It’s almost time for the renewed NHL regular season to take center ice, and we’ve got just the cure for the lack-of-hockey blues.
The Western Conference has the privilege of having the reigning Stanley Cup champions primed for another special season, but that’s not if the rest of the Central Division have a say or mighty (slap)shot at the division title. Meanwhile, the Anaheim Ducks will be looking to defend their division crown themselves from the rest of the daunting field out in the Pacific.
Read on as we provide our predictions for how both divisions will pan out by the end of the season, as well as the accompanying numbers for each teams’ odds of finishing on top of its respective standings. Meanwhile, check out what’s about to go down over in the Eastern Conference to get the most out of your NHL futures coverage right after this.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Western Conference Futures and Predictions for the 2015-16 NHL Regular Season
Central Division
| Projected Finish | Team | Odds to Win the Division |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Chicago Blackhawks | +250 |
| 2nd | Nashville Predators | +450 |
| 3rd | Minnesota Wild | +300 |
| 4th | St. Louis Blues | +300 |
| 5th | Winnipeg Jets | +800 |
| 6th | Dallas Stars | +800 |
| 7th | Colorado Avalanche | +1,500 |
The way we see it, the defending Stanley Cup champions in the Chicago Blackhawks remain as the top team to beat in the Central Division, until proven otherwise when the actual regular season is in full swing. Head coach Joel Quenneville has seen several significant roster overhauls in his seven years in Chicago, but has still managed to lead his team to three Stanley Cup appearances, all ending as champs.
[sc:NHL240 ]Offseason departures in Patrick Sharp, Brandon Saad, Johnny Oduya, Kris Versteeg and Brad Richards have the Blackhawks in dire need of some depth, but the bulk of the team’s prolific starters are still set to take center ice, including the one-two punch of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook – arguably the best defensive tandem in the league – ready to keep opponents in check.
But speaking of stellar defenses, the Nashville Predators have a formidable duo of their own in Shea Weber and Roman Josi to vault their team to another second-place finish and playoff appearance like in 2014. The Minnesota Wild, meanwhile, will counter with stars Zach Parise and Ryan Suter in their primes together with indomitable goalie Devan Dubnyk for the third spot. And the ever-dangerous St. Louis Blues (back-to-back 50-win seasons) will do just enough to contend for a playoff berth themselves.
The Dallas Stars have Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn fronting a frightening forward line, but may not have enough defense to keep the opposition from retaliating. The Colorado Avalanche will once again be overwhelmed by the rest of the top-heavy division in spite of improvements in the offseason, while the Winnipeg Jets are still a few seasons away from fully developing their young core into actual contenders.
Pacific Division
| Projected Finish | Team | Odds to Win the Division |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Anaheim Ducks | +150 |
| 2nd | Calgary Flames | +550 |
| 3rd | Los Angeles Kings | +250 |
| 4th | San Jose Sharks | +650 |
| 5th | Vancouver Canucks | +750 |
| 6th | Edmonton Oilers | +650 |
| 7th | Arizona Coyotes | +3,300 |
Another season, another projected first-place finish for the Anaheim Ducks in their division. And how could we go against the Ducks’ stranglehold over the Pacific if they’ve pwned the Pacific for the past three seasons? Their success (or lack of it) in the postseason is a different story for another day, but you can bet that Corey Perry, Patrick Maroon and Ryans Getzlaf and Kesler are all aching and hungry for the Ducks to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since their 2006 championship season.
But watch out, because the surprising Calgary Flames exceeded all expectations last year to break away from their seemingly unending run of mediocrity towards a third-place finish in the Pacific in 2014. This year, with the additions of winger Michael Frolik and defenseman Dougie Hamilton, expect diminutive but sensational 2014 rookie Johnny Gaudreau and the rest of the boys from Alberta to finish a strong second in the division.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks – all perennial playoff contenders – will duke it out for possibly one or two of the remaining playoff spots in the West yet again. The Kings are likely to be a shoo-in for the postseason with their vast championship experience and stellar goalkeeping behind the impenetrable Jonathan Quick.
That leaves San Jose and Vancouver on the cusp of a playoff berth. We’re banking on the Sharks to edge out the Canucks and get right back in the playoff picture after missing out last year’s postseason for the first time in over a decade, thanks to new head coach Peter DeBoer changing the team’s work ethic and style of attack.
On the tail-end of the standings, both the Edmonton Oilers and Arizona Coyotes are young and competitive, but the two will not be able to keep up with the rest of the tough competition in the Pacific. Having said that, the Oilers should do well enough this season with prized rookie Connor McDavid’s arrival to keep them out of the basement.
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