As the NHL season begins the second year of its closure, the teams and players are anxiously trying to prepare and give a good impression on the rest of the league. This season is intended to provide questions in terms of winners and losers like last year's winners of Carolina, Edmonton, and Buffalo or the losers in Toronto, Boston and Vancouver. This update will address the Northwest Division, with the hope of finding new changes, surprises and disappointments.
The Calgary Flames have gone from being the worst team in Canada in recent years one of the best teams overall in the NHL. Reaching the playoffs in the back of Miikka Kiprusoff and other notables, the flames of seeking to reach the playoffs again this season. Dion Phaneuf, one of the best defenses for youth leagues this season even better to help an already potent defense as Rhett Warrener, Robyn Regehr, adding depth and Andrei Zyuzin new. After potentially one of the best defenders and goalie tandems in the league, will be a challenge trying to score many points against the flames. While the situation of defense and a goalie is almost insurmountable, there are still concerns with the crime. It is true that Alex Tanguay added flames to the line to complement Jarome Iginla, but besides the first line, the lack of depth the team will pursue some nights. While the team has players such notables as Kristian Huselius and Daymond Langkow, the team also underperforming players like Jamie Lundmark, Jeff Friesen, and Amont Tony. If these players can step up his game next season, I can see the flames to win the division easily. If not, the fire has yet to reach the playoffs, but not life where they would be in, facing the toughest division in a difficult time.
One of the main drivers of the NHL during the 1990s, the Colorado Avalanche are looking to extend the streak the team in the playoffs to try to fight again this year. However, financial problems, loss of players, and old age, the avalanche can not be viewed as the monster in recent years. Rob Blake losing hurts. Yes, it was old and not as productive as in their heyday, but it was still one of the best defenses in the league and will be missed very much in Denver. While Jordan Leopold Avalanche added to the defense and mediocre, the team did with the loss of Alex Tanguay, severely hurting the offense. While the team still has notable stars like Joe Sakic and Milan Hejduck both, especially if Sakic, are increasing and are on track to negative margins in terms of productivity. While there are some bright spots in Andrew Brunette, Marek Svata and Steve Konowalchuk, there are many notable underperformance Tyler Arnason and Patrice Brisebois and. Also with the instability Jose Theodore, this could be a very tough year for Avalanche fans.
The Edmonton Oilers had a dream of the playoffs a few months ago, defying all predictions by experts with the incredible run the team. While some may call this situation a Cinderella, especially with the loss of such notables as Peca, Pronger and Tarnstrom, I think the Oilers will have another great season on the basis of chemistry more than anything. Adding some depth players like Joffrey LUPUL, Petr Sykora, and Ladislav Smid I think this group of young players far this year trying to return to Stanley Cup contention. Having a full year of a true number one goalie Dwayne Roloson in should also help too. While there are some questions from the defense, I think any criticism is more exaggerated when they say the Oilers have the worst central defender in the NHL. Is it a problem in some games? Maybe, but with a good heart and a goalkeeper underrated offensive, Edmonton should be atop the Northwest Division in April.
The Vancouver Canucks surprised many viewers last season in a negative way more than anything. Low return to fight only ninth in the West, the Canucks tried to renovate this off-season negotiations Todd Bertuzzi to Florida for Roberto Luongo. While this was an upgrade from a little better to the tastes of Auld and Coultier as well as in the playoffs, the Canucks have not had many problems to put accumulating victories in the playoffs. Although Luongo could be a better goalie in the playoffs, the first team has to make the postseason before illustrating some postseason competition. With the acquisition of Luongo, the Canucks were forced to give up star Todd Bertuzzi, who, despite the marked alteration few years ago, has played an excellent role as a striker can add passion and goals. With his absence, along with notables such as Anson Carter, there is little to be optimistic about in terms of misdemeanor Naslund, Sedins, and potentially Morrison. On the defensive, losing Jovanovski, no matter how exaggerated some critics label will hurt. Despite the addition of Willie Mitchell, with the additional loss of Keith Carney and Bryan Allen should have a negative impact on defense and mediocre. With the added problem of dealing with the toughest division in the schedule of Canuck, I do not see much optimism for Canuck fans.
The defensiveness of the Minnesota Wild has changed a bit during the offseason, which potentially has the positive impact of bringing this team back in the playoffs. Pavol Demitra Adding Marian produce a few furtive GABORIK both the power play and in full force each to be a good complement to each other. Along with other notables as Mark Parrish, the Minnesota offensive picture is looking up. In terms of defense, while the Wild have lost some key players as Kuba, Minnesota has added some depth in Kim Johnsson and Keith Carney. With a favorable amount of depth on offense and defense together with a goalkeeper in the Manny Fernandez, who questioned some statistics keeper last season, the Wild has the tools to make the playoffs after some drought.
Northwest Final results for the 2006-2007 season (Ranking based on the Western classification):
3. Edmonton Oilers
7. Calgary Flames
8. Minnesota Wild
11. Colorado Avalanche
13. Vancouver Canucks