1. DETROIT RED WINGS
Last Season: 47-25-10, 104 points. 3rd in Conference (1st in Div.) Lost in Conference Semifinals to SJS
Key gains: Ian White, Mike Commodore, Ty Conklin, Chris Conner
Key losses: Andreas Lilja, Brian Rafalski, Kris Draper, Mike Modano, Chris Osgood
Coach: Mike Babcock
Forward Lines: 1. Tomas Holmstrom, Pavel Datsyuk, Johan Franzen
2. Todd Bertuzzi, Henrik Zetterberg, Danny Cleary
3. Patrick Eaves, Jiri Hudler, Valteri Filppula
4. Drew Miller, Darren Helm, Justin Abdelkader
Defensive Pairs: 1. Nicklas Lidstrom, Niklas Kronwall
2. Brad Stuart, Jonathan Ericsson
3. Ian White*, Mike Commodore*
Goalie Tandem: Jimmy Howard, Ty Conklin*
Analysis: Despite the retirement of Brian Rafalski, the Wings are still as strong and deep as ever. They replaced Rafalski and Ruslan Salei with Ian White and Mike Commodore and remain totally intact up front. Expect their offense and defense to dominate opponents as always. Their one question mark remains the same: goaltending. Jimmy Howard is still an unproven goalie. He has moments of brilliance but is overall inconsistent. The team in front of him is good enough to win whether he plays well or not, but, as we saw with the Flyers last postseason, his play will become a much larger factor at crunch time.
2. NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Last Season: 44-27-11, 99 points. 5th in Conference (2nd in Div.) Lost in Conferece Semifinal to VAN
Key gains: Niclas Bergfors, Brett Lebda, Kyle Wilson, Zack Stortini, Jack Hillen, Tyler Sloan
Key losses: Marcel Goc, Steve Sullivan, Joel Ward, Mark Dekanich, Cody Franson, Matthew Lombardi, Shane O'Brien
Coach: Barry Trotz
Forward Lines: 1. Sergei Kostitsyn, David Legwand, Martin Erat
2. Blake Geoffrion, Mike Fisher, Patric Hornqvist
3. Matt Halischuk, Colin Wilson, Niclas Bergfors*
4. Nick Spaling, Cal O'Reilly, Jordin Tootoo
Defensive Pairs: 1. Shea Weber, Ryan Suter
2. Kevin Klein, Jonathon Blum
3. Jack Hillen*, Ryan Ellis
Goalie Tandem: Pekka Rinne, Anders Lindback
Analysis: The Predators definitely lost more than they gained this summer, and the trade of Cody Franson and Matt Lombardi for Brett Lebda still has me scratching my head. Despite these facts, they are still a very solid team and their strong defense in front of the tremendous Pekka Rinne should keep them in games. Their offense is still filled with nothing but middle of the road talent, but they shouldn't have to score many goals to win games.
3. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Last Season: 44-29-9, 97 points. 8th in Conference (3rd in Div.) Lost in Conference Quarterfinal to VAN
Key gains: Daniel Carcillo, Sean O'Donnell, Jamal Mayers, Andrew Brunette, Rostislav Olesz, Steve Montador, Sami Lepisto
Key losses: Jake Dowell, Troy Brouwer, Brian Campbell, Tomas Kopecky
Coach: Joel Quenneville
Forward Lines: 1. Michal Frolik, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane
2. Andrew Brunette*, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa
3. Bryan Bickell, Dave Bolland, Viktor Stalberg
4. Rostislav Olesz*, Ben Smith, Jamal Mayers*
Defensive Pairs: 1. Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook
2. Sean O'Donnell*, Steve Montador*
3. Niklas Hjalmarsson, Sami Lepisto*
Goalie Tandem: Corey Crawford, Ray Emery*
Analysis: For the second straight year, the Blackhawks underwent some major changes to their roster. However, they may be the stronger for it this time. They still have managed to keep the key guys in Toews, Kane, Sharp, Hossa, Bolland, Keith, Seabrook, and Hjalmarsson. In addition they have unloaded some salary by finally giving up Brian Campbell. They didn't get much in return in Olesz, but shouldn't need much out of him. Steve Montador should boost offensive production on the point, and the additions of three veterans should also help this club a lot: Andrew Brunette still is a big offensive producer, Jamal Mayers a seasoned enforcer, and Sean O'Donnell a solid and experienced defenseman. The main question will be if Corey Crawford can repeat his surprising rookie season.
4. ST. LOUIS BLUES
Last Season: 38-33-11, 87 points. 11th in Conference (4th in Div.) Did not qualify for playoffs
Key gains: Brian Elliott, Kent Huskins, Jamie Langenbrunner, Jason Arnott
Key losses: Cam Janssen, Ty Conklin
Coach: Davis Payne
Forward Lines: 1. David Perron, Andy McDonald, David Backes
2. Patrik Berglund, Alex Steen, Chris Stewart
3. T.J. Oshie, Jason Arnott*, Matt D'Agostini
4. Jamie Langenbrunner*, Vladimir Sobotka, Jonathan Cheechoo*
Defensive Pairs: 1. Barrett Jackman, Carlo Colaiacovo
2. Alex Pietrangelo, Kevin Shattenkirk
3. Kent Huskins*, Nikita Nikitin
Goalie Tandem: Jaroslav Halak, Brian Elliott*
Analysis: The biggest question marks for the blues this season are experience and durability. They have a lot of young talent with 20-30 goal ability as well as highly productive offensive defenseman. The question will be can they produce like they are capable of doing. Their defense may be shaky at times, but veterans Jackman, Colaiacovo, and Huskins should be a steadying influence in front of Halak. While much of the scoring talent up front is young and unproven, Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner were brought in and should be great mentors to the youngsters. Additionally, former Rocket Richard winner Jonathan Cheechoo was brought in. This is a no-lose situation for the Blues. Cheechoo has been awful the past few years and was lucky to even get a contract, albeit a small one. If he can find his old form, the Blues could be extremely dangerous and deep. If not, they didn't risk much. The Blues last season was derailed by injuries early on and a big key to their success will again be staying healthy. David Perron and Andy McDonald are still recovering from devastating concussions and it is still uncertain how much they will play this season.
5. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Last Season: 34-35-13, 81 points. 13th in Conference (5th in Div.) Did not qualify for playoffs
Key gains: Curtis Sanford, Mark Dekanich, Jeff Carter, James Wisniewski, Radek Martinek, Vinny Prospal
Key losses: Scottie Upshall, Jan Hejda, Jakub Voracek, Mike Commodore, Mathieu Garon, Nikita Filatov, Andrew Murray, Sami Lepisto, Ethan Moreau
Coach: Scott Arniel
Forward Lines: 1. Rick Nash, Jeff Carter*, Kristian Huselius
2. R.J. Umberger, Derrick Brassard, Antoine Vermette
3. Vinny Prospal*, Samuel Pahlsson, Matt Calvert
4. Jarred Boll, Derek Mackenzie, Derek Dorsett
Defensive Pairs: 1. James Wisniewski*, Fedor Tyutin
2. Kris Russell, Marc Methot
3. Radek Martinek*, Grant Clitsome
Goalie Tandem: Steve Mason, Mark Dekanich*
Analysis: The Blue Jackets made a big splash this summer by adding Jeff Carter and James Wisniewski, but with these acquisitions, it is easy to forget how much they lost. They are definitely a stronger team than last year, but how much stronger remains to be seen. Wisniewski will be a big boost to the blue line, but they are still not very deep after the first pairing. With a questionable defense in front of the enigmatic Steve Mason, the Blue Jackets could end up letting in a ton of goals. Mason was outstanding as a rookie, but in the two seasons since, has not had a GAA under 3.00. He will need to be as spectacular as we know he can be if he is to lead the Blue Jackets to their second playoff appearance. As questionable as their D may be, the Blue Jackets' offense is as deep as ever. Huselius will be out the first part of the season, but Carter and Nash, both 40-goal talents, should be able to get some scoring done without him. The question will be how the two will share the puck without the playmaker on their wing. After Huselius' return, expect an even greater offensive explosion. Pahlsso, Dorsett, Boll, and MacKenzie should provide a gritty balance, while the remaining forwards, Wisniewski, and Tyutin will give Columbus fearsome power play options.
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