Tyler Cameron: Central Division Predictions + Traverse City Recap
We have a few things on the agenda today.

First, I will have a quick recap from Traverse City. Second, I will go through my final Central Preview… some guys named the Chicago Blackhawks. Lastly, I will have my Central Division predictions.

Is this thing on?

Tyler Cameron: Central Division Predictions + Traverse City Recap

We have a few things on the agenda today.

First, I will have a quick recap from Traverse City. Second, I will go through my final Central Preview… some guys named the Chicago Blackhawks. Lastly, I will have my Central Division predictions.
- Tyler Cameron

Very disappointed you don't have them with the President's Trophy.

It wouldn't shock me if the difference between 2nd and 5th was 5-10 points.

Is there anyway they can buyout Smith or put him on waivers to send to minors? His contract, like Seabs, is a huge hindrance to me. And I don't want them playing him in the top 12 just because of his contract. Seems to me we have a bunch of guys who are better in our top 14 than him.

I just don’t see it with the Avs, outside of their 1st line, the other line will struggle to score 50 goals.



St. Louis Blues
Dallas Stars
Chicago Blackhawks
Nashville Predators
Winnipeg Jets
Colorado Avalanche
Minnesota Wild

So the much-vaunted Blackhawk prospects really didn't shine in Traverse City - some played well, like those you mentioned - but (and I'm not sure how much it means in the long-term success of the franchise) they really had one good period against Detroit, not so much against Toronto, one good period (I think) against St. Louis. The Minneapolis game was a mess with the injuries.

So - how good are the Chicago prospects?

Can we make overall prospect evaluations after a tournament like the one just played?

When I listen to the talking heads on SXM Hockey Channel, all of the GMs - and even the beat reporters - for the other teams sound very high on their prospects - like we do here. Are ours better than theirs?

So - how good are the Chicago prospects?

I certainly agree with your "bubble team" analysis - this team can be much-improved over last year's and still be through playing in early April.

They have to get off to a good start: 7 of the first 8 games at home, 8 of the first 10, plus the disruption of Eastern Europe, with some good competition in there (SJ, Caps, VGK, Flyers twice, Caroline, Jets...).

AAL11
UAL175
AAL77
UAL93

I totally am in alignment with your Jets dropping thoughts...that was a big hit to take with the subtractions on defense, the sooner or later "solution" to the signing or hold-outs of the two youngster wings and let's not forget that they while they HAD all their troops intact the last couple seasons were unable to break into the higher playoff rounds.

I just read that St. Louis Blues article on athletic, and loved how the fact that IF the league ad added the luxury tax component to the contract agreements, that the Hawks would have been much more able to keep the band together and win a bunch more during the stretch...

So, when you see all these teams who drafted early and acquired these high end draftees, now having to make roster subtractions to simply pay these younger guys based on potential and not necessarily able anymore to "bridge" them, well, I don't feel bad for them.

Let's see if the hawks can tighten up and thereby tighten up the standings and sneak by someone.

I agree the division is going to be a dogfight. Of course injuries are a big wildcard as well, but I think for the Hawks, and everybody else in the division, it is going to come down to the head-to-head results. The optimist in me is saying the Hawks are a playoff team. I think Pacific is going to be very top-heavy, and the 4th thru 8th place teams are going to suck. I wouldn't be surprised to all 7 teams in the Central in the top 10 or 11 in the conference.

Now that the new digital sports subscription sites are attracting more sports fans than local newspaper subscriptions (to get local coverage) it is interesting how the newspaper's specialty coverage NHL NBA etc. sportswriter are no basically kids.

This Ben Pope graduated 2019 for Northwestern.

I knew he was young when he was calling (adding) Terry Caffery a hawk 1966 3rd round ENTRY draft draft selection (when it was a selection during period where it wasn't a universal draft, just a leftovers/unattached players draft pick.)
That he was good at referencing the internet but had little experience in terms of boots on the ground (or stadium seat) in his newspaper "coverage."

I will say it again...you get better perspective to the game the hawks, and the sport here than in newspaper coverage, the old bastions of knowledge.

I am a Jets fan and don't hate you, I honestly find it funny how many people are sleeping on the jets and exaggerating their off season.

Trouba is a loss, absolutely!! Myers, Chairot and Tanev are all easily replaceable and all got over paid as free agents.

the Jets at times last year iced the youngest team in the league! they will again this year, This team is not going backwards.

if they get off to a slow start or the D struggle, its easy. fire Maurice!! and trade one of your great younf forwards for help on D

people way under value Copp, and Lowry and i for one am excited to see Roslovic, Niku, Poolman, Appleton, Vesalainen all get increased opportunity.

Jets will be fine

Keys to 2019/20

Team Health - of course Kane and Toews. But also Crow, Maatta, DeHaan, Shaw, Lehner.

Will the added grit help the PK or will they take so many penalties they will be on the PK much more often?

Does Colliton's have an NHL worthy defensive system and can it be fully installed in training camp?

Goaltending will be much improved, team defense somewhat improved, PK somewhat improved, PP same, team offense same. But in this division a playoff spot is going to be a dogfight.

Dach makes the team and stays with the team.

If DeHaan is not ready to go Boqvist makes the team for 9 games. Then his performace will dictate if he stays or goes to the Rock.

Rockford will have a better winning % than the Hawks.

Bowman has one more significant move left either before the season starts or before the Christmas break.

I agree the division is going to be a dogfight. Of course injuries are a big wildcard as well, but I think for the Hawks, and everybody else in the division, it is going to come down to the head-to-head results. The optimist in me is saying the Hawks are a playoff team. I think Pacific is going to be very top-heavy, and the 4th thru 8th place teams are going to suck. I wouldn't be surprised to all 7 teams in the Central in the top 10 or 11 in the conference.
- biskit67

EIGHT teams come out of the Central and the West; at least THREE of the mini Pacific division are locks...that is the setup.

so only FIVE teams can possibly come out of the Central, but maybe you know that and the top 10 or 11 you are referring is standings points?

I am a Jets fan and don't hate you, I honestly find it funny how many people are sleeping on the jets and exaggerating their off season.

Trouba is a loss, absolutely!! Myers, Chairot and Tanev are all easily replaceable and all got over paid as free agents.

the Jets at times last year iced the youngest team in the league! they will again this year, This team is not going backwards.

if they get off to a slow start or the D struggle, its easy. fire Maurice!! and trade one of your great younf forwards for help on D

people way under value Copp, and Lowry and i for one am excited to see Roslovic, Niku, Poolman, Appleton, Vesalainen all get increased opportunity.

Jets will be fine
- Ross77

Hi Ross Welcome.

I know your roster pretty well.

and don't undervalue the guys you mentioned.

But you already had two stumbles, and it simply is difficult to re-set the dee position like it is something as easy as a keystroke.

Now that the new digital sports subscription sites are attracting more sports fans than local newspaper subscriptions (to get local coverage) it is interesting how the newspaper's specialty coverage NHL NBA etc. sportswriter are no basically kids.

This Ben Pope graduated 2019 for Northwestern.

I knew he was young when he was calling (adding) Terry Caffery a hawk 1966 3rd round ENTRY draft draft selection (when it was a selection during period where it wasn't a universal draft, just a leftovers/unattached players draft pick.)
That he was good at referencing the internet but had little experience in terms of boots on the ground (or stadium seat) in his newspaper "coverage."

I will say it again...you get better perspective to the game the hawks, and the sport here than in newspaper coverage, the old bastions of knowledge.
- wiz1901

Totally agree. The beat writers in the local rags are not very good. They also may have taken pay cuts or other cut backs and seem bitter.

Now that the new digital sports subscription sites are attracting more sports fans than local newspaper subscriptions (to get local coverage) it is interesting how the newspaper's specialty coverage NHL NBA etc. sportswriter are no basically kids.

This Ben Pope graduated 2019 for Northwestern.

I knew he was young when he was calling (adding) Terry Caffery a hawk 1966 3rd round ENTRY draft draft selection (when it was a selection during period where it wasn't a universal draft, just a leftovers/unattached players draft pick.)
That he was good at referencing the internet but had little experience in terms of boots on the ground (or stadium seat) in his newspaper "coverage."

I will say it again...you get better perspective to the game the hawks, and the sport here than in newspaper coverage, the old bastions of knowledge.
- wiz1901

Related: KC Johnson - who covered the Bulls for the Tribune for the past 19 years - is leaving the Tribune to go to NBC Sports Chicago.

Hellebuyck struggled last year, he needs to get back to his play of 2 years ago

Totally agree. The beat writers in the local rags are not very good. They also may have taken pay cuts or other cut backs and seem bitter.
- -Doh-

Yeah it’s gotten to where when you point out they’re wrong on Twitter they just ignore it and move on.

Dallas
Colorado
St. Louis
Nashville
Chicago
Winterpeg
Minnesota

AAL11
UAL175
AAL77
UAL93
- Ogilthorpe2

Can't believe it's been 18 years....

I think St. Louis will stumble some. Cup hangover along with some of the shine coming off Binnington will bring them back to the pack. Jets will regress as most predict. The Avs have a great first line and a big/fast team that is tough to play against. Is their goaltending good enough for the long haul?

It will be an ultra competitive year for the whole division.

Prediction:
Colorado
Dallas
Hawks
St. Louis
Nashville
Winnipeg
Minnesota

Can't believe it's been 18 years....
- mohel

One of the few events in my life that I remember clearly and know where I was and what I was doing prior to the attack.

One of the few events in my life that I remember clearly and know where I was and what I was doing prior to the attack.
- paulr

The longer you live, the more events like that there will be, for better or worse.

For me:

JFK, RFK, and MLK assassinations. (Altho the RFK event happened while I was asleep, I recall clearly hearing about it on the radio when I awoke the next morning.)
Man on the Moon.
9/11.

One of the few events in my life that I remember clearly and know where I was and what I was doing prior to the attack.
- paulr

Yep, like it was yesterday. I wasn't old enough for the Kennedy assassination. I remember the moon landing, though. But 9/11 was the seminal news moment of my life, for sure.

Is there anyway they can buyout Smith or put him on waivers to send to minors? His contract, like Seabs, is a huge hindrance to me. And I don't want them playing him in the top 12 just because of his contract. Seems to me we have a bunch of guys who are better in our top 14 than him.
- onehundredlevel

He hasn't suited up for a single game with the Hawks and you already think he is a hindrance? He has a $3.2 hit. It really is not that bad. He's actually one of the guys I'm really interested in seeing.