In our first division preview of the season we will tackle the Central Division. The new-look Central Division is home to the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks.

Chicago Blackhawks

Key Losses: G- Ray Emery, C- Dave Bolland, RW- Viktor Stalberg, RW- Michael Frolik, LW- Dan Carcillo

Key Additions: G- Nikolai Khabibulin

Off-season: Another championship, another need to move players. While the 2013 free agency period was not a fire sale like in 2010 for Chicago, moving contributors like Dave Bolland, Michael Frolik, and letting Viktor Stalberg walk left voids. The Blackhawks brought in a familiar face in Nikolai Khabibulin. He will replace Ray Emery, who signed with Philadelphia.

Notable 2012-13 Team Stats:

• First in NHL in Goals Against and Goals Against per Game- 96, 2.02
• Third ranked Penalty Kill- 87.2 percent
• Second in Goals per Game- 3.10

2013-14 Outlook: Chicago will get to defend their second Stanley Cup championship in four seasons with the majority of the players from 2012-13 returning this season. Scoring should not be an issue unless the Blackhawks are on the power-play. A 19th ranked power-play continues to be the biggest issue for a team loaded with offense. A player like center Bryan Bickell will have to add an influx of muscle to help studs like wingers Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa, and center Jonathan Toews, among others, boost the weak man-advantage. The league’s best defense will have a lot to live up to after last season, but keeping the top six on the roster will clearly help. Can veterans like Michal Rozsival and Michal Handzus continue sipping from the fountain of youth and keep young prospects like Adam Clendening, Drew LeBlanc and Jeremy Morin at bay? Look for the young guys to make an impact. Brandon Pirri and Marcus Kruger will have to step up at center to keep the offense rolling. The two could each put up 30+ assists if centering the second line.

Colorado Avalanche

Key Losses: D- Shane O’Brien, RW- David Jones

Key Additions: D- Andre Benoit, D- Cory Sarich, LW- Alex Tanguay, C- Nathan MacKinnon

Off-season: Trading for the familiar Alex Tanguay brings a face people recognize back to Colorado. The 2013 NHL Draft #1 pick Nathan MacKinnon was the biggest addition to a team stocking up on young scorers. In 44 games with Halifax in juniors last season, MacKinnon scored 32 goals.

Notable 2012-13 Team Stats:

• Bottom third in Power-play and Penalty Kill: 24^th, 20^th
• Bottom five in offensive and defensive scoring: 26^th, 27^th
• Ninth best team face-off percentage: 51.1%

2013-14 Outlook: You would think that a team that has winger Gabriel Landeskog, center Matt Duchene, winger P.A. Parenteau, and center Paul Stastny would be able to score more than 2.38 goals per game. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case as the Avalanche failed to hit on all cylinders last season. Adding MacKinnon will help that number, but not enough to get Colorado back to respectability. The defensive corps is still very young, with Jan Hejda, Andre Benoit, and Cory Sarich as the only rearguards over 25.Although  Benoit and Sarich appear to be interchangeable and are not necessarily guaranteed starters. Twenty-two-year-old Tyson Barrie led the ‘D’ in ice time in 2012-13 (21:34/game), and will be expected to do so again. With large expectations put on so many unproven players, Colorado fans should expect plenty of bumps in the road. Despite that, the future looks bright, and some of the legit talent should show this season.

Dallas Stars

Key Losses: G- Richard Bachman, D- Philip Larsen, LW- Eric Nystrom, C- Tom Wandell, RW- Loui Eriksson

Key Additions: G- Dan Ellis, D- Sergei Gonchar, C- Tyler Seguin, C- Rich Peverley, C- Shawn Horcoff, RW- Valeri Nichushkin

Off-season: New GM Jim Nill wasted no time reshaping the Stars roster. Out goes two-way winger Loui Eriksson, defensemen Tom Wandell and Philip Larsen, and in come Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverley, and Shawn Horcoff. Dallas also drafted Valeri Nichushkin with the tenth overall pick. Nichushkin, who left the KHL to come to the U.S, should have an immediate impact. Acquiring Sergei Gonchar will also help an offensively challenged defense.

Notable 2012-13 Team Stats:

• 27^th in face-off percentage: 47.2%
• Won 50 percent of games when outshooting opponent
• 29^th in shots per game: 26.3

2013-14 Outlook: Dallas had a hard time playing consistent hockey in 2012-13. The 11^th ranked offense was middle of the pack on the man-advantage, and the 24^th ranked scoring defense was 17^th on the penalty kill. Workhorse goalie Kari Lehtonen saw an average of 31 shots per game, and that number should remain the same with no new true defensive defenseman added. Scoring should not be an issue in 2013-14 with the additions of Seguin and Nichushkin. Trading Eriksson would in theory hurt the penalty-kill, but Peverley and Horcoff can win face-offs and play a two-way game. An attribute that Dallas has been desperately needing from their center-men. Prospect left winger Alex Chiasson has a chance to be special. He potted six goals in seven games last season and should see time on the team’s top two lines. Jamie Benn is a star in the NHL and, with the additions Dallas made at center,  will be able to concentrate on scoring on the left side.

Minnesota Wild

Key Losses: D- Justin Falk, D- Tom Gilbert, LW- Pierre-Marc Bouchard, C- Matt Cullen, RW- Cal Clutterbuck, RW- Devin Setoguchi

Key Additions: D- Keith Ballard, LW- Matt Cooke, RW- Nino Niederreiter

Off-season: The most boring team in hockey kept fans’ attention by making a handful of moves. The Wild needed a wake up call, and the trade of Cal Clutterbuck for prospect Nino Niederreiter was just that. Clutterbuck was a fan favorite, but cannot touch the offensive skill of Niederreiter. Nino could break out in 2013-14. The signing of Matt Cooke was questionable, but happened to fill the muscle void left by Clutterbuck. Keith Ballard will bring a veteran presence to a very young and talented defense that could be one of the leagues’ best in the next few years.

Notable 2012-13 Teams Stats:

• 22^nd goals per game: 2.46
• Third in face-off percentage: 52.4
• Won 90 percent of games when leading after two periods

2013-14 Outlook: Is this the year Minnesota makes the leap to Western Conference contender? Management says yes, but can center Zach Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter lead the charge? Suter saw a shade over 27 minutes per game because of the inexperience on defense last season. Suter will need a jump in play from fellow blue-liners Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin for this team to succeed in their new division. Look for Mikael Granlund and Jason Zucker to take the next step in the NHL. Granlund had major growing pains during the shortened season while Zucker scored 24 goals and 50 points in 55 games in the AHL. Finally, is Dany Heatley going to stay healthy long enough to contribute? His health, and at least 20 goals, will make life easier on the young scorers as they deal with their expected ups and downs.

Nashville Predators

Key Losses: D- Jonathon Blum, LW- Sergei Kostitsyn, RW- Matt Halischuk, RW- Bobby Butler, RW- Brandon Yip

Key Additions: D- Seth Jones, LW- Eric Nystrom, C- Matt Cullen, RW- Viktor Stalberg, RW- Matt Hendricks

Off-season: Nashville needed scoring, and did an okay job of adding it by bringing in Viktor Stalberg and distributor Matt Cullen. Matt Hendricks and Eric Nystrom are nice role players who will score here and there. Adding stud defenseman Seth Jones via the draft was the biggest move over the summer.

2012-13 Notable Team Stats:

• 29^th goals per game: 2.27
• Least shots per game: 25.9
• 29^th ranked Penalty kill: 75.5%

2013-14 Outlook: The defense has rarely been the issue in the Music City. Scoring had to be addressed, and the players added may not push Nashville up the rankings on offense. Adding Jones to the youthful blueline will have its ups and downs, but the future is bright with other two-way defenseman like Shea Weber and Roman Josi. Filip Forsberg will be integral in the team’s offense if given the playing time. He very well could push Stalberg for minutes as the 2^nd line right winger. Pekka Rinne is the best netminder in the world.

St. Louis Blues

 Key Losses: D- Kris Russell, LW- David Perron, LW- Andy McDonald, C- Scott Nichol

Key Additions: LW- Magnus Paajarvi, C- Derek Roy, C- Maxim Lapierre

Off-season: An inconsistent offensive effort led to the additions of Derek Roy and Magnus Paajarvi. Even though young-gun forward David Perron was the collateral damage to get Paajarvi, the change of scenery for the 22-year old Paajarvi should do wonders. Maxim LaPierre is a goon, and adding him to a team with short tempers littered all over it will prove to be a mistake.

Notable 2012-13 Team Stats:

• Tied for seventh best defense: 2.38 goals against/game
• Seventh best Penalty kill: 84.7%
• Second in NHL shots allowed/game: 24.2

2013-14 Outlook: The Blues took a step back in 2012-13, and management made some notable transactions to wake the team up. Gone is Perron, and in is cast-off Paajarvi, who should contribute. Derek Roy is arguably the most important player in St. Louis this season. If he can rebound to 15 goals and 50-60 points, a new dimension of offense could finally show. Forward Vladimir Tarasenko missed valuable time due to injury in 2012-2013, but has all the talent in the world. Do not be surprised if either of the two goalies Brian Elliot and Jaroslav Halak is cast off if one fails to perform. Incumbent high rated goalie prospect Jake Allen filled in admirably in 2012-13, and deserves a shot to play.

Winnipeg Jets

 Key Losses: D- Derek Meech, C- Mike Santorelli, RW- Antti Miettinen

Key Additions: LW- Matt Halischuk, RW- Devin Setoguchi, RW- Michael Frolik

Off-season: Winnipeg kept the main core intact, adding decent scoring options such as Devin Setoguchi and two-way forward Michael Frolik.

Notable 2012-13 Team Stats:

• Worst Power-play: 13.8%
• 24^th ranked Penalty kill: 79.7%
• Won 60% of game when out-shooting opponent

2013-14 Outlook: A move to the west may be an unwelcome one. The Jets had a hard time scoring consistently and did little to shore that up  during the off-season. Setoguchi and Antti Miettinen are nice options, but they don’t exactly set the world on fire. Evander Kane has a huge chance to break out in 2013-2014, but then again, we say this every year. Thirty goals for Kane, Andrew Ladd, and Blake Wheeler is not out of question, but the rest of the team won’t come close to that type of production. Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien will never be considered a great defender, but being paired with Tobias Enstrom will help him cover most of his weaknesses thanks to the offensive contributions that both bring. Defenseman Jacob Trouba and forward Mark Scheifele could be impact rookies.