NHL preview: Breaking down the Central Division
With the NHL season just under way, here is veteran hockey writer Tim Sassone's assessment of the Central Division:
Chicago Blackhawks
Coach: Joel Quenneville
Key additions: Marian Hossa, RW; John Madden, C; Tomas Kopecky, RW.
Key departures: Martin Havlat, RW; Sammy Pahlsson, C; Nikolai Khabibulin, G; Matt Walker, D.
On the spot: Cristobal Huet has as much pressure on his shoulders as any goalie in the NHL approaching the season. With Khabibulin gone to Edmonton, Huet is the clear-cut No. 1 guy on a major market team with Stanley Cup aspirations. The Hawks will go as he goes.
Fill in the blanks: The Hawks will start the season with two key regulars out long term. Hossa won't play until late November after shoulder surgery while fourth-line dynamo Adam Burish is out for six months with a torn ACL. While at different ends of the depth chart spectrum, both players won't be easily replaced.
How they beat you: When they're clicking, the Hawks have a killer combination of speed and skill few teams can match at either forward or defense. They were 18-9 when scoring 3 or more goals last season.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Coach: Ken Hitchcock
Key additions: Sammy Pahlsson, C; Mathieu Garon, G.
Key departures: Mike Peca, C; Manny Malhotra, C; Jason Williams, RW; Ole-Kristian Tollefsen,D; Wade Dubielewicz, G.
Here's to his health: Center Derek Brassard was off to a great start last season as a rookie with 10 goals and 15 assists in 31 games before a shoulder injury ended his year. Brassard starts this season on the first line between Rick Nash and Kristian Huselius.
Hawks killer: Who else but Nash? He seems to have his way more times than not around the net against the Hawks.
How they beat you: Goalie Steve Mason won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year last season with a 2.29 goals-against average and 10 shutouts. Thanks largely to Mason, the Blue Jackets were 20-6-10 in 1-goal games.
Detroit Red Wings
Coach: Mike Babcock
Key additions: Todd Bertuzzi, LW; Jason Williams, RW; Jimmy Howard, G.
Key departures: Marian Hossa, RW; Mikael Samuelsson, RW; Jiri Hudler, LW; Tomas Kopecky, LW; Ty Conklin, G; Chris Chelios, D.
Calling all kids: Whether or not the Red Wings are ready for a fall in the standings might depend on how well young forwards such as Justin Abdelkader, Darren Helm and Ville Leino replace Hossa, Samuelsson, Hudler and Kopecky. Howard also has a lot of questions to answer as Chris Osgood's backup.
Hawks killer: Forget Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk. The biggest thorn in the side of the Hawks last season was Dan Cleary, particularly in the playoffs.
How they beat you: Detroit's power play was first in the NHL last season and a key to their success. Tomas Holmstrom is an immovable object in front of the net.
Nashville Predators
Coach: Barry Trotz
Key additions: Francois Bouillon, D; Marcel Goc, C; Ben Guite, RW.
Key departures: Radek Bonk, C; Vern Fiddler, C; Scott Nichol, C; Greg Zanon, D; Ville Koistinen, D; Greg de Vries, D.
Offensively challenged: The Predators were 24th in the league in goal scoring and did nothing in the off-season to address their biggest need. It would help if Steve Sullivan could play the whole season healthy, but that hasn't happened since 2002-03 because of back issues. The power play ranked 26th overall.
Hawks killer: Fourth-liner Jordin Tootoo is just a pain in the rear end and is always looking to stir the pot against the Hawks. Where's Adam Burish when you need him?
How they beat you: The Preds have an excellent group of defensemen led by Shea Weber, Ryan Suter and Dan Hamhuis. Goalie Pekka Rinne won 29 games last season as a rookie.
St. Louis Blues
Coach: Andy Murray
Key additions: Ty Conklin, G; Darryl Sydor, D.
Key departures: Manny Legace, G; Jay McKee, D; Dan Hinote, RW.
Standing pat: A strong finishing kick got the Blues into the playoffs maybe a year or so ahead of schedule. President John Davidson elected to stay with what he had and hope that the young team responds again to Murray's teachings.
Breaking out: Gritty center David Backes emerged as a rising star last season with 31 goals and should earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. The future is bright in St. Louis with Backes, T.J. Oshie, David Perron and Oatrik Berglund all 25 years old or under.
Hawks killer: Keith Tkachuk is still going strong at age 37 and loves to wear the Hawks out. Tkachuk had 25 goals and 49 points last season and is as tough as ever to move from in front of the net.
How they beat you: The Blues work hard as was evidenced last season by having the third best penalty killing unit in the NHL.
Central tip-ins
• Best all-around player: Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit
• Best defenseman: Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit
• Best addition: Marian Hossa, Blackhawks
• Most underrated player: Dan Cleary, Detroit
• Most overrated player: Barret Jackman, St. Louis
• Hardest shot: Shea Weber, Nashville
• Best passer: Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit
• Biggest pest: Jordin Tootoo, Nashville
• Best line: Franzen-Datsyuk-Cleary, Detroit
• Biggest hitter: Niklas Kronwall, Detroit
• Best in a shootout: Patrick Kane, Blackhawks
• Best rookie: Ville Leino, Detroit
• Best chance at 50 goals: Rick Nash, Columbus