That time of year is upon us once again. The puck is set to drop on the 2013-14 NHL Regular Season, and with so many changes going on around the league during the offseason, its going to make for one exciting regular season. The most notable change made during the offseason was the realignment of the divisions. We had two teams move from the West over to the East, with the divisions shrinking from six to just four. There will still be eight teams that are going to make the playoffs. The top three teams in each division are a lock to get in. The other two playoff spots in each conference are going to go to the wild card teams, those that aren't in the top three but still better than the rest. So that really puts an emphasis on divisional play during the regular season.
Now then, it would take way too long, and to be quite honest would be way to boring to read, all the player moves that were made during the offseason. So rather than waste your time with that, let's jump right in with both feet and make our predictions. What we will do is predict which teams will finish where in their respective divisions and why. So without further ado, I present my predictions for the 2013-14 NHL season. Enjoy!
Western Conference
Pacific Division
1. Los Angeles Kings*
To me, the Kings are finally going to overtake the Canucks as the class of the division this year. LA still has one of, if not the best netminder in the Western Conference in Jonathan Quick. Sure they lost a little bit of talent up front to free agency, but they were able to replace it. So for the Kings to recapture the throne, they'll need some steady production from their top stars or lean on secondary scoring to get them through the long season. That hasn't always been a strong suit for this team, but perhaps the addition of Matt Frattin, traded from Toronto, will give Los Angeles a more balanced attack. This will help the Kings get back on top in the division.
2. San Jose Sharks*
The Sharks are another strong team coming from the west coast. Playing in a tough division, San Jose needed to try and bulk up in the goals department. Bringing in Tyler Kennedy will help out guys like Brent Burns in the production department. Burns and Joe Thorton are still going to be expected to carry the team, which they have done in the past. San Jose is still a very solid team, but the only question I have is how set are they in goal behind Antti Niemi?
3. Vancouver Canucks*
With a new coach comes a new attitude. Some around the Canucks felt things got too stale under Alain Vigneault. So enter John Tortarella. The biggest question facing the Canucks this year is if and how they can embrace Tortarella's style of coaching. With Corey Schneider being traded at the draft, more emphasis is being placed on Roberto Luongo, and it's not clear yet whether or not he can handle the pressure. Plus with a few new faces up front in Vancouver, things are already starting to look different. The Canucks are still a good team, but they won't be as dominant as past seasons.
4. Anaheim Ducks* (wild card team)
The Ducks surprised quite a few people with that hot start they got off to last season. The Ducks will need even more from the kids this season now that winger Bobby Ryan is gone to Ottawa in a trade. The perennial 30-goal scorer brought the kind of offensive depth that made Anaheim a contender for years. Somebody is really going to have to step up and fill that role. Adding Dustin Penner can help replace a lot of the offense lost by the Ryan trade. Anaheim has a lot of upside and with the young team they have, they will be making things interesting come playoff time.
5. Edmonton Oilers* (wild card)
Edmonton has been in rebuilding mode for the last seven years, and haven't sniffed the playoffs at all during that time. Enter new coach Dallas Erskins. Combine that with the young talent that the Oilers have built up over the last few years, and Edmonton really has something cooking for itself. As a five-man unit, the Oilers will have to bring more accountability to both ends of the ice, and if youngsters like Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle can embrace two-way play, then Edmonton has a shot at that elusive playoff game.
6. Phoenix Coyotes
The biggest thing to happen to the Coyotes during the offseason was it coming under new ownership. After that, bringing in Dave Tippit was the biggest move. Not only has Tippett been able to get the most out of his teams since coming to Phoenix in 2009, he's been a source of stability for an organization that knows little about the word. And again this season he'll be working with a thin lineup, particularly up front. They were able to stabilize at the center position by signing Mike Ribero. Only problem is the Coyotes still aren't all that deep a scoring team. If that doesn't get better this year, then the Coyotes will once again miss the playoffs.
7. Calgary Flames
On paper, there isn't a whole lot to get excited about in Calgary. The Flames traded away longtime leader Jarome Iginla last season and saw longtime goalie Miikka Kiprusoff retire this summer. The goalie situation is but one of the myriad question marks for the Flames this season. And if they don't get answered quickly, Calgary is in for a long season.
Central Division
1. Chicago Blackhawks*
Not a lot changed over the summer for the defending Stanley Cup Champions. With their excellent defense corps returning, there are no serious deficiencies on this roster. The only question might be in goal, where the Blackhawks return Corey Crawford and his glove hand, which was exposed in the Stanley Cup Final against Boston. Chicago lost Ray Emery, a fine backup for Crawford last season, but brought in Nikolai Khabibulin, who even at 40, should still be good for 10 or 15 wins. Still the Hawks are going to roll and walk away with the division again.
2. St Louis Blues*
The blueline in St. Louis is one of the most solid in all the league. Picking up Jay Bouwmester and Jordan Leopold at the deadline, and now having them for a full season, really gives more stability to an already decent defense crops. Coming into the year, the Blues ability to have consistent scoring has been an issue. Well now throw in guys like Derek Roy, Brendan Morrow and Maxim Lapierre, it gives the Blues the mix they need to challenge the Hawks for the division crown.
3. Minnesota Wild*
The cornerstone, top end talent is in place with the Wild. They have Zach Parise, Ryan Sutter and Mikko Koivu. The challenge with this team is solidifying the talent beyond the top tier talent. A season ago, the Wild made the playoffs, but there were times where it seemed they relied too much on those top end talented players. The role players have to step up, and step up big, for the Wild to make any serious noise. They are still going to be a playoff bound team, that which I have no doubt. They aren't quite there yet to be heavy favorites to come out of the West.
4. Winnipeg Jets
Having switched conferences and divisions, the travel schedule will be so much easier on the Jets than it was just a year ago. There also in lies the problem. The Jets have played their entire existence in the East, and now moving over to the West, they have to adjust again to the new styles of play. This could set the Jets back a little bit. Last year they were in contention for a playoff spot. This year may be a little bit harder. Winnipeg does have a talented young team, there is no denying that fact. But like I said having to switch over to the West could throw the club for a bit of a loop.
5. Nashville Predators
Having rookie Seth Jones in the lineup is going to be a boost to this Predators team. They finished last in the league a year ago in goal scoring, tied with the Florida Panthers for fewest goals scored in the NHL. The offense has been retooled a little bit this year, but considering the other teams they play in conference, its going to be a real challenge for Nashville. So while all the hype this season may revolve around a teenage defenseman, the true test will be the Predators' ability to create more offense to challenge for a playoff spot in the Central and improve a really lackluster PK.
6. Dallas Stars
The Stars are in a rebuilding mode. They started it with getting Lindy Ruff behind the bench, then brought in Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverly from Boston for Loui Eriksson. The biggest move made by the Stars was adding Sergei Gonchar. Only problem with Gonchar is he's 39 years old. He still a solid defensemen, but isn't as good, or as gifted a scorer, as he was a few years ago. Dallas has a talented core, and look to try and make some noise in the West. And so the Stars are hopeful that a veteran pro like Gonchar can mold a largely young blueline group, but they run the risk of hanging on to a star who is well beyond his prime and watching their rebuild stagger in the process. They may miss out on the playoffs.
7. Colorado Avalanche
New head coach Patrick Roy is going to have his hands full this season. He has the task of trying to mold a young core of skaters to produce a winning hockey team. The talent is there, they just have to be able to gel under Roy. The big question mark in Colorado is going to be goaltending. More than likely they'll lean on goalies Semyon Varlamov, who hasn't been nearly as good a starter as he was as a backup in Washington, and J-S Giguere, who is serviceable at 36 years old. So that right there could, potentially hold the Avalanche back in the Western Conference.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
1. Boston Bruins*
Always a major threat to come out of the East, Boston has to build off last year. They came up just short in the Finals against the Hawks, and are looking to get back there again. Boston took a bit of a hit, losing Andrew Ference, Nathan Horton, Rich Peverly and Tyler Seguin. Now you can throw into the mix Loui Eriksson and Jarome Iginla. Boston had one of the more interesting summers out of anybody in the league. Still, most of the core team is in tact, and the Bruins are one of the deeper, more balanced teams in all the league. They are the best team in this division, hands down, and will walk away with a division title.
2. Ottawa Senators*
Things got really interesting in the capital of Canada at the start of the summer. The abrupt departure of Daniel Alfredsson and bold acquisition of Bobby Ryan made some big waves in Ottawa. What is going to be key for Ottawa this year is health. The Sens were decimated by injuries in 2013, as Jason Spezza (50 games), Erik Karlsson (31) and Milan Michalek (25) each spent lengthy stretches on the shelf, leaving a shell of an offense that struggled to find the net. With everybody healthy and on the same page, Ottawa will once again be a force to be reckoned with in the East this year.
3. Detroit Red Wings*
Sure moving the Wings to the East has thrown a wrench in the rivalry between the Wings and Hawks. The Wings won't run wild in the East, as most teams in the East are really good. The Wings will be better off in the East. The reason being is that because of where they are, it cuts down on travel and it gives the team more time to rest and relax, which means a healthier team. This team is loaded, and will be a very good team, which should translate well into becoming a playoff team once again.
4. Toronto Maple Leafs* (wild card)
Toronto finally got off the playoff slide last year, making it in for the first time in a decade. Toronto GM Dave Norris could have kept the faith in his young hockey club to do it again this season. Instead he became aggressive in signing free agents, picking up Dave Bolland, David Clarkson and Jonathan Bernier. With adding Bernier, the Leafs solidify a solid one two punch in goal, something they really needed to do in this conference. The Leafs have the talent, but more important, they have an identity now. Toronto is destined to be in the playoff mix.
5. Montreal Canadiens
Last year, Montreal was a Jekyll and Hyde type hockey club. They started the year off really strong, resulting in a Northeast Division title. But down the stretch they fell apart, offering up little resistance to Ottawa in the first round of the playoffs. So the Habs did a little retooling. They added Danny Briere, George Perros and Douglas Murray. With a solid nucleaus and good mix of talent, the Habs will make a strong push for the playoffs again this season.
6. Tampa Bay Lightning
Last year was a down year in Tampa Bay. The lone bright spots for the Bolts were Martin St Louis winning an Art Ross and Steven Stamkos coming up just short in the race for the Rocket, as goal scoring leader in the league. This year's team looks a little different. Valterri Filppula was brought on board, while Vincent Lecavalier left for Philly. Scoring goals for this Tampa team isn't going to be a problem, as they have plenty of talent to do that. It's keeping the puck out of their net that's going to be an issue. The talent is there, but the goaltending isn't. Tampa is going to miss out on the playoffs again.
7. Florida Panthers
Going into the summer, there weren't too many positives for the Cats. Things have changed a little down in Sunrise, all with the addition of one guy. By signing Tim Thomas in the offseason, it gave the Panthers a little bit of hope. Florida has some talent to work with, and now they have solid goaltending to match it. Florida is still a long way off from being a playoff team. But they take another step closer to it this season.
8. Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo is going to be in a serious rebuilding mode, so don't be surprised if the vultures start buzzing around this hockey team. There won't be much in the way of success in Buffalo this year. Even if the Sabres are not winning, the presence of Steve Ott, Patick Kaleta and Marcus Foligno ensures that this team will be entertaining.
Metropolitan Division
1. Pittsburgh Penguins*
It was amazing the way the Pens were dispatched from the playoffs a year ago. Scoring just two goals in the conference finals when they were swept by Boston. GM Ray Sherro deserves a lot of credit for not overreacting to the way things went down. Instead he stayed calm and went to work revamping the Pens. little tinkering was all the Pens needed to stay in a good place, so he repatriated stay-at-home defender Rob Scuderi and brought in some veteran depth to shore up the bottom six. So the offense isn't a worry for the Pens, who still have the two best players in the world in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Goaltending is going to be interesting. Fleury can't falter like he did in the playoffs, because Vokoun isn't there to back him up. If Fleury returns to form then Pittsburgh will be fine. If not then they are in trouble.
2. New York Rangers*
It became public knowledge last year that John Tortorella's abrasive and dismissive style had run its course with this team, as it was revealed that he had lost his locker room. So when Torts was fired, the signing of Alain Vigneault the most important move that GM Glen Sather made all summer. Vigneault has a style more suited for this Rangers team. Brad Richards is going to see a bounce back year this year, now that he should have more freedom to create offense. Marc Staal will be back and healthy and ready to rock and roll. And this goes without saying, but the Rangers have the best netminder in the entire league in Henrik Lundqvist. With all those pieces in place, it's easy to see this team making some real noise in the postseason.
3. Washington Capitals*
It took Washington a little while to get used to the systems that Adam Oates was implementing last year. Once the Caps bought into the system, it was off to the races, as they stormed back to win the division. Heading into this year, loosing Mike Ribeiro will knock the league's top power play down a couple of notches, but Mikhail Grabovski, his replacement, should make Washington a tougher team at five-on-five. On defense, there is a little bit of concern, because outside of Mike Green, John Carlson and Karl Alzner, there isn't much to go on. So its a bit of a concern. Still the Caps have enough talent to make noise in this division and get into the playoffs.
4. Philadelphia Flyers* (wild card)
A season ago the Flyers had top flight talent on their hockey club, but with injuries taking their toll, it lead to Philly missing out on the playoffs. The Flyers spent a little money this summer retooling the club. Briere and Ilya Bryzgalov were both bought out. In their place comes in Ray Emery and Vinny Lecavalier, as well as bolstering the blueline with the trade and then signing of Mark Streit. The forwards in Philly are going to power this hockey club. Philly has the talent to get back into the playoffs again this season.
5. New York Islanders
Last year was a step in the right direction for the Islanders, as they made the playoffs for the first time in six years. Now they look to build on it. Adding players like Cal Clutterbuck, Pierre-Marc Bouchard will help out on offense. The big worry on the Island is going to be goaltending. How well can Nabokov hold up at 38? How well are his backups going to play? The Islanders are going to make a strong push for the last playoff spot, and be in contention all year. Unless they get some relief in net for Nabokov, they may come up just short.
6. Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus came oh so close to making the playoffs last year. Having a torid last two months of the season, they came up just short of making the playoffs in the West. This year, with moving to the East, they are hungry to try and get back there. Adding in Nathan Horton to the mix brings in a little more grit and experience to a talented group of young forwards. There's a lot of talent on this team. But while this looks to be the best lineup the team has ever iced, the move to the Metro Division likely means they're nowhere near as close to making the playoffs in the East as they were in the West. Think of it as one step back before taking two steps forward.
7. New Jersey Devils
The offseason started off in a jarring fashion for the Devils. Ilya Kovalchuck decided to retire from the NHL to go home and play in Russia. Then the team lost David Clarkson to Toronto via free agency. Now Lou Lamoriello has to rebuild again. He picked up Corey Schneider from the Canucks, then added in Jaromir Jagr, Damien Brunner, Michael Ryder, Ryane Clowe and Rostislav Olesz. Sure the retooled, but the Devils are becoming an older team in this conference, and with that its going to be hard to compete with some of the younger, quicker teams in the East. The Devils are still a good hockey club, but they won't be able to hang with some of the faster teams, and they will fade out and miss the playoffs.
8. Carolina Hurricanes
Talk about a team in a bit of a slump. Carolina hasn't made the playoffs in four years, with injuries playing a big factor into that. Scoring this season won't be a problem, the defense will be. The focus then will be on a blueline that will sport at least three new faces after a season-ending injury to Joni Pitkanen. The ability of that group to impact the league's worst special teams unit will determine whether Carolina makes a show of it or quickly sinks to the bottom of the conference.
So there you have it, my predictions for the 2013-14 NHL season!
(Note that all of these predictions were made BEFORE the start of the regular season)
