Aaron Musick: Western Conference: who is in, who is out?
Who will make it?

"Anaheim could also rebound under coach Randy Carlyle, with or without Bobby Ryan. Must of their team is still the same, though their defensive ranks have thinned considerably since the 2007 Stanley Cup."

Randy isn't their coach anymore

"Anaheim could also rebound under coach Randy Carlyle, with or without Bobby Ryan. Must of their team is still the same, though their defensive ranks have thinned considerably since the 2007 Stanley Cup."

Randy isn't their coach anymore
- canuckssuck9

I was just gonna say that. Honest mistake I guess.

"Anaheim could also rebound under coach Randy Carlyle, with or without Bobby Ryan. Must of their team is still the same, though their defensive ranks have thinned considerably since the 2007 Stanley Cup."

Randy isn't their coach anymore
- canuckssuck9

Fixed thanks. Sorry for the mix up.

Seems like a team is missing... huh.

Seems like a team is missing... huh.
- Deadmau55

The teams that are missing are pretty much locks. St. Louis, Vancouver, Los Angeles I don't figure to regress to the point of missing the playoffs. I just added that into the blog though. No use leaving even the locks out.

Its going to be tough to see one of those final 8 last year slide completely out of the playoffs. If I had to pick I would say Phoenix would be out this upcoming season and possibly NSH, but I cant see them falling out unless Rinne gets hurt. As for teams who could slide in Colorado comes to mind, given there lack of scoring at times and unsteady play of Varlamov they could miss the cut but not by much. Minny is an interesting team because they have the offensive players there and such a strong prospect pool they could easily slide into the 6-8 spot. Again they have questions in goal with the inconsistency of Backstrom and his health. I really think Vancouver is going to have a reality check if they trade Luongo. I would not be surprised to see Schneider really struggle in the grind that is Feb and March. I don't think they will fall out of the playoffs because their team is too strong but could possibly be dethrowned as division champs.

Fixed thanks. Sorry for the mix up.
- martok2309

No prob, keep up the good work guy

LA
VAN
ST.L
MINNY
CHI
COL
DAL
ANA


SJ
NASH
DET
EDM
CGY
PHO
CBJ

The teams that are missing are pretty much locks. St. Louis, Vancouver, Los Angeles I don't figure to regress to the point of missing the playoffs. I just added that into the blog though. No use leaving even the locks out.
- martok2309

It is so awesome that LA is considered a top team now

Although it seems very weird from a fans standpoint

It is so awesome that LA is considered a top team now

Although it seems very weird from a fans standpoint
- canuckssuck9

It's weirder when that passes and you're no longer considered one.

VAN
CHI
LA
STL
DET
PHX
DAL
MIN

NSH
ANA
COL
CGY
SJ
CLB
EDM

It's weirder when that passes and you're no longer considered one.
- martok2309

I know

But I'm used to cheering for a crappy team, so when it happens It won't hurt as bad

3 straight President Trophy for Vancouver Canucks...

3 straight President Trophy for Vancouver Canucks...
- NOAH_U

Not with a healthy Crosby all year.

Not with a healthy Crosby all year.
- VANTEL

Don't underestimate the Blues. Remember how close they came to taking that from you.

VAN
CHI
LA
STL
DET
PHX
DAL
MIN

NSH
ANA
COL
CGY
SJ
CLB
EDM
- GOODPLAYA20

Hahaha...... could happen I guess...

Don't underestimate the Blues. Remember how close they came to taking that from you.
- martok2309

I don't think Vancouver will finish 1 st in the conference never mind the league.

Hahaha...... could happen I guess...
- saskoil21

Sorry. I don't mean to throw the Oilers under the bus like that, but I couldn't think of another place to put them. If it makes you feel better, I don't think the Kings will be that great. Yeah, they'll win their division, but the Pacific will suck next year so half the conference will have a better record then them.

I don't think Vancouver will finish 1 st in the conference never mind the league.
- VANTEL

Dammit, quoted the wrong guy. Point still stands: my pick for President's trophy is St. Louis

Way to soon. Nash, Luongo and Ryan could still be on the move, among others. No decision for Doan yet.

Wow, this is a lot harder than I thought it would be.


1 - Vancouver - Northwest
2 - St Louis - Central
3 - Los Angeles - Pacific
4 - Minnesota
5 - Chicago
6 - San Jose
7 - Detroit
8 - Colorado
9 - Nashville
10 - Phoenix
11 - Dallas
12 - Edmonton
13 - Calgary
14 - Anaheim
15 - Columbus

Wow, this is a lot harder than I thought it would be.


1 - Vancouver - Northwest
2 - St Louis - Central
3 - Los Angeles - Pacific
4 - Minnesota
5 - Chicago
6 - San Jose
7 - Detroit
8 - Colorado
9 - Nashville
10 - Phoenix
11 - Dallas
12 - Edmonton
13 - Calgary
14 - Anaheim
15 - Columbus
- Derek

Detroit ain't making the playoffs this year by only adding the monster! Minnie will be in the playoffs but more like 6-8 range...

Wow, this is a lot harder than I thought it would be.


1 - Vancouver - Northwest
2 - St Louis - Central
3 - Los Angeles - Pacific
4 - Minnesota
5 - Chicago
6 - San Jose
7 - Detroit
8 - Colorado
9 - Nashville
10 - Phoenix
11 - Dallas
12 - Edmonton
13 - Calgary
14 - Anaheim
15 - Columbus
- Derek

Anaheim really isn't that bad. Somehow every single player managed to underperform. Hopefully a full year with bruce and a few more player changes will help the team out.

VAN
CHI
LA
STL
DET
PHX
DAL
MIN

NSH
ANA
COL
CGY
SJ
CLB
EDM
- GOODPLAYA20

You know what? I'm switching Anaheim and Dallas. (frank) Dallas, they're not a team, they're a friggin' retirement home.