2011-12 Western Conference Preview

2011-10-26

Glad to see the portal back up. Good luck to everyone for this upcoming year and dont get angry at me if I think your team will fail.

15. Anaheim Ducks

Last Year: Prediction (14) Actual (14)

The Good: They have some weapons up front in Ladd and Oshie that can give them a spark every game. The defense isnt spectacular but it is solid, led by Alex Goligoski.

The Bad: They desperatley need more depth up front as they really only have 4 or 5 guys that should be on a pro team. They have a huge question mark in net with Mathieu Garon.

And the Verdict: Destined for near the bottom again, but they have stocked in Gudbransson and Landeskog the last two years, so they can could be building to something big.

14.Dallas Stars

Last Year: Prediciton (13) Actual (15)

The Good: They are improving, great forwards upfront in Hall and Skinner give them an extra dynamic. Adding Lidstrom gives them a huge veteran presence and give them their best defenseman.

The Bad: Lack a lot of depth at both ends of the ice. Trusting Vesa Toskala as your #1 has never worked out for anyone.

And the Verdict: Wont be last in the west like they have been the last 4 years, but still far out from a playoff spot. Though they are on their way.

13.St.Louis Blues

Last Year: Prediction (9) Actual (6)

The Good: Vokoun is a very good goalie despite his age, and their defense is solid with Brewer and Volchenkov.

The Bad: Horrendous offense. Built soley on veterans past their prime, and shouldnt be counted on.

And the Verdict: Lost a lot in the offseason due to free agency. Dont have enough depth to give them a chance to win. They have little in the system and their team is getting very old.

12.Calgary Flames

Last Year: Prediction (11) Actual (8)

The Good: Jimmy Howard is a rock in net and Bobby Ryan is a dynamic offensive forward. The depth at D is much better than what it was.

The Bad: Trading Nash and Kovalchuk was a huge blow to their wings, and their defense is very young aside from the addition of Jovanovski.

And the Verdict: Derek has made a lot of trades in his time in Calgary. Whether that is a good thing remains to be seen. Will need a lot to go right to make the playoffs but they do have a lot of good young players in the system.

11.San Jose Sharks

Last Year: Prediction (10) Actual (3)

The Good: A very deep Defense core with Hahuis, Leopold and Liles. Hillier is a very good option in net aswell.

The Bad: Their offense has improved slightly from last year. But it is still one of the weaker groups in the league.

And the Verdict: They managed to make the playoffs last year with defense alone so its not impossible to do so again, but it is a tough road ahead.

10. Los Angeles Kings

Last Year: Prediction (3) Actual (11)

The Good: Their defense is easily their strongest point with Bieksa and Burns sharing most of the load. Kari Lehtonen is very underrated goalie and will win them games.

The Bad: Forward depth isnt the strongest. Could have trouble scoring goals some games and will need everyone to click.

And the Verdict: They will be in it till the very end. They have the goaltending and defense to keep them in most nights, if they do it on a consistent basis they can make the playoffs.

9. Columbus Blue Jackets

Last Year: Prediciton (15) Actual (13)

The Good: Got very good offensive threats up fron in Parise and Marleau. Bryzgalov gives them a great option in net.

The Bad: Bottom 6 depth up front is lackluster. Their defense is very weak and will cost them some games.

And the Verdict: Have enough fire power up front and a strong enough goalie to put them into a position for a chance at a playoff spot, but really need to strengthen their D.

8.Colorado Avalanche

Last Year: Prediction (8) Actual (10)

The Good: A team very strong down the middle. Their defense is very underrated headed by the like of Byfuglien and Marc Staal. Marc Andre Fleury will be counted on again to be solid.

The Bad: Lacking depth down the wings. Patrick Sharp and Michael Grabner are basically their only threats on their wings. The depth drops down severley after them.

And the Verdict: Their depth at D and in goal should carry them to the playoffs but the question is if their offense can carry them any further.

7. Minnesota Wild

Last Year: Prediction (4) Actual (4)

The Good: Having the Sedin twins with St.Louis and Semin up front is never a bad thing. Defense has some very good veterans and Miikka Kiprusoff can still win games.

The Bad: They dont have a #2 centre. and there depth after that is very lackluster.

And the Verdict: Have enough firepower and goaltending to put them into the playoffs but have no depth to carry them any further than that.

6.Detroit Red Wings

Last Year: Prediction (5) Actual (9)

The Good: Having so many great dynamic forwards upfront gives them a winning chance every game. Their D is very strong and Halak is a very good option in net.

The Bad: Weak depth on the wing for their bottom 6, though shouldnt plague them too badly. Need a backup goaltender to Halak.

And the Verdict: Suprisingly on the outside last year, but should be back in the playoffs this year.

5.Nashville Predators

Last Year: Prediction (6) Actual (1)

The Good: Very solid all around team. The team is built head to toe very well and led by Ryan Callahan.

The Bad: Niklas Backstrom is behind others in net but is still solid. They dont have a consistent offensive threat unless Cammalleri bounces back.

And the Verdict: Proved me wrong last year. May not be the sexiest team out there but they do have very good pieces and not many weak spots.

4. Edmonton Oilers

Last Year: Prediction (7) Actual (2)

The Good: Very strong up front with Kesler and Heatley with veterans Doan and Smyth joining them also. Defense is veteran heavy and that can be a good thing. Lundqvist is one of the best goalies in the league.

The Bad: Not much wrong other than after their top 6 D the depth really drops off. And with 5 of the 6 being 30+, they really need to avoid injury problems.

And the Verdict: A very solidly built team. Made a shocking offseason trade sending off Malkin and Cam Ward to a division rival.

*3.Phoenix Coyotes

Last Year: Prediction (12) Actual (12)

The Good: Spezza up front with Hemsky and Franzen should create lots of offense. Do have very good pieces in the rest of their roster. Niemi is solid in net and the defense has some very good pieces.

The Bad: Nothing spectacular about their team. They do have good depth but just enough, so injuries could hurt them.

And the Verdict: Should battle for the playoffs. Will have a harder time against the better teams but will stay competitive. Could squeeze in due to being in a weak division

*2. Vancouver Canucks

Last Year: Prediction (1) Actual (5)

The Good: Have so many great offensive players like Perry, Ovechkin and Stamkos. There defese is headed by the behemoth Zdeno Chara and picked up a great young goalie in Cam Ward.

The Bad: Hard to find any faults with this team but need everyone to fire on all cylinders which was apparent in their loss in the finals.

And the Verdict: Could easily be #1 on this list. They have enough fire power to compete as an all-star team. Need to bounce back after last years finals.

*1.Chicago Blackhawks

Last Year: Prediction (2) Actual (7)

The Good: Have excellent depth at D, probably the best centre depth in the league and two great goaltenders to choose from.

The Bad: Not much faults with this team. Jarome Iginla is their best winger and he is not getting any younger.

And the Verdict: Its safe to say last year was a dissapointment. The review is very similar to last year, so hopefully they have fixed whatever ailed them last year.

30	174
Panthers	1
Stars	2
	0 Likes

30	175
Flyers	2
Bruins	4
	0 Likes

30	176
Kings	7
Blackhawks	3
	0 Likes

30	177
Capitals	4
Blue Jackets	2
	0 Likes