When betting on which NHL team will dominate the Western Conference this year, it looks to be a three team race. They may not be able to win when it counts but the San Jose Sharks (+800 to win the Stanley Cup) are solid in the regular season. That continues this year as they picked up Dany Heatley from the Ottawa Senators.
The Detroit Red Wings (+500) are still there of course, and are a money hockey bet to win the West. The team that is on the verge of dethroning the Red Wings and making betters a lot of loot are the Chicago Blackhawks (+800). Can the young BlackHawks take it to the next level, or will they have a target on their back increasing their odds of a letdown.
Watch for the Minnesota Wild (+4000) to make a move up the ladder. New coach Todd Richards plans on changing the Wild’s style of play.
How will the Western Conference be won? It is going to be a long season battle, that you can bet on.
Here’s a look at the 15 teams that make up the NHL Western Conference:
2009 NHL Central Season Previews
2009 Chicago Blackhawks Season Preview
It looks like it is now or never for Chicago, who went to the conference finals last season. Next season, GM Stan Bowman will be stressing out figuring how to re-sign Toews, Kane and defenceman Duncan Keith under the cap. Can the Hawks end their Cup drought?
Chicago Blackhawks 2009 Season Preview – Chicago Blackhawks 2009 Season Schedule
2009 Columbus Blue Jackets Season Preview
Beware of the Blue Jackets this season. Columbus rookie left-winger Nikita Filatov scored 4 goals in 8 games last season, including a hat trick in his 6th game. Will his 6 foot, 172 lbs frame stand up for a full NHL season? The play of Mason and Nash helps make a playoff return most likely.
Columbus Blue Jackets 2009 Season Preview – Columbus Blue Jackets 2009 Season Schedule
2009 Detroit Red Wings Season Preview
Detroit still has talent and another run at the Stanley Cup is not out of the question. Although a slip back in the standings is not out of the picture either. Detroit on paper appears poised to take another run at the Stanley Cup, but can they recover from last seasons crushing defeat?
Detroit Red Wings 2009 Season Preview – Detroit Red Wings 2009 Season Schedule
2009 Nashville Predators Season Preview
Nashville got beat out by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Phil Kessel sweepstakes. Which is unfortunate because the added offense might have put them in the playoff hut. The bottom line is the playoffs are not in the cards for the Predators
Nashville Predators 2009 Season Preview – Nashville Predators 2009 Season Schedule
2009 St. Louis Blues Season Preview
The St. Louis Blues hot at the right time to earn a playoff berth last season. They will be on the playoff bubble once again this season. Can they pick off where they left off? The Blues might still be a year away from being a top contender but it won’t be easy, but St. Louis will be going back to playoffs this season.
St. Louis Blues 2009 Season Preview – St. Louis Blues 2009 Season Schedule
2009 NHL Northwest Season Previews
2009 Calgary Flames Season Preview
Since the lockout, Calgary has made the post season every year, but lost in the first round each time. New head coach Brent Sutter is expected to get this team out of the first round of the playoffs this season. We think the Flames will give rest of the West fits.
Calgary Flames 2009 Season Preview – Calgary Flames 2009 Season Schedule
2009 Colorado Avalanche Season Preview
The Colorado Avalanche are rebuilding. They going downhill, with no end in sight. High draft picks are more important to the franchise than winning games. Another long season is ahead for the Avalanche as they will be one the teams fighting for the worst record in the league.
Colorado Avalanche 2009 Season Preview – Colorado Avalanche 2009 Season Schedule
2009 Edmonton Oilers Season Preview
The Edmonton Oilers have not been to playoffs since Stanley Cup final in ’05-’06. They will not break that streak this season, the Oilers are too young and too erratic to be part of the playoff picture. They might not come as close to a playoffs as they did last year, unless Quinn’s team makes some major improvements.
Edmonton Oilers 2009 Season Preview – Edmonton Oilers 2009 Season Schedule
2009 Minnesota Wild Season Preview
The Minnesota Wild were a bubble team last season in the West and figure to be in the mix again this year. If Backstrom slips at all the Minnesota’s chances are out the window and it might be tough to make the post season even if he doesn’t’t. With Lemaire and Gaborik gone, the Wild are in need of a makeover.
Minnesota Wild 2009 Season Preview – Minnesota Wild 2009 Season Schedule
2009 Vancouver Canucks Season Preview
The Vancouver Canucks won the Northwest last year and are favored to repeat this season. The big challenge will come when the Canucks try to get out of the 2nd round of the playoffs for the first time since ’94. And to do so their All-Star goalie will most likely to do his part, but teammates still must find the net.
Vancouver Canucks 2009 Season Preview – Vancouver Canucks 2009 Season Schedule
2009 NHL Pacific Season Previews
2009 Anaheim Ducks Season Preview
The Anaheim Ducks appear to be headed to the playoffs again this season. Carlyle’s top two lines are as good as any teams in the league, but will need the goaltending to be almost perfect if the Ducks want to stay in the hunt. With that said the Ducks won’t be an easy team to beat.
Anaheim Ducks 2009 Season Preview – Anaheim Ducks 2009 Season Schedule
2009 Dallas Stars Season Preview
The Dallas Stars are once again going to be on the playoff bubble this season. Nieuwendyk is trying to change the mind set in Dallas, but the Stars may still be in the market for a puck-moving defenseman to replace the departed Sergei Zubov. The Aging Stars might sneak into postseason, but winning Cup simply a dream.
Dallas Stars 2009 Season Preview – Dallas Stars 2009 Season Schedule
2009 Los Angeles Kings Season Preview
The Los Angles Kings are still building on their youth and are willing to put up with some growing pains as they blossom in the future. But the Kings are on the rise, but they are still not close to NHL royalty or the playoffs.
Los Angeles Kings 2009 Season Preview – Los Angeles Kings 2009 Season Schedule
2009 Phoenix Coyotes Season Preview
The ’09-’10 Coyotes could be NHL’s laughingstock. Who’s the owner? What’s the future hold? Get ready for a long season. This will be a lame-duck season in Phoenix, the Coyotes will miss out on the playoffs, and will be fighting for last place, and a #1 pick in the draft.
Phoenix Coyotes 2009 Season Preview – Phoenix Coyotes 2009 Season Schedule
2009 San Jose Sharks Season Preview
The San Jose Shark’s annual playoff funk simply baffling to figure out. GM Doug Wilson promised change, but the only impact player he brought in was underachieving Heatley. But the Sharks are the early season favorite to take top spot in the West.
San Jose Sharks 2009 Season Preview – San Jose Sharks 2009 Season Schedule
A full comprehensive preview of the upcoming 2009 NHL Hockey Season. Featuring NHL Hockey news, picks, odds, and predictions from our experts.
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