Team Preview: Minnesota Wild

2010-2011: 86 points, 12th in Western Conference
Key additions: RW Devin Setoguchi, LW Dany Heatley, C Darroll Powe, D Mike Lundin
Key departures: RW Martin Havlat, D Brent Burns, G Jose Theodore, LW Andrew Brunette

Backstrom must have a huge season in Minnesota.

Why they'll contend: The Wild completed a revamping over the summer after finishing 26th in team scoring in 2010-2011. In two separate trades with San Jose, Minnesota brought in top-line talents in Devin Setoguchi and Dany Heatley, who six times in his nine year career has eclipsed 39 goals, including hitting 50 twice. Setoguchi is coming off his third consecutive 20+ goal season and figures to chip in prominently in Minnesota. New head coach Mike Yeo is coming off just one season in the AHL, where he lead Houston to the Calder Cup Final. The Wild figure to have a balanced attack under Yeo after an attempt at stingy defense under Todd Richards. The Wild have re-branded themselves this off-season to a more offense-first attack. It should prove successful for a team that has been more concerned with trapping and playing safe hockey in the past in a league where "safe" is death. An up-tempo attack could pay huge dividends in Minnesota as a change of thinking has finally been brought about.

Why they'll falter: The Wild will need improved play from Niklas Backstrom between the pipes this year after finishing 18th in save percentage (.916) and 29th in GAA (2.66) in 2011. The Wild lost a quality defenseman in Brent Burns and management is hoping that by scoring more goals it can overcome that loss. It's quite feasible that by adding Heatley and Setoguchi the Wild could have added 60-70 goals, while losing Havlat will subtract 22 goals from last season's offense. The Wild will need big minutes from Marek Zidlicky and Greg Zanon on defense and will need Mike Lundin and Clayton Stoner to step up and produce in huge ways; maybe more than they're capable of. Heatley will have to prove he is indeed a team player, something that has escaped him in the past as he's wiggled his way out of Atlanta and Ottawa and refused to be dealt to Edmonton. Heatley is an all-world talent, but his sway in the locker room is yet to be seen in Minnesota. Without a big year from Backstrom, quality contributions from their youth, and improved play defensively, the Wild could find themselves on the outside looking in again.

2012 PREDICTION: 8th in Western Conference
Leading scorer: Dany Heatley, 35 G & 82 points
Bold prediction: Darroll Powe hits 10 goals for the first time in his career.

NEXT PREVIEW: MONTREAL CANADIENS

Team Preview: Los Angeles Kings

2010-2011: 98 points, 7th in Western Conference
Key additions: C Mike Richards, LW Simon Gagne
Key departures: W Alexei Ponikarovsky, W Wayne Simmonds, C Brayden Schenn, LW Ryan Smyth, C Michal Handzus

Anze Kopitar will need a big season in LA in 2012.

Why they'll contend: The Kings are loaded top-to-bottom and figure to compete for the top spot in the Western Conference. GM Dean Lombardi got aggressive in the off-season, trading away budding young talent in Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn to bolster his team up the middle, adding Mike Richards in the deal for the aforementioned prospects and adding Simon Gagne through free agency. The Kings figure to score more than the 2.55 goals per game they scored in 2010-2011 (ranked 25th in the league) and their defense looks to be just as reliable. Jonathan Quick will have to take another step forward as he enters his fourth NHL season in the crease. The Kings have patiently stuck to the blueprints of their rebuild plan and it is finally set to pay dividends after a first round exit in 2011. The Kings haven't won a playoff series since 2001 when they beat Detroit in the first round in stunning fashion; since then the Kings have been meddling in mediocrity. But with Richards and Gagne bolstering the offense, Anze Kopitar returning from injury, Dustin Brown leading the way as captain, and when the contract talks settle down Drew Doughty will be back to anchor the blue line in Los Angeles. From the outset the Kings look poised to make a deep run come the spring of 2012.

Why they'll falter: Losing Ryan Smyth could be costly, especially being the great leader he is. Couple that with the fact that Mike Richards hasn't always been the greatest one and it could be a hindrance to the Kings, especially with the L.A. nightlife. But the reality is that Richards and company should be fine as the Kings gear up. The bigger questions lie on the ice: will Jonathan Quick be able to carry the load for the Kings, and will they be able to score? The Kings defense was stifling last season, ranked 7th in the NHL in goals allowed. But offensively the Kings will need to score more, especially with the added firepower, if the want to compete in a run-and-gun Western Conference. If Richards and Gagne can make the contributions they were brought in for, the Kings should have a deadly squad come October.

2012 prediction: 2nd in Western Conference
Leading scorer: Anze Kopitar, 33 goals & 80 points
Bold prediction: Jack Johnson will bring his +/- from -21 to +10, up +31.

NEXT PREVIEW: MINNESOTA WILD

Team Preview: Florida Panthers

2010-2011: 72 points, 15th in Eastern Conference
Key additions: F Tomas Fleischmann, D Brian Campbell, RW Tomas Kopecky, LW Kris Versteeg, RW Scottie Upshall, G Jose Theodore, LW Tim Kennedy, RW Jack Skille
Key departures: G Tomas Vokoun, F Marty Reasoner, LW Niclas Bergfors

Kevin Dineen will shoulder a lot of pressure in FLA.

Why they'll contend: GM Dale Tallon dragged the Panthers through a complete makeover throughout the summer, adding several key pieces while he brought the Panthers over the salary cap floor. The addition of Brian Campbell on defense immediately gave the Panthers credibility. Thereafter Tallon added a handful of forwards which immediately turn the Panthers from cellar-dwellers to playoff contenders. The Panthers will score far more goals than in the past and will play an up-tempo style under new coach Kevin Dineen. Dineen was successful in the AHL for the Portland Pirates since the 2005-2006 season and developed a handful of top-notch prospects, including Sabres forward Nathan Gerbe and Ducks forwards Bobby Ryan, Ryan Getzlaf, and Corey Perry. The Panthers are a completely different team than last season, and after missing the playoffs for over a decade it couldn't come at a better time. At the very least the Panthers have conjured up some relevance, something they have been lacking since Pavel Bure departed in the early 2000s. It will be an interesting season in Sunrise this year, but undoubtedly a more successful one than in years past.

Why they'll falter: The Panthers new faces could mean problems with chemistry from the outset. Kevin Dineen will likely take a few bumps and bruises as he adjusts to coaching in the NHL, though it shouldn't be much of a problem. A good start is key to the Panthers as they adjust to playing with each other over the first month or two. Goaltending could be a major problem as well. Jose Theodore and Scott Clemmensen are excellent back-ups, but the fact is one of them needs to step up and be a starter this year. Clemmensen, save a two month span where he played in Marty Brodeur's absence, has never been a starter, and Theodore is nothing of his 2002 Vezina-winning form. Defensively the Panthers are improved, but it may not be enough in what looks to be a competitive Southeast Division. When the dust settles, all eyes will be on the crease as the Panthers look to return to the post-season.

2012 prediction: 9th in the Eastern Conference
Leading scorer: Kris Versteeg, 23 goals & 60 points
Bold prediction: Kevin Dineen will win the Jack Adams award.

NEXT PREVIEW: LOS ANGELES KINGS

Team Preview: Edmonton Oilers

2010-2011: 62 points, 15th in Western Conference
Key additions: C Ryan Smyth, W Eric Belanger, LW Ben Eager, D Cam Barker, D Andy Sutton
Key departures: D Kurtis Foster, D Jim Vandermeer, C Colin Fraser

Eberle (above) is helping leading a youth movement in EDM.

Why they'll contend: The Oilers have finished last in the NHL in consecutive seasons, but there's finally reason for optimism. The team has an excellent mix of young superstars, including forwards Taylor Hall, Linus Omark, Jordan Eberle, Magnus Paajarvi, and newly-minted first rounder Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The team will be exciting, fast-paced, and fun to watch and have solidified things defensively. The additions of Cam Barker and Andy Sutton on the back end will help cut down the shots against (21st in the NHL) and improve the penalty kill (29th in the NHL) from last season. Ryan Smyth's return will go a long way in the locker room. Smyth is a great leader at 35 and spent 12 seasons in Edmonton before being traded in 2007. Smyth's return will help guide the wealth of young talent. If Nikolai Khabibulin can stay healthy, the Oilers will be in good position to climb out of the basement for the first time since the 2008-2009 season.

Why they'll falter: Youth is a wonderful thing, but the Oilers are relying too heavily on it too soon. The majority of the team still can't drink in the United States, and the guys that are old enough to are too old. Smyth & Khabibulin can just as easily be on the IR all year as they could be on the ice, and while Hall, Eberle, and the rest of the group project to be fantastic players and part of what could be a dynasty in the making, they are still a year or two away. Ben Eager was a waste of money to fill their third line and as much as Smyth will make positive contributions in the locker room, Eager will detract. The Oilers will contend some day, and that day will be soon. But 2012 looks to be another year on the outside looking in.

2012 prediction: 14th in Western Conference
Leading scorer: Taylor Hall, 27 goals & 57 points
Bold prediction: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will win the 2012 Calder Trophy.

NEXT PREVIEW: FLORIDA PANTHERS

Team Preview: Detroit Red Wings

2010-2011: 104 points, 3rd in Western Conference, Central Division champions
Key additions: D Mike Commodore, D Ian White, G Ty Conklin
Key departures: D Brian Rafalski, D Ruslan Salei, C Mike Modano, G Chris Osgood

Why they'll contend: Let's face it: they're the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings are mighty every year and 2011-2012 figures to be no different. Nicklas Lidstrom is back for one more season, solidifying a back end that is slightly thinned with the loss of Brian Rafalski. Mike Commodore and Ian White are nice pieces, but Rafalski is a top-four defenseman whose skill set is a little more difficult to replace. The Wings are still loaded from top-to-bottom and even as they age there's no reason to think they won't be there at the end of the season. With Pavel Datsyk, Henrik Zetterburg, Johan Franzen, Tomas Holmstrom--you get the picture--leading the way, there's no reason to doubt Detroit yet again. While they may not be the odds-on favorite to take home Lord Stanley's chalice next June, they will certainly be hanging around when the weather turns warm again next spring.

Why they'll falter: Jimmy Howard was fantastic last year between the pipes, but he has to be even more so to push the team to the next level in 2012. Wings management does not appear sold on the University of Maine alum and Howard will need to prove the job is his for the taking or else Ty Conklin may find himself starting more frequently. Age is a concern in Detroit as well. Their core is not getting any younger and may find itself slowing as the season wears on. It hasn't been too much of an issue in seasons past, but it can't go on that way forever. Chicago and Nashville will be tough to play against within their own division, as well as Columbus, meaning it may not be the cake walk it has been traditionally for Detroit in the Central. Losing Rafalski will be a step backwards on the power play, but all-in-all the Wings should secure home ice for the first round in the 2012 playoffs.

2012 prediction: 4th in Western Conference
Leading scorer: Pavel Datsyuk, 33 goals & 84 points
Bold prediction: No Red Wing will win an individual award (Norris Trophy, Selke, etc.) in 2012.

NEXT PREVIEW: EDMONTON OILERS

Team Preview: Dallas Stars

2010-2011: 95 points, 9th in Western Conference
Key additions: RW Michael Ryder, C Vernon Fiddler, D Sheldon Souray, RW Radek Dvorak, C Jake Dowell
Key departures: C Brad Richards, D Karlis Skrastins, RW Jamie Langenbrunner

Why they'll contend: The Stars added a lot of depth in the off-season after finishing just two points out of the playoffs in 2011. The Stars will look to improve on their near miss last season by plugging the gaps. Vernon Fiddler is an excellent face-off guy, Radek Dvorak and Jake Dowell will be boosts to the penalty killing unit, and Michael Ryder and Sheldon Souray, if effective, could help the power play. If Kari Lehtenon is healthy he is a top goaltender at the NHL level, but the question is whether or not he can be on the ice enough to make a substantial impact. Since being drafted in 2002 he has played just two full NHL seasons. The Stars lack just that--stars--but looking at their roster top-to-bottom its easy to see why they could be hanging around at the end of the year. They have a nice mix of guys throughout their line-up that can do the little things, like block shots or kill penalties, that could catapult Dallas over the top.

Why they'll falter: Realistically speaking, a team in Dallas' position will not be able to overcome the loss of Brad Richards. They do not have the financial strength or the depth in the farm system to overcome the loss of a player such as Richards. The Stars took a lot of gambles in the off-season, namely that of the inconsistent Michael Ryder, the oft-injured and now minor league defenseman in Sheldon Souray, and the declining Radek Dvorak. If these pieces work out, Dallas can contend. But the reality is that they all won't work out and they are low-risk, high-reward signings. Even if the risk is low, the reality is that Dallas did not do a ton to improve its roster. The Western Conference will tight as always, and the odds of Dallas keeping pace are slim in 2012.

2012 prediction: 11th in Western Conference
Leading scorer: Loui Eriksson, 23 G & 64 points
Bold prediction: Loui Eriksson will eclipse 10 penalty minutes. Not many bold things in Dallas this year.

NEXT PREVIEW: DETROIT RED WINGS

Team Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets

2010-2011: 81 points, 13th in Western Conference
Key additions: C Jeff Carter, D James Wisniewski, LW Vinny Prospal, D Radek Martinek
Key departures: RW Jakub Voracek, G Mathieu Garon, D Jan Hejda, LW Scottie Upshall

With a talented C to play with, Nash (above) could post huge numbers.

Why they'll contend: The only NHL team without a playoff win, save the Winnipeg Jets franchise, the Jackets were in desperate need of relevance entering the summer. They added Jeff Carter in a blockbuster trade with Philadelphia, finally getting Rick Nash someone to play with. Nash & Carter could form a lethal combination and the possibilities are exciting for Columbus; so exciting that James Wisniewski committed to Columbus over the summer as a free agent. The Jackets immediately made themselves relevant again by making a splash in the trade market, something they've never really done. The Jackets have improved defensively through free agency, but losing Jan Hejda to Colorado could be a bigger hole than anticipated. Columbus will benefit from an improved power play that finished 29th in the NHL last year at 14%. The Jackets are deeper than last season and will make a move up the standings. While they may not be Cup contenders, the additions of Carter and Wisniewski are a step in the right direction and the Jackets should find themselves in the mix in a very tight Western Conference.

Why they'll falter: Despite making headlines over the summer, the Jackets are only so deep. There is too little secondary scoring and while they may have had one of the better summers in the Western Conference they are still a step behind. Goaltending is still an issue with Steve Mason being inconsistent, and the penalty kill was only slightly improved after finishing 22nd in the NHL last year. They'll score more than last season, but will they score enough? After Nash and Carter the talent pool drops off considerably and secondary scoring will be tough to come by. The Western Conference is simply too good, even with the improvements. While the Jackets definitely plugged some holes, there are still many more to be plugged before the team will win it's first playoff game in franchise history.

2012 prediction: 10th in Western Conference
Leading scorer: Rick Nash, 42 goals & 71 points
Bold prediction: Under the right circumstances, Rick Nash will eclipse 50 goals.

NEXT PREVIEW: DALLAS STARS