Since this is a prediction thread.....from Eklund
The Central
1. Nashville
Last year in this blog my whacky prediction was the Kings would win the Stanley Cup. This year I am picking the Predators to raise the trophy. The reason? Many. Trotz system is a stable factor in a shortened season. The Preds are the biggest and most durable team in the West...maybe the NHL. Mason, while a backup, brings strong leadership to the room, Weber knows he is a Pred for life....but mostly Rinne is a monster in goal.
2. St Louis
The Blues will be right there again and they will be solid having spent a year behind Hitch. I am very curious if the goaltending duo can be as dominant though...
3. Chicago
The Hawks will be looking to add a goalie at some point here. They are way too talented to not be running away in the standings.
4. Detroit
Even though I have the Red Wings where I have them I am not one of the people who sees them as falling apart after the retirement of Lidstrom. I just cant put them in front of the other three teams in this division (although I could see a very points separating the Wings and Hawks.
5. Columbus
My whacky pick...they start off like gangbusters. They have some really strong talent. NEXT year they are a playoff team. Also...look for them to be the surprise team in the Luongo race.
I find that last sentence interesting...