The Central Division is largely considered to be the best division in hockey right now. Last season three of the top five teams in the NHL came from the Central and for the last two seasons they have claimed the extra two wild card spots in the Western Conference. With the draft, trades, and most of the major free agency out of the way I will be giving my thoughts on each team from the Central and my predictions on how they will finish in 2017.
Chicago Blackhawks:
The Blackhawks have been a power in the NHL in recent years and the closest thing to an NHL team having a dynasty. The prolific duo of Jonathon Towes and Patrick Kane will continue to be among the leagues best players for the foreseeable future.
The team also has one of the most consistent and sturdy backlines in hockey allowing for continual success. Despite constantly moving players, such as Andrew Shaw this offseason, do to a roster tight with the salary cap, the Blackhawks always seem to find suitable replacements and will likely be a top team in the league again.
Colorado Avalanche:
Colorado won the division three seasons ago but has failed to make the playoffs in the past two seasons. This team may be the most difficult to predict due to the inconsistency of the young players who have led the team. Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnion are both talented forwards but down the stretch last season they found trouble producing offense. This led to Colorado finishing in the third wildcard seed and missing the playoffs. The more apparent problem was the issues on the backend. Roy failed to find a goalie that could be good on and off the ice and the Aves will hope some of their offseason defensive additions can help bandage that.
Dallas Stars:
Dallas finished last season with the second best record in hockey and made the jump into the playoffs for just the second time in eight seasons. Dallas plays a fast paced highly offensive brand of hockey that allows superstars Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin to flourish. Dallas retained just three of the six consistent defensive starters from last season to allow some of the younger defensemen to make the jump into the NHL. The biggest question will be if these players can make the transition and allow Dallas to make a run into the playoffs again.
Minnesota Wild:
The Wild added coach Bruce Boudreau behind the bench to a team that scraped into the playoffs after a roller coaster of a season. Minnesota added Eric Stall to a lineup that is filled with big names but have failed to produce during the past few seasons. With an experienced coach like Boudreau I expect the Wild to make their way into the playoffs with a little more conviction next season, although it may be difficult for the current roster to make a deep run.
Nashville Predators:
Nashville has had arguably the best offseason of any team in the NHL. The Preds added P.K. Subban to an already immensely talented young defensive core that will look to shut down the offensively talented teams of the Central Division. The only thing that could plague the Predators next season would be some serious droughts up front from forwards James Neal and Ryan Johansen, but with a defensive core as loaded as theirs they likely wont need a ton of goals.
St. Louis Blues:
St. Louis looks to be the only team that may be taking a step back from where they finished last season. After losing in the Western Conference finals the Blues lost goaltender Brian Elliott and captain David Backes to free agency. The Blues still have a roster filled with talent, but it is yet to be seen if Jake Allen can be a number one goalie and what the consequences of losing their captain will have.
Winnipeg Jets:
The Jets added another talented forward in Patrik Laine with the second pick in this year’s draft. The Jets are a team that has filled the roster with a ton of young talent to help them make the transition to the NHL game. Laine along with the young core will take a step up this year but not enough to make the playoffs.
Prediction:
1. Dallas
2. Nashville
3. Chicago
4. Minnesota (WC)
5. St. Louis (WC)
6. Colorado
7. Winnipeg