The Central Division

This has to be one of the most lopsided division's over the past few years. This year is a wonderful example. You have the Detroit Red Wings, one of hockey's biggest powerhouse clubs. Then you have the St Louis Blues, Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators. Throw in the up-and coming Chicago Blackhawks. Where is the legitimate competition for a team whose top six forwards include, Marian Hossa, Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Tomas Homlstrom, Johan Franzen, and Jiri Hudler. Lets just get to the Red Wings.

Detroit Red Wings
As i stated, one of hockey's biggest powerhouses, if not the biggest. With 5 time Norris trophy winner Nick Lidstrom anchoring a strong blue line corps of Brian Rafalski, Nick Kronwall, Brad Stuart, Andreas Lilja, and Brett Lebda. The Red Wings only falter this year.....letting the San Jose Sharks lead the western conference. Aside from that, the Red Wings have been the class of the NHL this season. At times they seem unbeatable. Their puck-possession style of play is almost unstoppable, and their goal scoring runs deep through their forward lines. The Red Wings will win the West, its just a matter of time.

Chicago Blackhawks
The Hawks have finally made themselves a playoff worthy hockey team. They are in the playoffs now, and are there to stay. Youngster Jonathan Toews had a tough start to the season but he seems to have gotten his game back, while Patrick Kane has seen no stopping and continues to rack up the points. Along with them, Patrick Sharp has finally found his touch and is on pace for his best season yet. Youngster Kris Versteeg has also proven to be a good surprise. The Hawks play exciting hockey and I cant wait to watch them in the playoffs, luckily , its not much longer of a wait.

St Louis Blues
As everyone says "they are singing the blues in St Louis". The Blues haven't been much good this season, and injuries ha vent helped them either. Andy Mcdonald has only played 16 games, and Paul Kariya only 11. Which is a major disappointment considering the roaring start they were off to at the beginning of the season. The Blues need to find their niche once again. They have a lot going for them in Brad Boyes, David Perron and Patrick Berglund. Problem is, they have too many old vets hanging around for those players to get enough quality playing time. Keith Tkachuk's time in St Louis needs to be over. They need to stockpile a few more draft picks and build themselves up, much like LA.

Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators seem to constantly be sticking around the 8th and 9th spots, as they have the past two seasons. They aren't making any headway, and they aren't falling short. The seem to be just there. They stick around. Shea Weber seems to have come into his own, and he is on track to be one of the NHL's elite defensmen. He is second on the team with a whopping 24 points, and 11 goals. He leads all NHL defensemen in both categories. One does have to wonder if the Predators will stick around for the playoffs, or maybe fall just short. Hard to tell at this point, but don't be surprised if come April, those pesky Pred's are sitting in 8th spot.

Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets made some interesting off-season moves, in acquiring center R.J. Umberger, and wingers Raffi Torres, and Kristian Huselius. None of these forwards have panned out as expected, instead, its the young guns that have shined in Columbus these days. Derek Brassard, Jakub Voracek, and Steve Mason are all big keys to any success the Jackets have had this season. Brassard is second in rookie scoring with 20 points, while Steve Mason has 6 wins in ten starts along with a 2.18 GAA and a save percentage of .917. While Rick Nash still is the leader and continues to lead the team in points. The Blue Jackets need to pull together and make a desperate push for the playoffs, and now. They are slowly losing their fan base as they ha vent made the post season dance since their inception.


I was reading an article the other day stating that Ilya Kovalchuk is on the trading block. As I have stated in one of my previous blogs, this would be a huge acquisition for the Edmonton Oilers, so I ask you readers, if you were GM Steve Tambellini, what kind of package would you make to sway Thrashers GM Don Waddell?