Written by Andrew
| 07 September 2010
Bleacher Report released its Central Division Power Rankings for the upcoming season. Here's how they see it shaking down:
- Detroit Red Wings
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- St. Louis Blues
- Nashville Predators
I find it interesting that the BJ's are ranked so high. Personally, I think this list would be almost spot on if you swap the Jackets with the Predators for 3rd and 5th. And how about a new nickname for Little Brother in Chicago? I've been playing around with calling them "The Second (in the Central) City".
Here's a tidbit that BR used with each ranking:
#5: Nashville Predators
Nashville has made some moves to improve their team but nothing too noticeable. They have always been a grinding team. When I think of the Nashville Predators, there are really no big superstars that come to mind. Sure they have Jason Arnott and J. P. Dumont but they do not put up the numbers they used too. Nashville's point leader in 2009-10 was forward Steve Sullivan with 51 points out of 81 games. Sullivan is a good player but I do not see Nashville as a strong team this year.
The Predators have lost key players in recent years but with the signing of Matthew Lombardi, Sergei Kostitsyn and Ryan Parent the team is showing signs of slight improvements.
Whoops. Jason Arnott is gone - he was signed by the New Jersey Devils. Lombardi is a decent player, but not as good as they tried to build him up during the PHX series in the first round against Detroit last season. Kostitsyn had attitude/mafia problems in Montreal and Parent was shipped in from Philly to get the negotiation rights to Dan Hamuis who wanted out of Music Town - turns out, he didn't want to be a Flyer either.
And let's not forget that Chicago might not even be Stanley Cup Champs if that idiot Marty Erat had been smart with the puck while leading (on the powerplay) late in the game...
But we overpaid for Henrik Zetterberg, right moron?
#4: St. Louis Blues
St. Louis has some problems but they are looking towards their youth for answers. With the loss of forwards Paul Kariya and Keith Tkachuk, St. Louis is not looking too good. Like almost all teams that were powerhouses in the 90's, St. Louis did not add the proper youth to their aging team.
The Blues are showing signs of potential with their youth. Erik Johnson is proof. He has only been in the NHL for two years and is already making an impact. St. Louis did sign a new goaltender, Jaroslav Halak. Halak was the hero of the Montreal Canadians, when he helped lead them to a stunning victory over the Washington Capitals. Although I do not believe that St. Louis will make the playoffs, they are taking the right steps in rebuilding their franchise.
Author Matt Shepard seems to be contradicting himself a lot in this article. Didn't add youth, but showing signs of potential with their youth? Huh? Most people think that Halak will help St. Louis, but won't be the difference maker that he was during Montreal's run in the play-offs last spring. It will be nice not seeing Keith Tkachuk's giant rear-end anymore, and I never liked Paul Kariya...maybe the little turd will go back to Nashville or Anaheim.
It's looking like the Bitter, Brittle Blues will continue to trail behind the Red Wings in the Central Division - as they have done consistently since the 90's.
#3: Columbus Blue Jackets
I am always surprised on how the Columbus Bluejackets either do not make playoffs or fail to advance to the next round. They have a good team. They have a face to their franchise, Rick Nash. Nash is the ideal player and they always seem to add talent but this year will be different for them. Goalie Steve Mason is going into his third year and he always seems to impress me. He acts as the third defenseman and since Chicago lost some of their players, Columbus may just be able to to secure a playoff run that they deserve.
Rick Nash is a monster that haunts the dreams of Red Wings players and fans alike. The kid has tremendous size and hands. He has scored more goals against Detroit than any other player in the National Hockey League since he has been here. But, having a face to your franchise doesn't mean you're going to have a good team. Steve Mason, after having a ridiculously strong rookie season, fell flat on his face last season. If the young netminder can't get his act together, Columbus is going to be in trouble. They also had one of the worst powerplays in the league. They haven't done much to improve that - or really much of anything this off-season. I don't see them finishing any higher than 4th this season.
#2: Chicago Blackhawks
Sure Chicago won the cup but can they defend their title? Chicago has lost some key players to their Stanley Cup winning team but made a key pickup, goalie Marty Turco. Turco looks great compared to Antti Niemi. Niemi was never really a great goalie but he had the support of Chicago. He was always the underdog and everybody loves an underdog. Turco is a dependable goalie which is what Chicago needs. Turco has had some bad years but with Scotty Bowman helping Chicago out, I think they are making the right move. Letting go of John Madden is a loss for the Hawks but Chicago has some young talent who will be battling it out to secure a spot on the fourth line.
Chicago has kept their key players, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa. The roster continues to grow with new talent but these are the main people behind Chicago's Stanley Cup winning team.
Overall Chicago is a powerhouse and is looking great for next season.
So having Scotty Bowman will help Marty Turco how? And Marty Turco was a dependable goalie up until a couple of years ago - why do you think Dallas let him go and Chicago was able to sign him for so little money? And I particularly like the fact that he notes Chicago's key players and leaves out the guy who won the Norris last season.
Everyone is looking for a great season this year. But just because you won the Cup in June doesn't automatically qualify you as a powerhouse. Will Chicago make the play-offs? Probably. But I'd be hard pressed to call anyone in 6th, 7th, or 8th seed a powerhouse.
#1: Detroit Red Wings
There is a reason why it is called Hockeytown. Detroit lives and breathes hockey. Although Detroit did not do so well last season, I believe they will do much better this season. Detroit had many injuries in the 2009-10 season and still they put up a fight. How many teams can be a playoff contender with the amount of injuries Detroit had?
Detroit was without its star forward Johan Frazen for a majority of the season and to add to that Thomas Holmstrom was injured. The Wings also saw many other star players that helped them win the cup in 08' fall to injury when they needed them most. Sure goaltender Chris Osgood had a terrible season but Jimmy Howard, stepped up and led the team to victory. Howard proved that he is ready to lead and as a rookie he did great. His GAA was 2.26, as a rookie. Rarely do you see a rookie goaltender have those numbers. The fans expect the Stanley Cup in Detroit so goalies come and go but Howard seems to be a keeper.
Detroit added some depth to their lineup by signing Mike Modano. He wants a cup and knows Detroit can deliver. Adding Modano is a great move by Detroit. In the past the Wings have given old timers a last chance at glory and hopefully Modano gets another ring before he calls it quits.
Another addition to the roaster is the return of Jiri Hudler. Last year Hudler left the Wings to play in Russia but this year he is back. The Wings struggled to find a man to replace him in 2009, but luckily he decided to return this season. In the 2008-09 season he had 23 goals and 37 assists. He also was good at shootouts and his speed is uncanny. He is able to put the puck in the back of the net when he needs to.
If the Wings lineup stays healthy, then Detroit will most likely be number one but not without a fight. It will be close between Chicago and Detroit but in the end Detroit's experience will lead to them to be the best in the Central Division.
So he covered most of the stuff that we've become so familiar with this off-season:
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Injuries last season kept us from finishing better
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Jimmy was stupendous (and hopefully will be again)
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We brought in Modano to add depth/experience
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Hudler returns after a career year in 2008-2009
How close do we think the Central race is going to be this season? Is Sharp, Hossa, Kane, Toews, Keith, and Seabrook enough to carry Chicago into a dogfight with Detroit? I tend to think that it won't. Having those six players certainly should carry them into top eight in the conference, but I don't see them being a serious threat to Detroit in the Central.
But I guess we'll see...
