The Western Conference in the National Hockey League has long been considered the tougher conference. But with the salary cap and the increased competitiveness in the Eastern Conference Atlantic Division, the balance may shift. The West should still be strong, and it will be interesting to see if defending Stanley Cup champions, the Detroit Redwings, can defend their crown.
Coveted free-agent forward Marian Hossa joins Detroit along with solid netminder Ty Conklin. The strong only get stronger, and Detroit is the favorite to finish No.1 in the West.
Center Joe Sakic returns to captain the Colorado Avalanche, who added grit by signing right-winger Darcy Tucker. Colorado will be tough to play against, with goaltending from unproven goalies Andrew Raycroft and Peter Budaj. Expect the team from the Mile High City to be fighting for the last playoff spot.
Could this be the year the Calgary Flames do some real damage in the playoffs? Calgary should have no problem making the post-season with players like right-winger Jarome Iginla, goalie Miikka Kiprusoff and defenseman Dion Phaneuf. Adding emerging superstar-sniper, left-winger Mike Cammalleri to the mix sure does help.
In Chicago, budding young superstars like right-winger Patrick Kane, defenseman Duncan Keith and center Jonathan Toews should make hockey in the Windy City much more exciting. Free-agent gems defenseman Brian Campbell and new goalie Cristobal Huet should help propel the Blackhawks into a playoff berth.
If you thought playing against center Steve Ott and left-winger Brenden Morrow was hard, wait until this season. The Dallas Stars signed agitator Sean Avery, who was nicknamed "The Grate One" for his rebellious style of play in New York at left wing. Center Brad Richards, right-winger Jere Lehtinen and center Mike Modano are three of the game’s top two-way players, but the key to the season will be in net with Marty Turco. If Turco stays healthy and consistent, expect big things from "Big D."
California will be a battleground with the Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings all fighting for supremacy in the Sunshine State. The same forward corps returns to San Jose, but their defense will have a new look with defensemen Rob Blake and Dan Boyle replacing the departed Matt Carle and Brian Campbell. Los Angeles will have a good young team that will compete down the line, but this isn’t the year for the Kings. Anaheim will be the mix as always, and is a likely lock to be a contender in the Western Conference.
Goaltender Roberto Luongo won’t be enough to get the Vancouver Canucks into the playoffs. Luongo will be traded before deadline as Vancouver should begin to "rebuild." The Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators and Phoenix Coyotes will all be on the outside looking in. Expect to see some former Houston Aeros suiting up for the Minnesota Wild this season. Minnesota is another postseason long shot, as is the emerging St. Louis Blues.
The Columbus Blue Jackets will surprise a lot of people this season. A franchise-first playoff appearance for Columbus is in the cards for this young, hungry team. Defensemen Christian Backman and Fedor Tyutin were acquired to steady an already tight, yet inexperienced blue line. Pascal Leclaire will have to recreate his glory in the nets from last season, and scoring-machine left-winger Rick Nash will have to be on his game as well for all to work in Columbus.
