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

2010 NHL Northwest Division Season Preview, Predictions Picks & Odds

Welcome to the best and most complete 2010 NHL Northwest Division Season Preview available online. The teams that make up our 2010 NHL Northwest Season Preview are the are the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks.

The Canucks won the Northwest Division last season, and remain the favorites to repeat this season. The balance of power in the northwest division is not likely to change, with only Calgary making significant changes. The Flames and Avalanche battled down the stretch for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference a year ago, and the two teams appear destined to do it again. The Minnesota Wild and Edmonton Oilers both had disappointing campaigns a season ago, and it will be difficult for both to qualify for the playoffs with their current rosters.

2010 Calgary Flames Season Preview

I’m predicting a big drop for the Flames. The team’s biggest offseason acquisitions were Alex Tanguay and Olli Jokinen, two players who didn’t exactly light up the lamp during their last stay in Calgary. This team gave Matt Stajan (yes, that Matt Stajan) a hefty contact, too hefty for a man of his stature. Jarome Iginla isn’t getting any younger, and the team around him isn’t getting any better. Jay Boumeester was underwhelming last season, and there’s no reason to believe that’s as good as he’s going to be while wearing a Flames jersey. I do not have high hopes for this team, clearly. But at least they’ll be better than that other team from Alberta. .

Calgary Flames Odds: +600 to win the Stanley Cup at BetUS

Calgary Flames 2010 Season Preview – Calgary Flames 2010 Season Schedule

2010 Colorado Avalanche Season Preview

The Colorado Avalanche succeeded all expectations last year, meaning they’re due for a downfall, but I’m not in that camp. I think they are a very talented team and will benefit playing in a division with three sub-par clubs. There is a little bit of turnaround on the roster, but the core of Matt Duchene, Ryan O’Reilly, Paul Stastny and a full-season of Peter Mueller will be an offensive force. Craig Anderson has always been a good goaltender, but never got his proper chance to succeed. He did in Colorado, and he rewarded them with a spectacular season. Defense is solid, and everything else should be good enough to cover if it struggles on some nights.

Colorado Avalanche Odds: +650 to win the Stanley Cup at BetUS

Colorado Avalanche 2010 Season Preview – Colorado Avalanche 2010 Season Schedule

2010 Edmonton Oilers Season Preview

They won’t be as bad as they were last year, but they’re going to be bad. Their team is too young to compete and they don’t have the goaltending to break out of the basement. But if you’re an Oiler fan, remember the names Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson. Hall was last year’s first overall pick, MPS was 10th in 2009 and Eberle is a hero in Canadian folk-lore for his clutch scoring at the World Junior Championships. They are the future of Edmonton hockey. Watch them closely…just don’t expect a championship anytime soon.

Edmonton Oilers Odds: +3000 to win the Stanley Cup at BetUS

Edmonton Oilers 2010 Season Preview – Edmonton Oilers 2010 Season Schedule

2010 Minnesota Wild Season Preview

The Wild aren’t placed this high because they’re that good; the two teams behind them are that bad. Mikko Koivu is a fine player, but your team won’t be going very far if he’s the best putting on the jersey. Martin Havlat is too injury-prone too legit rely on, and there are no other forwards that really scare other teams (I’m not sold on the offensive prowess of Guillaume Latendersse). Nik Backstrom is an amazing goaltender, and his off-season last year is an aberration as opposed to a downward trend. He’ll keep the team competitive, but there’s not much help.

Minnesota Wild Odds: +3000 to win the Stanley Cup at BetUS

Minnesota Wild 2010 Season Preview – Minnesota Wild 2010 Season Schedule

2010 Vancouver Canucks Season Preview

As long as the Sedin’s are wearing Vancouver jerseys, this will be a difficult team to play against. Henrik and Daniel are incredible talents, and anybody who plays on their line is bound for a successful night (see: Mikael Samuelsson and Alexandre Burrows). A solid defense, a world class goalie in Roberto Luongo and a shaky division makes this an almost guaranteed playoff team. Now if they could only get by Chicago when they make it there.