Western Conference
Playoff Locks –
San Jose - The Sharks have made some good runs in the playoffs the last couple of seasons. The trades for Marty Havlat and Brent Burns have put them in a great spot to contend again for the Western Conference Crown.
Vancouver - Without question the Canucks ability to overcome a heart breaking loss in game 7 of the finals will be their biggest test. They resigned the right guys and still have a loaded team that will again be vying for the top spot in the West.
Chicago – The Hawks did what they had to do this summer and that was fill in the bottom half of their line-up. All of their top players return to the mix with the veteran depth they added. Corey Crawford was solid last year and there is no reason to think he won’t be the same this time around.
Detroit - Just like Nick Lidstrom did, the Wings will return to the playoffs for another season. They did lose Brian Refalski to retirement but added Ian White and Mike Commodore to the blue line.
Los Angeles – With Drew Doughty finally locked up for 8 years, the Kings can finally concentrate on the task at hand. Mike Richards was an excellent pick up and gives LA a great one two punch down the middle with Richards and Anze Kopitar.
Playoff Probable’s –
Anaheim – The Finnish Flash is back and that had to be some relief for the Ducks Brass. Teemu Selanne had 80 points in 73 games last year and solidified the depth behind the Ryan/Getzlaf/Perry line. Hiller looks back to form in net and the Ducks should find a spot in the post season.
Columbus – This is a franchise that has been screaming for a winner. They finally spent some money and now have a little more depth up front to take some pressure off guys like Derrick Brassard and Antoine Vermette. The Jackets need solid goaltending from Steve Mason, the only question mark holding them back from a sure playoff spot.
Nashville – Say what you want about the Preds and their low budget but they continue to make the playoffs every season with Suter and Weber on the blue line and Pekka Rinne in net, I have a hard time picking against them.
Playoff hopefuls –
Calgary/St. Louis/Phoenix – The Western Conference is tough, and like in many cases before, it could come down to the last day of the season. Having said that, these are a couple of teams that will make a run but fall short. The Flames were unable to land Brad Richards this summer and in return it will cost them a playoff spot. The Blues made a couple of veteran signings this off season in Arnott and Langenbrunner but they are both way past their best day. And the Coyotes, they made the playoffs behind the solid goaltending of Ilya Bryzgalov a season ago. With him off to Philadelphia, there are just too many questions in net for the Yotes.
Watching the Playoffs –
Minnesota – While I do love the additions of Heatley and Setoguchi you have to give something to get something and the loss of Brent Burns will hurt the Wild more than they think.
Dallas – I am not sure what direction this team is going in but they did make a big mistake last season by not trading Brad Richards and letting him walk for nothing this summer.
Edmonton – A lot like the Islanders in the east, they do have a ton of young talent, but they are at least two years away from making a playoff push.
Coming out of the West –
This was a difficult choice; the West is loaded at the top in which I see at least 5 teams with the capabilities to make it to the finals. With that said, I am going with the team that made some of the bigger moves in the off season and that is the San Jose Sharks. The additions of Brent Burns and Martin Havlat will prove to be a breath of fresh air for a team that has been close the last couple of seasons. And I see them doing it in a rematch of the 2010 Western Conference finals against Chicago. It will take them 6 games to do so.
Stanley Cup –
The San Jose Sharks in 5 games over the Washington Capitals
Antii Niemi will hoist the Cup for the second time in 3 years and Patrick Marleau, after 15 years in San Jose will finally bring the Cup home.
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