Your argument against the Hawks is not very good. They went to the WCFs last year. Sure they are probably going to lose Leddy or Oduya but I really don't think you get how big of a change Richards will make on the 2nd line instead of Hanzus.
I'll go with
St. Louis
Chicago
Dallas
Minny
Colorado
Nashville
Winnepeg
- tokked

Aside from future cap issues the team is the exact same that finished 3rd aside from Richards who IMO makes them worse. Every other team I put ahead of them got better and finished ahead of them last season. Argument is rock solid bud!

I think it will be the Blues in first again and then the Hawks second and maybe Dallas third. If you haven't notifed though, the Hawks don't particualrly need to be in first just healthy and ready going into postseason in April.

All the Blues fans predicting a "big decline" are you talking with your head or your heart?


- patorioto

I think the decline is starting this year, but all that means is everyone is closer or maybe even better than Chicago this season. We will have to see, but over the next couple years those large contracts will def hurt you guys. Crawford will end up being a disapointment (how many long term contracts for goalies work out?). Don't even get me started on the overpayment of Kane and Toews!

I think it will be the Blues in first again and then the Hawks second and maybe Dallas third. If you haven't notifed though, the Hawks don't particualrly need to be in first just healthy and ready going into postseason in April.

All the Blues fans predicting a "big decline" are you talking with your head or your heart?


- patorioto

They are talking with their heart. We have not had talents like Toews and Kane on one team for a long time now. They forget how a couple of great forwards and some good ones, some young, some old thrown together can make a team strong. They possibly should have used a compliance buyout on Hossa just to be safe. Then again the man is like a tank.

The question is can the HAwks move a money forward instead of a dman. Too many questions at this moment(things change in the preseason), as for defensive depth.

I think everyone has judged the Jets too harshly. They have some really good young dmen and forwards. When you have a softie king in net it can break your heart and cost you games. It makes your legs heavier when you have a crappy goaltender. But if for some reason they got good, not great but at least good goaltending they could break these predictions.

The Stars can score and they rely heavily on a goaltender. Their young dmen are not bad but they have not yet learned to play at both ends as a team. But Ruff being the coach and it being early in his tenure that will change.

Aside from future cap issues the team is the exact same that finished 3rd aside from Richards who IMO makes them worse. Every other team I put ahead of them got better and finished ahead of them last season. Argument is rock solid bud!
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

The Blackhawks finished 3rd in the division last year, then went on to be the favorite to win each series they played in. Came a bounce or two away from going to the Stanley Cup Final where they would have again been the favorite.

I agree with you that the Blackhawks might not get first or second in their division... But that's because the Blackhawks don't need to tear throught the regular season to be ready in the playoffs...

Your argument that Richards in Handzus out is a large piece to taking a step back is asinine... The Blackhawks have never had a 2nd line center. The second line was held back last year... BY HANDZUS! Perhaps the issue is not solved, but you cannot possibly say that it has been made worse...

The Blackhawks finished 3rd in the division last year, then went on to be the favorite to win each series they played in. Came a bounce or two away from going to the Stanley Cup Final where they would have again been the favorite.

I agree with you that the Blackhawks might not get first or second in their division... But that's because the Blackhawks don't need to tear throught the regular season to be ready in the playoffs...

Your argument that Richards in Handzus out is a large piece to taking a step back is asinine... The Blackhawks have never had a 2nd line center. The second line was held back last year... BY HANDZUS! Perhaps the issue is not solved, but you cannot possibly say that it has been made worse...
- PuckAndSticks

Hanzus was dropped from 2nd line. Shaw was 2nd line last season. Picked him up for a few games in my fantasy league. Hawks are actually real lucky at this point. They have Seabrook and Keith locked up at a hugely low rate compared to what guys are getting now. If those guys got even close to market price I doubt Hawks keep both Kane and Toews. It would be one but not the other.

I agree that either St Louis or Chicago will take the division.

St Louis/Chicago
Dallas
Minnesota
Colorado
Nashville/Winnipeg

St Louis added Stastny we all know. What they have not added is and Cup winners. You need those to build that winning culture in the locker room. Until they do that they will have a hard time winning anything in the post season.

Chicago. Improved 2nd line C with Richards. Always a solid team.

Dallas might have the best 1-2 punch at center in this division. However unless they add to their D they can't expect to beat the two above.

Minnesota. Already a team on the rise. Added Vanek for a good price. A bit thin on D. Not too bad. Need breakout year from Brodin and hopefully Matt Dumba makes the team and performs.

Colorado. Goaltending comes back down to Earth. The League analyzes and finds his weaknesses. But maybe improved D gets them over that. Forwards will score in droves.

Nashville. Look for a healthy Rinne to get them back in the conversation. Some adds up front will help fill the net but likely not enough to make the playoffs.

Winnipeg. The most interesting team in this division. If Pavelec plays like he can then they will challenge. After Paul Maurice took over they pushed hard but ran out of gas. A series of poor starts over the last few years has kept them out of the playoffs. Good team with good young talent. Good work ethic. Lots of question marks is why they are not any higher. If they clear up the nonsense and get guys like Kane and Buff playing g and producing and continue to see more from Scheifele and Trouba then maybe they can do it.