HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Hotstove: Thinking Central

I agree on the Av's and Preds. I think the Av's get in as a wild card, at best. I think the Preds are better but likely that improvement isn't shown in the record because of the West in general and Central in particular.

My couple optimistic thoughts are based on 2 factors. Rinne missed 50+ games last year and the Preds barely missed the playoffs. He certainly could have put them over the hump. Not that they would have gone anywhere and to be honest that late season push came against some teams w/ not a lot to play for

Second is Lavy. How much does this team change in a new system under a new coach? I am very optimistic in the Preds future. A couple of these cheap signings w/ something to prove could be just the answer the Preds need.

Here's to hoping so.

HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Hotstove: Thinking Central
- Travis.Yost

Dallas is going to have to rely on another great year from their top 6 and Kari Lehtonen being very good for them to finish 3rd in that division. It could happen but it's going to be difficult given that their 3 defensive pairings will flip flop between Gonchar, Daley, Jordie Benn, Goligoski, Dillon and Connauton.

This division is absolutely insane

This division is absolutely insane
- MrBeanTown

The west in general is insane.

First round match up with Dallas? Not easy but certainly better than CHI or COL. Even if Dallas is better than 'rado this year I can't deal with Patrick Roy for that many consecutive games.

That's the identical order I would place the teams in that division. I do expect Colorado to take a step back this year but them and Minnesota should be able to wrap up the 2 wild card spots. California will own the Pacific division again next year.

Blues will win the Central this year and hopefully not flame out in the first round of the playoffs.

The biggest key to who wins the central for me, unforutnately is the shootout.

Chicago continues to struggle in the skill event and St. Louis wins just enough to get the number one seed in the Playoffs.

Dallas is going to have to rely on another great year from their top 6 and Kari Lehtonen being very good for them to finish 3rd in that division. It could happen but it's going to be difficult given that their 3 defensive pairings will flip flop between Gonchar, Daley, Jordie Benn, Goligoski, Dillon and Connauton.
- blacksheep1

I agree Dallas' biggest question is on D and it's the reason they can't be a true contender yet. But Nemeth was also pretty solid last year and great in the AHL playoffs. Alot of people are high on Kingberg, then there is also Oleksiak who'll be really good when he finds out he's 6'7". Bottom line we have still have a great set of #2-#5 Dmen but not a true #1...yet.

I'm high on our forward lines 1-3, especially if Spezza can stay healthy. Lehtonen is a question, some good games and some spectacular saves but i'm not sure he'll win you a cup and confident he won't without elite Dmen.

Colorado at 5? You're kidding me

To me Blues are locked in at 1, Hawks will be 2. Postions 3/4/5 will be all jumbled bw Avs, Wild, and Stars.

Stars look impressive and should be number 3, Solid Forward group that was tough last season and only got deeper, but unimpressive D with decent goal tending. Big question is will they get a big push from their Young D to handle the load and will Kari be steady enough all season long.

Wild same story. Really strong forward group, Stronger D than Dallas but still a big question mark is Harding's health, Backstrom role, and if Kuemper is the go to guy. Also if they will get bounce back year from Brodin, and steady enough Goaltending, could be number 3 or Could hit a skid again like last season bc of goaltending.

Avs match up with those 2 forward groups, the forwards may have not gotten better in top end talent, but it got deeper which was a huge flaw of theres by the seasons end. D is still suspect but it did upgrade a bit over the offseason, some decent pairings penciled in to start the season. The Nod goes to Varly for goaltenders b.w those 3 teams, Better D pairings and Varly even playing to 3/4 of what he did last season should be a tough match up for most teams

In my mind no clear favorite b/w 3 and 5. The team who has the best 20 game start might be able to ride that out for the 3 position. Divisional games will be crazy this year. I want to give 3 Seed to the Avs but I think they will be a wild card team

To me Blues are locked in at 1, Hawks will be 2. Postions 3/4/5 will be all jumbled bw Avs, Wild, and Stars.

Stars look impressive and should be number 3, Solid Forward group that was tough last season and only got deeper, but unimpressive D with decent goal tending. Big question is will they get a big push from their Young D to handle the load and will Kari be steady enough all season long.

Wild same story. Really strong forward group, Stronger D than Dallas but still a big question mark is Harding's health, Backstrom role, and if Kuemper is the go to guy. Also if they will get bounce back year from Brodin, and steady enough Goaltending, could be number 3 or Could hit a skid again like last season bc of goaltending.

Avs match up with those 2 forward groups, the forwards may have not gotten better in top end talent, but it got deeper which was a huge flaw of theres by the seasons end. D is still suspect but it did upgrade a bit over the offseason, some decent pairings penciled in to start the season. The Nod goes to Varly for goaltenders b.w those 3 teams, Better D pairings and Varly even playing to 3/4 of what he did last season should be a tough match up for most teams

In my mind no clear favorite b/w 3 and 5. The team who has the best 20 game start might be able to ride that out for the 3 position. Divisional games will be crazy this year. I want to give 3 Seed to the Avs but I think they will be a wild card team
- DDM-Coga

I dont see the blues locked in but like I said above I see the blues winning the central.

I dont see the blues locked in but like I said above I see the blues winning the central.
- sycsam

I think you will get a solid tending from Allen and Elliott, and adding Stastny/Gunnerson I think the Blues did a good job adding pieces that they needed. Losing Sobotka sucks but maybe gives a chance for Rattie or Jaskin to make the jump.

No weaknesses came from the offeason.

Edit: Signed Peter Mueller, good signing I think he will be a really nice depth guy

I can also see a step backwards this year for the Avs. The stars kind of aligned for them last year.

We get it everybody, everywhere - Avs will regress. AKA not win the hardest division in hockey again. Duh. It just surprises me that they are so easily written off this season after having done just that.

We get it everybody, everywhere - Avs will regress. AKA not win the hardest division in hockey again. Duh. It just surprises me that they are so easily written off this season after having done just that.
- Footer52

I know, we lose stastny and boom we are done for the year, the lightning and coytoes blogger said we would do worse than that Flames.

Only way to improve on last season is to win the West, yeah I dont think thats happening so you dont have to be a hockey guru to say we will regress.

Team will still be competitive and fight for a playoff spot. Still have all the guys who got them to the playoffs last year.

We get it everybody, everywhere - Avs will regress. AKA not win the hardest division in hockey again. Duh. It just surprises me that they are so easily written off this season after having done just that.
- Footer52

I wouldn't write them off, but I just wouldn't expect them to end up where they did last year.

Avs will still be a good team, but it will be hard to replicate last year, especially with some of the additions that other teams in the Central made this off-season.

I wouldn't write them off, but I just wouldn't expect them to end up where they did last year.

Avs will still be a good team, but it will be hard to replicate last year, especially with some of the additions that other teams in the Central made this off-season.
- carcus

I think our Defense improved a lot more than what peopel give it credit for.

Start of 2013-14 Season:
Hejda Johnson
Sarich Benoit
Guenin Wilson
Holden

Projected 2014-15:
Stuart Johnson
Hejda Barrie
Holden Redmond
Elliott

Our young guys are under the radar, but as a hometown fan Matt Duchene, Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, Tyson Barrie are going to be well known throughout the league soon and very soon!

I think you will get a solid tending from Allen and Elliott, and adding Stastny/Gunnerson I think the Blues did a good job adding pieces that they needed. Losing Sobotka sucks but maybe gives a chance for Rattie or Jaskin to make the jump.

No weaknesses came from the offeason.

Edit: Signed Peter Mueller, good signing I think he will be a really nice depth guy
- DDM-Coga

I really like the Mueller signing. It gives you a guy that has NHL experience and was a pretty solid player until he had health issues.

I really like the Mueller signing. It gives you a guy that has NHL experience and was a pretty solid player until he had health issues.
- sycsam

Hes a solid add. Especially a 2way contract. I think that had more to him wanting to be on the Blues and givign them the best options vs not being an NHL player. I bet he had 1 way contracts from other teams on the table.

Hes a solid add. Especially a 2way contract. I think that had more to him wanting to be on the Blues and givign them the best options vs not being an NHL player. I bet he had 1 way contracts from other teams on the table.
- DDM-Coga

Like you said I think he wants to win and he thinks the blues are the best option for him. I can see him being our 13th forward most nights. He is a much better option IMO than Chris Porter.

Blues have too many fan favorites that wouldnt crack the roster of the best teams in the league. Muller helps fix that problem. We let Cracknell walk and Sobie is in the KHL.

Now Lapierre and Porter need to find their ways out of town and they can take that POS Ott with them.

Like you said I think he wants to win and he thinks the blues are the best option for him. I can see him being our 13th forward most nights. He is a much better option IMO than Chris Porter.

Blues have too many fan favorites that wouldnt crack the roster of the best teams in the league. Muller helps fix that problem. We let Cracknell walk and Sobie is in the KHL.

Now Lapierre and Porter need to find their ways out of town and they can take that POS Ott with them.
- sycsam

You kiddin' me? Ott is a great player, just ask him.

Like you said I think he wants to win and he thinks the blues are the best option for him. I can see him being our 13th forward most nights. He is a much better option IMO than Chris Porter.

Blues have too many fan favorites that wouldnt crack the roster of the best teams in the league. Muller helps fix that problem. We let Cracknell walk and Sobie is in the KHL.

Now Lapierre and Porter need to find their ways out of town and they can take that POS Ott with them.
- sycsam

OK but realistically we have like 15 forwards now who could possibly play. Lapierre, Porter, Muller, Lindstrom, Paajarvi etc. Who's in who's out

You kiddin' me? Ott is a great player, just ask him.
- Yeah Boyes

Hasnt Ott had a concussion or five in his playing career? that explains that.

I would love it if our Fourth line was Lapierre Ott Reaves and they saw a combined 10 minutes of ice time.

Hitch loves Ott for some reason so he will probably get way more playing time.