Forward Progress: West Predictions

Every year I like to take a shot at NHL predictions. Sometimes I'm close, sometimes I'm utterly embarrassed. This year is no different, except that I get to share my prediction with you here on Pens U. Take a look and let me know your thoughts!

First up, we start with the Western Conference...


WESTERN CONFERENCE
1: Vancouver Canucks
2: San Jose Sharks
3: Chicago Blackhawks
4: LA Kings
5: Detroit Red Wings
6: Anaheim Ducks
7: Nashville Predators
8: St.Louis Blues
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9: Calgary Flames
10: Minnesota Wild
11: Dallas Stars
12: Colorado Avalanche
13: Columbus Blue Jackets
14: Edmonton Oilers
15: Phoenix Coyotes




Central Division
1: Chicago 105 points
2: Detroit 99 points
3: Nashville 96 points
4: St. Louis 95 points
5: Columbus 79 points

Northwest
1: Vancouver 114 points
2: Calgary 93 points
3: Minnesota 91 points
4: Colorado 82 points
5: Edmonton 73 points

Pacific Division
1: San Jose 107 points
2: LA Kings 102 points
3: Anaheim 98 points
4: Dallas 90 points
5: Phoenix 66 points




1-Vancouver Canucks
Strengths: Strong down the middle.
Scoring depth on the wings.
Strong on special teams and faceoffs.
Solid defense.

Weaknesses: Lacking some toughness.
Stanley Cup Final loss hangover.
Goaltending lets them down at key times.

2-San Jose Sharks
Strengths: Strong top two lines
Potent blueline with the addition of Burns
Addition of Handzus gives them shutdown 3rd line center they lacked.

Weaknesses: Lost some speed and scoring with trades of Setoguchi and Heatley.
Penalty kill needs improvement.
Is Niemi just another Nabokov?

3-Chicago Blackhawks
Strengths: Will score a ton with Kane, Toews, Sharp, and Hossa.
Good power play.
Solid defense led by stars Keith and Seabrook

Weaknesses: Penalty kill needs work.
Corey Crawford needs to avoid a sophomore slump.

4-LA Kings
Strengths: Excellent scoring depth.
Defense getting better and better.
Two quality goaltenders.

Weaknesses: Power play could be better.
Need to be more consistent.
Ability to meet high expectations.

5-Detroit Red Wings
Strengths: Top end talents with Lidstrom, Datsyuk and Zetterberg.
Depth. Can roll 4 good lines.
Hunger. Eager for one more long run.
Excellent coaching.

Weaknesses: Goals against was high last year.
Howard needs to be more consistent.
After Datsyuk and Zetterberg, there's a big drop off in scorers

6-Anaheim Ducks
Strengths: Best top line in NHL
Balanced defense
Solid goaltending if Hiller is healthy.

Weaknesses: Depth players are getting old.
Big questions in goal if Hiller isn't a go.
No significant upgrades while their division rivals spend away.

7-Nashville Predators
Strengths: Weber and Suter a top defense pairing in the NHL.
Rinne is a future Vezina winner.
Hard working from top to bottom.

Weaknesses: Lack of scoring punch.
Power play is weak.
Defensive depth after the top two.

8-St.Louis Blues
Strengths: Great young scoring depth.
Score a lot of goals despite no superstars.
Defenseman Pietrangelo developing into a fine blueliner.

Weaknesses: Among the worst in league at faceoffs.
Depth on defense.
Halak needs to better in goal.

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9-Calgary Flames
Strengths: Jarome Iginla.
Veteran leadership.
Scoring depth good when hot.

Weaknesses: Aging players.
Scoring depth can go into prolonged slumps.
12 players have no-trade contracts.

10-Minnesota Wild
Strengths: Solid goaltending.
First line more dangerous.
Gritty forwards

Weaknesses: Will still struggle to score outside the top line.
Thin depth on defense.


11-Dallas Stars
Strengths: Depth at forward and defense.
Strong young core.

Weaknesses: Lack star power and leadership with Richards departure.
Unproven head coach.
Goaltender needs to continue to improve and stay healthy.

12-Colorado Avalanche
Strengths: Young nucleus of potential scorers
Team speed

Weaknesses: Defense
Inexperience
Penalty killing needs a lot of work

13-Columbus Blue Jackets
Strengths: Nash, Carter, and Umberger will be a tough line to stop.
One of the best teams in faceoffs.

Weaknesses: Goaltending. Will Mason ever return to rookie season form?
Take a ton of penalties.
Need more puck movement from blueline.

14-Edmonton Oilers
Strengths: Excellent young talent.
Team speed.
Potential for scoring depth.

Weaknesses: Goaltending
Defense
Special Teams

15-Phoenix Coyotes
Strengths: Shane Doan is a great captain and "glue guy".
Keith Yandle developing into great defenseman

Weaknesses: Big downgrade in goal after Bryzgalov left.
Average depth.
Will struggle to score goals again.


WEST WINNER: Chicago Blackhawks
Darkhorse candidate: LA Kings


Coming up next week, my East predictions and in depth Pittsburgh Penguins predictions!