HockeyNHLPA update and Western Conference predictions

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EVERYBODY'S CHASING...

DETROIT

Why I'm right: "We're pissed off," one player said when I visited Detroit last week. "I still don't know how we lost," added another. The Red Wings are motivated and angry. What sets them apart is their sense of professionalism. It's all business all the time. The only thing that matters is winning. Some teams say it but don't mean it. This team means it.

There's been a lot of focus on the Red Wings losing 80-plus goals off their roster (Hossa, Kopecky, Samuelsson). That's true. But they still have three of the world's 10 best players. And there were times last year when they coasted, winning games on pure talent. Not anymore. They will again be one of the NHL's best defensive teams.

In the words of one player, Mike Babcock is "even more intense." Didn't think that was possible. And Ville Leino is going to show why he should have been on this team last year.

Why I'm wrong: The biggest change for the Red Wings is external. For years, the Central Division was a 98-pound weakling with only Nashville providing any real competition. Now it's arguably the NHL's toughest (with the Atlantic). The Blackhawks, Blues and Blue Jackets all made the playoffs and the Predators are no pushovers. Suddenly, every divisional game is tough and it makes a difference.

There will be some infusion of youth (Helm, Leino, Ericsson, Abdelkader), but the core is older. Do they have enough to withstand another short summer and Olympic competition? The Red Wings won it all with Steve Yzerman on one leg in 2002, but Babcock points out they were defeated in the first round when Sweden won gold in 2006.

Nicklas Lidstrom will be 40 in April. Will the best defenceman of his generation slow down? Chris Osgood repeats his rough regular season. Ty Conklin is gone and Jimmy Howard lacks consistency.

THE NUMBER ONE CONTENDER...

ANAHEIM

Why I'm right: They cost the Red Wings the Stanley Cup in that brutal seven-game series. They're brutal to play against. Ryan Getzlaf is the best player people in the East don't see. General managers who have watched them so far say Bobby Ryan will have a huge season. They have two legit No. 1 goalies, not that Randy Carlyle will ever tell us who he's going to use.

Saku Koivu, angry that the Canadiens never made a legitimate attempt to sign him, finds the Fountain of Youth with Teemu Selanne.

Why I'm wrong: Look, we all know about Chris Pronger. But no one talks enough about Francois Beauchemin. Red Wings players could not believe how good he was after that serious knee surgery last season. Losing two defenceman of that talent level would cripple most teams.

Ryan Whitney and James Wisniewski do not step up alongside Scott Niedermayer. Wisniewski could be the next Beauchemin, a steal from another organization.

THE OTHER POWERS...

CALGARY

Why I'm right: Kyle Okposo was the first to learn that Dion Phaneuf is sick and tired of hearing he's not that good anymore. Only the Red Wings have a better defensive trio than Phaneuf, Jay Bouwmeester and Robyn Regehr. Bouwmeester shows what a shame it is that he played his first six years in the witness protection program.

Brent Sutter, free of his New Jersey homesickness, is Calgary's best head coach since his brother. Sutter and his staff put in a set system, something missing last season.

The Flames re-discover the identity missing since falling one win shy of the Stanley Cup in 2004. It's the identity Anaheim now owns, a team able to beat you on the scoreboard and in the corners.

Why I'm wrong: The Flames are still plagued by last year's problems. No backup goalie to rest Miikka Kiprusoff. (Two years ago, Sutter said he was going to play Martin Brodeur less, but the goalie resisted and appeared in 77 games.) The roster is top-heavy. Salary cap problems allow them to dress only 10 skaters.

Rene Bourque, David Moss and Nigel Dawes can't score 25-30 goals on the first line.

Bouwmeester can't handle the pressure. Former Panther teammates say that despite appearances, he's a competitive guy who wants to play in an intense hockey market. Now he must prove it.

VANCOUVER

Why I'm right: Roberto Luongo and the Sedins are signed long-term. No more worrying about their future. What's even more important is that all three have cap-friendly deals, something that's happening up and down the roster. By doing that, players allow Mike Gillis the flexibility to go out and get Christian Ehrhoff. Lot of teams wanted him, few had the ability to take his salary and that of Brad Lukowich. The ex-Shark will make a difference.

Mikael Samuelsson scores big goals and is a right-handed shot – just like Anson Carter when he had his huge year with the Sedins.

Mathieu Schneider, Kevin Bieksa and Alexander Edler combine for 40 goals.

Why I'm wrong: For all of Luongo's talent and fire, his resume lacks a spectacular accomplishment. After the season-ending 7-5 defeat to Chicago, there was a lot of, "I told you he wasn't that good." Between the Olympics and chasing the Cup, there is a tremendous chance for Luongo to silence the doubters.

The Canucks do not have a home game from January 27 until March 13. Some of that, obviously, is the Olympic break, but it's still brutal. There will be lengthy homestands in November, December and January. If they do not take advantage, it will cost them playoff position.

Kyle Wellwood is off the lettuce.

CHICAGO

Why I'm right: Because everyone else thinks so. The Blackhawks are the trendy pick.

Led by Captain Serious (that's Jonathan Toews, as nicknamed by Brent Seabrook), Chicago won't fall victim to Montreal disease. This is a young team of

unmarried players in a fun city. The same problem nuked the Canadiens last year, but it's not going to be an issue here. The Blackhawks are more similar to the Penguins - mature beyond their years. Toews sets the tone.

Patrick Kane has a huge year, determined to make amends for The Incident.

The Blackhawks go out and get another goaltender as an insurance policy for Cristobal Huet. They should have had Martin Biron, but stopped returning his calls during the summer of turmoil. That's one they could really regret.

Why I'm wrong: This organization has come a long way in a short time, which is a great thing for hockey. However, if the Blackhawks were still terrible, we'd all be wondering what on earth is going on. They've been sloppy with oddly timed coach firings, strange free-agent decisions and, most recently, Dale Tallon's unceremonious removal – complete with a hush-money contract extension. You wonder if the circus off the ice will ever affect the product on it.

They have to trade a key part – Patrick Sharp? – to keep Toews, Kane and/or Duncan Keith.

Huet gets off to a horrible start and the goalie questions begin immediately.

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