2010-11 NHL Regular Season Power Rankings - Western Conference 7

Aided by the introduction of the 2010-11 NHL season now just 1 week away I believed it was time to tug out my crystal ball and check out and predict which Western Conference teams might be Stanley Cup contenders in 2010, and which teams might be dusting off of the old golf equipment come early April. Last season the Phoenix Coyotes together with the Colorado Avalanche were predicted to become cellar dwellers but surprised hockey experts all around the league by designing the playoffs. With parity the game in the NHL nowadays, if you don't doubt that similar surprises will is situated the 2010-11 season. Here i will discuss my 2010-11 regular season power rankings in the NHL's Western Conference: 聽 15 鈥?Minnesota Wild 聽 That is a franchise that merely appear to be heading within the wrong direction. It is a new era in Minnesota following last season's departure of superstar Marian Gaborik and coach Jacques Lemaire, and this team is known for a long distance to spend before they will again contend for just a playoff spot. Martin Havlat was brought in to attempt to replace Gaborik, but was largely unimpressive in their first season while using club. Both Mikko Koivu and Guillaume Latendresse had career years in 2009, and are hard-pressed to accommodate their offensive totals in the previous campaign. By using an anemic offense goaltender Niklas Backstrom must contain a Vezina-caliber season for ones Wild to actually have a shot at the playoffs. Personally I think even that goal is actually ambitious but it will surely likely be a few seasons ahead of Wild contend again for a playoff spot. 聽 14 鈥?Columbus Blue Jackets 聽 Another team with offensive challenges the Columbus Blue Jackets have been treading water from the time of joining the league at the outset of the fresh century. Rick Nash will not surprisingly function as the go-to guy for any club, but beyond him they doesn't boast any offensive stars. Sure, Kristian Huselius, R.J. Umberger and Antoine Vermette will all do their part, however contributions are not enough to push this team into playoff contention. If Steve Mason can recapture is very important he in their rookie campaign you should then perhaps the c's could move up their email list just a few spots, but young goalies are notoriously inconsistent, to make certain that scenario is challenging to bank on at this point. 聽 13 鈥?Nashville Predators 聽 Though the Predators were a playoff team a year ago, as well as gave the Chicago Blackhawks an arduous use round one there is little change purpose of optimism in Nashville entering into the 2010-11 season. Rock steady defenseman Dan Hamhuis found greener pastures with the Vancouver Canucks, and captain Jason Arnott has returned to his old stomping grounds in Nj-new jersey. Shea Weber and goaltender Pekka Rinne can be tips for the team's success, but additionally can only go for it much over a roster that boasts a few other good, but experienced before great players. 聽 12 鈥?Edmonton Oilers 聽 Searching at 2010-11 regular season predictions from hockey bloggers There really is the Edmonton Oilers on the bottom in all power rankings. It appears that the consensus opinion is the factthat the Oilers fans would be expected to endure the next straight dreadful season. For me the c's actually underachieved not too long ago, as well as their 30th place finish were suggestive of their potential. Adding young stars like #1 overall draft pick Taylor Hall,uefa store, Jordan Eberle, and Magnus Paajarvi should inside the team a dangerous offensive opponent, and also return of goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin should shore inside the team with the all-important goaltending position. I still don't think they'll within the playoffs, only to find they should climb just a few spots in the Western Conference standings at the moment. 聽 11 鈥?Dallas Stars 聽 Another team in transition the Dallas Stars will have an even different look in 2010. Team mainstays Marty Turco and Mike Modano have shifted towards Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings respectively. However, the emergence of players like Jamie Benn, Loui Eriksson and James Neal give Stars fans triggers for optimism, and veterans like Brad Richards and Brenden Morrow should help fill the leadership void left through departure of Modano and Turco. Ultimately it really is goaltending that is the biggest question mark in Dallas the year 2010. If Kari Lehtonen can elevate his game using new club then this team can create a run during a playoff spot. 聽 10 鈥?Anaheim Ducks 聽 Although the Ducks boast stars that include Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan together with the ageless Teemu Selanne at first it truly is their blueline that has them ranked 10th about this list, sitting outside of the playoff picture looking in. The retirement of Scott Niedermayer has left a gaping hole in the tailgate end, and Jonas Hiller remains struggling to prove himself a genuine number one. That said the Ducks are nevertheless a tough team to try out against and should they try to squeak towards the playoffs they've already the capability and ability to have fun playing the spoiler role resistant to the powerhouse teams belonging to the Western Conference. 聽 9 鈥?St. Louis Blues 聽 With all the different teams within the Western Conference the Blues were the hardest to put in my opinion. I think this squad could finish about 6th 鈥?13th place without surprising anyone. They are a team that scores by committee despite they have already young players with plenty of potential they're just mostly of the teams on the league it does not boast an individual star. The best the answer to the Blues season, as so for lots of from the teams throughout these power rankings, certainly is the play off newly acquired goaltender Jaroslav Halak. If Halak is capable of at or close to the level he showed during last spring's playoff run with all the Montreal Canadiens then the Blues has to be a shoe-in in order to make the playoffs. 聽 8 鈥?Colorado Avalanche 聽 Last season the Avalanche exceeded expectations by the wide margin, but I find them reading good than marginally better regarding who the winner, and it's very possible they would experience a precipitous drop should goaltender Craig Anderson be unable to duplicate his incredible performance of an year ago. With plenty young firepower also known as 聽聽Stastny, Chris Stewart, Peter Mueller and Matt Duchene the team shouldn't hurt for goals. The departure of defensive stalwart Brett Clark does leave a void for the tailgate end, however. To sum up this team should hover around the bubble all season, and if they actually do result in the playoffs it can be unlikely they are willing to depart quickly without over a whisper. 聽 7 鈥?Phoenix Coyotes 聽 Another surprise from last season the Phoenix Coyotes have earned every ounce of respect they can indeed be receiving this coming year. They are predicting the Coyotes to comfortably create the post-season. Another team like St. Louis that wants to spread the offense across the Coyotes are short on superstars. Anything they don't lack though is usually a strong work ethic. Coach Dave Tippett was masterful at finding the most out of his players last season, and providing his players haven't tuned him available on the market is very little reason to doubt which the hard-working bunch makes it in to the playoffs for the second straight year. 聽 6 鈥?Are generally Kings 聽 If you are looking for just a rationale why the New york Kings will certainly make the playoffs this present year then you will want if you want franchise defenseman Drew Doughty. Doughty established himself being a superstar last season, and might only improve as time pass. Also likely Norris Trophy candidate the Kings also boast a very good core of forwards including Slovenian star Anze Kopitar, hitting and goal-scoring machine Dustin Brown additionally, the indomitable Ryan Smyth. In net Jonathan Quick probably will continue to live nearly his name, and may even he stumble Jonathan Bernier is waiting in the wings, ready to assume the main job. The Kings should easily nab a playoff spot, and can even conceivably display an initial round upset with the 2011 playoffs. 聽 5 鈥?Calgary Flames 聽 Some might feel I've ranked this club a little high, but Brent Sutter is just too big good a coach to imagine much less finish. Naturally a coach can merely accomplish that much 鈥?the gamers will need to perform to the ice. However, with captain Jarome Iginla 鈥?arguably the top leader amongst gamers today 鈥?and former Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff anywhere between the pipes on-ice performance will not be a worry. Defenseman Jay Bouwmeester's second year when using the Flames has to be much better than his first together with the return of former Flames Olli Jokinen and Alex Tanguay must provide the Flames with enough scoring punch to win those tight one goal games they always finish up in. No, they don't challenge the Canucks in the Northwest Division title at the moment, but they was obviously a tough team to play against, and will improve playoffs with plenty points to spare. 聽 4 鈥?Detroit Red Wings 聽 The Red Wings aren't as mighty as they simply were just two short long ago, they are simply still a force to generally be reckoned with in the Western Conference. Both Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg should produce higher offensive numbers than they did last season, specifically in light to the fact that it appears like are going to playing together this season. By adding Mike Modano as well as return of Jiri Hudler should add far more scoring punch to a team that never seems to have trouble scoring goals as it is often. In the blueline Nicklas Lidstrom will again become the lynch pin, even though he can be getting long with the tooth are going to again challenge to your Norris Trophy being the NHL's best defenseman. With great coaching and solid team defense sophomore goalie Jimmy Howard have to have many easy nights between your pipes as well as the Wings should finish on the top 50 % of the West. 聽 3 鈥?San Jose Sharks 聽 A perennial regular season powerhouse the Sharks should once again experience the challenging to your top spot with the Western Conference. Boasting stars like Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Dany Heatley and Joe Pavelski the club should have no problem scoring goals. In the past few seasons to remain masterful at limiting the amount of shots on goal their opponents get knowning that trait should help ease the sting of losing long-time # 1 netminder Evgeni Nabokov for the KHL. 聽 2 鈥?Chicago Blackhawks 聽 Many hockey experts are predicting a precipitous drop around the standings to the defending Stanley Cup champions, following dismantling in the roster with the off-season stemming from salary cap issues. However, though they've lost guys like Dustin Byfuglien and Kris Versteeg this roster remains as powerful every around the league. It can be tough to cast doubt on your team that boasts the like of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith and Marian Hossa rolling around in its line-up. If goaltender Marty Turco can recapture his mode of recently then your Hawks needs to have little problem overcoming loosing Byfuglien and crew and could contend towards the Western Conference title. 聽 1 鈥?Vancouver Canucks 聽 Looking at the Canucks roster going to this season it is usually not easy to predict anything but first in your Western Conference for your children in 2010-11. Led by Art Ross Trophy and Hart Trophy winner Henrik Sedin and his awesome brother Daniel, goaltender Roberto Luongo and a strong supporting cast including Ryan Kesler, Mason Raymond, Alex Burrows, Keith Ballard and Dan Hamhuis, the Canucks are strong each and every position. For long-suffering Canucks fans who are waiting 40 years for glory might finally view their team go right this year. 聽 Consider rinkjerseys.com for great deals on NHL hockey jerseys including vintage gear like Quebec Nordiques jerseys.