The NHL’s Central Division is a gauntlet of talented teams. From top-to-bottom, there’s an argument to be made for each team to make a playoff push. Most of the teams improved their rosters a fair margin, and that makes the Central pretty deep this year. It will make it probably the most compelling division in hockey.
Storylines To Watch
Can anyone stop Chicago?
Last season the Blackhawks were a game away from their third Stanley Cup Final appearance in five years. With the addition of Brad Richards in the offseason, the team addressed their one glaring weakness, which was a true second line center. As long as the goaltending holds together, Chicago should be at the top of the division and among the Cup contenders by the end of the year.
Will St. Louis make a serious playoff push?
For the last few seasons, the St. Louis Blues have been among the elite regular season teams in the NHL – in fact, they’re third in puck possession behind Los Angeles and Chicago over the last three campaigns. Unlike the success of the other two teams, though, the Blues have two first round exits and a second round exit to show for it. Paul Stastny was brought in to strengthen the middle, so it seems like the Blues should be in a position to make a run again this year.
Can both Minnesota and Colorado improve underlying numbers?
The possession numbers tell us that the bell tolls for every team who can’t play good defense, and Colorado and Minnesota were in the bottom-third of the NHL in possession last year. A repeat of that performance could mean a struggle to even get to the playoffs this year, let alone succeed in the postseason. It’ll be curious to watch the Wild and Avalanche this year, if only to see if they can improve on last year.
Do Nashville or Winnipeg have enough to get to the postseason?
The Winnipeg Jets haven’t been to the playoffs since moving from Atlanta, largely thanks to the 24th-ranked goaltending since the relocation. The Nashville Predators have missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2001-2003. The Jets still have the same problem in net, but Nashville traded for James Neal, and re-tooled their centre position with the additions of Mike Ribeiro, Derek Roy, and Olli Jokinen. With a healthy Pekka Rinne, all this could make Nashville one of the better turnaround teams from last year.
Do the additions of Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky make Dallas contenders in the West?
Undoubtedly, one of the better franchise improvements last year was the Dallas Stars, who added Tyler Seguin, who then led them to their first postseason appearance since 2008. This past offseason, the Stars traded for Jason Spezza and signed Ales Hemsky, and that gives them a top-six forward group that is immensely talented. With the depth they have at forward, and hopefully a full season from Kari Lehtonen, the Stars might be front-runners in the West this year. Only time will tell.
Rookies To Watch For
Teuvo Teravainen – Chicago
The addition of Richards by the Blackhawks meant that, at worst, Teravainen would be asked to play bottom-six minutes for Chicago. At time of writing, though, it appears as though he may start the season in the AHL. He has immense talent, though, with some of the softest hands in hockey. It shouldn’t be long until he makes it back, and sticks, with the big team
Filip Forsberg – Nashville
Though he could technically be making his appearance in his third NHL season, Forsberg is still considered a rookie. He was acquired for Martin Erat a couple of seasons ago from Washington, and looks to be starting with the Predators this year. He’s a big, skilled center who will likely play the wing because of the acquired depth, and could add a lot of offensive punch this team has been missing for a couple of years now.
Nikolaj Ehlers – Winnipeg
A top-10 pick from the most recent NHL Entry Draft, Ehlers is a smooth-skating, and highly-skilled winger who has impressed in training camp so far this year. Though he’s still just 18-years-old, which makes him somewhat unlikely to stick around for the whole season, Ehlers has looked like a great pick so far.
Jake Allen – St. Louis
With Ryan Miller off to Vancouver, the goaltending duties in St. Louis are up to veteran Brian Elliott and rookie Jake Allen. Having had the pleasure to watch Allen grow from his beginnings in Fredericton, I can attest to the smooth play in net from the young goalie. He’s big and positionally sound, something that should bode well in front of a very good defensive team.
Michael Hutchinson – Winnipeg
Over the last three seasons, Winnipeg starter Ondrej Pavelec is tied for the worst save percentage in the NHL (.904, minimum 100 games played). This would seem to make Hutchinson a possibility to steal some starts for the Jets as the season wears on. There’s no telling if Hutchinson is the answer in net, but it’s pretty certain that Pavelec is not.
Predicted Final Standings
- Chicago Blackhawks*
- St. Louis Blues*
- Dallas Stars*
- Nashville Predators**
- Colorado Avalanche
- Minnesota Wild
- Winnipeg Jets
*Playoff Spot ** Wild Card
The top three teams seem to be the class of the division, and then it’s wide open after that. With a healthy Pekka Rinne, an improved forward group, and a great defensive tandem in Shea Weber and Roman Josi, Nashville should be in the mix for a Wild Card position at the end of the year.
There is no doubt that Colorado has an incredible group of top-six forwards, and Semyon Varlamov is one of the better goalies in the NHL. The depth for Colorado, though, is an ongoing concern, as is their blue-line. There is also concern for Minnesota, as they are a team going into the season with Niklas Backstrom (20/29 goalies in save percentage since 2011), Ilya Bryzgalov (27th) and Darcy Kuemper (unproven) in net.
Finally, until Winnipeg stops giving the majority of starts to Pavelec, they won’t be a playoff team.
Thoughts and opinions on the Central? Let us know in the comments!
*As always, thanks to Hockey Analysis, Hockey Reference, and NHL.com for their resources.
