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My Outlook for the Central Division "A Division of Hate." Plus rumors... |
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For years many folks, including myself I'll admit, looked at the Central Division as the division the Red Wings beat up on. Often folks would say the Red Wings would pile up points simply because of all the games against the Hawks, Preds, Jackets and Blues. And to an extent there was definitely a shred of truth to that, but as anyone in any of those cities will tell you the Red Wings always had their work cut out for them when they visited another Central Division city.
Ask Blues fan who their chief rival is? Detroit. Ask a Preds fan who their chief rival is? Detroit. Ask a Jackets fan...And of course need I even bring up the Hawks? So although the Wings were far and away the best team in this division over the last decade, they still were in for a war on most nights. This is a division of HATE. Bottom line. The Blues fans hate the Preds fans. The Hawks fans and the Wings fans are legendary. The Jackets fans hate the Wings fans. As one player once told me, "You don't often win games within the Central, you survive them."
While many long to put the Wings back into the Eastern Conference and re-kindle the Leafs/Wings rivalries of the 60's, it will never happen. Detroit is far too important to the other teams in this division and honestly, the only rivalry that exist between the Leafs and Wings at this point is trumped up. These teams haven't played a truly meaningful game against one another in decades. There is no rivalry. These teams barely know each other.
Last year saw the Central rise like Phoenix from the ashes in the spirit of its long lost sibling the Norris Division. Detroit still remained the team to beat, but for the first time in years the Hawks, Blues, and Blue Jackets all took major strides, while the Predators fell a bit, but challenge for a playoff spot right until the final weekend of the season.
Here is how I see the five teams stacking up this year, and some rumors as to what they may be up to...
#1 Detroit.
Yes, I am picking the Wings to once again win this Division, but it will be far from a cake-walk. The Wings have lost some players: Hossa, Hudler and Samuelsson and added Bertuzzi, Eaves, and Jason Williams. So yes, looking at that you could say they lost much more than they got back. True, however that is not how the Red Wings work. The losses of Hossa, Hudler and Samuelsson open up space for Helm, Abdelkader and Leino. These young players would have been impact players on almost any other team prior had there been room for them. Helm particularly showed what he could do in the playoffs last year and was one of the most impressive Wings all the way to the end. Abdelkader scored big playoff goals early, but the Wings had to scratch him as other players got healthy. Bottom line here, is these guys will all be impact players this year and the Wings (who are right smack up against the cap) will get much relief from these guys on their entry level/small contracts. For the first time in some time there will be some serious youth pushing for spots in camp. The Red Wings are still the best in the division, and maybe the Conference.
Rumors surrounding the Wings: I would not be shocked to see a D-man moved for some more speed up front at some point this season.
#2 Chicago
Last year was a fantastic run for the Hawks. Everything was almost perfect. The high point definitely coming as the team and Kane eliminated Vancouver to get to the Conference Finals in a game that will go down in Hawks fan history as one of their most memorable ever. The team really arrived and played the Red Wings extremely tough despite going down quickly. Those games and that series hinted strongly at what could be SEVERAL outstanding playoff series to come in the next few years. Often it is said that a team needs to learn to lose before they can get over the hump and I think the Hawks learned a great deal in the Red Wings series. The Hawks lost Havlat, but as great as he could be, this is a team that got used to and knows how to play minus Havlat. Adding Hossa is huge. How can it not be? As good as Havlat is, Hossa does everything Havlat can do better. John Madden is also exactly what the doctor ordered in Chicago. He brings experience and his Cup wins into a locker room led by extreme talent and youth. The issues of this summer were interesting at the time, but I don't see them playing a factor once the season starts.
Rumors surrounding the Hawks: They are still talking to many teams and are still extremely active. Brian Campbell could be moved, especially if they could grab a top 6 left winger. The rumors out of Chicago will be plentiful because the new Hawks like to get their name in the news. See Heatley rumors. The Hawks were not really ever in that race, yet got the credit for being a player.
#3 St Louis
The Blues were as good as anyone the last few months of the season last year and to show how good this division is I believe the Blues would challenge for the tops in many other divisions in hockey. They did very little this summer except get healthy. The Blues run last year was done largely without Paul Kariya, who when healthy may be among their most dynamic and experienced forwards. They did it without their best young star on defense, Erik Johnson who has looked awesome according to reports. These Blues are eerily similar in their development to the last year's Blackhawks. The talent and youth up front is incredible. Backes, Oshie, Perron, Boyes and Berglund are all coming into their own at the same time and their defense, which is a "little" older is among the most underrated groups in the NHL. Polak, Weaver, Jackman and likely Pietrangelo are all quick and have the ability to spring the transition game much like the Sabres of a few years back. This is an exciting team you should not miss when they appear on Center Ice. Chris Mason is the perfect goalie for this bunch as well. He has the ability to rally his teammates and definitely is a guy like Tim Thomas, in that you just want to root for Mason.
Rumors surrounding the Blues: If they stumble out of the gate I could see them looking to add experience to the D. Brewer is back, but they still lack a bit of true experience on the blue line. It may not matter, but then again...
#4 Columbus
The Jackets will battle with the Blues all year for the third spot in this division. The depth of talent may be a little less on the Jackets, but signing Rick Nash long term and a healthy Brassard are more than worth watching. I love the way Howson and Hitchcock haven't only built this team but have quietly built an atmosphere and attitude in Columbus. Many NHL teams are rather cookie cutter and nondescript, but you know when you play the Blue Jackets what you are playing. There is a definite feel to this team that reminds me of old Patrick Division teams. Voracek and Umberger are both very underrated and I still believe that while he was not invited to the team USA camp, RJ Umberger will win a job on the American team in Vancouver. He is a gamer. Vermette is also a heart and soul guy who works hard and can be deceptively creative. I am also a Filotov fan and I believe that he will be the story this year for the Jackets. Defensively, the Jackets are suspect to a degree and the lack of some quicker puck moving guys was evident in the Detroit series and they are trying to address this. The Jackets may have to just bite the bullet there. Of course last year the play of Mason was THE story in Ohio. I really love his game, but this is always a tough year for goalies. He will need some help to pull through the sophomore season. I always feel that NHL players are made in their second season. Players around them are so good at finding and exploiting their weaknesses that a real star is often determined by his ability to adjust to the "book" that others feel they have on him.
Rumours surrounding the Blue Jackets: Howson is still busy. He is trying to grab that puck moving right-handed d man. Not easy but definitely needed.
#5 Nashville
While I put the Preds at #5 in the division, I fully believe that the top 4 teams will once again be playoff teams and the Preds will battle right to the end. While the Preds were hit hardest in losing several key role players in deVries, Zanon, Fiddler and Nichol they did add Goc...Well the Preds aren't done yet either. This is a team that has decided to give their own a shot before reaching out to UFAs or trades. This will be another key year for Legwand and the return of a healthy Sullivan will give a huge boost throughout Preds land. The player I am most excited to watch, Colin Wilson, could add a dimension that the Preds really haven't had prior...And yet they simply must add more scoring. The defense is ridiculously solid and remains that way year after year despite losing top 4 d-man after top 4 d-man. However, this year they may feel the pinch. Suter and Weber are going to be leaned on VERY heavily. Pekke Rinne was phenomenal, and should he falter Dan Ellis is extremely solid. Poile and Trotz always find a way though. However, this one is going to be a huge challenge in a Division that is improving fast around them.
Rumours surrounding the Preds: Kessel. It is now rumoured that the rights to Radulov may be a key component to grabbing Kessel. I also could see the Preds taking a shot at Dubinsky, perhaps via offer sheet. The Preds are also talking trade with Phoenix I am told.
Tomorrow I will get into the Northeast Division...
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