Central Division Preview
Blistering! That’s how most fans described the pace at which Central Division powers Detroit and St. Louis have been gobbling up high-salaried players over the past few years. Just use last summer as an example. St. Louis stole Doug Weight out of a helpless Edmonton organization while Detroit gobbled up Dominik Hasek, Luc Robitaille and Brett Hull on their way to a Stanley Cup victory.
But the summer of 2002 saw a shift in activity. The Wings and Blues stood relatively pat while the cellar-dwelling Columbus Blue Jackets became the division’s “big spenders.” Of course, the Wings plucked star goaltender Curtis Joseph out of Toronto, but the move simply offset Hasek’s retirement. While the Wings remain the division’s (and league’s) predominant team, the Central will feature a more competitive balance in 2002-2003.
1.Detroit Red Wings. Fresh off a legendary season, Detroit will seek to repeat its championship performance. With an all-star cast still in place, they’ll certainly be a top contender. The question is, can they do it without coach Scotty Bowman and Hasek?
An aging roster is Detroit’s biggest concern. Steve Yzerman, Chris Chelios, Igor Larionov, Brett Hull and Luc Robitaille are all over the age of 36. After a draining Stanley Cup winning year, the question becomes whether or not these talented veterans will have the legs to do it all again.
It seems though, that age has been Detroit’s nemesis for several years now. From an aging core to a depleted youth system, many critics have repeatedly counted on a Detroit demise. However, GM Ken Holland has proven himself to be a master at using ownership’s big budget to fill holes. And just when it seems he’s traded away his last prospect during a stretch run, someone like Pavel Datsyuk steps up to be a major contributor.
As always, goaltending will be key. Curtis Joseph finally has the team in front of him to make a qualified run. Whether or not his shoulders can bare the load will determine Detroit’s fate against Western Conference superpowers like Colorado and San Jose.
2. St. Louis Blues. Expect 2002-2003 to be no different than other seasons for the Blues – a decent regular season followed by a short playoff run. Though their payroll might suggest otherwise ($57 million), they should not be considered one of the top contenders for the Stanley Cup.
Up front, the Blues are thin on scoring. Apart from the Demitra/Tkachuk line, finding a consistent scoring punch will be difficult. Even if center Doug Weight improves upon his disappointing (but injury-filled) first year in St. Louis, it’s unclear who he will pass the puck to. Scott Young is gone and Cory Stillman is also coming off a disappointing year. The third and fourth lines will be sprinkled with some valuable grit – Shjon Podein, Jamal Mayers and Tyson Nash – but again, scoring will be the big question mark.
The bright spot for the Blues will be their young defensemen making the jump to the NHL level. Bryce Salvador has rounded into a solid defensive blueliner, while Mike Van Ryn showed consistency playing alongside Chris Pronger last year. This season, rookie Barret Jackman will be given the chance to also make contributions. For the Blues to have any success, this young trio will need to eat up many of the minutes lost to Chris Pronger’s absence (injured and out until December), not to mention giving 39-year old Al MacInnis some relief.
This season will be imperative to GM Larry Pleau. He’s had a hefty payroll now for several years, yet fans in St. Louis still hunger for their first (ever) Stanley Cup.
3. Chicago Blackhawks. Will the true Chicago Blackhawks please step forward? Are they the team that started out last year 33-18-9-0? Or are they the team that whimpered out in the first round of the playoffs? Either way, they’re a team that lost a major piece of their organization in the offseason when Tony Amonte signed in Phoenix.
Amonte’s loss aside, the Blackhawks must prove that last season’s playoff appearance was not a fluke. Newcomer Theo Fleury will be expected to fill Amonte’s shoes and provide support to an already deep group of scoring forwards. Eric Daze, Alexei Zhamnov, Steve Sullivan, Steve Thomas and Kyle Calder give Chicago plenty of options on their top two lines. Beyond this forward depth is questionable, but top prospects Mikhail Yakubov and Pavel Varobiev, (the 10th and 11th overall picks in the 2000 draft) whom the Hawks have high hopes for, will have a shot at making the club.
Though lacking a true stopper on the blueline, the Hawks have a solid group of defensemen, led by Jon Klemm and Phil Housley. Newcomers Jason Strudwick and Nathan Dempsey will provide much needed depth. In goal, Jocelyn Thibault faultered down the stretch last year and must rebound to ensure another playoff appearance.
4.Columbus Blue Jackets. Give Columbus and GM Doug MacLean an A+ for effort this offseason. Though the organization is only entering its third year and payroll is close to the lowest in the league, MacLean made some key moves that should keep his hockey club competitive (if not victorious) on many nights.
Defensively, the Blue Jackets added both Luke Richardson and Scott Lachance, a nice combination of toughness and puck movement. Both are solid veterans and provide a solid base to a core that includes one of the best up and coming defensemen in the league – the fourth overall pick in the 2000 draft Rostislav Klesla. With a year under his belt, expect Klesla to become an even greater part of the Blue Jackets game plan, both defensively and offensively.
Scoring is a question mark for the Blue Jackets, but the reuniting of free agent Andrew Cassels and Geoff Sanderson will help. Combine this duo with Ray Whitney, Mike Sillinger and Grant Marshall and the potential for two productive scoring lines is there. And of course, 18-year old and number one overall draft pick in 2002 Rick Nash, will have all the expectations of fans to come in and immediately make an impact. Whether or not he’s given this chance by management this year, he’s a special player with many good years ahead of him in Columbus.
With the dealing of veteran goalie Ron Tugnutt to Dallas, Mark Denis has been given the reigns as the number one netminder. Though he’s never been a true number one, management felt it was his time. Of course, highly touted Pascal Leclaire is also waiting in the wings. He might not get a shot this year, but he should definitely be considered Columbus’ goaltender of the future.
5.Nashville Predators. Unlike their Columbus counterpart, Nashville did not make strides in the offseason. Though new faces Brent Gilchrist, Domenic Pittis, Clarke Wilm and others are present, their contributions will not be enough to push the team forward. Definitely not music to owner Craig Leipold’s ears, who promised season ticket holders a refund of their ticket price increase should the team not make the playoffs this year.
The Predators are severely lacking in goal scorers. Though their roster includes some solid young players like Denis Archipov and Scott Hartnell, much of the pressure will fall on David Legwand to produce like a second overall pick should. Also, Scott Walker will need a rebound from his 28 games played and four goals of last year.
The Predators strength remains in goal. Mike Dunham and Tomas Vokoun provide a solid tandem. Brian Finley missed all of last year due to injury, but is still considered
a highly-touted prospect, along with ’99 draft pick Jan Lasak.
