Central Division Preview

Detroit Red Wings: 1st
Entering the 2008-09 NHL season, is anyone better than the Detroit Red Wings? After capturing their 11th Stanley Cup last season, the Red Wings became a whole lot better with a single free agent signing over the summer. General manager Ken Holland shelled out $7.4 million to sniper Marian Hossa, who will make Detroit's attack that much more potent. The signing of Hossa just gave the Red Wings 7.4 million more reasons why fans and critics alike should expect them to repeat as NHL champions in 2009.

Over the years, the Red Wings have built their reputation on one thing: a culture of winning. They have been crowned winners of the Central Division for the past 8 years, have won 4 Stanley Cups in 11 years, and have produced elite superstars each and every season. The likes of Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Lidstrom, Holmstrom, along with up-and-comers Filppula, Hudler and Franzen....the list goes on and on. So what should Red Wings fans expect in 2009? Simply put, more of the same.

Chicago Blackhawks: 6th

Ever since the turn of the 21st century, the Chicago Blackhawks have been one of the consistent bottom dwellers in the NHL standings. Two years ago, the Hawks found themselves finishing the 2006-07 season with the fourth worst record in the NHL. Surprisingly, they went on to win the draft lottery, and with just one draft pick, the fortunes of the team were changed immediately. After years of losing and bad ticket sales, the Blackhawks were ready to prove to the Chicago faithful that the team was serious about winning.

With young stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews leading the way, the Blackhawks finally have an identity; something they had been absent over the years. The Hawks reputation will rely on skill, speed and execution- a sign that the team is on its way up the Western Conference standings. Chicago is littered with young talent throughout the lineup, and the Blackhawks look like they are finally ready to make a trip to the NHL's second season...somewhere they haven't been since 2002.

Playing in perhaps the least competitive division in the entire NHL, the Blackhawks will certainly have their chance to make some noise in the Western Conference this year. The signing of Christobal Huet will give Chicago stability between the pipes (something they haven't seen in years), and the addition of Brian Campbell on the blue line will give the team a smart, gifted offensive defenceman who will bring leadership to the dressing room. The Hawks will also be expecting big things from young guns Cam Barker, Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith and Patrick Sharp. If the Hawks stay healthy and Huet gives this young team a chance to win every night, the Hawks should find themselves playing hockey in May.

Nashville Predators: 11th
Each and every season, the expectations for the Predators have always been low from the hockey minds in the NHL. And year after year, the Predators have surprised many by not only making the playoffs, but doing so with two 100+ point seasons in the past three years. However, after a horrendous off-season in 2007, most of the Nashville lineup had been decimated. The Predators now find themselves with very few weapons up front, a back end that lacks depth, and an inexperienced goalie tandem between the pipes. The two bright spots for Nashville will be the devlepoment of young stud Shea Weber and the scoring tandem of JP Dumont and Jason Arnott.

The Predators will be hard pressed to sneak into the playoffs this season, but given their weak division there is still a chance. However, I wouldn't put my money on it. Look for Nashville to be the prey for most teams this season as they find themselves out of the playoff picture.

Columbus Blue Jackets: 14th

The Blue Jackets were certainly busy during the off-season, altering their lineup to give them a stronger defensive, rugged reputation. The Jackets brought in forwards Raffi Torres and RJ Umberger, and defencemen Mike Commodore, Christian Backman and Fedor Tyutin. Although the Jackets made huge strides in their team defensive game on paper, they also took a huge hit on the score sheet with the loss of Nikolai Zherdev. Acquiring Kristian Huselius over the summer could prove to be a decent move come season's end, but the jury is still out on the 29 year old Swede being a consistent contributor on the scoresheet. Once again, Rick Nash will be expected to lead the team in scoring and be the Blue Jackets only sniper up front. However, watch for the emergence of young centers Jakub Voracek and Derick Brassard; both are expected to make immediate impacts for Columbus as the team's number one and two centers respectively. With so many new faces, it will be interesting to see how this new, young team gels under coach Ken Hitchcock. The Jackets gained depth on the back end, but there are still question marks regarding their depth up front.

In their seven seasons since entering the league in 2000, Columbus has never finished higher than third place in Central Division and are the only NHL team to have never qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Unfortunately for Jackets fans, the team should once again find themselves on the outside looking in.

St. Louis Blues: 15th

After years of consistently making the playoffs, the Blues have taken a turn for the worst where they have gone from President's Trophy winners in 1997 to the League basement in just under 10 years. From 1980-2004, the Blues were a consistent staple in the Stanley Cup playoffs. But following some questionable trades in the post-lockout era, the Blues fell to the bottom of the standings and are now one of the weakest teams in the entire league. Looking ahead to 2008-09, expectations are not high for a team that is rebuilding. Young prospect T.J. Oshie will be given every chance to prove his worth to Blues management, and Brad Boyes will look to notch 40+ goals in an encore performance of last season. But beyond that, St. Louis will be singing the blues for most of their 82 game schedule. Perhaps management will hire B.B. King as the team's new mascot...