NHL Preview 2013: Western Conference

Northwest

Henrik and Daniel Sedin

1. Vancouver Canucks
It looks like the Canucks will once more be the top team in the Northwest division. They can credit that to the return of the Sedins, Henrik and Daniel, who have dominated the past few seasons. The team improved their defense adding Jason Garrison and retaining much of last year's unit. It seems Roberto Luongo's time in Vancouver may be up. Cory Schneider will likely be the starting goalie now.
2. Minnesota Wild
After scoring just 177 goals a year ago, the Wild invested big money in superstar Zach Parise. Parise will join Dany Heatley and Mikko Koivu to form an offense that looks like it can manage 200 plus this year. Minnesota also added Ryan Suter to help the defense. The question remains whether these big signings will pay off in the long run.
3. Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche look to also be in contention for the Northwest crown. Milan Hejduk is slow now at 36 but can still be an effective goal scorer. Colorado also has an improving player in Gabriel Landeskog who won Calder Trophy a year ago. The Avalanche had a productive off season acquiring P.A. Parenteau from the Islanders.
4. Edmonton Oilers
Pretty soon, the Oilers have to start winning. Right? Edmonton looks to continue their slow rise up but it has stalled. Led by Taylor Hall this team has the talent to at least not end up with the number one pick. Jordan Eberle and Justin Schultz give the team some more to work with but their is still way too many holes for the Oilers to be playoff contenders.
5. Calgary Flames
The Flames haven't enjoyed much success the past couple of seasons but they seem to not care. Other than keeping aging stars Jarome Iginla and Miikka Kiprusoff the Flames haven't done anything to try to help the team reach the playoffs. Some minor moves may help but not enough for the Flames to climb out of the cellar.

Central
1. St. Louis Blues
What happened last year? The Blues seemed to come from nowhere to win the Central thanks to a solid score of players that are back this season. That list includes T.J. Oshie, David Backes and Brian Elliot. Elliot formed quite the tandem with Jaroslav Halak in goal last year which was one of the main reasons St. Louis had so much success. It would be tough to imagine the Blues having the regular season they had last year but they should still win the Central.
2. Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks aren't the best team in the Central, but they still have enough on the roster to at least make the playoffs. They have Patrick Sharp, Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa to provide enough goals but the real issue is goalie where Corey Crawford and Ray Emery will spend time.
3. Nashville Predators
Nashville rarely has the best team in the NHL but they always seem to fight hard and end up in contention in the Central. That should be the case once more for the Preds. They lost Ryan Suter but still have Shea Weber to help on defense. They also have one of the best net minders in the league in Pekka Rinne. With a commitment to defense the Preds should wind up in the playoffs.
4. Detroit Red Wings
After years of prolonged success the Red Wings time might be drawing to a close. Nicklas Lidstorm retired, Detroit didn't add anyone significant and they are very old everywhere. Jimmy Howard won't let up much but Detroit could soon look like the Lakers of the NHL.
5. Columbus Blue Jackets
Rick Nash is now off to New York which basically erases any chance the Blue Jackets have of making the playoffs. The only decent goal scorer is going to be R.J. Umberger who scored 20 a year ago. The goalie position is also a complete mess.

Pacific
1. Los Angeles Kings
Surprise could be called a complete understatement as the Kings stunned everybody on their way to winning the Stanley Cup. A lot remains including shutdown goalie Jonathan Quick, right winger Dustin Brown and defender Drew Doughty. Anze Kopitar will miss some games to start the season but by the time the games really matter the star center should be ready to go and try to defend the crown.
2. Phoenix Coyotes
Don't think LA will run away with the Pacific. The Coyotes are quite a formidable opponent led by their own goalie Mike Smith and a number of goal scorers. Phoenix gave Shane Doan a lot of money to stay and lead the squad in scoring. The Coyotes will miss Ray Whitney, who had 77 points last year but was signed by Dallas.
3. San Jose Sharks
The Sharks title window is closing as center Joe Thornton, Dan Boyle, Patrick Marleau and Brent Burns continue to age but it doesn't look like San Jose is improving at all.  Those players still have enough star talent to score a bunch of goals but Anti Niemi has struggled in goal throughout his career. The Sharks still have enough bite to be in the playoffs but nothing to deep.
4. Anaheim Ducks
Youth is not something the Ducks have had the past few seasons. They still have 42 year old Teemu Selanne, Saku Koivu, Sheldon Souray and a number of other old veterans. What does it all mean? The Ducks will struggle to keep up with the speedier teams in the Western Conference.
5. Dallas Stars
The Stars are in a weird stage. The team appeared to be rebuilding the past couple of seasons with such talent as Loui Eriksson and Derek Roy. Then, this off season Dallas went out and payed big money to gain 40 year olds Jaromir Jagr and Ray Whitney. Jagr inspired Philly in a big way but he likely won't help Dallas climb out of the cellar.

NHL Preview 2013: Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

Henrik Lundqvist

1. New York Rangers
New York dominated the Eastern Conference through much of last season before falling in the playoffs. Shutdown goalie Henrik Lundqvist is back after a fantastic 2012 season. He'll be helped out thanks to more scoring help with the addition of former Blue Jacket Rick Nash. A healthy Marian Gaborik should propel the Rangers to the number one seed in the East.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins should be in Stanley Cup contention thanks to the return of a healthy Sidney Crosby. If not Crosby struggles the Pens will rely on Evengi Malkin and fabulous goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. The big question in Pittsburgh is who will replace Jordan Staal, one of the league's most efficient centers.
3. Philadelphia Flyers
Up front, Philadelphia is as strong as anyone. Claude Giroux was dominant through much of last year and should continue that in 2013. Danny Briere isn't a superstar but will be an effective center. And, the Flyers still have big right winger Scott Hartnell. But, defense will be a big issue for Philly this year. Chris Pronger is really starting to slow at 38, Matt Carle is now gone and Andrej Meszaros has struggled with injuries.
4. New Jersey Devils
The Devils surprised more than a few when they ended up in the Stanley Cup against LA. But, this is a different team. Star Zach Parise is now in Minnesota and Martin Broduer is continuing to age in goal. Ilya Kovalchuck, Travis Zajac and a number of others must step up in order for a shot at repeating last year's success.
5. New York Islanders
Once more the Islanders will be in the cellar of the Atlantic. They do have a couple of dangerous players including  John Tavares and Matt Moulson but not enough to contend in a division filled with stars. However, goal is solid with Rick DiPietro and Evengi Nabakov.

Southeast
1. Washington Capitols
It was a disastrous 2011-2012 for the Caps but there is hope to turn things around in a big way. Alex Ovechkin is back but without his sidekick Alexander Semin. The Caps need a big turnaround in Mike Green who played terrible through much of last year. Ovie better score a lot of goals because the Capitols are weak in between the pipes.
2. Carolina Hurricanes
The 'Canes enjoyed a great off season trading for center Jordan Staal from Pittsburgh, and landing Alexander Semin who could dominate now being the premier scorer on a team. Some old pieces are also back such as center Eric Staal and goalie Cam Ward to lift Carolina into the playoffs.
3. Florida Panthers
Florida had a huge turnaround last year winning the Southeast. And, they could do it this year as well. The Panthers have a lot returning including center Stephen Weiss and Tomas Fleischmann. They also added 36 year old Filip Kuba to keep the defense strong.
4. Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning aren't short of star power. They still have aging stars Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavlier who are losing a little bit of speed but not much. Those two have become backseats to the sensational Steven Stamkos who shreds defenses with his slapshot. As much as the Lightning can score the team is very weak in the back which could hurt them in the long run.
5. Winnipeg Jets
In their first year away from the Atlanta Thrashers the Jets narrowly missed the playoffs and hope this year they can make it over the hump. Evander Kane is the focal point on offense putting up 30 goals last season. Winnipeg signed journeyman Olli Jokinen to help Kane out on the offensive side. The defense is solid with Zach Bogosian and Dustin Byfuglien but there isn't enough star power for the Jets to climb out of the cellar.

Northeast
1. Boston Bruins

Kyle Turris

Once more it looks like the Bruins will rule the Northeast thanks to stifling defense and an efficient offense. Boston has dangerous centers Patrice Bergeron and Tyler Seguin and Milan Lucic to dominate at the left wing spot. The Bruins also feature a new goalie in Tuukka Rask who takes over for Tim Thomas, who will sit out the year. All this should mean a deep playoff run in the East.
2. Ottawa Senators
The Senators look very dangerous heading into 2013 thanks to Kyle Turris and some aging vets. Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza were once the cornerstones of an Eastern Conference power but now are background noise to others. Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson and Sergei Gonchar should keep opponents from getting anything easy.
3. Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo could also end up being quite a scary team. They have scoring punch in newcomer Steve Ott, Thomas Vanek and improving Cody Hodgson. The X-factor is Ryan Miller who had possibly his worst year in the NHL last season. If he returns to his old self then Buffalo should wind up in the playoffs.
4. Montreal Canadiens
Things don't look as bright for Montreal as Ottawa or Buffalo.The Canadiens added right winger Colby Armstrong and retained Brian Gionta and Tomas Plekanec. Overall, even with Carey Price in goal and an okay defense the Canadiens don't have enough scoring punch for them to really make noise out east.
5. Toronto Maple Leafs
This might be well too low for the Maple Leafs a team with a lot of intriguing players. Phil Kessell continues to be a their go to scorer and continues to be helped by Joffrey Lupul. The Maple Leafs are also excited about left winger James van Riemsdyk who is beastly at times. The gaping hole is goalie where Toronto is relying James Reimer.