NHL 2010-2011 Northwest Division season preview
Until the Vancouver Canucks seized control, and the Edmonton Oilers nosedived last season, the Northwest division had become known as one of the tightest division in the NHL. With all three teams that failed to make the play-offs last season believing they
have made significant improvements the Northwest division could be a tight race again this year.
Vancouver Canucks
Although Luongo won't be the on-ice captain, he will still be the one expected to be between the pipes night after and night and help direct the Canucks deep into the play-offs. The Vancouver Canucks were vigilant in their efforts to keep both of the Sedin
twins and they were rewarded as Henrik not only won the Art Ross trophy last season as the league's leading scorer, but he was honored with the Hart trophy as the most valuable player as well. Had brother Daniel not been sidelined for 19 games due to injury
last season, the NHL might well have been lavishing the other brother with all the silverware. Vancouver's defence suffered from various injuries last season which many attribute to their failing to progress to the conference final. Keith Ballard and Dan Hamhuis
have been brought in to strengthen the Canucks team in this area.
Colorado Avalanche
Last season the Avalanche were the NHL's surprise team as they benefited from tremendous performances from unlikely sources and players that appeared to have developed earlier than expected. Key players last season included Paul Stastny and the young Matt
Duchene who was nominated for the Calder trophy as the league's top rookie. Goaltender Craig Anderson was also tremendous for Colorado between the pipes playing in 71 games and earning 38 wins including seven shutouts. The question will be if they can not
only repeat on last year's performances, but improve on them.
Calgary Flames
The Flames really struggled on offence last season scoring fewer goals than any other team in the NHL. Calgary are hoping that two underachieving former players can recapture their old form and help Calgary creep into the playoffs. The two players in question
are Alex Tanguay, who had a dismal year with the Tampa Bay Lightning last season, and Olli Jokinen who Calgary shipped to the New York Rangers toward the end of last season. More realistic perhaps than Tanguay and Jokinen finding ways to relive their glory
days, is that Mikka Kiprusoff will have to have another stellar season and their slowly fading star, Jarome Iginla, will once again lead the team in scoring. If defenceman Jay Bouwmeester can step it up and justify his lucrative contract, it might help the
Flames squeeze into a playoff spot.
Minnesota Wild
The Wild have a solid team from top to bottom and finally have the second line center they were looking for in the form of Matt Cullen. Guillaume Latendresse was stellar after coming off a rocky time spent in Montreal and now the Wild will benefit from his
services for a full season. After missing out on the playoffs last season, early momentum will be key for the team this year. If they can start winning they will likely continue winning. Niklas Backstrom will be instrumental in carrying the load in goal.
Edmonton Oilers
After finishing as the league's worst team last season the only way for the Oilers to go is up, and they have been impressive so far this pre-season with their youth movement in full effect. Jordan Eberle is thought to be ready to make the jump to the NHL
and the Oilers have to feel optimistic about first-overall pick Taylor Hall. Impressive in pre-season thus far has been Swedish forward Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson who scored a hat trick and four points in his only pre-season game, a 5-2 thumping of the Tampa
Bay Lightning.
What to expect
This could be Vancouver's year. Don't be surprised should they be competing in the Stanley Cup final in June. Colorado showed so much promise last season but they're still a couple of season's away from being one of the Western Conference's elite teams and
they will vie for one of the bottom four playoff spots along with the Wild. The Oilers will make a significant improvement from last season, granted the bar has been set pretty low. Calgary are on the way down. In: Canucks, Avalanche, and Wild. Out: Oilers
and Flames.