Only 2-3 playoff spots open in the West

[Eddy Punch Clock]

Winning their divisions: Vancouver, Detroit, San Jose

Definitely making the playoffs: Chicago, Los Angeles

Probably making the playoffs: Anaheim (this one is all on Hiller's shoulders)

No chance in hell: Edmonton

That leaves St. Louis, Dallas, Nashville, Phoenix, Colorado, Calgary, Columbus and Minnesota fighting for the two remaining playoff berths in the West.

While I think Minnesota, Columbus and Colorado are unlikely candidates, there is usually a surprise team that emerges every year like Phoenix and Colorado dida couple of seasons ago.

Phoenix and Nashville both made it last year so they'd have to be the favourites but I think Phoenix takes a big step backwards this year without Bryz.

Dallas only missed the playoffs by one point last season and St. Louis seems to have a lot of good pieces but just haven't been able to put it all together... yet.

My prediction... Nashville and Dallas. The only chance I give Calgary is the fact that Nashville and Dallas play in way stronger divisions and the Flames could squeak in preying on everyone in their division not named the Canucks.

[Fred]

Funny a number of pundits are not give Detroit as much love as they did a year or two ago, I guess they're looking at the age of their roster ?

[wienerdog]

While I pretty much agree with everything you're predicting there, Eddy, almost any team is two extended injuries to marquee players from a huge slide down the table.

Especially if one of those injuries is to their #1 goalie.

CHI without Crawford, for example, wouldn't be going anywhere but the basement IMO. Not with Emery as their #1.

But yeah, barring that - I think you're pretty close. I'd argue that the Kings aren't necessarily a lock, but I know most would. I can't put my finger on it, but I have a feeling the chemistry of that crew isn't quite right.

Nonetheless, they're definitely a force to be reckoned with.

[Eddy Punch Clock]

While I pretty much agree with everything you're predicting there, Eddy, almost any team is two extended injuries to marquee players from a huge slide down the table.

Especially if one of those injuries is to their #1 goalie.

CHI without Crawford, for example, wouldn't be going anywhere but the basement IMO. Not with Emery as their #1.

But yeah, barring that - I think you're pretty close. I'd argue that the Kings aren't necessarily a lock, but I know most would. I can't put my finger on it, but I have a feeling the chemistry of that crew isn't quite right.

Nonetheless, they're definitely a force to be reckoned with.

Fair point; especially concerning Crawford. And he doesn't even need to get injured. A sophomore jinx could be his achilles heel this season. He seems like a pretty focused and calm guy so I wouldn't bet on it; but I also wouldn't have bet on Steve Mason taking the nose dive he did either.

[ESQ]

I disagree on Chicago. Not only are Kane and Sharp starting the year injured, but remember they barely snuck into the playoffs, and I believe only made it because Dallas couldn't get to OT in their last game.

They've gotten worse each of the past 2 years - while Campbell underperformed relative to his contract he was still a huge part of that team. 8th place team losing #3 Dman = not likely to make the playoffs.

I'd say Nashville is most likely to make the cut, followed by a seemingly-healthy St. Louis. The Tippett factor needs to be considered in Phoenix, I know I didn't expect them to make the playoffs the last 2 years but he's surprised me.

Dallas is feast-or-famine and I really have no sense which way they go.

[dhabums]

I disagree on Chicago. Not only are Kane and Sharp starting the year injured, but remember they barely snuck into the playoffs, and I believe only made it because Dallas couldn't get to OT in their last game.

They've gotten worse each of the past 2 years - while Campbell underperformed relative to his contract he was still a huge part of that team. 8th place team losing #3 Dman = not likely to make the playoffs.

I am not sure why Chicago is getting so much love from everyone either. I think it's the continuing mancrush the media has on Toews.

[Rumsfeld]

I'm still waiting for Duchene to go into All-Star mode in Colorado. If he does I think they could be a dark horse.

[Benjo]

Who is Dallas' new coach? Last year I couldn't take them seriously when the Canucks literally devoured them in all 4 games. I know they were very run and gun with Crawford at the helm but they could be a wild card team to make the playoffs if they now have a half decent coach.

I say Nashville makes it as Trotz seems like a strange hybrid troll-wizard that looks like he was raised drawing up hockey plays on the walls of his cave and is always capable of getting the most out of what he has.

I think St Louis is the other team that could surprise this season. They have a very physically imposing forward core that is due for a breakout such as Berglund as well as Stewart who was hampered by injuries last season. They have a couple of decent puck movers in Shattenkirk and Pieteranelgaelegoeloo to quarterback the PP. I believe it all depends on if Halak can have somewhat of a bounceback season after dipping a bit last season. I have a weird feeling they will finish 2nd in the Central this season.

[ESQ]

Wow, I am astounded at how many "experts" are picking Chicago to win the Cup this year, or make the Finals. From TSN 30 teams in 30 days:

Additions: D Steve Montador, RW Jamal Mayers, D Sean O'Donnell, LW Andrew Brunette, LW Dan Carcillo, D Sami Lepisto

Subtractions: D Brian Campbell, C Jake Dowell

The only addition worth mentioning is Brunette, he did put up decent numbers playing top-6 minutes. But Chicago's blessed injury-free Championship season is a thing of the past - Kane, Sharp, and Seabrook are all coming back from injury to start the season. After winning the Cup the Hawks went top-heavy, much like Tampa did after the lockout. The obvious problem to the top-heavy approach is injuries are amplified by the lack of depth.
Frankly, with the exception of Brunette, I'm not sure any of the Hawks' additions even make the Canucks team when healthy.

Chicago only made the playoffs last year by having lightning strike twice - rookie goaltender comes out of nowhere and plays solid. Niemi did not look like a Cup champion for most of last season or for Round 3, and I'm very skeptical that Corey Crawford, with all of 50 NHL games under his belt, is going to lead them to the promised land as a sophomore. There have been way too many goalies of Crawford's ilk that faded away after one solid season.

[Fred]

I think Chicago is a mentally tough team seem to have all the parts to succeed. Here's the fly in the oitment, if the league is serious about removing rough housing and they continue with that theme through the play -offs Vcr is in with a chance. Both Krueger and Leddy come the end of the season should be firing on all cylinders and the likes of Kane, Toews, Bolland, Sharp and Hossa have as much fire power as us. Keith and Seabrooke are arguably better than our best D. IF Crawford doesn't flop and the play-offs are called like they were last season Chicago will be fine IMO. The other team that looks better is SJ. At last they have added strength to the blue line and are rid of Heatley

[ESQ]

I think Chicago is a mentally tough team seem to have all the parts to succeed.

So a team that follows up a Cup win with a first round exit, and can't even win their last game to make the playoffs and have to back in by Dallas losing, is mentally tough? I agree that is the common theme/media-perpetuated story on Chicago, but that doesn't make it true.

[Rumsfeld]

I think Chicago is a mentally tough team seem to have all the parts to succeed.

So a team that follows up a Cup win with a first round exit, and can't even win their last game to make the playoffs and have to back in by Dallas losing, is mentally tough? I agree that is the common theme/media-perpetuated story on Chicago, but that doesn't make it true.

Perhaps not, but their captain certainly plays the kind of game you want in a leader. As much as I can't stand his whiny bitch ass.

[rats19]

We have a leader like that..minus the whiny bitch part..he just isnt captain

[Meds]

Edmonton still sucks. Any team that boasts Horcoff as their highest paid player hasn't got a chance.

Phoenix lost their best player, and only reason they actually have a playoff appearance in recent history when Bryzgalov went to Philly. They'll likely be fighting with the Oiler's for one of the first 2 draft picks in 2012.

Colorado isn't there yet. They've replaced Anderson with Varlamov, not really a big upgrade, if one at all. They brought in some talent at the end of last season, but they are still too young and need really big years from some young players. I agree here with whoever it was that said they could be a dark horse, but I think that's a stretch.

Don't see Dallas making the playoffs this year. They don't look like a better team than they were last season, and they finished on the outside looking in.

Minnesota is about to see some great goal scoring from the pairing of Koivu and Heatley, but they'll also be subject to Heatley's attitude. Nothing to see here.

Calgary still isn't scaring anyone, Kiprusoff will have to be much better now as his best crease clearing dman has been shipped out, chances are they finish 2nd in the division and challenge for 8th in the conference simply by playing 18 games against Edmonton, Colorado, and Minnesota.....damn, wasn't it not too long ago that the NW was the toughest division in the NHL.....

St. Louis is loaded with young talent, no superstars, but a good chunk of skaters that would crack the top 6 on most teams. They do have a shallow, or at least fairly inexperienced, blueline. Yes their is some toughness there, and if Halak has a strong year the Blue's could be tough to score on (for everyone, not just us ), but I don't think you'll see them loading up the stats column courtesy of defensemen. It'll be between them and the Flames for our first round match-up.

Anaheim has the best line in hockey, but they couldalso be the most penalized top 3 as well. If Hiller goes down again they are screwed, if he doesn't then they are a one and a half line team with mediocre support from the blueline. Probably going to finish in 7th.

Nashville will challenge for a bottom seed again. Rinne will have a great year, but they aren't going to be lighting the lamp one helluvalot, so when he gives up more than 2, the Preds will be hard pressed to put points up in the W column, this is probably Weber's last season in Nasvhille.

Chicago is about the same team they were last year, however Crawford's increased experience will only have been beneficial to him and this could mean that the Hawk's are a more credible threat again. With the NHL's increased police presence under Commissioner Shanahan, and a scrutinizing media focused on goons and fighting (thanks to this past summer), Quenneville may have to re-think his ink when it comes to getting things done on the ice in a down and dirty fashion. Chicago is the big question-mark this year in the west, why so many talking heads are picking them to end up at the big dance again come June is a mystery.

Columbus is going to push both Chicago and Detroit this year, probably passing the former and challenging the latter. Some key additions and some real pressure to make a post-season appearance means make or break time for a franchise that has been losing money for a while. Much of their success rests on Nash's ability to be a contributor at both ends of the ice and less of a prima donna, and adding Carter's 40 goals can only take pressure of of Nash and help him do that.

San Jose is on the way out as a top seed IMO. Thornton has learned what it takes to be a performer in the playoffs, but he's aging, he's a bit slower, and he has been hurt a couple times now as wear and tear have begun to take their toll. They got better in the post-season by dumping Heatley and picking up Havlat, who is a strong playoff performer, but his health is always a factor for consideration. Burns is a boon to their backend, but I still think he's overrated. Niemi is no slouch, but he's about as consistent as Luongo was against Boston. Chances are they will finish 2nd in their division and 4th or 5th in the West.

If Quick finds his game in LA, the King's could upset the Sharks and walk away with the Pacific crown quite easily.

Detroit is still Detroit, just a bit older and a little more depleted.

The Canucks? Well they're the new Red Wings.

[ESQ]

Thought this was worthy of a bump - amazing how many people have been right so far.

My personal favourite has to be:

I'd argue that the Kings aren't necessarily a lock, but I know most would. I can't put my finger on it, but I have a feeling the chemistry of that crew isn't quite right.

Full props, I think you were the only one skeptical about the Kings making the playoffs.

Nobody had Minnesota leading the league in early-December, but IIRC this is the exact same time of year that Colorado was tops last year - look how that turned out. I read an article showing the brutal record the Wild would need to miss the playoffs after amassing so many points, and with a 5-game losing streak I'm predicting they don't make it.

Chicago is far stronger than I expected to this point, so I'll eat some crow on that. However, they typically go on a huge streak after their Circus Road Trip, if they're anything like last year there will be a couple brutal stretches ahead of them to bring them back down to earth.

Crawford's value to the team appears to have been greatly overestimated by most, with Emery taking over.