(There should never be a column about a Western Conference without this song)
After reviewing the teams East of the Missippi, it’s time to do what Horace Greely wanted and “Go West, young man.”
The West is hypercompetitive this year, to the point that the teams ranked fifth through tenth currently are separated by a grand total of five points. That’s one more point than the difference between the seventh and eighth ranked teams in the East.
At this point, only the fans of the Vancouver Canucks and the Detroit Red Wings will be spared. Everyone else should buckle up. It’s going to be a race to the finish to see who gets to extend their season into late April.
And during that race, here are the questions teams are going to have to answer.
#11–Minnesota Wild–“Should we just start getting ready for the NHL draft?”
Probably, since there’s almost no chance that the Wild can make the playoffs. The whole “let’s just stop scoring all together” idea seems a bit shortsighted just three weeks before the playoffs start.
It has to be incredibly frustrating to be a Wild fan at this point. It’s not like the team doesn’t have superstars, since Niklas Backstrom is one of the best goalies in the league and Brent Burns suddenly morphed into one of the top defenseman in the conference. Heck, even Martin Havlat tops the most underrated forwards list, after hitting 60 points with eight games to go.
Despite all this, though, the team doesn’t get any contributions from its role players. Forwards like Kyle Brodziak, Andrew Brunette and Matt Cullen simply don’t score enough to justify their placement on the second line. And without this scoring, the Wild simply can’t keep up in the West.
#10–Calgary Flames–“Will we make the playoffs?”
On paper, this team should be a lock for the playoffs. There’s Miikka Kiprusoff, the goaltender who’s been the staple of the Flames since their playoff run in 2004. There’s Robyn Regher and Jay Bouwmeester, the two defensemen who physically wear down opponents into submission before scooting the puck up to the forwards. And there’s Jarome Iginla, Captain Canada, who is finishing off a decade of thirty goal seasons.
(Iginla is the face of Western Canadian hockey)Unfortunately, the team had to deal with the tenure of the Sutter brothers, two people who, despite(or probably because) their bloodlines, act like the Hatfields and McCoys. It became so bad that, according to Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun, the two had to each have messengers, since they wouldn’t speak face to face.
After getting through this(Darryl, the General Manager, left in December), the team had to deal with the loss of Brendan Morrison. Normally, it wouldn’t be a problem to lose a second/third-line center…except he was the only center on the roster who could actually play with Iginla.
With time running out on the season, Morrison’s injury might be the drop of water that douses the Flames’ playoff hopes.
#9–Dallas Stars–“Will Brad Richards stay with us after the playoffs?”
At this point, consider Dallas Nashville 2.0…without the Grand Ole Opry and the whole talented blueline thing.
(Also, this gaudy monstrosity doesn't exist in Nashville)Because, just like Nashville, a big gun is deciding between staying or leaving for greener pastures. And unlike Shea Weber, who declared his allegiance to Nashville, Brad Richards’ only loyalty is to a club that has a stable ownership situation.
Needless to say, that’s not Dallas.
Now, there might be a slim sliver of hope in Dallas, since Joe Nieuwendyk didn’t get rid of Richards during the trade deadline.
Then again, there’s also a good possibility that Nieuwendyk got spooked after Ray Shero robbed him like Danny Ocean, taking Niuwendyk's best power forward and a top-four defenseman for an undersized offensive defenseman who might have reached his full potential.
This isn’t to say that things are beyond saving in Texas. Loui Eriksson is thisclose to making the leap to dynamic forward, Stephane Robidas has assumed leadership of the blueline and Kari Lehtonen is the best goaltender that no one knows. Plus, Gary Roberts has taken over player development, which hopefully mean the prospects will look like the other players he's mentored…namely Steven Stamkos and Jeff Skinner.
If Richards doesn’t stay, though, there’s not going to be much hope in Big D.
#8–Anaheim Ducks–“Why is no one talking about us?”
Great question, Anaheim. Now, this could be chalked up to “East Coast Bias,” which could unfortunately rear its head here, since Anaheim usually doesn't start playing till 10 PM, Eastern Time. That being said, it also could be a direct correlation to the fact that Gordon Bombay is currently being overshadowed by his younger brother and Charlie Conway is currently starring on what appears to be a shittier version of the X-Files.
(Is it too late to make a Mighty Ducks 4?)
The fact that this question comes up is sad, because this team has battled its way into playoff contention. Goaltender Jonas Hiller has been out of commission for almost two months, Ryan Getzlaf nearly broke his face and the team was relying on Lubomir Vishnovsky to be the top defenseman.
Somehow, though, the Ducks refuse to die. Bolstered by the second best line in the West, with Getzlaf centering Corey Perry and
Bobby Ryan, the team has kept itself in the playoff race. If Dan Ellis and the defensive core can avoid melting down, there could be three playoff teams in California.
#7–Chicago Blackhawks–“How much is that fire sale going to hurt during the playoffs?”
Part of the intrigue with Chicago was seeing what they would do after the Stanley Cup. And with the systematic dismantling of so many key cogs, it seemed like the team wouldn’t be able to compete with so many changes in the lineup.
This was also before everyone realized that Marty Turco might be the worst goaltender in the NHL.
(This sums up Turco's last three years)So yes, things did look bleak in Chicago for a time. Then, everyone realized that Patrick Sharp had molded himself into one of the most dangerous scorers the NHL has to offer and he might have been the sixth-best player on the team.
And no sooner had Jonathan Toews started willing the team to a higher level, than the Blackhawks suddenly looked like playoff contenders.
Now, with the playoffs looming, the Blackhawks look to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. Unfortunately, despite the amount of players that remain from last year’s team, it seems as if even more have gone to other locals.
Without that experience, this team will be doomed come playoff time.
#6–Nashville Predators–“What is it going to take to keep Shea Weber?”
This is by far the largest question that no one is talking about. Weber, the biggest name in southern hockey not named Stamkos or St. Louis, has yet to agree to an extension with the Predators. If he doesn’t, it could spell the end of teams south of the Mason-Dixon line.
(Weber holds the Predator's future in his hands)
On one hand, Weber has no reason to leave. The Predators have one of the, if not the, best front offices and coaching staffs in the business. On the player side of things, the team has the most talented goaltender in the league, Pekka Rinne, along with Mr. Underwood himself, Mike Fisher. Plus, there’s the defensive core with Ryan Suter, one of the top 20 defenders the league has to offer.
That being said, if one of the western Canadian teams tries to Godfather Weber, he might leave Nashville. After some time in that market, how attractive is it for him to still be the big fish in a small pond? Plus, he’d get at least double the exposure in a bigger(read: Canadian) market and could probably pick up a Norris Trophy along the way.
So…does he stay or does he go? Well, if Nashville can get above the eight seed, and if they can win a playoff series, then yes, Weber will stay in Nashville. If not, this might be the beginning of the end of hockey in Tennessee.
#5–Los Angeles Kings–“How much will Dustin Penner help?
Last year, the Kings avoided picking up Ilya Kovalchuk at the trade deadline. Despite the fact that this decision ultimately worked out for them, there’s no doubt that the lack of a scoring winger hurt them during their series with the Vancouver Canucks. So when Dustin Penner became available during the deadline, there was no doubt that LA would do anything to bring in the power forward.
(Side Note: Saying that the Kings made the right choice by not signing Kovalchuk is the understatement of the year. It’s like finding out you won the lottery…only you don’t decide to cash out the ticket because you can’t get to the building…only the building burns down. It’s completely illogical that Kovalchuk wouldn’t be in Hollywood with the best Eastern Bloc center...and yet, he’s going to enjoy living next to Tony Soprano for the next decade.)
Penner brings the same kind of physicality and workman-like ability that Ryan Smyth brings to the Kings, except that Penner is seven years younger and squarely in the middle of his prime. Plus, Penner is a physical specimen at 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds.
(Penner might as well be a moose) With his addition, the team can move Wayne Simmonds to a third line role, which means that the team finally has the offensive depth needed to contend in the West.
Granted, there are still questions about this team, especially those surrounding goaltender Jonathan Quick. However, the other major question was answered by the addition of Penner. If he continues to perform at his current level, he’s going to turn the Kings into a Cup contender.
#4–Phoenix Coyotes–“What happens if we win the Stanley Cup?”
Outside of the entire city of Winnipeg waking up in a cold sweat saying the words "Gary, no!"?
Well, first, it has to mark the first time in professional sports that a team had to be moved after it won the league’s championship. But the cold, hard fact remains that hockey simply cannot survive in the desert.
So, what’s going to happen? Well, the team is going to make the playoffs, a fact that undoubtedly depresses Calgary fans everywhere. Then, they will either spectacularly fail to the Kings(It’s going to be six games, with a premature celebration by Penner before he realizes that the next team is the Canucks and he’s going to be playing against the Sedin twins) or lose in a sweep to whomever the second round opponent happens to be.
In other words, EP has a better chance of hitting Powerball than Phoenix does of making the Stanley Cup.
From there, Hulsizer will not get the team, meaning that the Coyotes will be forced to relocate. The Winnipeg Jets will finally come back into the vernacular, with Neil Young singing a rocking rendition of the Canadian national anthem before the home opener against Vancouver.
In other words, all will be right with the world...as long as the Coyotes don’t win.
#3–San Jose Sharks–“Can someone not named Heatley, Marleau or Thornton score?”
It has to be nice to be a Sharks fan, especially since none of their superstars get hurt.
Patrick Marleau, Dany Heatley and Joe Thornton form the deadliest line combination in the NHL, and are good for at least 80 points and 30 goals per year.
That being said, this team used to be an easy out. Simply matchup the top two defenseman against the Thornton line and the team is toast.
Unfortunately for opponents, the Sharks developed a plan to stop this. Known as Logan Couture, the 21-year-old would have the Calder trophy wrapped up if it weren’t for a certain player known as Jeff Skinner. Now, Couture settles for being one of the top options on a team that needed secondary scoring the way that Charlie Sheen needed rehab.
(Couture is a perfect plan B for San Jose)Plus, the Sharks still have the ever-dangerous Joe Pavelski, along with the quick trigger of Devin Setoguchi and the physical play of Ryan Clowe. With Antii Niemi in between the pipes, backstopping an unheralded crew of defenseman led by Dan Boyle, there’s certainly a chance the cup might be heading to northern California.
Just remember, Sharks fans, that there’s still two teams to go through.
#2–Detroit Red Wings–“Will talent matter more than age?”
The Red Wings must have found the fountain of youth. There’s no logical reason as to why this team is still one of the top contenders, despite having a team that’s aging faster than Clarissa Explains it All.
Then again, they are the only team in the NHL with Mike Babcock.
Babcock has gotten this group to believe in his system and has had some major contributions this year. None have been larger than Henrik Zetterberg’s, who’s looking forward to having one of the best seasons of his career.
Only two problems could stop the Wings. One is the goaltending of Jimmy Howard, which has been inconsistent at best. The other is the wear and tear on the players, which could finally add up if this team has to go to game 7 more than once.
That being said, don’t be surprised if this team makes it to the conference finals before it has to face…
#1–Vancouver Canucks–“Is this the year?”
(Warning: Adult Language)
First off, don’t underestimate the injury to Many Malhotra, because he’s been the key to their third line this year.
Then again, it’s not like Rick Rypien isn’t waiting in the wings, anxious to get back to his post with the team...and Maxim Lapierre played on a third line with the Canadiens last year.
That’s the craziest part about the Canucks. This team has absurd depth, to the point that almost every player in the lineup could play above their current position on the team. Look no further than Ryan Kesler, who could probably be a first-line center on at least half of the teams in this column.
(Kesler is a first-line talent)
Yet here he is, slogging out minutes on the second line in hopes of holding that elusive Stanley Cup.
Plus, Vancouver has finally rested Luongo before the playoffs, meaning that he can avoid breaking down when the team has to
play the Blackhawks.
And, after all, there’s this fact to consider.
1976 Olympics–Montreal–1977 Stanley Cup Champions
1988 Olympics–Calgary–1989 Stanley Cup Champions
2010 Olympics–Vancouver–?
So yes, Vancouver fans, this may finally be the year.
cake eater
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