Dallas Stars:
General Manager: Joe Nieuwendyk
Head Coach: Glen Gulutzan
Key Additions: Eric Godard, Sheldon Souray, Michael Ryder, Vernon Fiddler, Radek Dvorak, Adam Pardy
Key Subtractions: Brad Richards (NY Rangers), Jamie Langenbrunner (St. Louis), Jason Williams (Pittsburgh), Jeff Woywitka (Montreal)
The Dallas Stars got off to a very strong start last season, but struggled down the stretch leading to Marc Crawford's firing as coach. But with current ownership problems, the Stars will still be very tough to beat, but are still in a rebuilding year.
Phoenix Coyotes:
General Manager: Don Maloney
Head Coach: Dave Tippett
Key Additions: Patrick O'Sullivan, Justin Pogge, Mike Smith, Kyle Chipchura, Curtis McElhinney, Alex Bolduc, Boyd Gordon, Raffi Torres,
Key Subtractions: Ilya Bryzgalov (Philadelphia), Andrew Ebbett (Vancouver), Eric Belanger (Edmonton), Vernon Fiddler (Dallas), Ed Jovanovski (Florida)
The Phoenix Coyotes had another year of making the playoffs, but this year will be tougher for them die to losing veteran leadership and a goaltender in Ilya Bryzgalov. I say they fall slightly short, but they will be in a battle for the 8th and final playoff spot.
Anaheim Ducks:
General Manager: Bob Murray
Head Coach: Randy Carlyle
Key Additions: Andrew Cogliano (Trade via Edmonton), Kurtis Foster (Trade via Edmonton), Matt Smaby, Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers
Key Subtractions: Andy Sutton (Traded to Edmonton), Kyle Chipchura (Phoenix), Andreas Lilja (Philadelphia)
After getting bounced in Round 1 by Nashville, the Ducks will have no easy road this year. Even though having reigning Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry and Jonas Hiller healthy, they are a playoff team, but not Stanley Cup bound.
Los Angeles Kings:
General Manager: Dean Lombardi
Head Coach: Terry Murray
Key Additions: Mike Richards (Trade via Philadelphia), Ethan Moreau, Simon Gagne, Colin Fraser (Trade via Edmonton)
Key Subtractions: Alexei Ponikarovsky (Carolina), Michal Handzus (San Jose), Brayden Schenn (Traded to Philadelphia), Wayne Simmonds (Traded to Philadelphia), Ryan Smyth (Traded to Edmonton)
The Kings were very busy making over their team this offseason and are thus pumped for a chance to win the Pacific Division. However, they are likely to fall short, but with the goaltending of Jonathan Quick, they will be a threat in the Western Conference.
San Jose Sharks:
General Manager: Doug Wilson
Head Coach: Todd McLellan
Key Additions: Michal Handzus, Martin Havlat (Trade via Minnesota), Brent Burns (Trade via Minnesota), James Sheppard (Trade via Minnesota), Colin White, Andrew Murray, Jim Vandermeer
Key Subtractions: Devin Setoguchi (Traded to Minnesota), Dany Heatley (Traded to Minnesota), Scott Nichol and Kent Huskins (St. Louis), Charlie Coyle (Traded to Minnesota), Ben Eager (Edmonton), Ian White (Detroit), Jamal Mayers (Chicago), Niclas Wallin and Kyle Wellwood (TBD)
The Sharks underwent a complete makeover and are poised to end all the years of playoff disappointments and not only reach the Stanley Cup Final, but win the Cup. MY feeling is that they are on track, but this year is still not the year, but maybe in the next 2-3 years everything will fall into place for them.
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