It used to be easy predicting the Western Conference–Detroit, Colorado and Dallas at the top with everyone else fighting for the scraps. But parity is in full force in the West and those three will have a hard time winning their divisions–or even making the playoffs–let alone counting on going deep in the postseason. The new guard resides in unexpected places but the West remains loaded. More than one 90-point team could be watching the playoffs from home.
Division winners
There was a point midway through last season when it appeared as though the Nashville Predators were ready to make the next step and dethrone the Red Wings for the Central Division title. It didn’t happen. The Wings cruised to the President’s Trophy. This year will be the year the Predators take that leap and claim the Central title. …
The Anaheim Ducks (the name of the team as published has been corrected here and in a photo caption that accompanied some versions of this story) were one round away from making their second appearance in the Stanley Cup finals in three years last season. Adding the best defenseman in the league–Chris Pronger–makes them the early-line conference favorite. … The only thing the Calgary Flames have been missing lately is another scorer to take some pressure off Jarome Iginla. The addition of Alex Tanguay and Jeff Friesen might do it.
They’re in
It will be strange–and a bit sad–to see the Detroit Red Wings and not see Steve Yzerman, who retired after last season. But Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Nicklas Lidstrom will help Detroit carry on just fine. . . .
There wasn’t a more potent combination last season than Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo. Now that they will be together all season, the San Jose Sharks won’t have to sweat a playoff spot. … The Dallas Stars will make the playoffs, but the heat is on goaltender Marty Turco to prove he can play better in the spring. … Thornton proved in San Jose last season how much of an impact one player can make. Pavol Demitra can make that kind of an impact on Marian Gaborik and the Minnesota Wild this season. … Martin Havlat, Bryan Smolinski and Michael Handzus are used to playing in the postseason. That experience–and a rebound by goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin–might be the difference for the Blackhawks in what should be a five-team fight for the last playoff spot.
Also-rans
It was the final weekend of the season before the Edmonton Oilers secured a playoff spot, and they were 60 minutes away from winning the Cup. Losing Pronger may cost the Oilers a spot this season. …
Roberto Luongo may be the best goalie never to play in a playoff game. That won’t change this season, his first with the Vancouver Canucks. … Wayne Gretzky really likes coaching the Phoenix Coyotes; it will show as they push to the wire and overachieve. … How much longer can the Colorado Avalanche depend on Joe Sakic to carry them? … The Los Angeles Kings have a new coach, general manager, goaltender and anchor on defense. Ask the Hawks how long it takes for all that to jell. … If the Columbus Blue Jackets can get above-average goaltending, they could be a big surprise. … It’s back to the future for the St. Louis Blues–Doug Weight, Bill Guerin and Keith Tkachuk. The Blues can’t be any worse than they were last season.