NHL Preview 2010-11

Welcome to the 2010-2011 NHL WhitSport Preview. As you may have heard, parity oft runs high in the National Hockey League, rarely do the majority of playoff teams remain consistent from one year to the next. So who will surprise us this year? Let’s take a look starting with…

EASTERN CONFERENCE

ATLANTIC

Yes this has been the most competitive division in the NHL over the past 10 years, and no things aren’t about to change. While the Flyers run to the Cup last spring caught the eyes of many, should we expect a similar output this year in Philly? Many say yes, but I’m not sold. Sure Richards Briere, and a solid defensive 6, but they’ll need to stay healthy due to a lack of depth at certain positions. The Devils may have lost some key players on defense, there’s no doubt that Lou Lamoriello knows how to fill the gaps. In doing so, NJ has pipped the Penguins for the division crown in 3 of the last 4 seasons. This year Crosby and company return more humbled, and possibly more balanced. The loss of Gonchar may hurt the PP, but Martin and Michalek will sure up a slightly shaky defense, and could be what Pittsburgh needs to compete with the Caps for top spot in the East. The Rangers look much like they did last offseason, questionable at best and vying for the #8 seed in April. A healthy Gaborik, the addition of Frolov, and a solid net minder has the blue-shirts’ hopes slightly higher. Speaking of a team on the rise, the Islandershave the young guns in place to score… but their weak defense and shaky goaltending has yet to show they can stop pucks on the other end.

NORTHEAST

While some challenge the Northeast’s street cred, this is still an old-school smash mouth division. TheSabres grabbed the crown last season, thanks to their almighty savior, and American hero Ryan Miller in net. With Buffalo adding very little in the offseason, the Bruins, behind young sensation Tuukka Rask and a nicely balanced squad in front of him, may be the favorites. Chara is in a contract year, and I expect he and Johnny Boychuk to declare dominance on the rest of the league… physically.  While the Senators finished middle of the road in nearly every statistical category last year, they did add a tad more offense over the summer, we could see a slight improvement. As for the Canadiens, who knows what to expect. If I make one bold statement at all, it’s that Carey Price will not finish the season as the Habs #1 tender. While Montreal has started to showcase is youth, the Maple Leafswill need to rely on theirs just to get by. They’ve got the youngest average age per player in the Conference, and unless Giguere can re-kindle his Cup winning form, they’ll struggle to keep pucks out of the net.

SOUTHEAST

So it seems like we should just give the Capitalsthe division crown right off the bat… Fair enough, but that’s not to say they’re without weakness. To hang your puck stopping hopes on the shoulders of two 22 year olds is a risky move, especially when the post-season comes around. Let’s just say Bruce Boudreau hangs his hat on his team’s goal-scoring abilities. As for the rest of the pack, the Lightning seem to be the next best contender. They added some nice pieces in the offseason, and now boast 3 lethal scorers, and improving depth down the rest of the lines. As for the Thrashers, where do they turn now? Even with Kovalchuk they weren’t all that dangerous. Expect a resurgence of growing pains. As for a possible surprise, how about theHurricanes? If Cam Ward can put together a 60 game season, I like Carolina’s chances, especially after finishing in the top half of most scoring categories in 09/10. Finally wrapping the East up is Florida. It seems like they just can’t hold on to any solid players that emerge. Tomas Vokoun can win behind any team in the NHL, so can the Panthersthrow him a bone please?!

WESTERN CONFERENCE

CENTRAL

After rival Chicago walked home with the Cup, one would think the Red Wings would be as determined as ever to get back on top… you’d be right. If Jimmy Howard can avoid a sophomore slump, Datsyuk can stay healthy, and “the Mule” can contribute more than 40 points, then Modano may just get to raise the Cup one last time. As for the Blackhawks themselves, many people are predicting a major drop. But don’t sleep on them entirely, they’re still a playoff team with the confidence and exuberance to win games late in the year. The Blues seem to be the forgotten team altogether; but the addition of Jaroslav Halak might turn out to be the biggest pick-up of the offseason. While the Predators surprised some by comfortably making the playoffs last year, I’m not sure the same can be said again this season. Pekka Rinne looked vulnerable at times and could end up being very hit or miss. Going further down the ladder, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Blue Jackets finished dead last in the West, and we started a “Rick Nash Watch: 2011″. Some young talent is there, but until the upside emerges, it looks dreary in Columbus to say the least.

NORTHWEST

As Henrik Sedin cleaned up the NHL awards last season, the rest of the Canucks wondered why they couldn’t get over the playoff hump. With the addition of a number of willing and able veterans, this could be their big push. Calgary seems to be the next best team, but with an ageing core, I’m not sure how well equipped the Flames are to deal with the younger quicker teams in the division. Speaking of which, the youth movement is on for the Avalanche, this team could be good for years to come, but I forsee some growing pains for Colorado this season. The Minnesota Wild seem to be this year’s mysterious team… a good goalie and solid defense, but questionable scoring. If they can get some pucks to bounce their way, possibly a surprise playoff team. As for last years goats, the Oilers have reshuffled the team across the board. #1 pick Taylor Hall will surely be in the spotlight, but with some relative no-names surrounding him, he might be in for a rough first year.

PACIFIC

The last division, but certainly most interesting. So the Sharks walked off with the division crown last year, and will likely repeat the feat once again, especially behind a ton of goalscoring and two capable goaltenders. But how on Earth did the Coyotes finish 4th in the West?! Simple… Ilya Bryzgalov. While he didnt win any awards at the season’s end, many argue he should have. However, the loss of several impact players may bring the Yotes down a notch. As for the rest of the division, we may see a lot of competition for the remaining playoff spots. The Stars still ranked well in scoring last year, and their lackluster record was more a result of injuries than anything else. In Anaheim you’ve got one of the top lines in the NHL, with Getzlaf, Ryan, and Perry, but the Ducks have little else after that. The sexy pick LA Kings seem to now be on people’s radars, but I sense some issues with their ever-shuffling lines, and a possible goalie controversy with the pair of Jonathans in net.

Check the 2011 NHL Predictions for what to expect come April…