realignment, the NHL will be all the rage by the time old man winter kicks in. 

There's no better time than the present to hop on the NHL train as it picks up steam.

This year, plenty of teams are one the move, for better or worse. There will be much parity brought to the league this year with big expectations for many teams. Of course, not every team will live up to these aspirations. It'll be interesting to watch the season as it unfolds.

Which teams will emerge as true Cup contenders? We'll just have to wait and see.  

Here are 10 teams on the move. 

Moving Down: Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks won the Presidents' Trophy last season with 117 points. While they're still very good, they won't put up the numbers that they did last year. 

After a crushing defeat in the Stanley Cup Finals, Canucks fans have to be questioning whether or not their goaltender Roberto Luongo can take them all the way. 

The Canucks still have the deadliest duo in hockey in the Sedin twins, but lost Christian Ehrhoff, a valuable defenseman, to the Buffalo Sabres. They also lost toughness and grit when left winger Raffi Torres signed with the Phoenix Coyotes.

The Canucks are still a playoff team, but they won't win the Presidents' Trophy again. 

Moving Up: Edmonton Oilers

Fans in Edmonton have been waiting for the Oilers to turn it around seemingly since the "Great One" departed. 

After a highly anticipated 2010-11 campaign, the Oilers were once again a letdown. A team loaded with young talent to the likes of Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Sam Gagner and Magnus Paajarvi added some more with No.1 overall draft selection Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the offseason.  

Finishing dead last in the league last year with 62 points, there's only one place to go—up.

This is the year where things begin to get brighter in Edmonton.

Moving Down: Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens finished sixth in the Eastern Conference last year with 96 points. While they have an excellent netminder in Carey Price, their offensive production is what's worrisome. 

The Habs scored 216 goals last season, the least amount by any playoff team.Their leading scorer, Tomas Plekanec only tallied 57points last season.

Their goal differential was only plus-seven and they lost notable defensemen James Wisneiwski via trade and Roman Hamrlik to free agency in the offseason.

Carey Price is a workhorse, but he won't be able to withstand the barrage of shots he's going to face.

For this reason, along with their lack of firepower, the Habs will struggle this season. 

Moving Up: Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild made some noise in the offseason. After finishing next to last in goal production last season with 206 goals, the Wild went out and made a pair of trades with the San Jose Sharks.

One deal sent top defenseman Brent Burns west for right winger Devin Setoguchi. Albeit a calculated risk, Setoguchi can light the lamp. Being only 24 years old, he looks to be a mainstay in Minnesota for years to come. The Wild also got 19-year-old center Charlie Coyle in the deal, a 2010 first-round draft pick.

The second deal with the Sharks was a swap for wingers—Martin Havlat went went west while Dany Heatley came to town. Heatley brings the goal scoring ability that the Wild crave. This was a good move.

With new coach Mike Yeo behind the bench calling the shots, fans should be excited in Minnesota.

Moving Down: Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators have one of the best goalies in the NHL in Pekke Rinne along with the best blue-line tandem in Shea Weber and Ryan Suter, but lack an offensive threat.

Martin Erat and Sergei Kostitsyn tied for the team lead with 50 points in 2010-11. Kostitsyn led the team with just 23 goals.

Another worry for the Predators is the fate of Weber and Suter, who's contracts are up at the end of the season. Without these men manning the blue line, the future of the franchise is up in the air.

Lack of scoring and off-ice distractions will be too much for the Predators to amass 99 points again.

Moving Up: Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche were terrible last year, they allowed 288 goals, most in the NHL. Don't expect the same results this season.

The Avs helped themselves out by acquiring goaltenders Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Semyon Varlamov. Giguere will bring a much needed veteran presence between the pipes. He'll be a great tutor for the 23-year-old Varlamov.

The Avs were led in scoring by 20-year-old Matt Duchene last year, who notched 67 points. He'll be joined by No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft, left winger, Gabriel Landeskog. Together, the Avs could have a scoring duo for years to come.

Expect the Avalanche to be loads better than they were last season.

Moving Down: Phoenix Coyotes

The Phoenix Coyotes won 43 games last season—36 of which were with goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov in net. Bryzgalov no longer resides in Phoenix, as he's now in Philadelphia.

In reaction to the departure of Bryzgalov, the Coyotes signed goalies Mike Smith and Curtis McElhinney in the offseason. This is nothing to get excited about though, neither of these men have ever been a true No. 1 goaltender.

11 men scored 10-plus goals for the Coyotes last season, but only Shane Doan scored 20. While the distribution is impressive, it's hard to replicate.

The Coyotes are a tough bunch and will have to show their grit throughout the season if they're to return to the playoffs, although this shouldn't be expected.

Fans shouldn't expect to match last year's 99 points.

Moving Up: Winnepeg Jets

The Winnepeg Jets are back where they belong and everyone involved is all smiles.

Last year in Atlanta the team totaled 80 points last season, but the buzz in Winnepeg will propel this team to more than that this year.

These players went from an afterthought in Atlanta to rock star status in Winnepeg. This happened overnight and the party won't stop all season long.

This is exciting for hockey. It should be a blast to watch the Jets.

Moving Down: Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers made the biggest splash in the NHL this offseason.

They shipped off two of their more prominent players in centers Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. In return they received right-wingers Wayne Simmonds and Jakob Voracek, along with highly touted center Brayden Schenn.

Also joining the team were goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov and NHL great Jaromir Jagr.

While this team looks great on paper, they won't eclipse their 2010-11 total of 106 points.

There's immense pressure on the Flyers, especially on youngsters Claude Giroux and James Van Riemsdyk. These two young studs have seemingly been anointed superstars by the Philly faithful. While these guys have great potential, they aren't stars quite yet.

If the team doesn't win early and often, the pressure will grow exponentially.

Expectations are too high for these Flyers. They'll make the playoffs but it won't be easy.

Take it from the Philadelphia Eagles—good on paper doesn't necessarily translate to wins.

Moving Up: New York Islanders

The New York Islanders will earn respect this year.

Despite finishing last in their division last season, the Islanders aren't to be a perceived win anymore and will cause fits for all opponents.

This team is stacked with young talent. John Tavares, Matt Moulsen, Kyle Okposo, PA Parenteau, Michael Grabner and Blake Comeau can all put the biscuit it the basket. Nino Niederreiter also looks to make an impact as a rookie.

The Islanders also have three solid goaltenders. Although Rick DiPietro is often injured, the team also has Al Montoya and Evgeni Nabokov to fill in if needed.

Once the laughing stock of the league, the Islanders are an up-and-coming force. These guys are explosive and worth watching.