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October 12, 2015
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
6 VANCOUVER CANUCKS PACIFIC
It's Never Fun losing to the underdog, as the Canucks did when they fell to the Flames in the first round in April. GM Jim Benning didn't take kindly to the defeat. He revamped his front office, replacing his VP of hockey operations, assistant GM and director of player personnel. Benning then overhauled his roster, expelling Kevin Bieksa, Eddie Lack, Zack Kassian and Nick Bonino. But the Canucks didn't sufficiently replace the departed talent, as only Brandon Sutter, Brandon Prust and Matt Bartkowski were added. Benning says the team will remain competitive, but the roster has been downgraded and must again be carried by the Sedin twins, who turn 35 this year. The Canucks, who were the Pacific Division's second seed with 101 points, will take a tumble. Last year's eighth-best offense…
3. WILL L.A. RECLAIM THE THRONE?
RETURNING CAST Many of the Kings' key championship cogs remain, from Drew Doughty, left, to Dustin Brown. THE LOS ANGELES KINGS WHO MISSED THE PLAYOFFS last season had the same 40-27-15 record as the Kings who won the Stanley Cup in 2011-12. The 2014-15 team had four more regulation and overtime wins, was better on the road and scored more goals than the 2011-12 team. It was the best possession team in the league (insert joke here) and had more points on home ice than either of the teams that won the Cup. A poor road record and an inability to win shootouts were the major difference between last year’s Kings and the ones who showed a remarkable ability to play their best when the calendar turned to April. So it’s not as though…
2 NEW YORK ISLANDERS METROPOLITAN
THE 2014-15 ISLANDERS were fittingly reminiscent of their ancestors in breaking 100 points for the first time since the franchise's glory years of the early 1980s. Led by John Tavares and a blossoming cast of potent young forwards, the Islanders were suddenly too skilled to fail. Even with a middle-tier power play, they scored the fourth-most goals in the league. Understanding that his core players have yet to fully ripen, GM Garth Snow will ice essentially the same roster. Burgeoning Ryan Strome and Brock Nelson are poised to step forward behind captain Tavares, 25, who lost out on the scoring title on the final day of the season. Last season's offensive surge was made possible by an upgraded blueline, led by additions Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy. They settled in as a…
2 CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS CENTRAL
WITHIN DAYS of Chicago's Stanley Cup victory in 2010, cap constraints forced GM Stan Bowman to ship out key pieces of his championship team. In 2015, the same circumstance arose, and the players knew what was coming. With $10.5-million cap hits kicking in for Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane's new deals, Bowman was under the gun to move dollars out the door. When Brandon Saad's contract demands escalated, Bowman sent him to Columbus in a seven-player deal. Coming back was Artem Anisimov, a big center who steps in for the departed Brad Richards, and Marko Dano, a productive 20-year-old who makes less than $1 million for two more years. Patrick Sharp was then dealt to the Stars for Trevor Daley and Ryan Garbutt. A summer police investigation around an alleged off-ice incident…
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