NHL Predictions 2011-12 - Order of finish and our Stanley Cup pick! HOCKEYTALK.BIZ

Predictions: NHL 2011-12
by Josh Brewster | Hockeytalk.biz

EAST - ATLANTIC | NORTHEAST | SOUTHEAST

WEST - CENTRAL | PACIFIC | NORTHWEST

Eastern Conference

Atlantic

1. Philadelphia Flyers – Addition by subtraction. When you trade your captain, it’s not just a trade. It indicates that there’s a family drama at hand. They say that Mike Richards was partying too much. Rumors about other indiscretions abound. He’s certainly in the right city now. Jeff Carter goes to Columbus in a salary dump. Somehow, though, Hockeytalk really likes the Flyers. Why? Maybe it’s because they’ve added the top-notch goalie they’ve craved for so long in Ilya Bryzgalov. They’ve brought Jaromir Jagr back from the KHL, and he may turn out to be a tremendous value at $3.3M.

2. Pittsburgh Penguins – A continued recovery is at hand for Sidney Crosby, who has been practicing, but is not fit for contact, still suffering from concussion symptoms. Reality bites, and Evgeni Malkin looks to bite back. He’s in top shape, they say, and will become the top-line center, with Jordan Staal sliding into the second spot. Left wing James Neal came over from Dallas with defenseman Matt Niskanen for top D-man Alex Goligoski. Unfortunately, Neal scored only one of his 22 goals with Pittsburgh. Fortunately, he’s only 24 and should return to form. Not the same club without Crosby, but coach Dan Bylsma’s got his act down, and his Penguins fought valiantly to return to the playoffs last season. Should be there again, regardless what happens to the game’s biggest star.

3. New Jersey Devils – Iron man Travis Zajac will miss a regular season contest for the first time in 401 games. An Achilles tendon rupture will keep him out for at least 8-10 weeks, which is wishful thinking but that’s their story and they’re sticking to it. On a brighter note, former Cup-winning Devil Petr Sykora returns for one more kick at the can. That no one is noticing this is fine with the quiet Devils. Sykora is a pure shooter and should start turning heads in October. His best days are behind him, but Sykora is pretty much always good for 20 goals. Don’t forget who launched the Penguins to their third Cup with his HUGE overtime goal in 2009. Somehow, HT likes the Devils to sneak into the postseason.

4. New York Rangers – Defenseman Marc Staal didn’t make the trip to Europe at preseason’s end. He’s concussed, and speaking of family dramas (see Philly, above), his injury came at the hands of his superstar brother, Eric. This is a big issue coming into the season. Staal earned an all-star game appearance last season. Now, Glen Sather wonders aloud whether the concussion is related to the hit at all, or a product of migraines, slipped disks or some other malady. Quack Sather practices in Manhattan in case you’re interested. Brad Richards comes aboard in hopes of not being the latest big-ticket Big Apple failure at a top-six position.

5. New York Islanders - John Tavares signed a six-year extension ($33M) good through 2018-19 this summer. Other than that, the future is not bright on the Island, where voters rejected the Lighthouse project. Now, Long Island development chief Ed Mangano is pressing for new initiatives to keep the team on the Island. Note to owner Charles Wang: America is broke. Taxpayers have had enough. Put up or shut up. On the ice, Evgeni Nabokov looks to become the next Islander netminder to relieve Rick Dipietro at some point.

Northeast

1. Buffalo Sabres – With Robyn Regehr and Christian Ehrhoff coming to Ryan Miller’s aid, the Sabres should be as good as they’ve been since their Chris Drury/Danny Briere days. Derek Roy returns healthy. Ville Leino comes over from Philly to take center spot from Tim Connolly, who signed with Toronto. Tyler Myers enters his third season and should benefit from the new blood on defense. Marc-Andre Gragnani is a hidden gem. Thomas Vanek usually reflects the quality of centers the team employs. If Leino and Roy are rocking, Vanek is good for 40 or more. Not? 30 or less.

2. Boston Bruins – Assuming that the law doesn’t have a beef with Zdeno Chara, all should be smooth for the Bruins. A hangover early and divisional opponents could capture a few key points. Almost all key players locked up through next season. Joe Corvo brings a big shot from the point to make a formidable defense more potent. Youngsters Milan Lucic, Nathan Horton, Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci could easily record career years, and that’s what makes the Bruins scary.

3. Montreal Canadiens – Scott Gomez is under a very intense spotlight after scoring seven goals and 31 assists while costing his club a cap hit of $7.36M. He knows things have gone awry. Carey Price stellar last season, but expect mediocrity from the Habs this season. Erik Cole will help on the left wing, and Brian Gionta and Mike Cammalleri are reliable. P.K. Subban is an exciting player. Club hopes that Andrei Markov can return to form on blueline.

4. Toronto Maple Leafs – Tim Connolly lives up to his billing as an oft-injured underachiever. Only thing now is that he’s the top center for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and will form a trio Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul. When he’s healthy, that is. Connolly was injured during the preseason with an upper body injury. On a brighter note, GM Brian Burke’s Anaheim draftee, Jake Gardiner, has made the big club. Burke's argument that he wouldn't give a long-term, cap-circumventing deal to Brad Richards makes sense, and is admirable, but considering the gold mine that is the Leafs, Toronto fans have every right to ask why Burke couldn't have thrown a lot more cash at Richards--even double what he paid Connolly would have been justifiable. Burke and coach Ron Wilson are both on the hot seat.

5. Ottawa Senators – New coach Paul MacLean will work with a deficient roster, but one with some skilled parts in Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza. Milan Michalek’s 18 goals and 33 points in 66 games was a disappointment. Club will give 2011 1st round pick Mika Zibanejad a shot, at least early. Nikita Filatov and Nick Foligno had better pull some rabbits out of their hats. Sergei Gonchar hopes to find his game again.

Southeast

1. Washington Capitals – They say Alex Ovechkin is ‘re-dedicated’ to taking his club to the top of the NHL. He’ll need help. His club has fizzled in the playoffs, but perhaps new goaltender Tomas Vokoun will be the answer. Another need? Believe this or not, super-rich Nick Backstrom needs to improve on the 18 goals he put up last season, although his 53 assists are welcome. Defensively, Karl Alzner and John Carlson are becoming a solid pair. Mike Green is underrated due to his offensive prowess. Make no mistake, the Caps’ backs are to the wall. Good, but not great, ain’t gonna make it when you market your club as the home of the “GR8”.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning – With an appearance in the Eastern Conference final under his belt after his rookie GM campaign, Steve Yzerman is sitting pretty in Tampa. Steven Stamkos is set through 2016-17 and is a potential Hart trophy winner. But what of Vincent Lecavalier? He missed 15 games to a broken right hand and his $10M salary ($7.72M cap hit) dictates that he needs to crack the 30-goal mark for the first time in four seasons. Defenseman Vic Hedman coming on strong.

3. Florida Panthers – Thank goodness that the NHL’s salary cap floor is way too high. It certainly worked in GM Dale Tallon’s favor. The Panthers had only three 20-goal scorers in Mike Santorelli, David Booth and Stephen Weiss. Pencil in Kris Versteeg for 20 as well, because when all is said and done, Philly’s dispensation of Jeff Carter and Mike Richards may be less shocking than their having dumped Versteeg, who scored seven goals for the Flyers at season’s end. Versteeg has scored 20 in each of the last three seasons. He becomes an RFA in 2012-13. He’s making $3.08M now. What do you think he’ll be making in Florida next season? Hey, there’s a cap floor, you know, and Tallon must comply. Related: Scottie Upshall and Tomas Kopecky come over for offense, while defensemen Brian Campbell and Ed Jovanovski add a veteran touch. Jose Theodore will man the nets.

4. Winnipeg Jets – The reborn club has anointed Mark Scheifele, its 18-year-old first round pick (7th overall) as its first star. Was a 2010-11 all-rookie performer with the OHL Barrie Colts. Has not missed a beat thus far. Should make it past his 9-game junior eligibility. Dustin Byfuglien needs to put his drunk-boating case in the back of his mind. Too much inexperience (Evander Kane, Blake Wheeler, Alex Burmistrov good but green) to expect a playoff run, but the shift from Atlanta to Winnipeg should at least give a healthy jolt to the team’s psychological state. Goalies Chris Mason and Ondrej Pavelec will compete for pucks.

5. Carolina Hurricanes – The sound coming from Raleigh is one of a club treading water. Tomas Kaberle comes over from Boston to legitimize the club’s defense, while Eric Staal continues to produce consistently, and Cam Ward continues a stellar career after a Cup-and-Conn Smythe-winning rookie season six years ago. Calder trophy-winner Jeff Skinner can’t falter, and LW Jussi Jokinen must return to the 30 goal-level he achieved two seasons ago. Lineup features no offensive depth.

Western Conference

Central

1. St. Louis Blues – You heard it here first. The St. Louis Blues will finally be rewarded for their patience, and will, with good health, find a way to topple the Detroit Red Wings in the Central division. David Perron and T.J. Oshie return healthy, as does Andy McDonald. A full season with forward Chris Stewart and defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk will make Avalanche fans cringe at what they gave up. Also on defense, Alex Pietrangelo will quickly erase Blues’ fans memories of Erik Johnson. Jaroslav Halak should have another big season.

2. Detroit Red Wings – Johan Franzen’s two goals over the club’s final 27 games last season has critics wondering whether the Wings can be caught in the Central (see Blues). Somehow, we’re sure he’ll rebound, and with the game's best player(?) Pavel Datsyuk plus Henrik Zetterberg, the Wings will never fall far. However, Valteri Filppula and Jiri Hudler are under the gun to produce. On defense, Nick Lidstrom will likely see fewer minutes per game than fellow Swede Nick Kronwall in what should be his final season. In goal, Jimmy Howard has a lot to prove.

3. Chicago Blackhawks – The left wing of the Blackhawks’ roster carries the most question marks. Michael Frolik slipped to 11 goals (3 CHI/8 FLA) last season, while another Florida project, Rostislav Olesz, has never cracked 14. Pat Kane may move to center to help distribute some talent amongst the forward ranks. Still trying to claw back from various salary dumps post-Stanley, club deserves credit for taking Canucks to seven games last season. With Corey Crawford at the top of his game, sneaking into the playoffs will be the club’s best-case scenario.

4. Nashville Predators – Shea Weber went to arbitration and received $7.5M for this season. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent next. Elsewhere on defense--the team’s strong suit—Kevin Klein and Jon Blum are becoming a forceful pair, while Ryan Suter is nearly Weber’s equal, without the fame. On the forward ranks, Colin Wilson had a decent sophomore season. However, Mike Fisher starts the season on injured reserve, and Blake Geoffrion is injured after a lacerated right wrist. Pat Hornqvist and Martin Erat under the gun to carry the offensive load more than ever.

5. Columbus Blue Jackets – It ain’t workin’, and GM Scott Howson’s two big acquisitions, that of center Jeff Carter and defenseman James Wisniewski, are make-or-break moves. On one hand, Carter as top pivot can only help RW Rick Nash. On the other, Wisniewski is suspended for the first five regular season games. This season could go south very quickly.

Pacific

1. Los Angeles Kings – Now that the Drew Doughty saga is over, the pressure and the spotlight will fall on top line center Mike Richards. Dustin Penner, acquired late last season, has shed weight, and likely linemate Anze Kopitar is healthy after missing the club’s playoff run, which could have been very different with him. Simon Gagne joins the team, and Dustin Brown and Justin Williams offer more weaponry amongst the forwards. Defensively, the club is very sound (Willie Mitchell, Jack Johnson, Matt Greene), and if Jon Quick can continue his rise, there is every reason to believe that this club will contend.

2. San Jose Sharks – While we pick the Kings to win the Pacific, the Sharks are a likely fourth-place finisher in the West. GM Doug Wilson did a good job moving some new blood into the mix by bringing in Martin Havlat and Brent Burns (17 goals from defense) while dispensing with Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi. Heatley more of a slick, expensive weapon, but not the nucleus guy Wilson thought he’d be, evidently. Logan Couture should continue his rise, Patrick Marleau is coming off a great year; his 37 goals is his third-highest total, he has 81 goals in the past two seasons, during which time he has not missed a game. Joe Thornton took his game to new heights in playoffs. Sharks vs. Kings for Western Conference final, anyone?

3. Anaheim Ducks – Sentimental favorite, Ducks finished fourth in the West thanks to Corey Perry’s ridiculous second-half, which earned him the Hart trophy as the club’s first NHL MVP. Mysterious case of vertigo gone, goaltender Jonas Hiller could change the entire balance of power in the Pacific division if he returns to the form that nearly earned him a Vezina trophy. Andrew Cogliano will be reenergized. At 24, he’s carved out a niche as the Ducks’ third-line center. Teemu Selanne returns, while club still features best top-line in NHL with Ryan Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan, and Perry.

4. Phoenix Coyotes – Say goodbye to Ilya Bryzgalov. Say hello to Mike Smith in Phoenix’s net. Not much new on the offensive front as vets Raffi Torres and Daymond Langkow arrive (Langkow, for his second stint in the desert). It’s time for Martin Hanzal, Mikkel Boedker and Kyle Turris to break through. Dave Tippett’s stifling scheme can only do so much. Now, the downturn comes, unless the team's ownership--the League itself--wants to give GM Don Maloney a much higher budget.

5. Dallas Stars – The Stars bid farewell to center Brad Richards in a flat-out salary dump designed to make the team more attractive—financially—to potential owners as Tom Hicks sells the club. That’s a lot of sacrifice with little return. Many of the forwards are returning, with not much in the new addition department other than Michael Ryder, fresh off a Cup win with Boston. Defensively, Alex Goligoski will spend a full season in Texas, hoping to join the League’s elite. Stars search for a new identity, and Kari Lehtonen will be backed up by Andrew Raycroft. A playoff push seems unlikely in Dallas.

Northwest

1. Vancouver Canucks – The moment may have passed. After blowing a 2-0 Cup final lead (becoming only the fourth team in history to do so), the Canucks stumble into the season. Ryan Kesler will not be available at season’s start, due to offseason surgery on his left hip. Mason Raymond remains out indefinitely due to a fractured vertebrae suffered in the final, and Manny Malhotra hopes for a better day. The Sedins will likely be productive again, of course, and Mikael Samuelsson returns healthy. The defense, led by the clutch Kevin Bieksa, remains a force despite Christian Ehrhoff’s departure (BUF). Roberto Luongo and crew will have a very long way to go to win that seventh game. More likely, they’ll exit after two rounds. Maybe Vancouver locals can take a day off from the Wall Street protests to ruin their town's reputation once more, after its elimination next spring?

2. Calgary Flames – Jarome Iginla is getting up there. He’s 34 and questionable for the season’s start with back spasms. Then again, he’s scored 160 goals in the past four seasons and hasn’t missed a game. Olli Jokinen has accepted a shutdown role. Rookie Roman Horak made the club and will play third line center in place of the injured Brendan Morrison. Jay Bouwmeester is on the hot seat now that Robyn Regehr is gone (BUF). His $6.8M cap hit necessitates an offensive outburst, and he owes it to the franchise. Mikka Kiprusoff never disappoints. Playoff year in Calgary.

3. Minnesota Wild – Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Guillaume Latendresse return from long injuries, while Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi arrive from San Jose. Could be that the dormant Wild offense takes a turn for the better. Nik Backstrom solid in goal, while Marek Zidlicky, Greg Zanon and Nick Schultz provide a top-notch defense. Only thing is, will an identity ever emerge, and will it include some offense? GM Chuck Fletcher hopes so (see Scott Howson).

4. Edmonton Oilers – A club in drastic need of veteran leadership adds…Ryan Smyth. Smyth, at the end of his career, hopes to infuse some hockey smarts in Edmonton, his natural home. The young get younger: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, first overall pick in last year’s draft, made the club and joins Taylor Hall, 2010’s top pick. Nick Khabibulin’s stint in jail is over, and it says here that his compete level may rival that of the dozens of youngsters with whom he plays. Another non-playoff year for the green Oilers.

5. Colorado Avalanche – The sting of having traded Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk to St. Louis for Erik Johnson will carry over into the new season, and Johnson is on the spot. A slew of contracts are up at the end of the season: Matt Duchene, David Jones, Peter Mueller (still injured: post-concussion syn.), Dan Winnik, Cody MacLeod, Milan Hejduk, Jay McClement nd others. Defensively, Jan Hejda assumes the role of veteran leader. Good luck everyone. Semyon Varlamov and J-S Giguere will handle the nets.