2010 NHL Central Division Season Preview, Predictions Picks & Odds | Sportsbookbuzz.com

2010 NHL Central Division Season Preview, Predictions Picks & Odds

Welcome to the best and most complete 2010 NHL Central Division Season Preview available online. The teams that make up our 2010 NHL Central Season Preview are the are the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues.

The Detroit Red Wings, for many years were the class of the Central Division, winning the title 12 times since 1994. But in the 2008-09 season, four of the five teams made the playoffs, and last season the Stanley Cup was won by the Chicago Blackhawks. Long seen as a weak division, the Central is quickly becoming one of the strongest in the NHL.

2010 Chicago Blackhawks Season Preview

The players Chicago Blackhawks lost in the offseason can ice a very competitive team. The players they kept can win another Stanley Cup. A lot was made about Chicago’s “house-cleaning,” but keep in mind the team still employs Patrick Kane, Jonathon Toews, Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith…and the rest of the team ain’t bad. The biggest question is in net. Can Marty Turco become an elite goaltender again? The turnover will have an effect on the team, but not to the point where they suffer a tumble out of the playoffs. Second in the division, but still a great team.

Chicago Blackhawks Odds: -150 to win the Stanley Cup at BetUS

Chicago Blackhawks 2010 Season Preview – Chicago Blackhawks 2010 Season Schedule

2010 Columbus Blue Jackets Season Preview

If Steve Mason becomes Calder Trophy circa 2008 Steve Mason, then Columbus Blue Jackets can move up a couple rankings and maybe sneak into the playoffs; he has that kind of talent. But he was really bad last season and it’s a legit cause for concern. They didn’t do much over the offseason, meaning Mason’s microscope will be even bigger. If he fails, the team fails. Judging by as low I have Columbus in these rankings, I don’t think he’ll succeed.

Columbus Blue Jackets Odds: +8000 to win the Stanley Cup at BetUS

Columbus Blue Jackets 2010 Season Preview – Columbus Blue Jackets 2010 Season Schedule

2010 Detroit Red Wings Season Preview

Like death and taxes, the Detroit Red Wings are an inevitability. They will make the playoffs this season, and more than likely they’ll get through a round or two. Just when everyone thinks they’re about to fall off the edge, they bring up some stud rookie out of seemingly nowhere to carry the team. Oh yeah, they also employ Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk. And while Nik Lidstrom has slipped in recent years, he’s still better than most defensemen in the league. The Blackhawks struggles coupled with the Red Wings consistency put the Wings back atop the Central.

Detroit Red Wings Odds: +135 to win the Stanley Cup at BetUS

Detroit Red Wings 2010 Season Preview – Detroit Red Wings 2010 Season Schedule

2010 Nashville Predators Season Preview

Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. The Nashville Predators are always so close to breaking through, but they’re just never able to get past the first round of the playoffs. It’s unfortunate, because they’re a very likeable team with very talented players. Shea Weber is the most underrated defenseman in the league. Pekka Rinne emerged as a fantastic goaltender, but a sophomore slump may be around the corner. The team no longer has clubhouse leader Jason Arnott, but that shouldn’t hurt the team too much. Nashville is still talented, but the rest of the division may be better. If they do make the playoffs, there won’t be a wedding dress in the future.

Nashville Predators Odds: +1400 to win the Stanley Cup at BetUS

Nashville Predators 2010 Season Preview – Nashville Predators 2010 Season Schedule

2010 St. Louis Blues Season Preview

Not only do the St. Louis Blues have one of the most handsome fan in the NHL (Jon Hamm, so dreamy), they have one of the most intriguing teams. The centre of the intrigue is goaltending. The Blues acquired Montreal playoff hero Jaroslav Halak to man the net, and he’s bringing excitement to the position. Halak was unbelievable in the postseason, and solidifies a position in St. Louis that had been lacking in years past. Add in a slew of young offensive talent and an improving defense and you have the makings of a squad that can surprise a lot of teams. I’m thinking they make that leap in 2010 and reach the playoffs.