Northwest Division Preview
Colorado Avalanche
2001-2002 FLASHBACK– Record: 45-28-1-1 1st in Northwest Division. Eliminated by Detroit in the Western Conference Finals.
NEW FACES– F Serge Aubin, F Dean McAmmond, D Derek Morris, D Brett Clark
DEPARTED– F Chris Drury, F Stephane Yelle, D Darius Kasparaitis, D Pascal Trepanier
BREAK OUT– Steven Reinprecht has improved each year that he has been in the league. This will be his third year and he is on the cusp of offensive greatness. Upon the return of Peter Forsberg last season, Reinprecht was shifted to the right wing and his speed flourished. The departure of Chris Drury in the off-season will open up more offensive minutes for Reinprecht, and he has all the tools to take advantage.
KEY PROSPECT– The Avalanche have always done a good job of easing their offensive prospects into key situations, a luxury made possible by having established stars like Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, and Milan Hejduk. This year, C Riku Hahl will be the key benefactor. Hahl got a 22 game taste last year, and seems to be ready to establish himself in the line-up.
INTANGIBLE– HUNGER. Does anyone remember game 7 of the Western Conference Finals last year? The Avalanche have done their best to forget the crushing defeat handed to them by arch rival and league measuring stick Detroit Red Wings, but make no mistake that embarrassing loss has motivated the Avalanche like they were before 1994. Hunger is the ultimate
intangible in the game of hockey, and when you have the skill to impose that hunger, success is the end result.
CRYSTAL BALL– having a healthy Peter Forsberg to start the season is a huge boost to the Avalanche from last year. This fact alone will propel them to first in the division and conference. If there was any weakness to speak of on this team it was lack of depth on defense after the loss of free agent Darius Kasparaitus. General Manager Pierre Lacroix addressed that concern with the acquisition of Derek Morris from Calgary. The Avalanche can now boast one of the best top-five defensive units in the league with Adam Foote, Rob Blake, Martin Skoula, Derek Morris and Greg DeVries. Of course, no Avalanche preview would be complete without a word on future Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy. Roy tried to author a story with great foreshadowing last season as he sacrificed an Olympic Gold Medal in order to drive for the Stanley Cup. Needless to say, Roy’s story did not play out the way he hoped and he was forced to eat crow all summer. Patrick Roy comes into this season mad, embarrassed and hungry to prove that he is still the man. This is bad news for the rest of the league.
1ST in the Northwest Division
Vancouver Canucks
2001-2002 FLASHBACK– Record: 42-30-7-3 2nd in the Northwest Division. Eliminated by Detroit in the Western Conference quarterfinal.
NEW FACES– F Fedor Fedorov, D Sami Salo, D Nolan Baumgartner, D Bryan Allen
DEPARTED– D Scott Lachance, D Jason Strudwick, F Andrew Cassels, F Peter Schaefer.
BREAK OUT– Last year saw the slight emergence of F Henrik Sedin as a steady all-around performer for the Canucks. This year, Hank is poised to raise his offensive game. Both Henrik and Daniel have matured from 180-pound boys to 200-pound solid men this year and that will do wonders for the strength of their cycle game. Henrik will also benefit from the fact that Daniel is in great shape this season compared to last, and F Trent Klatt is ready to contribute following an injury riddled season last year.
KEY PROSPECT– This is the year that 1998 first round draft pick Bryan Allen must establish himself as a reliable defenceman in the league. He will have the luxury of being brought along slowly due to the depth of the Canucks back line, but they are counting on him to make a steady contribution from the number 5 or 6 defence slot. Allen’s progress has been slowed by injury, and he must show that he can handle the grind of the 82 game schedule.
INTANGIBLE– the key INTANGIBLE for the Canucks this year will be the way the big line of Brendan Morrison-Todd Bertuzzi-Markus Naslund can handle the increased attention they will receive from checking opponents. This unit was awesome in the second half of last year but caught many teams by surprise with their play. This year, they will be keyed on extremely by other teams and this poses a huge challenge for this trio. Their collective ability to battle through this both physically and mentally will be a huge factor in the fortunes of the Canucks this season.
CRYSTAL BALL– The 2002-2003 season will see a minor shift in the power of the Western Conference. The Canucks will be the main catalyst of this shift as this is the year they will step up into the top four in the conference. Coach Marc Crawford plays a four-line system better than any other coach in the league and that is the main reason why the Canucks can maintain a high performance over an entire season. The Canucks have relied heavily in the past on the offense of the first line but this year you will see an emergence from the second to fourth lines. Team depth will propel the Canucks to great heights this year.
2nd in the Northwest Division
Edmonton Oilers
2001-2002 FLASHBACK– Record 38-28-12-4 3rd in the Northwest Division. 9th in the Western Conference, missed the playoffs.
NEW FACES– F Jiri Dopita, F Jason Chimera, F Brian Swanson, F Ales Hemsky, D Kari Haakana.
DEPARTED– F Jochen Hecht, F Dominic Pittis, F Mike Grier
BREAKOUT- F Jason Chimera has come very close to making this team in past years. This year his play has earned him a spot and forced the Oilers to make some room for him on the roster. Chimera excelled in the American Hockey League and his work ethic and attitude are what gives him the edge. Minor league line-mate Brian Swanson has also made the team this year and if these two play together, they will surprise many teams with their work.
KEY PROSPECT– Junior sensation Ales Hemsky has shown tremendous offensive skill and potential in training camp this year. Big things are expected of Hemsky simply because the Oilers have a great need for a natural goal scoring forward. Hemsky does not need a ton of chances to produce as he has great finish around the net. The key here is ice time and confidence, as Hemsky will be thrown into the fire right away, playing on one of the first two scoring units. If he can handle the pressure and spotlight, the sky is the limit for this player.
INTANGIBLE– it is unfortunate to say that the key intangible for the Oilers this year will be something that they will have no control over. The obstruction crackdown will be a tremendous factor in the success of this team. The Oilers have been built on skating and speed for many years now, and have been a large supporter of a serious crackdown on interference. If the league and the officials can maintain their resolve and get this right this mandate correct this time, the Oilers will be one of the teams that benefit most.
CRYSTAL BALL– it is extremely hard to forecast which direction this team is headed. It is clear that they made a commitment to changing some faces coming into this year and that may go a long way in taking the comfort level out of this teams equation. It has been speculated that complacency had set in to some players on the roster and this obvious shake up should intensify their play. The flip side to the shake up coin is a simple one of team chemistry, but the players that the Oilers have brought in this year are directly from their farm system so they should gel quickly. The Oilers missed the playoffs last year and are due to make some noise this year, as they will replace either Chicago or Phoenix in this year’s playoffs.
3rd in the Northwest Division
Calgary Flames
2001-2002 FLASHBACK– Record: 32-35-12-3 4th in the Northwest Division. 11th in the Western Conference, missed the playoffs.
NEW FACES– F Martin Gelinas, F Chris Drury, F Stephane Yelle, F Chuck Kobasew, D Jordan Leopold, G Jamie McLennan
DEPARTED– F Dean McAmmond, F Jeff Shantz, F Clarke Wilm, F Dave Lowry, D Derek Morris, D Igor Kravchuk, G Mike Vernon
BREAK OUT– F Chris Drury will be counted on to help Jarome Iginla with the offense in Calgary this year. When Chris Drury is counted on, he comes through. The increased responsibility and ice time will make him a main man for the Flames as opposed to a supporting member in Colorado. Drury will excel in the spotlight as he has many times before. He is a quiet presence in the locker room but he is a proven winner who will let his play do the talking.
KEY PROSPECT– D Jordan Leopold has arrived on the Flames blue-line with Hobey Baker pressure and expectation on his shoulders. The expectations have been made heavier by the departure of Derek Morris as he was the only Flames defenceman with offensive credentials. Leopold will not be expected to fill Morris’ shoes, but Calgary must have a threat from the back end to keep opponents honest and Leopold has the best chance to be that. He is coming from NCAA hockey and not junior, so he should be able to handle the defensive strength situations with more ease.
INTANGIBLE– After a sizzling start to last season, the play of number one goalie Roman Turek was inconsistent from Christmas on. There was speculation that distraction crept in to his game last year as backup Mike Vernon was not happy with the situation. Vernon is somewhat of an icon in Calgary and Turek was distracted by his unhappiness. His best season has come in St. Louis with Jamie McLennan as his back up and McLennan is his back up this year in Calgary. This will give Turek some peace of mind this year and should translate into on ice results.
CRYSTAL BALL– the Flames have changed some players over the summer and given their team some much needed offensive help on forward. This should be enough to improve on last year’s performance but in the incredibly competitive Western Conference it may not be enough to get them to the post season. Calgary needs a positive sign from Rob Neidermeyer, so they can move cancer Marc Savard and solidify the “team” atmosphere in the dressing room. Savard is a great offensive player, but needs to put up or shut up and not disrupt what his team is trying to accomplish. Savard’s “me” reputation gets stronger every year and soon no teams will want to take him, despite his talent. If this team is in sync, they will compete for the playoffs until the last day.
4th in the Northwest Division
Minnesota Wild
2001-2002 FLASHBACK– Record: 26-35-12-9. 5th in the Northwest Division, missed the playoffs.
NEW FACES– F Cliff Ronning, F Bill Muckalt
DEPARTED– F Aaron Gavey, F Stacy Roest
BREAK OUT– D Nick Schultz has all the tools to be an impact defenceman this season. So far, Schultz has concentrated on learning the defensive aspects of the game, but it won’t be long before confidence takes over and he starts to get more involved offensively. He is a great skater who has the instincts to jump in to the play at the right time. Minnesota would be wise to take the reigns off him this year and see if he can give them a needed boost from the back.
KEY PROSPECT– Diminutive forward and 2002 first round choice Pierre-Marc Bouchard has opened some eyes at camp this year. He is coming off a season where he ripped up the Quebec Major Junior League, and has shown well for himself right away at this level. Size is the issue with Bouchard but due to the obstruction crackdown, the Wild seems willing to let him start the season on the roster. He is a slick, slippery skater who has a tremendous heart and work ethic.
INTANGIBLE– the Wild has done a great job of competing in most of the games they have been in so far. Credit Jacques Lemaire and his coaching system for making the most of the players they have. This year will pose a greater challenge in that the league crackdown on obstruction may hinder the Wild’s ability to skate with teams. It is clear that they do not have the foot speed on defence but they were able to get by in the past by mastering the hold-up, clutch and grab. This year, the Wild may etch a permanent track to the penalty box.
CRYSTAL BALL– the addition of veteran forward Cliff Ronning will boost a sagging offense and the Wild are hoping the addition of Bill Muckalt will do the same. I am not so sure that this will be enough for this team and they are going to rely heavily on sensation Marion Gaborik and F Wes Walz to improve on past performance. The other question mark with this team lies with goaltender Manny Fernandez. Is he a legitimate number one goalie in this league? Minnesota’s success depends largely on the answer.
5th in the Northwest Division
