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Todd Cordell
Nashville will win the Central Division. They finished 4th last season but the addition of P.K. Subban makes the best defense core in the league even better and I'm expecting a monstrous year from Filip Forsberg up front.
I'm a little hesitant to go with the Predators because I have almost no faith in Pekka Rinne but the Stars won the division last year with bad goaltending so perhaps the Preds can do the same thing.
My backup prediction is that the Winnipeg Jets, fresh off a 78-point season, will make the playoffs - or come very close. I love their forward core and Patrik Laine will only help in that regard. If they cut down on the usage of Mark Stuart/Chris Thorburn/Ondrej Pavelec I think the Jets could be really good.
James Tanner
The Wild win the Division. My pick would be Nashville, but their loyalty to Pikke Rinne is going to cost them. The Wild on the other hand, have one of the deepest rosters in hockey, even though their entire collection of players seems to be underrated.
I predict that, to the surprise of everyone, the Wild, Jets and Blues are the three non-Wild Card playoff teams from the Central.
Peter Tessier
I have two bold, flaming hot take predictions for the Central Division.
1. Nashville is going to challenge and will eventually win the division.
2. Patrick Laine will make a serious run for the Calder trophy and be a top 10 scorer in the division.
Adam French
Nathan MacKinnon leads the Avalanche in points.
MacKinnon has had a great start, big dip and decent rise to his career. The recently turned 21 year old looks poised to become the 1st liner he was drafted to be. I know it's exhibition, but his speed is basically second to McDavid. MacKinnon has finished 4th, 7th and 3rd in Avs scoring and is ready to breakthrough. I am calling 25+ goals and 70 points (minimum).
A new Avs era will be led by MacKinnon and they get away from Roy's weird love for slower players.
It's not really a thrilling "surprise," but the other 1...2...3(nah) other writers will pick this...you know what...I bet they did. Screw you guys. Duncan Keith wins the Norris on the back of a 60 point season and his reputation for fantastic defense beating Karlsson and...Weber...
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