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Todd Cordell
1. Minnesota - They're really deep up front, their defense is solid, and Devan Dubnyk is one of the better goaltenders in the league. Bruce Boudreau coached teams almost always win the division and I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case again this year.
2. Nashville - They have some really talented forwards and, even without Ryan Ellis, their top-4 on defense is excellent. As long as Pekka Rinne holds up, or Jusse Saros gets semi-consistent starts, they should be very good.
3. Winnipeg - They are stacked up front and their defense has some nice pieces. If Steve Mason gets the job done in goal -- I think he will -- the Jets will finally take the next step.
4. Dallas - I'm still not sold on their defense core but they are going to score a *ton* of goals.
5. Chicago - I don't like their defense but they have enough firepower to remain competitive, especially with Corey Crawford between the pipes.
6. St. Louis - I'm kind of down on the Blues this season. Looking at their roster, they are very shallow up front and they only have two top-4 defensemen (Colton Parayko and Alex Pietrangelo). I could see them taking a step back in a very tough division.
7. Colorado - I don't expect the Avs to be a tire fire this season -- Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, Tyson Barrie, and Semyon Varlamov, among others, are in line for some positive regression -- but I can't put them above any of their division-mates.
Jared Crozier
1. Nashville - Took a huge step forward last year, and still getting better. Deep, talented and Hartnell brings the leadership that they lost with Fisher's retirement.
2. Dallas - Potent offense and a goalie that can actually stop the puck. They won't be near the bottom of the league in goals against this time around.
3. St. Louis - Good mix of veteran experience and youthful enthusiasm, but need to replace Fabbri for the year (maybe Jagr?)
4. Chicago - Cap issues catching up to them, but until they prove otherwise the Blackhawks are still the Blackhawks, and they still have enough to earn a wildcard berth.
5. Winnipeg - Will contend for a playoff spot, but spend one more year on the outside before the high level of prospects fulfill their potential.
6. Minnesota - Aging core (Koivu, Parise, Suter, Staal) won't be able to keep pace. Youth movement good but not great up front.
7. Colorado - I have zero faith that the Avs will be better this season, and could be worse than the team that had the worst record of the salary cap era last year.
Peter Tessier
The Central division is completely up for grabs this year. There has been changes across the board for most teams not named Colorado and while still tough is it predictable, or easily predicted?
1. Minnesota- not sure why but something tells me they have that regular season success and decline of a few other teams give them top spot.
2. Nashville- while some Stanley Cup finalists fade Poile looked at needs and maybe made team stronger.
3. Chicago- Every year they are predicted to slide and they prove critics wrong could they again this year?
4. St. Louis- always a bridesmaid and never a bride and now losing Fabbri for the year won't help
5. Winnipeg- They finally make some strides but simply aren't ready for prime time..again.
6. Dallas- seems too low given what they have down to get better. One pick I expect to be wrong about.
7. Colorado- sorry Avs there's nothing to do but look up at the rest of the division.
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