2010-2011 Western Conference Season Predictions.

Ok, so the season has already started and I may be a bit late in posting this, but if you have been following me on twitter I put them out about a month ago and just now putting it up here. I’m going to show you who I have picked for each of the divisions along with what teams I have making the playoffs and who is out, so let’s start with the West.

Western Conference:

Central Division:

Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Columbus, Nashville.

For as long as I can remember Detroit has never had a “young” team and have always been a bunch of grizzled vets, this year being no exception, there is too much experience and talent on this team for them not to. I like them winning this division even over the Cup champions Chicago who in the off season traded key players to their championship run away in Sopel, Byfuglien, Versteeg, Niemi, and picking up what I feel is a downgrade at goal in an aging Marty Turco. St. Louis should make a playoff run this year with Erik Johnson returning and the addition of Halak in goal this team might shock some people. Columbus and Nashville will be at the bottom here completely out classed by the rest.

Northwest Division:

Vancouver, Colorado, Calgary, Minnesota, Edmonton.

Vancouver the clear class of this division with the Sedin twins, Ryan Kesler and the goal tending of Roberto Loungo and although as a fan I hate everything about them you just can’t look at this division and make a viable argument for any other team to win it. Colorado is going to surprise a few teams this year, if you over look them you will leave with a big “L”. Veteran leadership in Adam Foote, and Milan Hejduk and the play of Paul Stastny will be the driving factor for this team to make the playoffs. Here is where this division gets tough; Calgary, Minnesota, and Edmonton are all really up in the air and all have the potential to make the playoffs but realistically maybe only one, that being Calgary. With Kiprusoff in net and Captain Jarome Iginla leading a team of solid vets should finish 3^rd in the division. Minnesota has a long way to go, and there are questions surrounding every part of their game and for me the big one is Goal. With Coach Richards new style of “open” offense it is going to leave some openings for other teams to exploit and if Backstrom doesn’t return to his top form people will be and are asking if he was just another product of a Jacques Lemaire defensive style of play. Edmonton is the Dark horse in the whole Conference, yeah you read that right. Edmonton could finish anywhere from 3^rd in the division to 7-8^th in the Conference. If the youth and veterans can pull it together this is could be the start of them being a viable division champion again, and if you sleep on Jordan Eberle he will burn you bad. I have him picked for the Calder trophy (rookie of the year) this year.

Pacific Division:

San Jose, L.A., Phoenix, Anaheim, Dallas

San Jose is still the clear Favorite in this division (in my opinion) and has way too much talent for this division, not to mention that they will also be the top in the Western Conference. I really like the move in picking up Niemi from Chicago and should be solid for them in goal. With Pavelski, Thorton, Marleau, and Heatley this team has just too much. L.A. is going to be a solid up and coming team this year, a solid mix of experience and youth should give this team what it needs to make a deep run in the playoffs and with the explosive play making ability of Anze Kopitar anything could be possible. Phoenix last year had a great run to the playoffs and I don’t know many people that didn’t pull for them a little bit. This year they will take a slight step back but nothing major, I don’t see them putting up 107 points again but more like in the mid 90’s and should make it into the playoffs again. Anaheim and Dallas, how the mighty have fallen, both teams are shells of their former selves and are going to have to hope….sorry, wish for something dramatic to happen for either team to make the playoffs.

Western Conference Playoff Picture:

1) San Jose

2) Vancouver

3) Detroit

4) Chicago

5) LA

6) Colorado

7) Phoenix

8) St. Louis

My pick to go to the Cup Finals this year is San Jose, I think they get it done this year and with Niemi in net finally get to where everyone has predicted them to go the last 3 years. Unfortunately for them, unless they make some solid moves this year will be the last that time they are favorites in the West. With Vancouver making a solid push for the top spot, and up and coming teams in Edmonton, Colorado, St. Louis, and LA, things will defiantly start to change in the West and torches will be passed. Like the dismissals of Dallas, Anaheim, and Calgary you only have so long being king of the hill before someone knocks you off.

So that is my Western Conference preview, I will be putting up the Eastern Conference here in a few days. I hope you like what I picked but if not, tell me who you like and why.

Thanks for reading!