Welcome back to Puck Drop: NHL Preview 2013-14, where our hockey department gives you a detailed look at each team and divison around the NHL leading to the start of the hockey season. Check back often as new teams are added to our Puck Drop page. Today we take a look at the 2013-14 Pacific Division (which probably should have been called the Gretzky Division, considering it boasts two of his former teams, but I digress. Don’t get me started on the “new” division names).
As most of you are aware by now, the recent NHL realignment changes have given the old Pacific Division a new look. Dallas has gone to the Central, while Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary come in to join holdovers LA, San Jose, Anaheim and Phoenix.
If you want this man’s opinion, the Pacific will be one of the toughest and most competitive in the league. With the exception of Calgary (sorry, Flames fans), every team will have a chance to vie for a playoff spot.
If you click on the team name, you can read the full preview on that team from a fellow LWOS writer. Our hockey writers weigh in with their own versions of the division standings at the end, check it out and argue about it! Let it be known that the standings that follow are my own personal picks, feel free to disagree.
7. Calgary Flames (2012-13: 42 points, 4th in the Northwest, 13th in the Western Conference, 26th Overall). I said it before, but it bears repeating, I’m sorry Flames fans, because it’s going to be a tough season. It doesn’t matter how positive the attitude is here in the pre-season, Calgary simply doesn’t have the horses to keep pace with the rest of the Pacific. Consider that, in the past year, the Flames have lost their best forward (Jarome Iginla), their best defenseman (Jay Bouwmeester) and their number one goalie (Miikka Kiprusoff) and you can see the reason why. No team can survive that much turnover to such integral positions and come out ahead. Adding former Leafs GM Brian Burke to the executive fold is potentially nice for the future, but it does nothing for the team’s current chances. The team will have to rely on mid-level scorers (Mike Cammalleri, Jiri Hudler), prospects (Sven Baertschi, Mikael Backlund) and an unproven starting goaltender (Kari Ramo) to get them through. Given how tough those divisional games are going to be all season long, Calgary should be looking at a lottery pick in next year’s draft, not a playoff spot. Prediction: 14th in the Conference.
6. Anaheim Ducks (2012-13: 66 points, 1st in the Pacific, 2nd in the Western Conference, 3rd Overall). I know everyone is expecting Edmonton in this spot, but I don’t see it. And yes, I’m serious. The Ducks are going to have the biggest fall of any team in the NHL next year and let me tell you why. For one reason, last season was a fluke and don’t let their finish in the standings fool you. Yes, the Ducks got off to an amazing start that was overshadowed only by Chicago, but they also finished with just seven wins in their last 19 games before being ousted by the underdog Red Wings in in the first round of the playoffs. Had 2013 been a usual NHL season, there seems little doubt the Ducks would have regressed lower in the standings after 82 games. The other thing that gives me reason to pause is the defense. Expecting another great season from Francois Beauchemin (who had a career year at age 33) and Sheldon Souray (who turned 37 this summer) is asking too much. Behind them are Cam Fowler, who seems to have gotten worse during each of this three pro seasons, and a group of cast-offs that includes Bryan Allen, Mark Fistric, Ben Lovejoy and Luca Sbisa. In a division that boasts some of the most dynamic scoring stars in the game, that group just isn’t going to cut it. While it’s possible I’m being a bit pessimistic, it’s also true that I’m underwhlemed by the Duck’s chances. Sure, with the likes of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, Anaheim is going to get it’s goals. But with the new coach effect having worn off, and their goalies under siege most nights, I don’t give the Ducks much of a chance in the new Pacific. Prediction: 10th in the Conference.
5. Edmonton Oilers (2012-13: 45 points, 3rd in the Northwest, 12th in the Western Conference, 24th Overall). First of all, I’ll spare you the waiting and tell you that the Oilers will finally make the playoffs. They won’t do it on virtue of finishing in the top 4 of the Pacific, however the Central is so bad that the Oilers will be able to win the crossover seed and sneak into the top 8. This is a team that is definitely on the upswing, after improving their point totals each of the last three years (if you prorate the lockout season) and are ready to take the next step. They boast one of the most dynamic top 6 forwards in the NHL with Taylor Hall, Nail Yakupov, Jordan Eberle, Sam Gagner, Ales Hemsky and David Perron. Add in Ryan Nugent-Hopkins after he returns from injury sometime mid-season, and you might be looking at one of the highest scoring teams in hockey. They also picked up some great depth this offseason in the form of Boyd Gordon at center, Andrew Ference on the blueline and Jason Labarbera to back up starting goaltender Devan Dubnyk. Speaking of whom, there’s probably no more pressure on anyone than there will be on Dubnyk next year. The 27-year-old posted career numbers last year and needs to prove to himself, and to everyone else in the organization, that he’s the man to lead this core of players to the next level. I’m betting that he won’t be as great as people hope, but still good enough to push for a playoff spot. Prediction: 8th in the Conference.
4. Phoenix Coyotes (Last season: 51 points, 4th in the Pacific, 10th in the Western Conference, 19th Overall). Some people are overlooking the 2013-14 edition of the Coyotes, but I don’t think they should be counted out just yet. Last season was an aberration in the Dave Tippet era, as the team had made the playoffs each of the other three seasons with him behind the bench. Let’s not forget that Phoenix is only one year removed from a Pacific Division title and a Western Conference Final appearance. Tippet is still one of the best coaches in hockey and preaches a system that has proven to be successful in the past, and should be again this year. Though there are no obvious superstars up front, the team is deep, as evidenced by the fact that 16 players hit double digits in points during the abbreviated 2013 season. There was very little turnover during the offseason, with the aforementioned Boyd Gordon being the only real loss. Most eyes will be on goaltender Mike Smith, to prove that he’s not just a one hit wonder and regain his status among the elite netminders in the NHL. The biggest difference though, and this can’t be understated, is the effect that stable ownership will have on the roster. Players can pay all the lip service they want that the situation wasn’t bothering them, but the reality was a sense of paranoia that hung over the team all season long. Finally with some freedom, and some stability, I expect the Coyotes to get right back where they belong among the top eight in the Conference. Prediction: 7th in the Conference.
3. San Jose Sharks (2012-13: 57 points, 3rd in the Pacific, 6th in the Western Conference, 11th Overall). Let’s get something straight right away, this isn’t the same Sharks team that won four division titles from 2008-11, but they’re not far off. This is a team that seems to be making the transition from the old core to the new era rather seamlessly. While Joe Thornton once again lead the team in scoring last year, Logan Couture was just behind him and looks poised to take control of the offense in 2013-14. There will be some lingering questions all season though, as Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dan Boyle are all going to be free agents in the summer. How management handles that three-headed beast may have an impact on how the team finishes in the standings. There’s a good chance that at least one or two of them could be gone by the trade deadline if the team isn’t where it thinks it should be. Still, with Antti Niemi emerging as one of the best goaltenders in the world, I think there’s little doubt the Sharks won’t be missing out on a playoff spot. Expect San Jose to once again be a force in the Pacific. Prediction: 5th in the Conference.
2. Los Angeles Kings (2012-13: 59 points, 2nd in Pacific, 5th in the Western Conference, 7th Overall). Last season was a bit up and down for the Kings. While some hoped the lockout would lessen the effect of the Stanley Cup hangover, the 2012 champs didn’t manage to get off to a good start with only three regulation wins through the first 10 games. However, by the time the playoffs rolled around, the team was red-hot and made their second consecutive Western Conference final appearance before bowing out to the Chicago Blackhawks in five games. I know I said that Edmonton’s top six forwards was one of the best in the league, and the Kings are right there with them. Anze Kopitar, Justin Williams, Jeff Cater, Mike Richards and captain Dustin Brown are a formidable group with great offensive ability and who are very, very tough to play against. Added to that is defensemen Drew Doughty and Slava Voynov, both of whom are potential Norris Trophy candidates in the foreseeable future. While for most teams that would be enough, they’re backed up by Jonathan Quick, who is simply one of the best goaltenders in the league. While last season was a bit of a struggle for Quick at times, he turned it on in the playoffs and proved his Conn Smythe win in 2012 was for real. The Kings will fight for top spot in the division all season long, which Quick shows up in the regular season may be the deciding factor. Prediction: 4th in the Conference.
1. Vancouver Canucks (2012-13: 59 points, 1st in the Northwest, 3rd in the Western Conference, 8th Overall). Look, I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m an unabashed Canucks supporter, but who better to tell you why the Canucks are going to be so good? When it comes right down to it, there’s only two words that separate Vancouver from being a simply good club and being an elite one: Ryan Kesler. For the first time in three years Kesler hasn’t had to spend all or part of his summer rehabbing from injury. The center is healthy and fired up for a new NHL season. It’s long been said that Kesler is the straw that stirs the drink in Vancouver, and previous seasons have shown this to be true. You can see the effect most prominently on Daniel and Henrik Sedin, as both players saw their offensive output regress last season. That isn’t a matter of them getting older however, it’s more indicative of having to play a more defensive game while Kesler struggled to stay in the lineup. The other factor that will contribute to the team’s turnaround is the hiring of John Tortorella as head coach. While many people around the hockey world were puzzled by this decision, I can tell you that Tortorella is exactly what this team needs. The Canucks had grown somewhat complacent under Alain Vigneault and on too many nights looked unwilling to go the extra mile. Under Tortorella, there will be no more free ride. Grit and determination will be the name of the game, something that the Canucks have been sorely lacking. This is still the same elite team that won the last five consecutive Northwest Division titles, and the changes made this offseason should solidify that. As for the goaltending situation, Roberto Luongo loves to be “the man” between the pipes and should benefit from playing more games and having a tighter defense in front of him blocking shots. Prediction: 2nd in the Conference.
Ben Kerr (@lastwordBKerr)
1. La Kings – x, 2. Vancouver Canucks – x, 3. San Jose Sharks – x, 4. Anaheim Ducks – x, 5. Edmonton Oilers, 6. Phoenix Coyotes, 7. Calgary Flames
Mitch Tierney (@TheHockeyMitch)
1. LA Kings-x 2. Vancouver Canucks-x 3. Anaheim Ducks-x 4. Edmonton Oilers-x 5. San Jose Sharks 6. Phoenix Coyotes 7. Calgary Flames
Shawn Wilken (@crimsonskorpion)
1. LA Kings -x 2.Vancouver Canucks -x 3. Anaheim Ducks -x 4. San Jose -x 5. Edmonton Oilers 6. Phoenix Coyotes 7. Calgary Flames
Aaron Wrotkowski (@AaronWrotkowski)
1. LA Kings 2. San Jose Sharks 3. Anaheim Ducks 4. Phoenix Coyotes 5. Vancouver Canucks 6. Edmonton Oilers 7. Calgary Flames
Russell McKenzie (@LastWordBigMick)
1. Kings 2. Ducks 3. Canucks 4. Sharks 5. Oilers 6. Yotes 7. Flames.
Larry Scotti (@Larry_Scotti)
1. Kings 2. Sharks 3. Canucks 4. Ducks 5. Coyotes 6. Oilers 7. Flames
Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_)
1. Canucks 2. Kings 3. Ducks 4. Sharks 5. Oilers 6. Coyotes 7. Flames
Thanks for reading. Please give our Hockey Department a follow on Twitter – @crimsonskorpion, @TheHockeyMitch, @theTQ21, @LastWordBigMick, @CMS_74_, @dasimonetta, @Larry_Scotti, @evan_lacey, @lastwordBKerr, @ddmatthews, @CanuckPuckHead, and @LastWordOnNHL, and follow the site @lastwordonsport.
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