1. Chicago
This team has 3 superstar forwards on their team in Toews, Hossa and Kane. As long as Crawford doesn’t play like he did in the playoffs, Chicago is the team to beat in the West.
MVP: Marian Hossa (If he stays healthy)
2. San Jose
Time is running out for San Jose to make a serious Stanley Cup run before their team gets blown up. They missed out on Rick Nash, but still have two high scoring top lines.
MVP: Patrick Marleau
3. Minnesota
The Wild add two superstars in the offseason in Parise and Suter. They already have Koivu, Heatley and Backstrom. If Granlund plays like a #2 center, this team will be tough to beat.
MVP: Zach Parise
4. St. Louis
If not for Los Angeles' Dominance in the playoffs last season, the Blues would have been in the Stanley Cup. This team is built for playoff hockey.
MVP: Alex Pietrangelo
5. Vancouver
It’s going to hurt the Canucks to not have Ryan Kesler. The Sedin’s aren’t getting younger, Luongo isn’t getting better, and Schneider is unproven.
MVP: Henrik & Daniel Sedin
6. Los Angeles
The dreaded Stanley Cup hangover and no Kopitar will get the Kings off to a slow start. In a 48 game season, that is going to cost the Kings.
MVP: Anze Kopitar
7. Detroit
An end of an era in the loss of Lidstrom, a void that cannot and will not be filled. The Wings will still make the playoffs, but they’re not the same team.
MVP: Pavel Datsyuk
8. Dallas
If Jagr and Whitney can give the Stars one good year, the Stars are a playoff team because of Kari Lehtonen. The longer Benn stays unsigned, the odds of making the playoffs for the Stars decrease.
MVP: Kari Lehtonen
Clarence Campbell Winner: St. Louis
Western Conference MVP: Zach Parise
No comments:
Post a Comment