The NHL moves headlong into a new era with realignment beginning for the 2013-14 season. The new four-division setup will produce the new Stanley Cup champions. The Chicago Blackhawks are the defending champions and are looking to repeat.
Chicago has the Conn Smythe winner Patrick Kane back. He along with center Jonathan Toews and forward Marian Hossa help handles the scoring for the Blackhawks. Duncan Keith is a top notch defender and Corey Crawford is strong in goal. Backup goaltender Ray Emery left via free agency so Crawford will be the man for a full season.
A team that could possibly meet Chicago in the Cup final is the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pittsburgh was favoured to reach the final series last season before bowing out in the playoffs. As always the health of Sidney Crosby will factor in the Penguins success. Crosby missed 12 games in last year’s strike shortened season. Pittsburgh depth of scoring helps complement and ease the absence of Crosby. Chris Kunitz, Pascal Dupuis, James Neal, and Evgeni Malkin are all point producers.
The Boston Bruins did play Chicago for the championship last season, losing in six games. Still, the Bruins did not stand pat on their roster. Boston acquired forward Loui Eriksson from Dallas in a move that saw them give up Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverley. The Bruins also lost Nathan Horton in free agency, but returns Brad Marchand, David Krejci, and Patrice Bergeron as well as Tuukka Rask in goal.
A western conference threat to Chicago is the St. Louis Blues. St. Louis lost in the first round last season, but returns key cog Chris Stewart. Stewart led the Blues attack and is helped by Alexander Steen, Patrik Berglund, David Backes, and David Perron. Their goalie situation is solid with Brian Elliot, Jaroslav Halak, and Jake Allen.
The team that is affected most by realignment, the Detroit Red Wings, moves from the western conference to the eastern conference. Detroit gave the Blackhawks all they wanted last season, losing in seven games. The Red Wings added Ottawa forward Daniel Alfredsson, to go along with the offense of Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk. Jimmy Howard remains the man in net for Detroit.
The Vancouver Canucks hope to get over the hump with new coach John Tortorella. Tortorella will have Henrik and Daniel Sedin at his disposal, but goalie Cory Schneider is gone. Vancouver may again have to depend on Roberto Luongo in net. The Canucks are in a tougher division now, but still have firepower to make some noise.
Unable last season to defend the Stanley Cup, the Los Angeles Kings will try to win it again this year. Los Angeles lost in the conference finals a season ago. It helps to have Jonathan Quick in goal and Jeff Carter scoring goals if the Kings want to win back the Cup.
San Jose is another team out west to keep an eye on. The Sharks have a good foursome in Logan Couture, Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and Joe Pavelski. Their scoring along with the net play of Antti Niemi keeps San Jose in contention.
The New York Rangers have Henrik Lundqvist in goal and good point producers in Derek Stepan, Rick Nash, and Ryan Callahan, while Anaheim, who finished second in the west last season, is led by Ryan Getzlaf.
Other teams to watch in the east are Montreal, Ottawa, Washington, Toronto, and the New York Islanders. Nashville and Edmonton out west may surprise.
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