Predicting the Divisions

As usual, i will post my predictions for the upcoming season. Please keep in mind that things change. Blockbuster trades are made, GM's quit, ETC.

1. Anaheim Ducks - GM Mathiew Leger

Anaheim has one thing that most other teams in this division dont have......... Depth.  With 2 top lines consisting of Kesler, Kovulchuk, Whitney, Lucic, Wheeler and Plekanek, this team will be a force to play against. One thing that Duck fans have to ask themselves, will this be the year? With this being the last year for Ilya Kovulchuk, and Ray Whitney potentially playing his last season before retiring, will this aging team be good enough next year to make the playoffs, or will a full rebuild be in order? Go hard or go home will be the theme this year.

2. Phoenix Coyotes- GM Rick Brodsky

The Phoenix Coyotes have constantly remained a threat for the last 2 seasons. Led by both Henrik and Daniel Sedin, and superstar defenseman Erik Karlson, this is definitley a team to keep an eye on this season. One major glaring hole with this team is the lack of scoring depth. With an aging team, will the Coyotes hold out for the season, or sacrifice some of their older players to acquire some less talented, but more promising youth? Only time will tell.

3. Edmonton Oilers- GM Daniel Lozinski

The Oilers, frustrated with a dissapointed first half of the season last year, decided to blow their team up. The Oilers boast a deadly top line of Evgeni Malkin, Rick Nash, and Jiri Tlusty and young up and coming goalie Cory Schenider. GM Lozinski opted to add big bodies to his team this year, adding Saad, Stewart, Torres, Ruutu. The Oilers have a ton of depth, and should be able to keep up with the top teams this year. One big issue for the team, the hole of not having a top tier defenseman to anchor the blue line. Oilers fan can hope that Justin Schultz, Oscar Klefbom, or Jeff Petry can develop into that guy, or else they may have to go the trade route.

4. Vancouver Canucks- GM John Hondronikolis

Vancouver is a special story. It is simply mind boggling how a team, who used to be a top 5 POWERHOUSE team in this league, has managed to become the team they are. With a GM that trades every player he acquires, its gotta be nerve racking to be a player in Vancouver. Vancouver will rely on steady veteran, Patrik Elias, to lead the team. A solid pick up of Kevin Bieksa should also help an already above average blue line. With emerging players like Danny Dekesyer, Cory Conacher and 3 first round picks in the upcoming draft, their is some light at the end of the tunnel for Vancouver.

5. Calgary Flames- GM Mathie Tremblay

Calgary has some nice pieces in players like Derek Stepan, Evander Kane, and PK Subban, but this team has WAY to many glaring holes to be a real challenge to any of the top teams. Calgary does not have a legitimiate starting goaltender, and are relying on Boyd Gordan, a power play specialist, to be their second line centre. Calgary can hope for the " Sim factor" to get them into the playoffs this year. Calgary Flames can take solace int he fact that the Flames play in a weak division, and that may be their only saving grace to get them into the post season.

6. San Jose Sharks- GM Michael Clost

San Jose is a model team that shows what a proper rebuild can result in. Nail Yakupov, Gabriel Landeskog, Cody Hodgson, Brenden Dillon, and Malcolm Subban headline a young group of impressive forwards. One more year for these young stars to develop and re rate should be all that is needed for San Jose to start climbing the standings.

7. Los Angeles Kings- GM Kyle Mcgrath

One of the leagues teams DEEP into a rebuild, GM Mcgrath has managed to add some solid young players in guys like Nazem Kadri, Luke Schenn, and TJ Brodie. Los Angeles will be able to speed up their rebuild by trading away some of their veteran players in hope of a decent return. This is a team that will be rebuilding for the next couple years, so its mind boggling that Los Angeles would trade away their first round pick and 2 solid prospects for a 31 year old goaltender with an injury history.