While the NHL’s Eastern Conference is a vast wasteland of mediocrity, the West is a land of abundant riches.
A handful of teams can harbor legitimate dreams of Stanley Cup glory come June, which should make for one of the best postseasons in recent years.
Colorado, Detroit and Dallas were all upset early in the playoffs last year and have retooled, looking to regain their accustomed lofty status.
But Anaheim, the surprise West champion, didn’t rest on its laurels. The Mighty Ducks let Paul Kariya and Adam Oates go, but they brought in Sergei Fedorov and Vinny Prospal to ignite the offense.
Patrick Roy took the mantle of “Best Goaltender Ever” and went to enjoy retirement, while Dominik Hasek came out of retirement to try to reclaim the title of “Best Goaltender Now.”
In the end, goaltending is always the key, and if Colorado is going to try to be like the Edmonton Oilers of the 1980s, the question then becomes: Can David Aebischer be Grant Fuhr?
Faceoff
If the 12 best players in the Western Conference were to line up at the same time, here’s who would be on the ice:
Goalie
Marty Turco, Dallas
Dominik Hasek, Detroit (left)
Defense
Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit
Derian Hatcher, Detroit
Defense
Chris Pronger, St. Louis
Rob Blake, Colorado
Left wing
Markus Naslund, Vancouver
Keith Tkachuk, St. Louis
Center
Peter Forsberg, Colorado
Sergei Fedorov, Anaheim
Right wing
Todd Bertuzzi, Vancouver
Jarome Iginla, Calgary.
Western Conference story lines
1. Turn back the clock: With the signings of Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne, the Colorado Avalanche has become a team from the ’80s, high-flying and high-scoring. But without Patrick Roy, will they be able to outscore everyone?
2. Back for more: After deciding that roller hockey in the Czech Republic just wasn’t going to cut it, Dominik Hasek returns to Detroit for another run at a Cup.
3. Hello, I must be going: But where? That’s the question Curtis Joseph faces, now an $8 million backup in Detroit.
4. You the man: Surrounded by Hall of Famers in Detroit, Sergei Fedorov will now get the chance to prove that he’s the best player in the game and try and lead the Ducks back into the finals.
5. L.A. story: Decimated by injuries last season, the Kings watched the Ducks steal their territory. If everyone can stay healthy, Southern California may be a rocking place all season.
6. Believe the hype: Blackhawks rookie Tuomo Ruutu appears to be all that was advertised. If he and his fellow rookies begin reaching their potential soon, the Hawks could cause a few problems.
Bob Foltman ranks the Western Conference
TEAM: 1. Colorado Avalanche
KEY GUY: David Aebischer
COMMENT: Colorado will be a fun team to watch and may force teams to open up and play run-and-gun.
TEAM: 2. Detroit Red Wings
KEY GUY: Pavel Datsyuk
COMMENT: Sergei Fedorov is gone, Steve Yzerman is on a wing, the Wings are getting older. So what?
TEAM: 3. Anaheim Ducks
KEY GUY: Sergei Fedorov
COMMENT: Fedorov puts up MVP numbers; Ducks prove they’re not a fluke and end Dallas’ grip on division.
TEAM: 4. Dallas Stars
KEY GUY: Bill Guerin
COMMENT: Still plenty of firepower, with some young studs coming into the picture.
TEAM: 5. Los Angeles Kings
KEY GUY: Jason Allison
COMMENT: Poised for rebound, assuming good health. Roman Cechmanek an upgrade in goal.
TEAM: 6. Vancouver Canucks
KEY GUY: Dan Cloutier
COMMENT: Plenty of scoring, suspect defense, suspect goaltending, suspect intestinal fortitude.
TEAM: 7. St. Louis Blues
KEY GUY: Keith Tkachuk
COMMENT: Playoff disappointments when highly regarded; perhaps lower expectations mean better results.
TEAM: 8. Edmonton Oilers
KEY GUY: Ryan Smith
COMMENT: Always find a way into the postseason; contract situation with Mike Comrie is a problem.
TEAM: 9. Minnesota Wild
KEY GUY: Marian Gaborik
COMMENT: Wild must get Gaborik signed to have a chance to repeat last season’s success.
TEAM: 10. BLACKHAWKS
KEY GUY: Tuomo Ruutu
COMMENT: The sooner Ruutu makes this his team, the better. Too many question marks this season.
TEAM: 11. Calgary Flames
KEY GUY: Jarome Iginla
COMMENT: Darryl Sutter has the Flames going in the right direction, but it’s going to take a while.
TEAM: 12. Nashville Predators
KEY GUY: Scottie Upshall
COMMENT: Time for the team’s young prospects to show what they have at the NHL level.
TEAM: 13. Columbus Blue Jackets
KEY GUY: Rick Nash
COMMENT: Jackets in same boat as other non-playoff teams–headed in right direction but a way to go..
TEAM: 14. San Jose Sharks
KEY GUY: Patrick Marleau
COMMENT: Sharks in the beginning of a rebuilding mode.
TEAM: 15. Phoenix Coyotes
KEY GUY: Stadium architect
COMMENT: Part-owner Wayne Gretzky–right now–would be the Coyotes’ best player.
