Out goes the Northwest Division, which the Canucks dominated for the past five seasons. NHL realignment has brought the Canucks to the NEW and IMPROVED Pacific Division. The revamped Pacific Division loses the Dallas Stars and adds the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Edmonton Oilers. The San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and Phoenix
Let's look inside the new Pacific Division...
1. Anaheim Ducks
Overview:
Led by Coach Bruce Boudreau, this club is the defending Pacific Division Champions. Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and the ever so ageless Teemu Selanne will lead the Ducks to defend their title. Trading consistent 30 goal scorer Bobby Ryan to Ottawa was the biggest splash made during the offseason. Coming back from Ottawa was highly touted prospect Jakob Silfverberg, prospect Stefan Noesen, and a first round pick. Goalies Viktor Fasth and Jonas Hiller will split duties in between the pipes for the Ducks. The Ducks defensive core led by unsung hero Francois Beauchemin and budding star Cam Fowler makes this a very steady group. The key acquisition for the Ducks this summer was adding big rig Dustin Penner. He won a Stanley Cup in Anaheim back in 2007 and brings a veteran presence to the lineup.
Can they become back to back Pacific Division Champions?
Losing Bobby Ryan is a huge loss. Jakob Silfverbeg has a lot to prove to the fans in Anaheim. The Ducks are fortunate in having a rich prospect pool. I believe the Ducks will miss Bobby Ryan more than they think. It is very tough to replace a consistent 30 goal scorer in today's NHL. Teemu Selanne is not getting any younger. Will he able to finish this 82 game season? My prediction for the Ducks is that they take a step back this season and become a bubble team. With teams like Phoenix and Edmonton lurking in the distance, the Ducks may have their hands full this season.
2. Calgary Flames
I fell in to a burning ring of fire, I went down down down... the rebuild is on in Calgary. Departing at the last NHL trade deadline was longtime captain Jarome Iginla. Longtime Flames net minder Mikka Kiprusoff announced his retirement this summer. The Flames had a busy NHL Draft in New Jersey with a total of three first round picks. With those picks they selected Sean Monahan, Emilie Poirier, and Morgan Klimchuk.
Flames GM Jay Feaster has made some questionable acquisitions during his tenure with the Flames coughDennisWidemancough, but has been able to nab some steals. Some key moves made this summer was trading for Calgary native T.J. Galiardi from the Sharks. Feaster brought in Shane O'Brien and David Jones from the Avalanche in exchange for Alex Tanguay and Cory Sarich.
Mikka Kiprusoff's new replacement in between the pipes will be Karri Ramo who has recently spent some time in the KHL. Headliners for the Flames include forwards Michael Cammalleri, Curtis Glencross, and defensemen Mark Giordano.
Where do the Flames swim in Pacific waters?
The rebuild is central focus for the Calgary Flames right now. They are still two to three years away from even hinting at playoff contention. I have them finishing in dead place in the new Pacific Division. They could very well become the worst team in the NHL during next season. It will be a very long season...
3. Edmonton Oilers
There is a new GM in town. Craig MacTavish's reign in Edmonton has gone from bench boss to personnel boss. Hey, there is also a new head coach in town. Dallas Eakins will make his debut in the NHL as he tries to takes the next big step in his coaching career. He was deemed the best young prospect coach while he was coach of the AHL Toronto Marlies.
Craig MacTavish wasted no time putting his stamp on the team this summer as he was able to sign free agent Edmonton native defensemen Andrew Ference. MacTavish also signed Russian defensemen Denis Grebeshkov and Anton Belov for some more defensive depth. MacTavish traded team captain Shawn Horcoff to the Dallas Stars for prospect defensemen Philip Larsen and a 2016 seventh round draft pick. He also made a deal with the St. Louis Blues that sent big winger Magnus Paajarvi and a 2nd round pick to the Blues in exchange for winger David Perron. Free agent forward acquisition Boyd Gordan and new goaltender acquisition Jason LaBarbera round out the laundry list of moves for Craig MacTavish.
The Oilers are trying to escape rebuild mode and are trying to take the next step to reenter the postseason dance. With a very young core headlined by Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Sam Gagner, and Jordan Eberle, this group is bound to take the next step in a short period of time.
Can an Oil Rig float in the Pacific?
The Oilers have certainly made some noise this offseason. There is a good future ahead for this hockey hungry fan base. Are the Oilers there yet? I have them finishing sixth in the Pacific Division. The defensive core and goaltending situation are big question marks heading in to this season.
The second coming of Bobby Orr has been placed on Justin Schultz. While he has tremendous offensive skills and is a good powerplay quarterback, can he round out his defensive game and become an elite defensemen in the NHL? How will Andrew Ference respond on his home turf? Will he have more responsibilities than he did playing for Boston? Ladislav Smid has been a very consistent Oilers defensemen for the past several seasons. Will he able to continue his consistency after signing his four year extension?
Devan Dubnyk has all of the potential to be a #1 goalie. Can he handle a full NHL schedule? While he shows signs of brilliance one game, the next game he looks like a total bust. Can he become consistent enough to help push the Oilers to the postseason?
4. Los Angeles Kings
The 2012 Stanley Cup Champions and 2013 Western Conference runner-ups. Tinseltown's offseason has been mediocre at best. Gone is backup goaltender Jonathan Bernier as he sails east to Toronto because he did not like living in Jonathan Quick's shadow. The Maple Leafs sent forward Matt Frattin, goaltender Ben Scrivens, and a second round draft choice back to Los Angeles. Steady Eddie Defensemen Rob Scuderi said his goodbyes and departed back to Pittsburgh. Forwards Brad Richardson departed to Vancouver and Dustin Penner departed for Anaheim.
Kings GM Dean Lombardi had some decisions to make with some key free agents. Players he was able to resign include forwards Jordan Nolan, Trevor Lewis, and Kyle Clifford; defensemen Slava Voynov, Jake Muzzin, Alec Martinez, and Keaton Ellerby. In free agency, Lombardi acquired veteran Capitals defensemen Jeff Schultz. Lombardi also traded a conditional pick to the Blackhawks in exchange for Dan Carcillo's car bomb.
The Kings have had lots of success in recent memory as one of the youngest teams in the NHL. This is an impressive feat to say the least. The Kings core players Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Drew Doughty, and Jonathan Quick are all leaders and lead by example on the ice. Mike Richards and Jeff Carter help round out the top six and are very intelligent hockey players.
Kings of the Pacific?
This is a very good team. They are a well coached, big, physical club. The road to the Stanley Cup in the Western Conference will have to go through Los Angeles. They are backstopped by one of the best goalies in the world, who could very well start for the United States at Sochi. They have a very good defensive group headlined by Drew Doughty and Slava Voynov. I have them positioned second in the Pacific Division.
The Kings do not have many holes in the lineup. My only concern with the team is with the forwards. The club really only has one bonafide consistent goal scorer on the team in Jeff Carter. The Kings met the Blackhawks in the Western Conference Finals and could not keep pace with the amount of goals being scored.
The Kings needed a goal scorer desperately during their postseason playoff run. I think GM Dean Lombardi could have got a little bit more from the Maple Leafs in the Jonathan Bernier deal. Matt Frattin has potential to be a good gritty forward, but can he become a consistent 20-30 goal scorer that is expected of him?
Can depth forwards Dwight King, Trevor Lewis, and Tyler Toffoli take the next step and provide that little bit of extra scoring the Kings need to continue to be successful?
5. Phoenix Coyotes
The desert dogs finally have stable ownership! HHHHOOWWWLLLLelujiah!! The Coyotes took a step back last season and missed the playoffs. GM Don Maloney was hard at work even with threat of relocation looming. The biggest move of the offseason was signing free agent playmaking center Mike Ribeiro. This was a shock to everyone as he was expected to remain with the Washington Capitals. Maloney's other big splash was resigning workhorse goaltender Mike Smith for six years.
Don Maloney was not done this offseason. He was able to resign key free agents forwards Mikkel Boedker, Lauri Korpikoski, and Kyle Chipchura; defensemen David Rundblad, Chris Summers, and Michael Stone.
The Coyotes remain in a very tough Pacific Division. With the ownership distraction finally settled (for the time being), it is time for the club to put their full attention towards playing hockey. Coyotes Captain Shane Doan is one of the best captains in the NHL. He gives 110% effort on the ice for every game. Swedish defensemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson and American defensemen Keith Yandle provide the heavy minute munching on the blueline. Let's not forget about Dave Tippett who may be one of the most underrated coaches around the NHL. He makes the most out of what talent he does have and gets his squad motivated to play a tight checking defensive hockey game.
Bark at the Moon...
The Phoenix Coyotes are a competitive hockey club. Mike Smith plays out of his mind most nights in between the pipes, the defensive core is a steady group, and they have a good coach. I have them positioned fifth in the Pacific Division.
The thing that concerns me about the desert dogs is their lack of scoring. What they lack in scoring they make up in their defensive play. They have never been a real juggernaut when putting up goals on the score sheet. Can Mike Ribeiro bring some more scoring to this scoring barren lineup? I think the Coyotes will be a better club than last season, but not too much better.
In order for the Coyotes to return to the postseason, they need to light the lamp consistently. They have some nice pieces, especially on the blue line. The Coyotes need to try and find a legitimate top six goal scorer and a couple more bottom six forwards who can put up some points. Mike Ribeiro is one of the best playmakers in the NHL, but he will not light the lamp on a nightly basis. How will Mike Smith respond with his brand new large contract? The Coyotes depend on Smith to be good on most nights.
6. San Jose Sharks
The Sharks have been the staple for the Pacific Division for many seasons. They know what it takes to get to the postseason. Just like the Canucks, they do not know how to succeed in the postseason. Both clubs are very similar in age and design. The Sharks have good goaltending, good defense, and good forwards. But being good is not the same as being great.
This offseason has been fairly quiet for the Sharks. After losing in the second round to the Los Angeles Kings, questions have begun to come up about the Sharks core players: Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and Dan Boyle. This upcoming season could be a big one for the Sharks organization. The Sharks Big 3 will all need new contracts with the club next offseason. The Sharks have secured their future with players like Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic.
GM Doug Wilson did not do much this offseason to improve the club. He traded T.J. Galiardi to the Flames for a fourth round pick. Wilson also traded for Pittsburgh winger Tyler Kennedy at the NHL Draft, which he later signed to a two year extension. He resigned depth defensemen Scott Hannan to a two year extension.
Great Whites of the Pacific
The Sharks have a very balanced hockey club. Logan Couture is ready to break out and become one of the best players in the NHL. Joe Pavelski is ready to have a career year in hopes to be selected for the US Olympic team. Brent Burns is ready to become the Sharks version of Dustin Byfuglien playing for the Blackhawks. Todd McLellan's name is always on the hotseat. Can the Sharks take the next step and finally get over the hump? I have them positioned first in the Pacific Division.
The thing that concerns me about the Sharks is their forward personnel. If the Sharks had a legitimate top 6 forward who could put up some goals, this would be a scary good hockey team. I envision someone like Bobby Ryan as the answer to help their lineup. Martin Havlat cannot seem to stay healthy to give the Sharks that little touch of scoring that they need.
The Sharks match up well against any other team in this division. They can have competitive games with all of the teams that are in this new Pacific Division. They are very tough to beat inside of the Shark Tank. If they can secure home ice advantage, that will only help their cause by the time the postseason rolls around.
7. Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks decided it was time to retool this offseason. The two year long goaltending saga finally got put to a close at the NHL Draft when Cory Schneider was dealt to the New Jersey Devils for a first round pick. Roberto Luongo was the Canucks guy all of this time while it was expected that he was going to be on the way out of Vancouver. Departing from the Canucks was seven year head coach Alain Vigneault as he heads to Broadway. Replacing Alain Vigneault behind the bench is the fiery and former Rangers head coach John Tortorella.
GM Mike Gillis said it was time to get younger during his end of season press conference. The Canucks let some popular names in the dressing room head to free agency that included Mason Raymond, Max Lapierre, and Keith Ballard. Derek Roy, who the Canucks acquired at last season's trade deadline, was also let go. Gillis was able to resign some key free agents for the Canucks: forwards Jordan Schroeder, Tom Sestito, and Dale Weise; defensemen Chris Tanev and Andrew Alberts
The Canucks did not make any huge free agent splashes this offseason. Forwards Brad Richardson and Mike Santorelli were signed by the Canucks to help fill bottom six holes. Defensemen Yannick Weber was signed to fill a depth role on the blue line.
The core of the Canucks that includes Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Ryan Kesler, Alex Burrows, Kevin Bieksa, and Roberto Luongo have been through it all. The expectations are always high in the Vancouver hockey market. The Canucks seem to have what it takes to be a winning club... but what is the problem?
Drowning Orcas
The Canucks are just like the Sharks in having a very balanced hockey team. The Sedin twins are some of the best players in the world. The defensive core led by veterans Kevin Bieksa and Dan Hamhuis eat up minutes and play against the toughest competition around the NHL. Roberto Luongo is undeniably a world class goaltender. I have them positioned third in their new Pacific Division.
My concerns with the Canucks involves two things. First, they need a top six goal scorer. They need someone who can take pressure off the Sedin twins and Ryan Kesler. A Kesler injury is inevitable at this point. The Sharks defeated the Canucks in the playoffs because they shut down the Sedin line.
The Canucks have searched for a winger that can play on both top lines for years. They have come up with nothing via trade or free agency. Ryan Kesler needs help on his line, he cannot do it by himself. The Sedin twins are not getting any younger, Kesler is not dependable because of health concerns.
My second concern is the third line center vacancy. Is Jordan Schroeder ready to play full time for the Canucks? Are any of the Canucks prospects like Brendan Gaunce or Bo Horvat ready for a role in the NHL?
The Canucks are a very good team when they are healthy. John Tortorella will surely bring some excitement and some fire to this hockey team. He will be fine behind the bench if he can make more friends with the media than make enemies.
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