NHL Contenders: #5 to #1
Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
#5: Nashville Predators
ADDITIONS:
- Cody Hodgson
- Barret Jackman
LOSSES:
- Viktor Stalberg
- Matt Cullen
- Mike Santorelli
The Nashville Predators are a lock to make the playoffs. They are a young team that is constantly getting better. Pekka Rinne quieted all of his haters with an outstanding season. They added a really good buy low candidate (Hodgson) and defensive depth (Jackman). My main concern with them is their experience. Also, teams adjusted to their scheme and were able to clog the neutral zone against them at times. They’ve got to adjust to that. With Nashville’s forwards, that shouldn’t be a difficult task.
#4: Washington Capitals
ADDITIONS:
- T.J. Oshie
- Justin Williams
- Taylor Chorney
LOSSES:
- Troy Brouwer
- Joel Ward
- Tim Gleason
- Curtis Glencross
- Mike Green
- Eric Fehr
TRENDING: Upwards
The Washington Capitals have had arguably the best off-season of any NHL team, even after you factor in that they lost Green and will most likely lose Fehr. They added two skilled players in Oshie and Williams. They didn’t even have to give up much to get the duo either. When I look at the Caps, I don’t see any glaring weaknesses. Their third pairing is kind of weak, but it will consist of two guys who have done well in small sample sizes (Nate Schmidt and Dmitry Orlov). Their top four defensemen are excellent, so that should help mask that flaw. They also have one of the best goaltenders in the NHL in Braden Holtby who can mask flaws even better than the top four defensemen. Oh yeah, they also have that Alex Ovechkin guy, he’s sort of alright, I guess.
#3: Chicago Blackhawks
ADDITIONS:
- Artem Anisimov
- Marko Dano
- Jeremy Morin
- Trevor Daley
- Ryan Garbutt
LOSSES:
- Johnny Oduya
- Patrick Sharp
- Brandon Saad
- Brad Richards
- Antoine Vermette
- Antti Raanta
TRENDING: Downwards, but not for long
Yes, the Chicago Blackhawks have lost a lot of great NHL players. However, they’re the Blackhawks. This is what they do. They retool and they still contend. I’ve seen this story way too many times to believe they’re going to take a huge step back. As long as their core group of Duncan Keith, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa and Corey Crawford are around and still kicking butt, I’ll never bet against them.
#2: Tampa Bay Lightning
ADDITIONS:
- Erik Condra
LOSSES:
- Mark Barberio
TRENDING: Upwards
How are the Lightning trending upwards despite adding almost nobody and losing almost nobody? They’ve got arguably the best forward group in the NHL. While they are young, they are constantly improving. If a guy goes down, they have plenty of guys who can fill in. Their blue line, led by Victor Hedman, is one of the best in the NHL. About my only concern with them is Ben Bishop. The rest of the team can mask his flaws though. They’re the team to beat in the East.
#1: Anaheim Ducks
ADDITIONS:
- Carl Hagelin
- Kevin Bieksa
- Chris Stewart
- Anton Khudobin
LOSSES:
- Emerson Etem
- Matt Beleskey
- Francois Beauchemin
TRENDING: Upwards
Am I really betting on Bruce Boudreau? You bet! Outside of being an adorable person who I can’t help but love, I think he’s a great coach. This year, the rest of the NHL is going to learn that the hard way. The Ducks took a team that made it to the Western Conference and made it even better. Are they going to regret that Ryan Kesler extension in about three years? Probably. But if they win a Cup or two, it’ll ease the pain.
Next: Metropolitan Division Power Rankings