By Michael Rifkin
In 2020 we saw some realignment due to Covid, but as we prepare for the 2021 NHL season, we are going back to the regular divisions. Due to the Seattle Kraken coming into the NHL, the Arizona Coyotes will be moving to the Central Division.
2019 Central Division Standings: 1) Blues, 2) Avalanche, 3) Stars, 4) Predators, 5) Jets, 6) Wild, 7) Blackhawks
Arizona Coyotes (2020: 24-26-6) The 2020 Arizona Coyotes were competing for a playoff spot deep into the season but fell short. After the season, they fired Rick Tocchet and hired Andre Tourigny, coaching the Ottawa 67s of the OHL. The Coyotes decided they would take on some players with a big cap hit to accumulate draft picks. The biggest deal was with the Canucks that sent former captain Oliver Ekma- Larsson and Conor Garland to Vancouver for Loui Eriksson, Antoine Roussel, Jay Beagle, the 9th overall pick in the draft (Dylan Guenther), a 2022 second-round pick, and a 2023 seventh-round pick. All three goalies the Coyotes had played for them in 2020 are not with the team. Antti Rantaa signed with the Hurricanes, and Darcy Kuemper was traded to the Avalanche, and Adin Hill was traded to the Sharks. The team signed veteran Carter Hutton to be the team teams starting goalie. Player to watch: Shayne Gostisbehere, traded from the Flyers, had nine goals and 20 points in 41 games last season. In 2015-16 Ghost had his best season with 17 goals and 46 points in 64 games. It’s been a struggle since. Maybe a change of scenery will help him.
Chicago Blackhawks (2020: 24-25-7) The Blackhawks made arguably the two biggest splashes this offseason. They acquired defenseman Seth Jones from the Blue Jackets and Vezina trophy winner and future Hall of Famer Marc Andre- Fleury from the Vegas Golden Knights. But the essential addition to the Blackhawks might be the return of captain Jonathon Toews who did not play in 2020. Toews had 18 goals and 60 points in 70 games played in 2019-20. Player to watch: Kirby Dach, who as a rookie had eight goals and 23 points in 64 games in 2019-20. Last season Dach was limited to 18 games due to a fractured wrist. In those 18 games, Dach had two goals and 10 points.
Colorado Avalanche (2020: 39-13-4) Going to state the obvious that the Colorado Avalanche is a big-time Stanley Cup contender. They were led by one of the best lines in hockey with Nathan Mackinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Gabriel Landeskog, who they re-signed to an eight-year 64 million dollar contract. They also signed stud defenseman Cale Makar to a six-year 54 million dollar contract. The Avs did lose Vezina nominated goalie Phillip Grubauer to the Seattle Kraken. To replace him, the Avs traded a first-round pick and defenseman Connor Timmins to the Coyotes for Darcy Kuemper. Last season Kuemper went 10-11-3 with a 2.56 GAA,907 save percentage, and two shutouts. The Avs will need Kuemper to be healthy throughout the season. Player to watch: Bowen Byram, the 2019 first-round pick who had two assists in 19 games last season, might get a real opportunity to play after Ryan Graves was traded to the Devils.
Dallas Stars ( 2020: 23-19-14) The team most affected in the 56 game season was the Dallas Stars. Their season started late due to a Covid outbreak, and later in the year, they couldn’t play due to the ice storms in Texas. This was after a magical run to the Stanley Cup Final and lost to the Lightning. Tyler Seguin was limited to 3 games due to hip surgery but scored two goals in those three games. The player to watch is Joel Kiviranta, who had six goals and 11 points in 26 games last season. Kiviranta had a hat trick in game seven against the Avalanche in the playoffs a few seasons ago.
Minnesota Wild (2020: 35-16-5) Last season, the Wild shocked people not just because they made the playoffs but also because they took the Vegas Golden Knights to a seven-game series. Calder Trophy winner Kirill Kaprizov who just signed a five-year 45 million dollar contract. Kaprizov had 27 goals and 51 points in 55 games. Joel Eriksson Ek had a breakout season with 19 goals and 30 points in 56 games. The Wild bought out the contracts of Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, so there is a changing of the guard in Minnesota. Jordan Greenway, who had six goals and 32 points in 56 games played last season, is the player to watch. In his career, Greenway has 26 goals and 85 points in 210 games played.
Nashville Predators (2020: 31-23-2) Speaking of a changing of the guard for the first time since 2005, Pekka Rinne will not be in a Predators uniform as Rinne retired after 2020. Just Saros carried the Preds down the stretch to reach the playoffs. Also out is defenseman Ryan Ellis who they traded to the Flyers as a part of a three-team deal that saw Nashville acquire Cody Glass from Vegas and Phil Myers from the Flyers. Player to watch: Eeli Tolvanen had 11 goals and 22 points in 40 games last season. If Tolvanen takes a step up, watch what the Preds do with impending free agent Filip Forsberg at the trade deadline.
St. Louis Blues (2020: 27-20-9) The Blues this offseason wanted to add to their top 6 and compete with the firepower of teams like the Avalanche and Golden Knights. They traded for Pavel Buchnevich from the Rangers and signed a five-year contract with former Avalanche and Blackhawk Brandon Saad. The biggest news out of St. Louis was that star winger Vladimir Tarasenko requested a trade due to lingering issues with his shoulder. Player to watch Robert Thomas. One reason is he has the same name as the lead singer of Matchbox 20. Thomas had three goals and 12 points last season. If coach Craig Berube wants more out of the 22-year-old, pairing him with Saad might help his offensive game.
Winnipeg Jets (2020: 30-23-3) The Jets are ready for takeoff. In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Winnipeg swept the Oilers and then lost to the Canadiens. But with Connor Hellebuyck and one of the best forward groups in the NHL. They added Nate Schmidt from the Canucks and Brendon Dillion from the Capitals to solidify the Blue line. Expect Pierre Luc-Dubois to have a bounce back after being traded from Columbus. Player to watch: Ville Heinola, a 20-year-old defenseman who has a goal in 13 career games in his career. With guys like Neal Pionk and Josh Morrisey, coach Paul Maurice can let Heinola develop at his own pace. If he makes the roster pairing him with one of the veterans in Dillon or Schmidt can help with that.
I do think five teams make it out of the Central division. Predictions: 1) Avalanche, 2) Stars, 3) Jets, 4) Blackhawks(WC), 5) Blues (WC) 6) Wild, 7) Predators, 8) Coyotes.
It is that stacked. I want to see the Wild do it again before I guarantee them a playoff spot.
Noah: 1. Avs 2. Jets 3. Wild 4. Stars (WC) 5. Blackhawks (WC) 6. Preds 7. Blues 8. Coyotes
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