PACIFIC DIVISION

1. ANAHEIM DUCKS

Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne’s indecision with regard to potential retirement could have cast a pall over the proceedings as the Ducks head into the season. Smartly, however, GM Brian Burke added Todd Bertuzzi on the wing and Mathieu Schneider on defense, preparing for any eventuality regarding the two no-shows. Sammy Pahlsson's hernia surgery leaves the Selke trophy nominee on the shelf until a couple of weeks into the season, so some question marks remain at the onset of the club's Cup defense.

That said, let's assume that the champs must subtract their leading goal scorer (48) and point-getter (94) in Selanne and most valuable player, Niedermayer. Opportunities remain for quality replacements of Niedermayer and Selanne. But those are two big "ifs."

Offensively, Todd Bertuzzi could take Selanne's place on the top line. Make no mistake, though, he'll be judged on points: Bertuzzi is not "Mr. Intangibles." He did, however, shed 20 pounds over the summer and has been welcomed by his new teammates. Bobby Ryan is expected to get his NHL shot this season, which might be just the surprise subplot the club needs. The 20 year-old Ryan was drafted second only to Sid Crosby in 2005. In 2006-07, he managed nine points in eight games for Portland of the AHL; 102 points in 63 games for Owen Sound in his last junior campaign. The club is itching to see what it has in Ryan, and the 6'2" right wing could also be a big surprise on one of the top lines. The club bid farewell to left wing Dustin Penner after an incensed Brian Burke refused to match Kevin Lowe's offer sheet. Todd Marchant, one of the best fourth line centers in the game, could spell Pahlsson at the start of the season, on the checking line.

Defensively, Mathieu Schneider could take Niedermayer's "rover" role, jumping into the offensive play. He potted 11 goals for 54 points on a whopping 184 shots in 68 games last season. Schneider’s signing was an astute move by Burke, who paid $11.25 Mil for two years' service. Hopefully, that's long enough for Conn Smythe winner Niedermayer to decide whether he'd like to play. The rest of the defense remains an elite group, led by Chris Pronger, Francois Beauchemin and Sean O'Donnell. Shane Hnidy, Maxim Kondratiev, Joe DiPenta and Kent Huskins will fill the fifth and sixth defensive spots.

In goal, Jean-Sebastian Giguere and Ilya Bryzgalov again comprise one of the best NHL tandems. When Giguere returns to action after injury, look for Jonas Hiller to back up if Burke seeks to recover a few dollars.

Overall, much of the lineup remains intact, and it stands to reason that the club can absorb the huge losses in Selanne and Niedermayer. But things seem less assured this year than last.

THE MAN: J-S Giguere. In 2003, the Conn Smythe winner took the Ducks to within one game of a title (the club failed to score a goal in game seven, losing 3-0 to New Jersey). In 2006, a conference championship series. Last season, he backstopped the club (with help from Ilya Bryzgalov in round one) to California's first title.

STATS: 36 wins in 56 GP. 2.26GAA; .918 SV%.

2. SAN JOSE SHARKS

As it was last season, an all-California Western Conference Final looms on the horizon. This season, the Cup is within reach for the Sharks.

Sparing himself the agony of becoming the next Darcy Regeir, GM Doug Wilson made it his business to protect his assets.

Wilson started the summer right, signing 2006 MVP Joe Thornton (22-92-114; +24) to a three year extension that will keep him in the Shark tank until 2011. It's a reflection of the Sharks' free agency involvement this offseason, which was to take care of the home front first. Captain Patrick Marleau was extended for two seasons for $12.6M, and youngster Milan Michalek will be a Shark for the next six years, after signing a $24M deal.

Offensively, the Sharks are stocked.

Marleau holds nearly every major franchise offensive record for San Jose, including games played (717), goals (219), assists (272) points (491) and game-winning goals (41). Michalek potted 26 goals in his sophomore season. Jon Cheechoo brings a whopping 37 goals, yet seeks a return to his 56 goal season in 2005-06.

After splitting his first two NHL campaigns with Worcester, Cleveland and the Sharks, Steve Bernier is expecting a full season in the NHL after 15 goals in 66 NHL games in 2006-07. 20 year-old Devin Setoguchi has impressed Shark brass this preseason, and will likely see NHL action this season, if not from the start. Center Joe Pavelski (14G; 46GP) and LW Ryan Clowe (16G; 58GP) make the Sharks a very scary group in terms of offensive depth. Patrick Riismiller brings mustard, and we'll see whether Jeremy Roenick is more than just a hot dog at this point. Roenick is a 500K gamble by Wilson, looking for veteran leadership. Curtis Brown and Mike Grier make the Sharks tough to play against.

The Shark power play was second in the NHL (22.4%), while its penalty kill was a solid 83.3%, good for 14th leaguewide.

Defensively, the club anticipates big things from trade deadline acquisition Craig Rivet (2-3-5 in 11 playoff games), after Scott Hannan bolted for Colorado. Matt Carle and Marc-Edouard Vlasic represent emerging talent, while Christian Ehrhoff and Kyle McLaren round out a very good crew. No dominators here, but Rivet is close, and can elevate his game and his club's fortunes with his shot from the point on on the power play. He needs to ramp up his shots on goal totals (89SOG in 71GP).

With Vesa Toskala departed (Toronto), Evgeni Nabokov (2.29; .914SV%) is the clear number one in the nets, and at 32, in the prime of his career, which has already included the 2000-01 Calder trophy. From Germany's Cologne Sharks, Tomas Greiss will get a look (26 wins in 43 AHL contests; 2.61GAA; .912SV%). The 21 year-old was drafted in the third round, 2004.

THE MAN: Joe Thornton. One of the most lopsided trades in NHL history redefined Sharks' franchise.

STATS: 140GP w/SJS: 42-164-206. Hart, Art Ross: 2006.

Hockeytalk picks the Sharks to win the Stanley Cup. So much for the critics regarding Joe Thornton's "leadership" skills. They jumped the gun on Yzerman’s leadership skills years before he won a Cup. As Kelly Hrudey pointed out on Hockeytalk Audio, they questioned Joe Sakic's too. So much for the critics. Thornton will ook every bit the leader if the Sharks lift Stanley silver, or participate in the Final.

3. LOS ANGELES KINGS

See also Gann Matsuda's LA Kings preview.

Common logic has it that if Jason LaBarbera can do a decent job, the Kings have enough young talent to rise to respectability. Now that Dan Cloutier has cleared waivers and been sent to AHL Manchester, it's rumored that Ottawa's Martin Gerber could be headed to LA. As Matsuda pointed out to me recently, Coach Marc Crawford says that he won't be so quick to name a number one netminder this season (the club signed the netminder at $3.1M for two years, through 08-09, at the start of last season).

There's quite a bit to like about the Kings: Young offense with 20 year-old Anze Kopitar (20-41-61 in 72GP), who would have been a finalist for the Calder Trophy had he been on an Eastern club. Alex Frolov potted 35 goals while Michael Cammalleri added 34 on a whopping 299 shots. Both Frolov and Cammalleri are 25. The youthful Kings also feature Dustin Brown, still in the infancy of his hard-hitting NHL career at 22. Also 22, Patrick O'Sullivan looks to catch on full-time after joining the LA organization as part of the Pavol Demitra trade with Minnesota. O'Sullivan managed 18 goals in 41 AHL contests and five in 44 games in the bigs.

GM Dean Lombardi brought in some veteran help by landing Ladislav Nagy, who looks to return to his 20-goal-per form after potting just twelve in 80 games with Dallas and Phoenix. Michal Handzus is another 20-goal threat. After 3-5-8 in 8 games for Chicago, the 6'5" Handzus suffered a season-ending knee injury. Kyle Calder twice scored 20 for the Blackhawks, and has looked sharp in the preseason. Nagy and Calder are 28, Handzus, 30. All three will see action on the top two King lines and if two of three pan out, then Lombardi chose wisely. Derek Armstrong returns to bring grit and offensive pressure, plus a good attitude to the locker room.

The Kings finished tenth in power play at 18.3, but the penalty kill was dead last at 77.9%.

While it's not exactly an embarrassment of riches, the King defense is a solid bunch, with Rob Blake in the winter of his NHL years leading the way. Jack Johnson will get an opportunity at playing a full NHL season. Lubomir Visnovsky (18-40-58) had his contract extended by the club and will again make the power play tick. Jon Klemm comes over from Dallas, Jaro Modry is on his second tour of duty with the club. Tom Preissing was 2-5-7 in the postseason during Ottawa's Cup Final run. He's an intelligent, mobile defenseman who Lombardi originally brought to the NHL, signing the Arlington Heights, IL, native in the Spring of 2003. Brad Stuart, late of the Sharks, Flames and Bruins, is also aboard.

In goal, it's a free-for-all: J-S Aubin (Toronto), Jason LaBarbera (AHL) and Jon Bernier (QMJHL). Have at it, boys!

THE MAN: Anze Kopitar

STATS: 20-40-61 in rookie campaign. Drafted 1st round, 11th overall, 2005. 6'4", 220.

Gann says playoffs yes, I say playoffs maybe. Should be quite a scrap for the eighth spot.

4. DALLAS STARS

The Stars lost in a tough round one series against Vancouver, but goaltender Marty Turco did the franchise a big favor by turning in a stellar performance. Aside from a scoring drought, the Stars are a legit playoff threat…if the Kings don’t catch ‘em.

A healthy Brendan Morrow returns to the Stars offense, full-time this season after severing tendons in his hand last season. Severed tendons are nasty injuries—take it from this author--you'd rather break a bone, that's for sure (see Tampa’s Dan Boyle, above). Morrow signed a big deal in 2006, and will make $4.1M per annum for the remainder of the deal, which runs though 2012-13. He's a guy whose impact is felt in more ways than statistics can count, and the Stars' offense will be better with a full-time Morrow. Morrow was 2-1-3 with 19 shots on goal in seven playoff games. In just 40 regular season games last season, he managed 16 goals 31 points on 101 shots.

Mike Modano returns after missing 23 games last year to a knee injury. He scored 22 goals but has not surpassed 30 since 2001-02. Nonetheless, he's the undisputed leader of the club and the only remaining Minnesota North Star on Dallas' lineup. Elsewhere on offense, GM Doug Armstrong stuck to his guns, signing players he drafted, including Jussi Jokinen, who signed a two year deal, while big-hitter Antti Miettinen was awarded a one-year deal via arbitration. Mike Ribiero was rejuvenated after his trade from Montreal early in the season, responding with 18 goals. Three-time Selke Trophy winner Jere Lehtinen potted 26, and can be counted on to consistently produce more than 20, if not 30.

While the Stars finished 22nd in league scoring with 217 goals, the defense fared much better, ranking third with 193 goals against.

Sergei Zubov 12-42-54 is always good for more than ten goals from his defense post, and actually led Stars' scoring at points throughout the season. Zubov is to Dallas' D what Mike Modano is to the "O." He moves the puck as well as any and can control the pace of a game. Stephane Robidas, Phillipe Boucher and Mattais Norstrom make the Stars' defense as deep as any in the league. 23 year-old Trevor Daley's work ethic is excellent, he's developing nicely and fits right in with Stars' vets.

Turco silenced quite a few critics after a stunning seven-game series--albeit a losing effort—against the Canucks in the playoffs. With 38 wins, a 2.23GAA and .910SV%, the Stars are set in net. Mike Smith backs up.

Only Nik Hagman, Stu Barnes and Jokinen played a full 82-game slate last year. The Stars will hope to achieve better health than that.

THE MAN: Mike Modano

STATS: Career - 1238GP; 507-719-1226

The playoffs are within reach, but look out for those Kings.

5. PHOENIX COYOTES

Shane Doan (73GP; 27-28-55) and a revolving door. That's how it's been in recent years, both pre and post-lockout for the desert dogs.

New GM Don Maloney vows to make changes, seeking to build "from the ground up," as he put it, which is the only sensible route for the struggling Coyotes, or for fans who have to buy tickets, and must have lost faith in the veteran reclamation projects on which former GM Mike Barnett used to lean.

Doan will lead the club after signing a five-year extension, one of the few bright spots on Mike Barnett's record. He's the guts of the franchise, since being selected in the first round, 2005. He's good at both ends of the ice. Doan receives criticism over his inconsistency in the goal-scoring department, but critics should concede that with the ridiculous number of linemates he's had over the years, he's done a helluva job.

Gone are Owen Nolan and Jeremy Roenick. Same for Dave Scatchard and Curtis Joseph. It's a relief for the guy in Arizona who plunks down his hard-earned cash. At least now, the ‘Yotes will gamble on youth. Kyle Turris waits in the wings. Two first round picks, Peter Mueller (2006) and Martin Hanzal (2005) will likely spend the season in the bigs.

Defensively, the Coyotes aren’t that bad, with Keith Ballard beginning to fulfill his promise. Ed Jovanovski hopes to stay healthy and return to his Vancouver form. Derek Morris and Zbenek Michalek saw action in all 82 games.

In goal, Alex Auld and David Aebischer will compete with David LeNeveu for top dog status.

THE MAN: Shane Doan. He bleeds Coyote colors and is one of the better captains in the NHL.

STATS: 30 years old, in his prime. Eight 20-goal seasons.

No playoffs, likely West Conference cellar-dwellers.

2008 Western Hockey Network
 

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