NHL Predictions 2011-12: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Central Division

With the 2011-12 NHL season now just days away, the Central Division of the Western Conference will be contested for the final time in its current configuration. Realignment suggest that one team will move from West to East after the season concludes.

Whether Detroit gets its wish to move into the Eastern time zone or the league plucks Columbus or Nashville from the division, there's an overwhelming possibility that one rival will be in the other conference next season. So which team stands tall in April with the division title?

Three division teams came away with spots in the playoffs in 2010-11. From top to bottom, the Central should be even tougher in which to play. Here are five things you need to know about the five teams lacing up the skates in preparation for the season's opening weekend.

Columbus Has a Legitimate Top Line

By adding Jeff Carter to the team this summer, the Blue Jackets can line up Rick Nash, Carter and R.J. Umberger as a potent offensive force this season. It may not make then a playoff team, but it will be harder to plan for Columbus, who was 8-11-5 in division games in 2010-11.

James Wisniewski is suspended for the season's first eight games. As a high-priced addition to the defense, the Blue Jackets hope to get the same offensive spark he provided for the Islanders and Canadiens last season.

If Steve Mason somehow shrugs off two ho-hum seasons and returns to the form that won him a Calder Trophy and a big contract, Columbus could manage to climb out of the Central basement.

Everyone Will Still Hate Tangling with the Predators

Nashville is going to have to rely even more on Pekka Rinne in goal, along with Shea Weber and Ryan Suter on the blue line. The Preds are still carrying around coach Barry Trotz's blueprint for success: dump the puck into the zone, play close to the vest and win a bunch of 2-1 decisions.

They'll have to find a bit of offense, but Nashville is still going to be an opponent teams hate to face. Their top scorers, Sergei Kostitsyn and Martin Erat, managed just 50 points each last season, but Trotz's system got then into the second round for the first time in team history.

The big question is financial. With Pinne and Suter becoming UFA's this upcoming summer and Webber already skating with a $7.5 arbitration ruling, can Nashville be expected to ponder a salary-induced trade?

The Blues Look to Break Their Playoff Drought (Again)

Once again, St. Louis brings the optimism of a talented young team to the starting gate. This team had potential a year ago, only to fall prey to a slew of injuries. If the Blues stay healthy, they have the ability to make the playoffs for just the second time in the last seven seasons.

How much do veteran additions like Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner have left in the tank? The answer to this question goes a long way toward forecasting St. Louis' ultimate fate.

The Blues earned 28 points in head-to-head Central Division match-ups last year. That tied Nashville for second in the division. They have young talent like David Backes and Chris Stewart, as well as a goalie in Jaroslav Halak who is capable of carrying a team for stretches.

Supposing St. Louis has better luck keeping their talent on the ice this season, it's not far-fetched that the Blues could finish fourth in the Central and still make the playoffs.

Detroit Is Another Year Older, but Still Dangerous

The Red Wings lost Chris Osgood, Kris Draper, Brian Rafalski and Mike Modano to retirement.

Despite picking up Ian White and Mike Commodore on the blue line, they're still an aging team. They could be reaching the end of their tenure as members of the Western Conference, but the Red Wings know how to play the game of hockey.

Norris Trophy recipient Nicklas Lidstrom returns for his 19th NHL season. Also back are familiar faces like Johan Franzen, Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Daniel Cleary. Thiry-five-year-old Ty Conklin is back for another tour in Detroit, backing up Jimmy Howard in net.

Detroit top players carry with them the experience of many successful NHL campaigns. That mileage can carry them toward the top of the division or could lead to an injury riddled season like in 2009-10. The Red Wings will go as far as their veterans take them.

The old men rebounded to win the Central Division with 104 points last season. If they avoid breaking down, they should be right there again this spring.

The Blackhawks Have Additional Grit and a Desire to Reclaim the Division

Chicago took a page from the Red Wings' playbook, obtaining veteran role-players after dropping from first to third in the division in 2010-11.

Andrew Brunette comes in to find the gaps in opposing defenses. Jamal Mayers and Daniel Carcillo add some feistiness to the fourth line. Thirty-nine-year old Sean O'Donnell was signed to help toughen and solidify the blue line.

Ray Emery will lend a veteran presence in goal behind Corey Crawford, who won the starting job and a new three-year contract in the offseason.

The 'Hawks have some questions at center behind Jonathan Toews, but this should be a deeper team that needed a Dallas loss to reach the playoffs on the season's final day. Despite finishing behind Detroit and Nashville, Chicago's 15-7-2 mark against division rivals was the best in the Central last season.

The Blackhawks are hoping to avoid last season's lackluster start, aided by a long summer off and a refocused core of players who hoisted the cup two season's ago.

Who tops the Central Division this season? Look for the Blackhawks and Red Wings to battle for supremacy in 2011-12. It may come down to injuries and how each team handles them. Regardless, the Central will be a tough loop to play through this season.