Posted by moy23 on 7/4/2011 5:57:00 PM (view original):
Posted by andru2797 on 7/4/2011 8:11:00 AM (view original):
I don't think my view of the West is too out of whack as it stands now...
Los Angeles
Vancouver
Detroit
San Jose
Nashville
Chicago
Anaheim
Columbus
Edmonton
Calgary
St. Louis
Colorado
Minnesota
Phoenix
Dallas
I agree on the top 4 to 5 - maybe not the order. Those 5 teams are a clear cut above the rest IMO.
I'd say the next tier includes Anaheim, Chicago, Calgary, Columbus and Dallas. These five teams will be fighting for the last 3 playoff spots.
Anaheim loses Selanne - gains nothing
Chicago loses Campbell - gains nothing
Columbus loses Voracek - gains Carter and Wisniewski
Dallas loses Richards - gains Ryder and Souray
Calgary loses nothing - locks up a lot of players long term
The next tier is the young but very talented group. I think any one of these 3 teams, with confidence and leadership, can surprise us all.
Edmonton
St Louis
Colorado
Lastly - Phoenix and Minnesota are at the bottom of the pack.
There's more you have to consider about players lost or added in terms of how it impacts the team.
For example, Dallas lost Brad Richards, but I don't see Mike Ribiero putting up 60-70 pts when he has to face the opponent's top checkers every night. The Stars also lost their PP quarterback in Richards, and as good of a shot as Souray has, he was never a PP QB because he makes terrible decisions with the puck. Add to that the major distraction of the ownership issues hanging over the team and they are poised to take a major fall this season.
Columbus lost more than just Voracek. Jan Hejda was a big part of their defense. They are better though and that's why I have them making the playoffs. I still don't think they have the horses to run with Chicago, Anaheim or Nashville though. At least, not yet.
Anaheim losing Selanne is huge. With him, they have a bona fide scorer on the second line and on the second PP unit. Without him, their scoring depth takes a major hit. There aren't many options offensively after the top line unless you consider Saku Koivu (minus Selanne) and Jason Blake legitimate scoring threats.
Calgary actually lost Robyn Regehr, which despite what Flames fans will tell you is a significant loss on the blueline. He killed penalties and ate up alot of important minutes, which will now fall to the newly added Anton Babchuk and Chris Butler to make up. I'd classify that as a downgrade to the defense of a team that missed the playoffs and is still without a #1 center.
As for the Hawks, the Campbell loss will be felt, there's no doubt about that. Even if Campoli, Montador and Leddy play well this season, Campbell did alot of underrated things. He controlled the puck well during line changes, made great outlet passes and picked the right times to carry the puck in himself. He was also an underrated hitter, even though he didn't do it as often as you'd like. That being said, the team also added alot of nasty and grit to their lineup, which over 82 games can have an impact. Their PK should be better, which should reduce the GA and SA. The skill players will not be pushed around with nobody coming to their defense like last season. Andrew Brunette also gives them a legitimate top 6 forward who is good around the net on the PP, something they've struggled with since losing "Big Buff". That put together with a return to form of Duncan Keith and a full season from Corey Crawford are the reasons I put them ahead of the rest. I'm not saying I'm right, but I think Chicago has done a good job of plugging every hole and filling every need this off-season except the #2 center spot.