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GLEN AVON… The NHL regular season has kicked off and with no one playing more then 10 games at this point, I want to offer up my divisional predictions. Yes, I know the season kicked off almost 3 weeks ago, but I am using the grid I had roughed out before the season started for my theories, it wouldn’t be sporting to do otherwise eh? There have been some surprises, and the Minnesota Wild are off to a bit of an indifferent start, but seriously, I didn’t have them pegged for any upper level glory this season anyway. But without further ado, and with respect to the “new” realigned NHL, here we go!

In the Western Conference, the new “old” Central division returns and here is how it will go; 1. St. Louis Blues 2. Chicago Blackhawk 3. Colorado Avalanche 4. Dallas NorthStars 5. Nashville Predators 6. Minnesota Wild 7. Winnipeg Jets  In this division the Blues have become one of the more big, tough and physical clubs to play against. Maybe even intimidating. They have already taken 2 close games from the Hawks. I do think though that if they met up in a playoff showdown that the Hawks would win the series. The Hawks will be the Hawks. Repeat? Perhaps. The Av’s have some of the best young talent in the show and new NHL coach Patrick Roy behind the bench. They are already making other teams take notice.     

The NorthStars have made numerous changes, even behind the bench bringing in veteran Coach Lindy Ruff and acquiring Tyler Seguin from Boston. They will be tough and I think will make the playoffs. The Pred’s will be strong on the backend but might still struggle to score. The Wild bring a mishmash of experience and youth to the dance, but I’m not certain Coach Mike Yeo can blend them enough to get into the playoffs, but watch out in the future. The Jets have some good veteran pieces and some good young players but this club is on the stove and still cooking right now.

In the Pacific division I see this finish; 1. San Jose Sharks 2. Phoenix Coyotes 3. Los Angeles Kings 4. Anaheim Ducks 5. Vancouver Canucks 6. Calgary Flames 7. Edmonton Oilers  Thus far in the young season the Sharks are playing with authority. They could take their power and experience to a Stanley Cup final this season. The Yotays have a little bit of everything, and with Big Mike Smith between the pipes and Dave Tippett behind the bench they will be strong. The Kings have former Conn Smythe winner and potential Team USA starter Jonathan Quick in net and will challenge. The Ducks will bid farewell to all-everything player Teemu Selanne at seasons end and yes, the league will be worse off for it. First class can’t begin to cover this mans career.

The Canucks window is slowly closing, but it will be interesting to see what new bench boss John Tortorella can wring out of them. They just might not make the playoffs this year. The Flames are the Flames, but now have Brian Burke in the front office, and like it or not he has a history of making teams better. The Oilers? They have some of the highest draft choice forward talent in the league, and they are young too, but someone forgot to tell them that they need defense and goalies. They are headed toward the top of the entry draft again and out of the playoffs.  

In the Eastern Conference, in the new Metropolitan division, this is what I see; 1. Pittsburgh Penguin 2. New York Islanders 3. Washington Capitals 4. Carolina Hurricanes 5. Columbus Bluejackets 6. New York Rangers 7. New Jersey Devils 8. Philadelphia Flyers  I am holding firm with the Pengwah and Isles as the one-two teams in the Metro, but honestly, the 3 through 5 spots could be totally interchangeable. The Pens will once again be a very strong regular season team, not so sure about the playoffs. The Isles boast one of the best, least heard of young players in the show in John Tavares who is supported by a good cast of other young talent.

The Caps didn’t add a great deal over the summer and might be trying to get over with the same cast that hasn’t got over. If the Canes’ can avoid the injury bug I can see them getting into the playoffs. Columbus, mostly on the play of Vezina trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky almost got in last year, the Wild edged them out for the final position on the last day and if they had to play one game between them to see who got the spot, I would not have picked the Wild. On the back end of the Metro, are the Rangers, who, I just can’t put a finger on. I’m not quite sure why they can’t make the next step, but they can’t, not this year. The Devils GM Lou Lamoriello needs to tell Martin Brodeur that’s it is time to hang them up, and the Flyers are nothing short of a train wreck.

In the Atlantic; 1. Boston Bruin 2. Detroit Red Wings 3. Toronto Maple Leafs 4. Tampa Bay Lightning 5. Montreal Canadiens 6. Ottawa Senators 7. Florida Panthers 8. Buffalo Sabres  The Bruins are the best club in this group, but can they win the Conference final again and make the big dance in June? The Wings have the best Coach in the league in Mike Babcock, and a couple of the best players in the world, Pavel and Hank. They CAN upset the apple cart. I still see the Leafs making forward progress, but not quite ready to challenge for it all yet. The Lightning have a top end scorer, solidified their net minding over the off-season, but can they tie it all together? The Habs and Sens were both in the tournament last spring, but I think they will be spectators this year. Montreal already has injury troubles and the Sens net minding and scoring may be a bit off this time around.

Florida has more talent then their final record will show and Buffalo is on the verge of a total rebuild from the net out. The Ryan Miller era is about to close out and Thomas Vanek probably wont be wearing the crossed swords on his chest next season, or maybe even by next spring. So far in inter-conference play the West is basically destroying the East, but I don’t believe that will be an indicator for the tourney. I look for San Jose to finally get the Finals shot that has escaped them thus far, and I just can’t see anyone knocking the Bruins out of their top of the East slot. In the end though, the Bruins won’t beat the Sharks. San Jose will finally get the Cup they have been chasing. Over & Out! PEACE

Marc Elliott is a free lance sports opinion writer who splits time between his hometown in Illinois and Minnesota.