So, with silly season basically done, the shopping in the free agent bargain bin begins in earnest. Let’s take a look at the other teams in the Central Division and what they have done to make themselves better, worse or the same.
Chicago – Last season – 1st in the Central, 1st in the West. Better? Worse? Same? – Marginally worse. That doesn’t mean they won’t be good, they may not be as dominant. Most of the league continues to scratch their head at the moves Chicago made in late June. Trying to make sense of the Hjalmarssen and Panarin trades, there has been quite a bit of speculation that they may have been “shake it up” trades… another word for it could be panic. Look, I know getting swept in the first round shook the faith in a lot of the organization and that life rafts are being claimed, but this is a team with a solid core that needs some youth and some speed. Not sure that is what happened… so far. Unless GM Bowman finds some steals in bargain time, this team is not better than it was last season.
Playoffs? They are still a playoff team, they may even get through a round, but the Blackhawks have come back to the pack and are no longer the favorite in the Central Division.
Colorado – Last season – 7th in the division, 15th in the conference. Better? Worse? Same? – Can they get worse? I don’t think so, this team should show a dead cat bounce and improve on their 48 points last season. But that doesn’t mean that the dumpster fire in the Rockies is any closer to being put out. The self-inflicted Matt Duchene situation continues to dangle, no significant adds beyond Colin Wilson who should be ready for a fresh start… decent talent up front, one of the worst bluelines in the league and a rudderless front office… not exactly a recipe for success.
Playoffs? – Quoting Jim Mora here… PLAYOFFS??? You’re talking about playoffs?
Dallas – Last season – 6th in the division, 11th in the conference - Better? Worse? Same? – Better. After taking a step back last season, Dallas GM Jim Nill made some savvy adds to a decent core, finally resolving the goalie situation with the acquisition of Ben Bishop. They have added the mercurial Alexander Radulov, the Prodigal Pred signed a 5 year deal, we will see how many he ends up playing. He joins a team with plenty of firepower, the question has always been on the blueline, even with the dueling #1 goalies last season. The addition of underrated Marc Methot helps there. The most interesting addition is behind the bench as Ken Hitchcock has been brought back for a second stint as Dallas’ bench boss. Last time he was here, the Stars won a Cup… can he repeat the magic? I know I will be watching to see how Radulov and Hitch work and play together.
Playoffs? – Absolutely… should be in contention for tops in the division as well... unless Ben Bishop doesn’t pan out and they see the same injury bug they saw last season.
Minnesota – Last season - 2nd in the division, 2nd in the conference. Better? Worse? Same? – Who the heck knows??? Bruce Boudreau’s Wild lost some talent, gained a little and got a little bit older. Adding Tyler Ennis is a good thing… losing Scandella may not be a good thing. It is hard to figure out where this team is headed. After an outstanding regular season, they flamed out in the first round. Boudreau was supposed to change that, Ryan Sutter and Zach Parise are not getting any younger and you have to wonder if the window for contention is beginning to close for this team.
Playoffs – They should make it… but I wouldn’t be surprised if they miss… and if they miss, does this team get blown up and a rebuild begins in the Twin Cities.
St. Louis – Last season – 3rd in the division, 5th in the conference. Better? Worse? Same? – On paper, worse… but any team with the talent and firepower of a Vladimir Tarasenko will be competitive. They found their goaltending last season and still have a decent blueline, but the adds don’t seem to cover the losses. St. Louis will be solid… and competitive… I just don’t see them on an upswing. They are similar to the Blackhawks in this fashion, and a bargain basement acquisition may help.
Playoffs – Borderline, 50/50 chance depends on health and how good the rest of the division performs.
Winnipeg– Last season – 4th in the division, 9th in the conferenced. Better? Worse? Same? – Same as it ever was. This team has too much talent to not have been in the playoffs more than they have since the move from Atlanta. Is it front office? Is it coaching? Is it bad luck? A combination of all three? Patience has worn thin and exit visas could be imminent if this team doesn’t perform. Steve Mason is a nice addition to back up Connor Hellebuyck and will be ready to be a starter if Hellebuyck doesn’t get off to a good start. A nice add to the blueline in Dmitry Kulikov. The biggest question for this team is… was their late season run that almost got them into the playoffs fools gold, or a harbinger of things to come.
Playoffs – I could definitely see this team squeaking into the playoffs… I also see this team finishing 6th in the division… you wonder how long the leash is for the current leadership regime.
Last season was the first time the Central didn’t send five teams to the playoffs since the change in format. The Pacific continues to improve and the Central, as a whole is floating. A changing of the guard is definitely underway at the top of both divisions and the Central will need to keep up if they are to continue to send at least four teams to the post season.
58 days until training camp opens
62 days until first preseason game
78 days until season opener
83 days until home opener.
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Offseason Notes
- Pontus Aberg and Frederick Gaudreau are back in the fold… reasonable term for both, reasonable dollars for both.
- Today is the 10th anniversary of the “Save the Team” party… what a decade it has been! I can’t help but think of all of the folks involved in the Save the Preds organization, the real heros of that summer from hell.
- Viktor Arvidsson, Ryan Johansen and Austin Watson are the remaining RFA’s… only Johansen has not elected arbitration.
- After signing Aberg and Gaudreau, the team still has $19.5 million in cap space.
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