NHL Preview 2008-09

Jerry Todd-Jenkins takes a look at some of the major changes in teams in the East and West Conferences ... and makes some cautious predictions for 2009 ...

The latest rumour circulating among the hockey intelligentsia a few weeks back had another NHL team locating in Southern Ontario, read: the Toronto area. No comment about "territory" from the Leaf Nation or from the Buffalo Sabres was forthcoming, as if one was necessary. Nevertheless, it's interesting insofar as it shows how starved and frustrated Ontario fans are for a Cup, especially when year after year they witness Stanley's regular trek out of the country ... even as far south as the warm and humid confines of South Florida or Carolina where the arenas are often half full (or half empty).

Highlights of the Eastern Conference
It doesn't look any better this year either as the Leafs, along with the Tampa Bay Lightning, are undergoing the most dramatic overhauls. In Toronto, youth is evident. The lineup has been gutted of complacent veterans, freeing up salary space for new kids Nik Grabovski and Mikhail Kulemin, backed up by older newcomers Jamal Mayers, Jonas Frogen and Mike Van Rijn. And they've landed a gem-in-the-rough with their 1st draft pick,18-year-old defenceman Luke Shenn.
The Lightning's last place finish last year guaranteed them the number one pick of star centre Steven Stamkos of Unionville Ont. Building on that, they bolstered their defence with the addition of Ottawa D man Andrej Mezaros and prospect Ty Wishart. Both Leafs and Lightning have replaced coaching and front office staff by hiring Ron Wilson and Barry Melrose respectively. Vast improvements in both cities but lots of development needed before they challenge the big dogs in this Conference.
Meanwhile, Montreal has bolstered last years' first place finish with the addition of forwards Alex Tanguay and Robert Lang. Watch for them in this, their 100th anniversary year, to fight it out for dominance in this conference against last year's Cup finalist Pittsburgh Penguins. Pittsburgh, who lost Marian Hossa, Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts, added Miroslav Satan, Ruslan Fedotenko and Matt Cooke. They don't seem any weaker.
Yet Ottawa, after a disappointing season last year, doesn't appear in any better shape after the gutting the blue line, losing Mezaros, Wayne Redden, Mike Commodore and Luke Richardson. Goaltending is suspect in the capital.
With their star attraction Alex Ovechkin and the addition of Jose Theodore, the Washington Capitals will be tough to deal with and seem headed to battle it out with the young and improving-fast Philadelphia squad for third or fourth best in this Conference.

Notes from the Western Conference
Anchored by their rising young sophomore stars Jonathon Toews and 2007 Calder winner Patrick Kane, all eyes will be on the Chicago Blackhawks this year. The once-sad-sack Hawks have updated their front office and, under GM Dale Tallon and adviser Scotty Bowman, are set to shake up the West despite missing the playoffs last year by three points amidst a flurry of injuries to key players. Plus they'll be the focus of the outdoor game at Wrigley Field on January 1 against the reigning Stanley Cup champs Detroit Red Wings.
The Red Wings, meanwhile, have added winger Marian Hossa to the roster, as if they needed additional help up front with the explosive lineup they carry over from last year. Dominik Hasek is gone (again) leaving goalie Chris Osgoode with journeyman Ty Conklin as backup. The Wings system of player development is the envy of the league, especially in Toronto where coach Ron Wilson is paying close attention. After all Ron's father and uncle both had stellar careers with the Redbirds back in the previous glory years of the 1950's. Only the boredom of winning too many Cups will prevent this bunch from repeating as '09 champs.
Challenging Detroit for bragging rights could be the San Jose Sharks. New coach Todd McLellan inherits a talented squad from Ron Wilson who lost Brian Campbell to the Blackhawks but added defenceman Rob Blake and Brad Lukowich.
The Minnesota Wild, where coach Jacques Lemaire seems to squeeze the most out of non-household name players, should dominate their division, the Northwest, in this conference.
This division looks like it will be the weakest in the west and, unfortunately, is home to the remaining Canadian teams Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. Calgary lost Alex Tanguay but has Jerome Iginla who seems to be getting better every year. The Flames may have trouble finding someone to keep up with him, the same problem Mats Sundin had in Toronto.
Vancouver lost Markus Naslund, Brendan Morrison and retiree Trevor Linden, thus ending the chance of the Canucks scoring any goals. They need more than the addition of Pavol Demitra and Kyle Wellwood. Looks like the Canucks will be fighting for the basement with their left coast neighbour LA Kings.
Of these three western teams the Edmonton Oilers, a fast and slick passing team last year, have the best chance of a playoff berth. The '07 addition of Sheldon Souray helps anchor the defence, as does picking up a healthy forward Erik Cole.
And so the rumours come and go. Mats Sundin to Vancouver? Probably not. Florida moving to Winnipeg? Ditto. A second NHL team for the Toronto market? Forget it.
Many citizens of Toronto say they'd be happy if they could land just one professional hockey team.