Alright left coasters, here comes our incredibly in-depth analysis of the western conference. yeah right. we're gonna start with the central division.
Chicago Blackhawks: Well now, this is certainly a team that will have a new look come the start of the season. the roster was gutted by salary cap issues. However, despite all the movement this off season, the core of Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook, Hossa, Sharp and Hjalmarsson remain in tact. that's not a bad group to move forward with. They lost a lot of depth/character guys, which cannot be over looked, but i think over all this team will be OK going into next season. I don't think they'll repeat, but that's not uncommon anymore.
What is hard to believe is the Blackhawks walking away from Niemi. Niemi is a talented goaltender who guided them to a cup win in his rookie season. I understand the cap constraints they were under, but to then see him sign in San Jose for 2 million really makes you wonder what the hawks were thinking. But the arbitrator gave him a price they thought was too high, and away he goes. If and when this team can get Brian Campbell's ridiculous contract off the books, and maybe sign another top 6 forward, the hawks climb back up into the western conference elite. They will still be competitive and make the playoffs, i just cannot see them repeating again this year. I don't think that Turco's resume is that impressive to get them back to back cups. Well, here's to 2057-58.
Detroit Redwings: The Redwings are the redwings. Ken Holland has quietly built one of the strongest and most consistent teams since his arrival in 1997. They are seldom flashy with their offseason signings, but draft incredibly well and give their talent time to develop. Lidstrom is returning for another year, and they managed to sign Mike Modano to a one year deal. It's like the 1998 western conference all star team.
Jimmy Howard will surely be handed the starting job this season, with Osgood serving as backup. Howard had an impressive rookie season, and should have another solid year with the team detroit has built in front of him. While the Redwings are certainly getting older, with both Zetterberg and Datsyuk both at the dreaded 30 mark, they're still elite players who will put up decent numbers. Eventually the other shoe will have to drop, but i think people will be waiting for awhile. With players like Abdelkader and Howard on the team, the Redwings look like they'll remain a top club in the west.
Columbus Bluejackets: A new coaching staff, same mediocre roster. Rick Nash gets full marks for signing a long term deal out of "loyalty" (his words, not mine), but this club has to get him some help. He will be the next Jerome Iginla without the addition of a top center. Steve mason will also have to be better for this team to make the playoffs, if they can. His rookie campaign was terrific, and he was rewarded with the Calder trophy for that season. It also marked the Bluejackets first, and only playoff appearance. His performance last year, was respectable, but far not as good as his rookie campaign.
The Bluejackets are in desperate need of top 6 forwards and a solid 1-2 defense pairing. Of the 9 defensemen they dressed last season, only one had a plus. Kris Russell was a +3 and Grant Clitsome was even, though he only played 11 games. This team needs help on defense. badly. The jackets also need a number one center to play with nash. R.J. Umberger, while a respectable player, is a 3rd line center...maybe 2nd at best. This team needs an overhaul. badly. Expect more early april golf dates jackets fans. And another lottery pick
Nashville Predators: All hail Barry Trotz. Sure he has no neck, and the head like a bowling ball, but he gets blood from a stone out of nashville. Nashville is a team that on paper shouldn't be competitive, but every year defies expectations. Only two players scored 20 or more goals. They certainly won't put up Capital-like goal counts, but they play a solid game and continue to get tremendous goaltending. Pekka Rinne put up impressive numbers, and was rewarded with a two year extension. look for him to lead this team from the back on out, along with new captain Shea Webber.
What will be interesting to watch will be notorious badboy Sergei Kostitsyn and how he will fit in to nashville. A problem case up in Montreal along with his brother, it is possible he will thrive away from the montreal scrutiny. Or he will simply find some russian mobsters to hang with at the Grand Ole Opry. Nashville will somehow make the playoffs again despite everyone assuming they won't.
St. Louis Blues: Someone needs to call the cops, because John Davidson is a thief. The guy managed to steal Jaroslav Halak away from montreal. The loss of Kariya (post concussion syndrome) and Kieth Tkachuk will be noticed, but hopefully the rest of the team can fill in. This is another team that won't wow you with mind boggling offensive numbers, but with Halak in net, they should manage to steal a few games.
What will the story for this team, will b how the new coach gets the players to buy into the system. clearly it didn't work last year, and it showed with their abysmal home record to start the year. They managed to put a decent run in the end, but it was too little too late for the blues. If they can string together some wins earlier in the year, they could make it into the playoffs. With Halak in net, and they do make the playoffs, anything is possible. The big question mark will be how the younger players in the system play with/when they make the big squad.
Preditions: Detroit (a shock i know) - Chicago - Nashville - St. Louis - Columbus.
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