The Best (and worst) in the West

By Annie Detroit

The NHL season is upon us. The season opens with two games in Stockholm, Sweden between the Detroit Red Wings and the St. Louis Blues. I'm expecting both of these games to feel like home games for Detroit being that half of their roster is Swedish and played for the gold medal hockey team in the '06 Olympic games. The tickets for both games sold out with minutes of them being released, so that will make Darth Bettman, regardless, so I'm sure he did that on purpose.
Anyway, here's the scoop on the West:

Anaheim Ducks
I don't think this is the year the team changes their name to the "California Mighty Ducks of Anaheim," but it seems to be on the horizon. But the Ducks are no longer Mighty have been showing that as of late. They squeaked into the playoffs last season only to make a quick exit in the first round. The off-season acquisition of the Flying Finn Saku Koivu could really pay off to aide Scott Niedermeyer in leading a young Ducks team. Though Jonas Hiller took the starting goaltender job from Jean-Sebastien Giguere last season, Hiller should be careful he doesn't lose the job to another newcomer. Watch for youngsters James Wisniewski and Nick Boynton to step as the top youths. The Pacific Division seems to change from year to year, so if the Ducks want to prevail they'll need to do well against their inter-division opponents.

Calgary Flames
Coach Mike Keenan made another unceremonious exit as he was released by the Flames after a disappointing first round loss last season. This was Keenan's 8th NHL team and was last heard to be preparing for a tour of the Minneapolis Metropolitan Pee-Wee hockey league. Good luck, Mr. Keenan.
As for the Flames and new head coach Brent Sutter, I wouldn't expect them to challenge for the Division Championship barring a meteor striking the other arenas of the Northwest Division. With very few pick ups over the summer, plus a new coach and new system the team needs to learn, the Flames will have enough on their plate to keep them busy without worrying about leading the division. Don't be surprised if they miss the playoffs this year.

Chicago Blackhawks
Since the death of infamous owner Bill Wirtz, once quoted as saying that he would never finance a winning team because "Stanley Cups cost too much," the Hawks have been flying high. The Central Division war between the Blackhawks and Red Wings will be worth keeping an eye on throughout the season, as I am predicting that one of the two will represent the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals come spring. While the signing of Marian Hossa was the biggest name they brought in this off-season, keep in mind that Hossa was bothered by a shoulder injury late in the postseason. Ex-Devil John Madden will also add some help up front, taking the place of departed Samuel Pahlsson. The coaching staff has high expectations for goalie Cristobal Huet, with so much confidence they were able to drop The Bulin Wall.

Colorado Avalanche
The Avs have diminished into a shadow of what they once were (much to my despire, I assure you). Since they moved from Quebec in 1995, this is the first year they'll have to rebuild. With no real players of note (especially since Joe Sakic announced his retirement), and no exceptional acquisitions this past summer, the team will be looking towards new coach Joe Sacco for guidence back towards the light. Bringing in former Florida back-up Craig Anderson to start (that's how you know it's bad), don't look for the Avs to make post-season. But don't worry Av fans, people in Detroit will always hate you.

Columbus Blue Jackets
Congratulations, B.J.s! You did it! You made the playoffs! What? You got swept in the first round? Oh...well...this is awkward...Oh? And you sent one of your top scoring forwards back to division rival Detroit? Um...you don't think you're going to make the playoffs this year, do you?
Your only goal scorer now is Rick Nash, your goaltender Steve Mason is in his sophomore (slump?) season, and even though your coach Ken Hitchcock has lost all kinds of weight, I still think he looks like the former manager of the Undertaker, Paul Bearer. If you guys want to have a shot, someone besides Nash is going to have score goals, and someone besides Mason is going to have to keep the puck out of the net (i.e. defensemen). Good luck and God's speed.

Dallas Stars
The biggest reason the Stars were in the news last season was the Sean Avery debacle (now making trouble with the Rangers). With a new GM in Joe Nieuwendyk and new coach Marc Crawford (still lookin' spiff with his 'doo), the Stars are hoping to make the playoffs ::insert thumbs up here::!

Crawford is part of an elite squad of the NHLs epic hair styles

Actually, without acclaimed GM Brett Hull, the Stars already have a better chance of making the playoffs than they did last year. Though several of their core players have taken off (Sergei Zubov went off to Russia, Brendan Morrison went to meet up with Ovechkin), the Stars are also looking to rebuild. Crawford has a tall order in front of him, but given his track record, it would be difficult to find someone better suited for the task.

Detroit Red Wings
As former coach Jacques Demers once said, "We gotta lotta yoot and a bunch a utter guys." By dropping Chris Chelios, the Wings have already dropped the average age of the team by 70 years. The re-acquisition of Jason Williams will give the Wings some more power up front, with the defensive duo of Lidstrom and Rafalski in charge of protecting Osgood. Goaltending may be the only question mark for Detroit this year, with Osgood's inconsistency and a lifetime minor-leaguer Jimmy Howard the only other option. Though Ozzie often comes up big come playoff time, the Wings will be jockeying for the top spot in the division all year with soaring Chicago. Anything less than a division win will greatly deflate the Wings egos and could effect their play in the post season. Look for yoots Justin Abdelkader (former Spartan!) and Ville Leino to get more action and score some goals for Detroit.

Edmonton Oilers
After missing the playoffs for the third straight season, Edmonton will be looking for some big time improvements. The acquisition of Nikolai Khabibulin was a start. Khabi is getting older, but like fellow AARP goalie Marty Brodeur, hasn't lost much. Another big change for this team came behind the bench. Ex-Oiler Craig MacTavish was let go for journeyman coach Pat Quinn. GM Steve Tambellini worked so hard over the off-season attempting to recruit Dany Heatley, that he forgot to try to get anyone else that could help this Oiler's offense. Chris Minard coming over from Pittsburgh may not be enough to propel Edmonton into the playoffs, but they will battle with Calgary for a potential eight seed.


Los Angeles Kings
The Kings are another team in the West that are going to have a rebuilding year. After finishing last in the division last season, the team went out and got Ryan Smith from the ailing Avalanche. They were also able to re-sign defenseman Jack Johnson (though Tom O'Leary opted for the European leagues). Watch for center Anze Kopitar to turn some more heads this year with his scoring drive. The Kings are also putting a lot of stock in 21-year-old Jonathan Bernier to mind the LA net this year and many years in the future. The Kings are really trying to build from the ground up, putting a lot of responsibility on their recent draft picks rather than looking for major trades. This may pay off for them a few years down the road, but don't expect to see their names on the playoff schedules this year.


Minnesota Wild
After missing the playoffs by only a few points, the Wild went into overhaul this summer. They fired their original GM, the head coach resigned, and they let of the last original Wild. Of all the recent expansion teams, many say they have been the most successful. I would agree but modify: They are the only one of the expansion teams to have any success. Even some of the others that have made they playoffs have made such unceremonious exits that it's not really worth calling them successes. I think it's because Minnesota actually deserves to have a hockey franchise and their first one never should've left! The addition of Martin Havlat will bring some points up front, and it will be a close race at the end of the season for Minnesota to make the playoffs.

Nashville Predators
The Preds took a step back this summer by exporting seven members of the team and bringing in a dude who played in Finland last year...cha-ching! Well, it's not like they're in a tough division...oh, wait. Everyone else in the division made the playoffs last year? Yikes! Steve Sullivan will once again be called upon to lead this inexpereinced team to what will probably be another disappointing season in the Music City. Not like anyone cares out there. Pekka Rinne will take the starting goaltender position, one that hasn't been kept warm for more than year since Tomas Vokoun left. Look for a kid named Jonathon Blum on the back line for Nashville this year. Last year's CHL defensive player of the year may help out to keep the goals against down the Preds.

Pheonix Coyotes
The biggest headline the Coyotes have made recently all have to do with the controversy over their sale. The Not-So-Great One is no longer behind the bench, in his place, former defenseman Ulf Samuelsson. The 'Yotes still have Shane Doan to tread the waters, but with a team that hasn't been competetive in several seasons. Bringing in Adrian Aucoin from Calgary for the blue line will help and may be paired with Jim Vandermeer. Goaltending will be fickle all year as Ilya Bryzgalov steps in again. It's difficulut to say if the Coyotes are even working towards the playoffs but rather fighting to stay alive with all of the financial troubles. Expect small crowds at the rink and a last place finish.

San Jose Sharks
The Sharks were the winners of the big Dany Heatley contest. While Heatley will bring some scoring prowess to the lineup (if he wants to), the Sharks still have some forces in the lineup like Patrick Marleau and Rob Blake. The sharks did trim of the fat this off-season as well, waving good-bye to Jeremy Roenick and Claudia Lemieux (HALLELUJAH!). The Sharks also sent quite a few other players packing, including goalie Brian Boucher and Jonathan Cheechoo. While I'm predicting the Sharks to do well in such a disparate division, I wouldn't put all my money on them quite yet come post-season. It would be very easy for the Sharks to go down on one stumble on the way to the playoffs. They have what they need to compete in their division, but it may not be enough to hold up against the rest of the top teams in the conference.

St. Louis Blues
Well, last year the Blues made the playoffs despite the fates being against them. Budding star Erik Johnson, scorer Paul Kariya, and captain Eric Brewer all had surgery to repair injuries. Not only did they persevere and comfortably make the playoffs, they also had the best record in the second half of the regular season. Imagine what they'll do with their big guns back in the lineup. Andy Murray will have to make sure that the younsters on this team keeps their heads on straight. Just because the injured guys are coming back into the lineup means they'll have it on Easy Street this year. Chris Mason will have some of the heat taken off of him as the starter with solid back-up Ty Conklin coming over from Detroit to help him out. Don't overlook the Blues in the fight for the top spot in the Central Division. They will challenge both Detroit and Chicago.

Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks will be making a real push to dominate the Northwest Division this year and carry into the playoffs. They brought in scorers Mikael Samuelsson and Matthieu Schneider will re-signing the Sedin brothers. The only name they lost this off-season was Mattias Ohlund. They're making their push for the Cup this year. They'll be lead by the Sedins and goalie Roberto Luongo. I'm predicting they'll run the division. Whether or not they'll take Stanley will be up to them. Don't forget about Pavol Demitra, he can score, too. Picking up Christian Erhoff and Brad Lukowich from San Jose will also add some muscle to a bulked (and expensive) lineup. Oh, and don't forget, Vancouver is hosting the Winter Olympics this year. Watching medals and a Stanley be awarded in this city would be a storybook ending for the fans here.