The NHL's 30 Teams and the UFC Fighters That Represent Them

It's a beautiful time of year to be a sports fan, isn't it? Major League Baseball is in postseason full swing, the National Football League is sorting out and starting to make sense, mixed martial arts events and shows are hitting us every weekend and last, but not least, the start of the National Hockey League is on Thursday of this week.

This time of year causes me to look in on each NHL camp and team for new stories, new players and new expectations amid the clean slate and optimism of many teams. Team and league previews are running wild as the season approaches.

There are many parallels in sports as there are in life, and along with providing a brief blueprint of each NHL team heading into the season, I have decided to affiliate an MMA fighter with each team. The affiliation is based on similarities and like expectations between team and fighter. I'll admit it is a weird way to blend the two sport passions in my life, but it was fun to do none the less.

Here is a preview of the 30 NHL teams in my predicted order of finish, as well as a fighter who best represents that team going into the 2011-2012 season.

30. The Florida Panthers and Forrest Griffin

The Florida Panthers continue to spin their wheels in the constant quest for respectability. Year after year, they go into the season with the same dilemna of a small market team trying to spend and get better while not being able to spend to the cap ceiling like many of their competitors.

This summer, they signed a bunch of big ticket, big name players in order to get to the cap floor with another new coach in house to try and guide the ship. The Panthers can't quite figure out a true identity or market bracket and are not quite sure who they truly are.

Forrest Griffin made it big fast in mixed martial arts on the heels of TUF 1 and his monumental fight in the finale. He fought some of the very best coming off that show and proved his worth as a fighter and blue collar man the fans could relate to. He then started writing books and making appearances all over the world, and his focus and identity got frayed. Inactivity in the cage followed, and his fighting focus dipped along with his skills and confidence.

Until Forrest gets back to his true focus and identity as a fighter, he will continue to spin his wheels in the UFC

29. Ottawa Senators and Pat Barry

The Ottawa Senators are in full rebuild mode and could be in for a tough season in 2011-2012. The remnants of the team that made it to the Stanley Cup finals in 2007 are barely there anymore. Sometimes you need to blow it up to build it up, and I think that is the case here. Due to the market they are in, though, they are not exempt from tight scrutiny. It is going to be a very tough year in Ottawa.

Pat Barry is a UFC fan favorite who has many people who follow and cheer for the likable tough guy. He is a powerful kick boxer by trade who likes to deliver a stand up war to his fans and fans of the UFC. His popular style has landed him many top fights and top opponents in his brief time in the game. Coming off two straight losses, one via knockout to a stand up artist and one via submission to a more rounded fighter, it is tough to deny that Pat Barry may have to blow it up and re-invent himself as a fighter to be able to endure long term in this league.

28. Phoenix Coyotes and Kenny Florian

It appears that the Phoenix Coyotes are staying put for the entire 2011-2012 season, but their search for new ownership continues. For the longest time, it seemed a lock that they were going to move to another location, therefore not really knowing for sure where they wanted to be or were going to be from one year to the next. All this uncertainty has hurt them in attracting and keeping high level free agents and talent. The Coyotes are another team that are in for a very rough year in the standings and in the pocket book.

Kenny Florian is a fighter that seems to constantly be on the move in his MMA career. Is he staying at 155, 170 or 145 in his fighting career? He had his shot at the Ultimate Fighter title at 170-pounds, had his shot to slay the master at 155-pounds and now he is set to find a title at the 145-pound division.

Florian is a great and popular fighter, but his jumping from division to divison has hurt his relevancy at any weight class, and he has painted himself in quite a corner leading up to his fight vs Aldo this weekend.  

27. Edmonton Oilers and Jake Ellenberger

The Edmonton Oilers have taken the blueprint of their 1980's success and stacked their team with young guns on the verge of becoming superstars. If a few of the many talented players on that team develope into the legit stars that they should, the Oilers will be a decent team this year. Not a playoff or division title team, but a team going in the exact right direction to gain stardom in the future.

Jake Ellenberger is that guy on the bubble of stardom. He has built a solid career properly, and he has the skills and support to take yet another step in his career over the next year. His knockout of Jake Shields legitamized some of the hype that was building behind the youngster. He is not ready for a title shot yet, and he needs to string together a couple more wins against contenders to keep his hype train on track.

26. New York Islanders and Nick Diaz

The New York Islanders is a franchise notorious for beating to its own drum in the National Hockey League. From offering out monster contracts to unproven players, to banning longtime loyal reporters from covering their team, the Islanders seem to operate oblivious to the norms in the world around them.

This season will be no different with Charles Wang and friend Garth Snow still running the show in Long Island. They do now have some young talent to lean on in John Tavares, Blake Comeau and Kyle Okposo, but you never really know what to expect out of this flaky crew. A shame for a team with this much talent.

Nick Diaz is a man who plays by his own rules in life as well, oblivious to the norms of the game around him. An obvious case study played out in front of our eyes last month as Nick's unpredictable and inexplicable behaviour threw the UFC machine for a loop, costing headaches and making them look a little less than a legitimate sports league, They salvaged things for themselves and Diaz by flip flopping the co-main events but deal with Diaz at your own peril. A shame for a guy with this much talent.

25. Winnipeg Jets and Nick Diaz

Hockey in Winnipeg is back, and the fresh start is an exciting concept for some of the former Atlanta Thrashers players. After competing in a market where they seemed to be irrelevant, they moved to the vigour and fire of Manitoba Canada, one of hockey's hottest markets for fan interest. Many players will tell you it is a refreshing change that they all welcome. The players should excel in this new environment, and look to the Jets to be one of the surprise teams of the season.

Nate Diaz recently moved back to his original comfortable home in the lightweight division of the UFC. He proved himself to be rather irrelevant in the welterweight division, but is back and seemed born again and enthused in his victory over Takanori Gomi. Look for Nate to gain some solid footing at lightweight before he makes a nice push to stardom in his new old division.

24. Dallas Stars and Clay Guida

The expectations for the Dallas Stars are extremely low compared to past times in the Lone Star State, as this team has seen their first scoring line all but decimated this past summer. Winger James Neal was dealt at the deadline last year for a solid puck moving defenceman, and Brad Richards was lost via free agency this summer. The departures leave serious holes in the offense behind Loui Eriksson, yet they remain very strong on the back end.

The Stars have built the foundation of their successful history around defence, but in today's league, you can't win games or gain fans without offence.

Clay Guida has built an amazing career behind his fast paced, never say die fighting style. He is positioned higher in his career than he ever has been before. He is playing and competing with the best in his division, but the knock on Guida is his defensive, mauling fighting style which lacks a real distinct offence. Aside from Guida getting a hold of you and beating you down from the top, fans never tune in to see a highlight reel knockout from Guida, and his wins are not the most exciting to watch.

23. Columbus Blue Jackets and Stefan Struve

The Columbus Blue Jackets were supposed to have made their move into contention by now. The history of their franchise is one of being on the brink and off the map many times in various seasons. The arrival of Steve Mason a few years ago propelled them into the light as a playoff team on the verge of breaking out. The hockey world watched closely as they fizzled in the last couple seasons, never really coming through with the perceived promise of the year before.

The Jackets have added a second superstar talent to their forward mix for the first time in the franchise's history in Jeff Carter, and we are again watching to see if it helps them make the next step.

Stefan "The Skyscraper" Struve has the ultimate frame of potential in the UFC heavyweight division, and we have watched his skills improve and regress for some years now in the UFC. He seems to alternate between good performance and bad performance and cannot find a consistent climb in his fighting career. Lose to Travis Browne when all thought he was better, and then submit Pat Barry, when all think you are in trouble. Such is the enigma that is Stefan Struve; we are still waiting to see what he can and will be. 

22. Minnesota Wild and Yoshihiro Akiyama

The Minnesota Wild are an extremely fortunate hockey franchise. Minnesota and the surrounding area is one of the most popular hockey hotbeds in the United States, and the franchise has reaped the benefits and rewards through its existence without a true winner for the fans to cheer.

The Wild seem to have made some very counterproductive moves this summer in trading star Brent Burns and bringing malcontent Dany Heatley in to the fold. It is time for management and franchise to start rewarding their loyal fans with a legit winner or at least show a blueprint with signs for the future.

Yoshihiro Akiyama, has a very rabid and loyal fanbase throughout the world of MMA and has been given plenty of opportunity to reward and grow his fanbase. While his style and persona merit such a following, Akiyama continues to be a favorite despite his lack of success in the best league in the world. It is time for him to evolve his game and style to get some wins that his fans can cheer about before they lose faith and interest in their man.

21. New Jersey Devils and Wanderlei Silva

Prior to last season, the New Jersey Devils had always been a consistent mainstay in the contender conversation of the NHL. They were a team that had dominated at times, and you always new their strengths and what style of game they would employ to give them the best chance at victory. They had the best big game goalie in Martin Brodeur and a feared system that opponents often dreaded facing on the ice on any given night.

The question coming into this year is, do they need to adjust their philosophy to gain success in the new NHL? Or has the time finally come for their anchor to retire?

Wanderlei Silva has consistently been at the top of this sport for close to 10-plus years now. Fans have always been entertained and never been short changed by the valiant warrior. The Axe Murderer is coming off of the toughest year in his career so far. His style and record have made him the star he is today, and you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Is it time for Silva to alter his game and start game planning his way instead of brawling? Or is it time for the legend to retire?

20. Calgary Flames and Jon Fitch

The more the Calgary Flames change, the more they stay the same as they enter the 2011-2012 season. Yes they made some changes heading into the year with new man Jay Feaster leading a new charge. Defensive staple Robyn Regehr has moved on, and so has Daymond Langkow. Despite all of this, the main question for the Flames' success is the same as it has been for years.

Who will play with fading star Jarome Iginla and help him produce the type of offence needed for the Flames to win hockey games? Will it be Oli Jokinen, Matt Stajan or Mikael Backlund? All these men were on the roster last year, and the Flames and fans keep wating for thses guys to develop the rounded skills needed to consistently contribute. Don't hold your breath.

Jon Fitch has been a top dog in this game for quite some time now. He has built his career and fanbase on hard nosed, blue collar work. It's not flashy and it's not pretty, but most times, it is effective when Fitch steps in the cage to fight.

Much has changed in the MMA and UFC landscape through recent years, but not much has changed in terms of Fitch and his fans in that time. He is still under contract and relevant in the UFC, he is still in essence competing with the best of the sport, yet he is still trying to gain his respect.

When will fans and critics stop waiting for flash and dash stardom from Fitch and appreciate him for exactly what he is, a tough, blue collar fighter and contender? Don't hold your breath.

19. Toronto Maple Leafs and Tito Ortiz

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a love hate relationship with their fans and followers right now, and six consecutive seasons of missing the playoffs will do that to any franchise. The Maple Leafs are not just any old franchise; they are special and storied, and arrogant because of it.

Again, they have added pieces in the summer both up front and at the back, but they are still lacking that grade-A offensive talent that successful teams need so much to succeed in this league. The Leafs are simply not as dangerous and successful as they once were, yet they maintain a rabid following of fans, a combo that many despise.

The Huntington Beach Bad Boy Tito Ortiz is much like the Leafs in that he has a love hate relationship with many in his life, and he is just not as successful as he likes to boast he is. Ortiz is not just any old fighter; he is special indeed. He has that X-factor that people like to talk about. Ortiz has had a nice resurgence of late, but he still lacks the grade-A skill and conditioning to really compete at the top anymore, yet he still has that large and loyal fanbase, a combo that many despise. 

18. Colorado Avalanche and Rory MacDonald

The Colorado Avalanche are a team with a stream of youngsters who just seem to surprise us year in and year out in the NHL. First, it was Paul Stastny a few years back, followed by Matt Duchesne and Ryan O'Reilly, and this year, they have Gabriel Landeskog. Granted, the Avalanche are not a lock for contention or even the playoffs in the upcoming season, They do seem to always be right in the playoff hunt at the end while showing something new and exciting every time out on the ice.

Rory MacDonald is a young, up and coming fighter who shows something new and exciting each time he takes the cage in the UFC, and the sky is the limit for this welterweight stalwart. He has not quite gone up against the contenders yet, so it remains to be seen how far this kid can take it in his fighting career, but so far, there is a lot to like for him and his team. MacDonald is never out of a fight and works tirelessly to add to his arsenal each time he steps in the cage.

17. Carolina Hurricanes and Rampage Jackson

The Carolina Hurricanes have been to the top of the mountain and are struggling to try and get back there again. Success for them now can be reached through a two pronged attack and a solid stopper between the pipes. Eric Staal is and always has been the knockout punch for the Hurricanes, and now, Jeff Skinner gives them a second weapon. Cam Ward is one of the best stoppers in the game and especially the big game, but the Canes have been a lot of Jekyll and Hyde through the last couple seasons. You just never really know if they are a true contender or on the brink of collapse.

Quinton Rampage Jackson is a fighter who has been to the top and is trying to stay up there in his career. He is coming off another title shot in his career, and he has spanned many years with his power punching and take down defence. Add in a new found dedication to training and conditioning, and Jackson has been able to stay near the top for years.

It goes without saying that it is tough to motivate the big man, and it takes big fights to get him to train and prepare. You just never know with Rampage anymore.

16. Nashville Predators and Roy Nelson

The Nashville Predators are a very underrated team who always fly under the radar heading into every NHL season. They have had continuity within management and coaching right from the get go of their existence, and it is evident in their on ice game. There are no surprises and no exceptions; the Preds will work you right into the ice to win, and they win more often than they lose. Although they are never picked or considered favorites for anything going into any NHL season, they are always competitive and consistent and don't get the respect they deserve.

UFC heavyweight Roy Nelson has been in this game a long time, and you wouldn't know it by looking at him, but he is one of the most accomplished big men in MMA. He always goes up against muscular, chisselled opponents and faces them with his rather enormous pot belly, but don't let the look fool you with Roy; he is agile and dangerous and can take a punch very well. He goes into every fight looking like he is vastly overmatched, but it is about time he started getting the respect that he deserves for his career resume.

15. Montreal Canadiens and Mike Swick

The Montreal Canadiens are a fast, small team, and every year, they seem to be decimated by injuries like no other team in the NHL. Last season, they lost Andrei Markov and Mike Cammalleri for much of the season, and their offense was amongst the lowest in the league because of it. They need to be more elusive of injuries to have any sustained success in 2011-2012. Speed, smarts and one of the best goalies in the league are still the leading strengths of the Habs.

Mike Swick is a lightning fast striker, although on the smaller side of the welterweight division. He utilizes his quickness and accuracy to battle and succeed over his bigger and stronger opponents. His career was on a very solid track before injuries took hold and have derailed the popular fighter for over two years now.

An original cast member on TUF 1, Swick has been working on his all around game, but nothing will work for Swick if he can't stay active and in good health.

14. New York Rangers and Brock Lesnar

The New York Rangers are one of the most polarizing franchises in the National Hockey league. Many people follow them, and you either love them or you downright hate them; there is little in between.

The Rangers are big market, big money, big hype and those things are often out of balance with how successful they actually are. The Rangers seem to make the playoffs on the back of one man and weapon alone, and that is their goalie, Henrik Lundqvist.

This season, they have added a big name forward to come in and try to right the ship. Sound familiar?

Brock Lesnar is one of the most polarizing figures in all of MMA despite the fact that he is really a new kid on the block in the UFC. He has a large following of people who watch every move he makes, and for all the fans he has in this sport, there are just as many who want to see him fail. Some believe he has not paid his dues in the sport of MMA and that he has been given too much, too fast based on his marketability and his overwhelming size, and yes, it does matter where Lesnar is concerned.   

13. St. Louis Blues and Brendan Schaub

The St. Louis Blues have spent the past several years stockpiling on young talent and potential. Their blueprint for success is a good one, and they have many young guns who continue to improve each year.

Last season, it became evident that the young talent needed some veteran guidance and some lessons learned before they could make that next step in their development. Enter Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner, two seasoned veterans with championship pedigree to guide the youngsters to success.

Brendan Schaub is a heavyweight young gun on the fast track to top five status in the division. He is another TUF alum who has proven he belongs in the professional ranks of mixed martial artists. As is the case with many young, hungry newcomers, a fear of too much too soon can often stall careers with the greatest potential.

The belief is that young fighters like Schaub and Jon Jones need some veteran to come in and teach some adversity and humility along the way. Rampage was unable to deliver the lesson to Jones but Minotauro delivered for Schaub, and in the long run, he will be better for it.

12. Anaheim Ducks and Mauricio Shogun Rua

The Anaheim Ducks are a once mighty franchise that need to get their mojo back. Last season was derailed by a head problem with back stopper Jonas Hiller that permeated thoughout the entire team for the whole season. Their two horses cranked up the offense in the second half, and they squeaked in to the playoffs because of it.

Their leadership is set and undeniable in Getzlaf and Perry, but in order for them to get that Duck swagger back, they are going to need a completely healthy Hiller to bounce back to form.

Mauricio Rua is a fighter who thrives on confidence and aggression. When he has his mojo, he strikes fast and hard without fear of the consequences, and most times, he overwhelms to victory. Coming off a bad beating at the hands of champion Jon Jones, Rua bounced back nicely with a very aggressive beating of Forrest Griffin in Rio a month ago. For Rua to climb back to where he once was, he needs to continue to believe in himself as one of the best in the world.

11. Tampa Bay Lightning and Chris Leben

The Tampa Bay Lightning spent much of the last year righting a rudderless ship and now come into this year primed to excel. The addition of Steve Yzerman to the front office has restored credibility to a franchise that was floundering fast due to self implosion. Solid ownership, management and a few good drafts have now made the Lightning a force to be reckoned with and true title contender. Who would have ever guessed it a couple years ago?

Chris Leben is a fighter who spent much of the last couple of years getting his career back on track, and this past year, he has done that and then some. His dedication and fearlessness in taking a last minute fight paid huge dividends for his career after he gained an improbable victory over Akiyama. That led to a big fight with Wanderlei Silva, and a new knockout king was born. Leben has rid himself of his tendency to self destruct, and he is poised to contend for the first time in his career. 

10. Detroit Red Wings and Georges St-Pierre

The Detroit Red Wings are the epitome of dominance and class in the National Hockey League. They are so good and calmly classy that it is almost boring talking about them anymore. The entire organization is run like a champion machine, and no matter what the year or circumstance, the Wings seem to consistently stay at the top of the league.

This year will be no different, as Nicklas Lidstrom has returned for one more season. His leadership is stamped all over the Red Wings both on and off the ice.

Welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre is the epitome of dominance and class in the UFC. He has become the poster boy for all that is good in the sport, and he is constantly improving to stay on top. It is almost boring to watch and cheer for GSP anymore; that is how secure his position is. Fighters in every weight class around the world look to GSP as an example of how to train for success.

9. Buffalo Sabres and Brian Stann

It's all smiles in Buffalo right now based on fresh new ownership who are committed to backing this franchise right to the top of the league. Big name, big money signings like Robyn Regehr and Christian Ehrhoff are proof that there is a machine of support behind them.

That being said, the pressure is on to really perform now, and I still see many holes in the Sabres game. They do continue to have one of the best goalies in the NHL, but there are offensive holes. The sky is the limit for the Sabres, and the time is now.

Brian Stann is all smiles and support in his MMA career right now. He has had an incredibly positive year on the scene in MMA and is a real true American hero. He seems to have the big money marketing machine of the UFC behind him, and rightly so. I still feel there are many holes in his game, and he is stepping up to the big boys this weekend in facing Chael Sonnen. I see big problems for Stann in this one, and some of the polish may come off his rose after Saturday night.

8. Los Angeles Kings and Lyoto Machida

It has been a summer of discontent for the Los Angeles Kings, as they played hard ball with star defenceman Drew Doughty and brought in new leadership in Mike Richards. It is never the best idea to squabble and play hard ball with your talent, but budgets are budget, and the Kings are notorious for holding a firm line. They are finally a true contender and are poised to challenge for a title this season, as long as the summer dust settles nicely.

It has been a few months of discontent for light heavyweight contender Lyoto Machida, as he has been in a minor feud with UFC president and head honcho Dana White. The issue stems from negotiations to bring Machida in as a replacement for Rashad Evans this past summer, and things seem to have gone down from there.

Machida is in a good position in his career coming off a knockout of Randy Couture, and once the dust settles on this minor spat, he should be ready for a title shot soon.

7. Philadelphia Flyers and Shane Carwin

The Philadelphia Flyers did a complete roster and identity overhaul this past summer, and it is unknown whether the changes will be positive or negative for the Broad Street bunch. Out are the top two forward stars in Richards and Carter, and in are a mix of Wayne Simmonds, Jakob Voracek and the return of Jaromir Jagr to the NHL. The Flyers have finally addressed their situation between the pipes, as Ilya Bryzgalov is in. Change isn't always a good thing in life and in the locker room, and I see a rocky season ahead for the Flyers

Shane Carwin 2.0 was unveiled at UFC 131 in Vancouver, and we saw a completely different Carwin going in to his fight with Junior Dos Santos. As in any change that big, it was unknown whether the results would be positive or negative in his first time out. It is hard to judge a man coming off of a 14-month layoff, but it appeared some of his incredible power has been sacraficed in the switch. It may take a while to adjust, but the next fight is a huge one for Carwin to believe that the changes he made were the right ones. 

6. Boston Bruins and Jon Jones

The Boston Bruins are the defending champions, and it has been a very short summer for them, it will be tough for them to maintain an intensity and hunger to compete throughout this entire season. There is always a worry of a Stanley Cup hangover, and the Bruins are human and not exempt from that. It is up to the leadership group to keep the team motivated and prepared night in night out, or they may find themselves out of the playoffs in an increasingly improving Eastern Conference.

Jon Jones, is the undisputed champion of the UFC right now despite all the other champions and weight classes. He has risen very quickly to the top and really has not faced a lot of adversity on the path of his ascension. Despite what many think, Jones is human and could be ripe for a let down and lack of motivation on the road ahead. Rashad Evans is a good opponent to motivate Jones, but after that, it could be trouble for Jones.

5. Chicago Blackhawks and Gray Maynard

The Chicago Blackhawks are a very pissed off hockey team heading into the upcoming NHL season. Thier captain and leader Jonathan Toews does not take kindly to underachieving and wants to make a statement that his team is among the best of the best this year.

The Hawks followed up thier championship season by squeaking into the playoffs last year , but they fell to the Vancouver Canucks in a series they feel they could have one. Shoulda, woulda, coulda is nice, but I wouldn't want to be a division foe facing the Hawks much this year.

Gray Maynard is a very pissed off fighter heading into his title fight this weekend against foe and champ Frankie Edgar. He feels that he definitely won the last fight between the two and that the judges robbed him of what he rightly deserves. He has yet another chance to make good on his championship potential, and hopefully, anger does not cloud his focus and energy in the fight this weekend. Somethign tells me you do not want to be Frankie Edgar on Saturday night.

4. San Jose Sharks and Josh Koscheck

The San Jose Sharks have been a favorite to win the title for many seasons and years now in the NHL, and people are starting to leap off the bandwagon as we head into a fresh new year. They have become the team that is just good enough to lose to the best of the best, but not bad enough to completely count out. They need to make a big statement by winning, but many feel their window to do it is passing or has passed them by.

They tweaked again over the summer by getting rid of Dany Heatley and Devon Setoguchi, but fans are losing faith in this crew.

Josh Koscheck has been a title contender at 170-pounds for quite some time now in the UFC. He has gotten a shot at the title and two shots at the man currently holding it, and many feel that as long as GSP is holding it, Koscheck is not going to touch it, so where does that leave the polarizing fighter in terms of fan interest?

Kos would likely beat many of the fighters at the top of the division and may become a gatekeeper to the title at 170 before not too long.

3. Pittsburgh Penguins and Cain Velasquez

The Pittsburgh Penguins were very much a shell of themselves by the end of last season due to injuries to two or three of their top skilled players. Evgeni Malkin is coming off of surgery and Sidney Crosby is still recovering from his concussion symptoms.

With these two players on the shelf for more than half of the season, it is really hard to tell how good they actually are. They have been to the top before with a lot of the players and people they still have, so we know they are elite, but this year needs to be a statement year after a long spell off form due to injury.

Cain Velasquez has been an inactive king since he took the title from Brock Lesnar nearly one year ago. We know Cain is the creme of the crop of heavyweights in the UFC, but with that long off for injury he needs to re-establish himself in his first title defence against Junior Dos Santos in November. His work ethic integrity and wrestling are a model for all to follow, and 2012 needs to be a healthy, big year for him.

2. Vancouver Canucks and Rashad Evans

The Vancouver Canucks were so good last season that they quickly became a team that people loved to hate when the Cup was finally raised on their home ice in June. The riots that followed did not help, but it seems a bit unwarranted to place dislike on this team of characters.

It could be a case of envy when it comes to haters of the Canucks, as last year, they put together the most dominant season in the franchises history. The Canucks are poised and hungry to get that elusive title, although it seems many fans around the league won't be cheering when they do.

Rashad Evans is a top contender in the light heavyweight division and has become a very surprising heel in the hearts and minds of many mixed martial arts fans. Many feel that it has come from some arrogant behaviour both inside the ring against favorite Forrest Griffin and on the TV against Rampage Jackson.

Nevertheless, fans will be seeing a lot more of Rashad in 2012 as he has fully recovered from injury and is set to challenge for the title early next year.

1. Washington Capitals and Alistair Overeem

The Washington Capitals have undeniably the most raw talent of any roster in the National Hockey League. They are built for the new style of the NHL and have a superstar that can electrify fans on a nightly basis. We have known for some time now that the Capitals are good enough to win the holy grail.

So why haven't they? The time is now for the Capitals to prove just how good they are and will they be able to deliver while the focus and heat is directly pointed on them. 2012 will be the year of the Capitals.

Alistair Overeem has been tagged by many as the best heavyweight and best fighter outside of the UFC. His talent and imposing strength are on par with many of the biggest and baddest in the world. For a while, it appeared that Overeem and management may do a tap dance and play hardball with the UFC, but he has finally been signed and sealed to compete and test himself against the best fighters in the world. The time is now for Overeem to take North America by storm. 2012 will be the year of Overeem.

 Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA and (also a Correspondent for MMACanada.net)

Catch him on Facebook and Twitter at wakafightermma