Central Division
- Minnesota Wild
- Nashville Predators
- Dallas Stars
- Winnipeg Jets
- Chicago Blackhawks
- St. Louis Blues
- Colorado Avalanche
It appears that all Devan Dubnyk needed to succeed in the NHL was a change of scenery. Many wrote him off as he was departing Edmonton. However, he has backstopped the Minnesota Wild into hockey relevance. Combine his game with a solid core of young players on the blue line, the Wild are a hard team to beat.
Winnipeg Jets over Chicago Blackhawks? Yes, you read that right. Chicago was exposed and embarrassed last season in the playoffs by Nashville. Beyond Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith, their blueline is a mess. And Winnipeg is a team on the rise. Patrik Laine, Mark Scheifele, and Blake Wheeler be part of one of most potent power play units in NHL at season’s end.
And watch out for Dallas. Their issue for the past few years has been goaltending. In comes proven commodity Ben Bishop to shore up the net. Plus, never underestimate what Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin can do together offensively.
I think 5 teams make it from the tough Central, with Minnesota, Nashville, Dallas, Winnipeg, and Chicago (by the skin of their teeth) playing after the regular season expires.