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Ryan Cowley
1) Edmonton Oilers
Last spring, the Oilers ended their nine-year playoff drought with a vengeance, finishing second in the Pacific with 103 points. Entering this season, many will see if the Oilers are more than a one-year wonder.
They will be.
For any club that has Connor McDavid leading the way, there isn’t much sense in wondering. Leon Draisatl really came into his own last season and Milan Lucic fits in nicely with his new club. The only question for the Oilers entering the new season is goaltender Cam Talbot and whether he will be burnt out from playing 83 games last season, including the playoffs.
2) Calgary Flames
This may come as a bit of a surprise. The Flames are only getting better but to suggest they will finish second in the Pacific? Why not? The biggest question mark entering the new season, however, is goaltending. Despite their improvement in recent years, the Flames have gone through goaltenders at a seemingly-rapid pace. Two seasons ago, it was Jonas Hiller, last season it was Brian Elliott and now it is Mike Smith — arguably the most established of the three.
As long as their youngsters stay healthy — Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan to name just a few — stay healthy, the Flames will be forced to be reckoned with. They’re not the biggest team in the league but the Flames possess a plethora of speed and finish that makes them exciting to watch.
Expect them to build on their 94-point performance last season.
3) Anaheim Ducks
Their lower standings finish is not meant to be detrimental to the Ducks but rather a necessity.
The Detroit Red Wings of the 90’s immediately come to mind when thinking of the modern-day Ducks. The Wings spent years finishing atop the NHL standings only to bow out in the playoffs — much like the Ducks did these past few seasons. But in 1996-97, the Wings finished in the middle of the standings only to end their Stanley Cup drought that year.
Am I comparing the Ducks to the 90’s Red Wings? No, but I am suggesting that to win the ultimate prize, the Ducks will need to pace themselves this season.
4) San Jose Sharks
They’re getting a bit older (okay, who isn’t?) and they’re now minus Patrick Marleau. Yet, while he is 38, Marleau has averaged under 31 goals in every full season since the season-long lockout of 2004-05. But, as instrumental — and even synonymous — as Marleau has been to the Sharks organization, San Jose still has plenty of offensive weapons from Logan Couture to Brent Burns to Joe Thornton, who, also at 38, continues to produce.
Expect the Sharks to be competitive this season but their drop in the Pacific Division won’t necessarily be a detriment to them but instead a testament to those clubs ahead of them, particularly the Flames and Oilers.
5) Los Angeles Kings
While it was only three years ago, 2014 feels like an eternity for the Los Angeles Kings. Off-ice issues and questionable decisions by management led to the silver-and-black missing the playoffs in the two of three seasons since winning their second Stanley Cup in 2014. But, it’s a new era in the City of Angels.
Out is Darryl Sutter and Dean Lombardi and in is John Stevens and Rob Blake.
Already making necessary moves such as parting ways with Matt Greene and Jordan Nolan, new GM Blake is proving that he’s serious about returning to the Kings to prominence, while finally pushing for a youth movement (enter Adrian Kempe) while replacing some size with more speed and finesse (enter Mike Cammalleri). However, don’t expect the Kings to astonish opponents just yet. They will be better than they were in the last three seasons but if they do reach the postseason next spring, expect it to be a late berth.
6) Arizona Coyotes
When the Desert Dogs and longtime head coach Dave Tippett agreed to part ways, it was the end of an era. While new coach Rick Tocchet did help the Pittsburgh Penguins win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and ’17, he was an assistant. The success of an assistant-turned-head coach is like popcorn kernels: some pop, some don’t.
But Tocchet, on paper, at least, has a promising roster.
Max Domi and Anthony Duclair lead the way as far as the Coyotes’ long-term future goes. The Coyotes also added Derek Stepan and formidable blueliner Niklas Hjalmarsson in the off-season but said goodbye to longtime captain Shane Doan and aforementioned netminder Mike Smith. Still, it’ll be a long year in the desert for the transitional Coyotes.
7) Vegas Golden Knights
Like most expansion teams, don’t expect much from the Golden Knights. With that said, though, their mix of leadership and youth won’t leave them in the division cellar, even if the chemistry isn’t fully intact.
8) Vancouver Canucks
Falling just one game shy of winning the Stanley Cup in 2011 and a President’s Trophy the following year, the Vancouver Canucks have fallen from grace. The Sedins are still in VanCity but time is not on their side as they are now 37.
Bo Horvat still remains a promising piece in the team’s future while off-season signings Sam Gagner and Tomas Vanek will provide some leadership and a bit of an offensive spark, it will be a tough season for first-year head coach Travis Green and his new club.
Stanley Cup Prediction: Chicago Blackhawks
Despite their vast success this decade, it’s easy to write off the Blackhawks, especially after last spring’s opening-round sweep. But, despite not winning a Cup in the last two years, the Hawks are still stockpiled with talent and experience. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane will continue to lead the way while the returns of Patrick Sharp and Brandon Saad will even boost their fortunes.
On defense, while Niklas Hjalmarsson is gone, the Hawks are known for having unknown youngsters enter the picture and thrive.
Expect the same this season, even if it means knocking off the powerful Penguins.
