Paul McCann: Divisional Previews - The Central

Paul McCann: Divisional Previews - The Central
- pmccann

Wings and Blues should be heavy favorites, but I think 3-7 is wide open. I'd have to think Minnesota is the favorite for the 3 spot as much as I like Nashville.

Dmen almost always take longer to develop, and that is why the AVS took ready to go Mac-K over Jones.

In this past Memorial Cup, to which one can argue was solely won on the shoulders of Mackinnon...... Jones played against Mackinnon and Drouin twice in the tournament and was not able to stop these two from scoring.

If Jones couldnt stop two 17year olds, the AVS management wisely figured out, that Jones would most likely not be able to stop MEN already playing in the NHL.

Jones may turn out to be a star, but it may not be for another 5 years or more...the AVS cant wait that long.

The Avs have a few young Dmen (Barrie/Elliot/Siemens) that if they come into their own, then D wont be an issue ( i know its a big if, but thats what these kids have been waiting for)

I can see both the AVS and PREDS fighting for the 8 and final playoff position and coming up short, but then again, anything can happen and usually does

go avs go

Chicago and St. Louis will be tops in this division.
But the other 5 teams have too many question marks.
Minny should be right there, but any team that relies on Heatley is sure to be dissappointed.
Winnipeg may be improved but not enough horses to carry this team if one guy takes the night off or gets injured.
I dont know what too expect with Nashville, do they really think Jones will put them back into the playoffs??? he can skate, he can score, but so can everybody else..what he cant do (not yet) is clear out the front of the net, which is what they need him to do.
Dallas has made dramatic changes with Ruff and Seguin, but if Seguin becomes a pain in the ass in the change room, then they will miss the playoffs regardless of Ruff.
The avalanche are more intriguing for who's behind the bench instead of on the ice, but if Roy can somehow get these kids to overachieve, I can see them sneaking in at 8th spot and gaining experience for years to come.
O'Reilly will be traded at the deadline ! ! ! there is no way, they are going to keep him. Due to that stupid offer sheet Calgary threw at him, the AVS have to offer him 6.5million next year to retain his rights ! ! yeah, that aint happening

Chicago and St. Louis will be tops in this division.
But the other 5 teams have too many question marks.
Minny should be right there, but any team that relies on Heatley is sure to be dissappointed.
Winnipeg may be improved but not enough horses to carry this team if one guy takes the night off or gets injured.
I dont know what too expect with Nashville, do they really think Jones will put them back into the playoffs??? he can skate, he can score, but so can everybody else..what he cant do (not yet) is clear out the front of the net, which is what they need him to do.
Dallas has made dramatic changes with Ruff and Seguin, but if Seguin becomes a pain in the ass in the change room, then they will miss the playoffs regardless of Ruff.
The avalanche are more intriguing for who's behind the bench instead of on the ice, but if Roy can somehow get these kids to overachieve, I can see them sneaking in at 8th spot and gaining experience for years to come.
O'Reilly will be traded at the deadline ! ! ! there is no way, they are going to keep him. Due to that stupid offer sheet Calgary threw at him, the AVS have to offer him 6.5million next year to retain his rights ! ! yeah, that aint happening
- 10baci

Maybe you misunderstood...we are not pinning all our hopes on Jones.

1. CHI
2. STL
3. MIN
4. NAS
5. DAL
6-7. COL/WIN or WIN/COL...who cares?

3-5 will be a fight for position.

Maybe you misunderstood...we are not pinning all our hopes on Jones.

1. CHI
2. STL
3. MIN
4. NAS
5. DAL
6-7. COL/WIN or WIN/COL...who cares?

3-5 will be a fight for position.
- buelleo

no misunderstanding, considering, there was no comments about the PREDS provided by the original poster, and I started my comment with "I dont know what to expect"...also, what do you mean who cares?
pretty sure AVS and Jets fans do ! !

One mans opinion here.. but I think Colorado could surprise people this year. I could see them as a threat to beat out any of Dallas, Winnipeg, Nashville, and Minnesota.

Wings and Blues should be heavy favorites, but I think 3-7 is wide open. I'd have to think Minnesota is the favorite for the 3 spot as much as I like Nashville.
- jmatchett383

Wings are in the Eastern Conference now and a different division. Thanks to realignment

Outside of St. Louis and Chicago, I don't see how anyone can assume where these teams will place. How Nashville will all of a sudden make the playoffs again, confuses me. I mean Barry Trotz is a beauty, but still.

Wings and Blues should be heavy favorites, but I think 3-7 is wide open. I'd have to think Minnesota is the favorite for the 3 spot as much as I like Nashville.
- jmatchett383

Wings and Blue Cheese?
DET is in the East. Did you mean WPG?

Maybe you misunderstood...we are not pinning all our hopes on Jones.

1. CHI
2. STL
3. MIN
4. NAS
5. DAL
6-7. COL/WIN or WIN/COL...who cares?

3-5 will be a fight for position.
- buelleo

I feel like this is a pretty good prediction. Dallas could jump in front of Nashville if they come together which seems to be more likely than last season especially with the Lindey Rupp manning the bench. I would put Winnipeg in front of Colorado because I feel that they at least have a balanced team.

Chicago and St. Louis will be tops in this division.
But the other 5 teams have too many question marks.
Minny should be right there, but any team that relies on Heatley is sure to be dissappointed.
Winnipeg may be improved but not enough horses to carry this team if one guy takes the night off or gets injured.
I dont know what too expect with Nashville, do they really think Jones will put them back into the playoffs??? he can skate, he can score, but so can everybody else..what he cant do (not yet) is clear out the front of the net, which is what they need him to do.
Dallas has made dramatic changes with Ruff and Seguin, but if Seguin becomes a pain in the ass in the change room, then they will miss the playoffs regardless of Ruff.
The avalanche are more intriguing for who's behind the bench instead of on the ice, but if Roy can somehow get these kids to overachieve, I can see them sneaking in at 8th spot and gaining experience for years to come.
O'Reilly will be traded at the deadline ! ! ! there is no way, they are going to keep him. Due to that stupid offer sheet Calgary threw at him, the AVS have to offer him 6.5million next year to retain his rights ! ! yeah, that aint happening
- 10baci

Truly this guy has a firm grasp of Predator knowledge. He seems to fully understand half the team was injured last year. He knows that Jones is about the 6th best D man on the team. Sheesh.

Truly this guy has a firm grasp of Predator knowledge. He seems to fully understand half the team was injured last year. He knows that Jones is about the 6th best D man on the team. Sheesh.
- predsfan97

btw...every team has injuries. So what you're saying is the PREDS lack depth so when injuries occur they dont have guys to call up and step in, hence missing the playoffs last year and probably fighting for a spot this season too, thanks.

I gave my 2cents on each team in this division as thats what this topic was about.....I did say I DONT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FROM NASHVILLE....but whatever.

I feel like this is a pretty good prediction. Dallas could jump in front of Nashville if they come together which seems to be more likely than last season especially with the Lindey Rupp manning the bench. I would put Winnipeg in front of Colorado because I feel that they at least have a balanced team.
- Bryant44

I hope somebody told Lindy Ruff that Lindey Rupp is manning the bench, as that could be awkward come opening night

Typical prediction for the Avs, no fault there...

However omitting Mackinnon as an addition? Fail..

Oh and... Benoit, as well as Downie pretty much being an 'addition' as well.

Good job going with the 'Avs will suck because of their defense', that one is super original.

Typical prediction for the Avs, no fault there...

However omitting Mackinnon as an addition? Fail..

Oh and... Benoit, as well as Downie pretty much being an 'addition' as well.

Good job going with the 'Avs will suck because of their defense', that one is super original.
- Steve-B

but if they do suck you can bet it will also be true. much like saying Nashville wont make the playoffs cause they cant score. not original but sure could be true.

btw...every team has injuries. So what you're saying is the PREDS lack depth so when injuries occur they dont have guys to call up and step in, hence missing the playoffs last year and probably fighting for a spot this season too, thanks.

I gave my 2cents on each team in this division as thats what this topic was about.....I did say I DONT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FROM NASHVILLE....but whatever.
- 10baci

Obviously you know then they signed 4 depth gritty forwards to shore up the depth issue. Now the have plenty of depth, but the question remains if anyone will step up and score.

While I'd like to see the 'Hawks be the juggernaut as described, I'll be happy for a healthy & solid team come playoff time.

It will be interesting to see how the 2-C role shakes out, how healthy Hoss is, how CC handles the new goalie coach and if they can find a few (lot) more PPG's.

Some of the youngsters will step up even more (Saad, Shaw, Kruger & Leddy) IMO. The upside of these guys just started to show through this past spring. There may be another couple young guys to make the roster at some time, like Smith, Pirri and Danault.

I couldn't care less about another Prez trophy, especially now back at an 82-game schedule. A truncated one like last year, fine. Now? Not so much. Just win the division and take it from there.

I put the 'Hawks at 106pts (49-25-8), a division title, may or may not get top record in the conference but close to the top of the overall league.

Obviously you know then they signed 4 depth gritty forwards to shore up the depth issue. Now the have plenty of depth, but the question remains if anyone will step up and score.
- predsfan97

Yes, I like Stallberg's speed (replaces Kostitsyn and his attitude), should put the opposing defenders on their heels if he decides to carry the puck up the ice or dump and chase...Hendricks (replaces Yip)a former Avalanche is a grittier 3/4 line guy, but wont get you many goals, but when he does, they are hilight reel guys (go figure) CUllen gives you the veteran presence and Nystrom, well, he's not much...but Im not sure if this really answers adding depth....these 4 guys are being asked to replace the pluggers who were there last year, but are they an improvement? time will tell...but the real question is, who do they have in their AHL affiliate that can be called up if more injuries occur?

btw...every team has injuries. So what you're saying is the PREDS lack depth so when injuries occur they dont have guys to call up and step in, hence missing the playoffs last year and probably fighting for a spot this season too, thanks.

I gave my 2cents on each team in this division as thats what this topic was about.....I did say I DONT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FROM NASHVILLE....but whatever.
- 10baci

The Preds depth was injured too. We had good depth and a good team. I'm certain we set a Predator record for injuries last year.

Besides Chi and STL I dont think there is anyway to know how these teams will finish.

Nashville may have the best defense in the NHL. I don't see a single player on offense that I really see putting up amazing numbers. They are almost the opposite as the Avs in a way lmao.

Either way it should be a fun year and should be good to see how it all turns out. Bottom 5 teams in the division are all up in the air though imo.

The Preds depth was injured too. We had good depth and a good team. I'm certain we set a Predator record for injuries last year.
- R4Z0R

I beg to differ. The Preds did not have good depth, unless you want to consider a group of "grinders" that played in Milwaukee all season.
As for the injury statement that seems to be overkill. The Pred's alway's go to this tag line when they don't meet expectations.
In my opinion, keep your eye on Trotz this season. I think this is the key. There is no reason why everyone on this team was awful last season. That is on the coach.

Nashville may have the best defense in the NHL. I don't see a single player on offense that I really see putting up amazing numbers. They are almost the opposite as the Avs in a way lmao.
- Meeqsb

Two seasons back we ranked 8th in scoring but our best goal scorer ranked 44th in the league. We only had 2 20 goal scorers but had 10 guys in double digits. We are likely to continue that way with lots of guys chipping in.

What didn't get listed on the additions was Phil Housley coming on as an assistant coach. I expect he's going to be great for the power play and for our young D guys.

Besides Chi and STL I dont think there is anyway to know how these teams will finish.

Nashville may have the best defense in the NHL. I don't see a single player on offense that I really see putting up amazing numbers. They are almost the opposite as the Avs in a way lmao.

Either way it should be a fun year and should be good to see how it all turns out. Bottom 5 teams in the division are all up in the air though imo.
- Meeqsb

Agreed.

Preds really need Forsberg, Wilson and (Lord willing) Smith to become the offensive powers that the coaches envisioned.

It's going to be a fun year. Kind of exciting that Jones and Mac are in the same division. Hope the rivalry continues.

Also, heard on Hockey Central yesterday that there is a lot of friction between O'Reilly and Duchene right now for the way O's contract situation ended up last year. Any truth to that?

21 shots in an entire game...classic Trotz hockey...