2009 NHL Pacific Division Season Preview

Welcome to the best and most complete 2009 NHL Pacific Division Season Preview available online. The teams that make up our 2009-2010 NHL Pacific Season Preview are the are the Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings, Phoenix Coyotes and San Jose Sharks.

The San Jose Sharks are a favorite to not only do well but win the President’s Trophy. San Jose would have to do one of their playoff flops in the regular season not to win the Pacific division, and the addition of Danny Heatley will help them even more. This will be the year that age and the loss of Chris Pronger will knock Anaheim down a notch. However the Duck will be the only team to mount a challenge for the top of the division this season, due mainly to some great play from Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne. After that, the division is pretty weak: Dallas, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, they will be playing for draft picks by seasons end.

2009 Anaheim Ducks Season Preview

Anaheim GM Bob Murray has re-positioned his team on the ice and astutely managed his salary cap to maximize flexibility with the roster. Goaltending is solid and competitive and affords the Ducks rest in this important position where travel is heavy. The emergence of Bobby Ryan playing alongside Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry is a nightmare for opponents. It also allows Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne to be strong support players. The incomparable Scott Niedermayer leads a revamped defense capable of being formidable. Their core knows how to win and I look at the Ducks as a strong contender for the Stanley Cup.

Anaheim Ducks 2009 Season Preview – Anaheim Ducks 2009 Season Schedule

2009 Dallas Stars Devils Season Preview

Striking the ’08-’09 season out of the minds of Dallas players would be a nice start for this year. New GM Joe Nieuwendyk, and Coach Marc Crawford, have regenerated promise in Dallas. It can be accomplished, most significantly, if Marty Turco has a return to the form which has made him among the winning est goalkeepers over the past 5 seasons. Substantial injuries handicapped the Stars, but the bright side was the growth of Loui Eriksson and James Neal. This is a squad in changeover which can make the playoffs, but Stanley Cup ambitions would seem to dilute the biggest of aspirations.

Dallas Stars 2009 Season Preview – Dallas Stars 2009 Season Schedule

2009 Los Angeles Kings Season Preview

There is a significant difference between throwing players together and building a team of players that competes for championships. Dean Lombardi is only interested in a team capable of competing for a Championship. His approach has been methodical and the Kings are positioning themselves to be a force for years to come. Anze Kopitar demonstrates the skill of an star player. Drew Doughty is going to be a star for years to come, and Rob Scuderi and Ryan Smyth add a winning spirit. There are no shortcuts, but by resolving to be committed to a process of sustained success, a spot in the post season is coming and possibly this year.

Los Angeles Kings 2009 Season Preview – Los Angeles Kings 2009 Season Schedule

2009 Phoenix Coyotes Season Preview

The Phoenix Coyotes have put together a lavish collection of youthful talent. A preview of that potential skill has been seen last season and there is reason for excitement in the desert. With growing pains inevitable, this team has the makings of developing into a top notch team in the NHL, similar to what we have seen in Pittsburgh and Washington. Shane Doan is a solid player. Doan’s leadership is a necessity to help the younger Coyotes grow and develop. Ed Jovanovski’s experience on defense and Ilya Bryzgalov has shown the ability to win games. Making the post season would be a tremendous feat, but Phoenix is a team with a bright future.

Phoenix Coyotes 2009 Season Preview – Phoenix Coyotes 2009 Season Schedule

2009 San Jose Sharks Season Preview

The Sharks have been successful in the regular season but have been disappointments in the playoff. The Detroit Red Wings were in a similar situation leading up to their championship in ’97. Even the questions about winning with Joe Thornton are comparable to what Steve Yzerman faced in Detroit. Joe Thornton is a star player and Dany Heatley will be the primary beneficiary of Thornton’s play making. This tandem should be prolific and able to put important games in the San Jose’s favor. Dan Boyle adds dimensions which are difficult to defend against and Evgeni Nabokov gives the Sharks an excellent goalie. The Sharks are set to compete for a Stanley Cup, but using the lessons learned in the past will be a key to ensuring playoff disappointments in the future.