Central Division 2021-22 Season Preview | Rocket Sports

Michael Raschle

October 12, 2021

Central Division, 2021-22 Season Preview | Rocket Sports, Arizona Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets

Nathan MacKinnon, Andrew Copp (Photo by Seth McConnell, The Denver Post)

ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA — Welcome to the Rocket Sports Media season preview series! Over the next few days, you will find previews of all 32 NHL teams as organized by their respective divisions. These previews will feature a brief overview of each teams off-season changes, expectations, as well as predictions.

Previews are researched and written by talented and well-respected members of the Rocket Sports Media team, including the All Habs Hockey Magazine and AHL Report contributors. This team also includes a collection of guest contributors that we deemed as subject matter experts for their respective teams. Please comment below the article with your prediction. Enjoy!

Central Division – Western Conference

Colorado Avalanche

2020-21 Result: 39-13-4, 1^st in West Division, Eliminated in 2^nd Round

+ Key Additions: C Dylan Sikura (LVK), C Darren Helm (DET), D Ryan Murray (NJD), D Curtis MacDermid (LAK), G Darcy Kuemper (ARI)

– Key Departures: C Joonas Donskoi (SEA), C Carl Soderberg (SHL), LW Brandon Saad (STL), RW Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (TBL), D Ryan Graves (NJD), D Conor Timmins (ARI), G Philipp Grubauer (SEA)

Avalanche Outlook

The Colorado Avalanche will continue to be a Stanley Cup contender this coming season. The Avalanche had a relatively lackluster off-season, although they did manage to sign 2020 Calder Trophy winner Cale Makar and long-time captain Gabriel Landeskog to long-term, team-friendly extension.

Colorado lost depth upfront with the free agency departures of Brandon Saad and the Seattle Expansion Draft selection of Joonas Donskoi. Highly touted youngsters Alex Newhook and Mikhail Maltsev are expected to fill the void.

In net, the Avs wasted little time solidifying the position by trading with Arizona for starter Darcy Kuemper, after 2021 Vezina candidate Philipp Grubauer elected to join teammate Donskoi in Seattle via free agency. If Kuemper can stay healthy, he has a chance to have the same success Grubauer enjoyed behind arguably the most talented top-4 defensive core in the league.

Though he rarely completes a full season without a stint on the injured reserve, the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native has posted a career 2.47 goals-against average, paired with a 0.917 save-percentage. Kuemper has impressive numbers considering the relatively weak Wild and Coyotes teams he has backstopped in his nine year NHL career to date.

With their recent playoff exits, and a massive Nathan MacKinnon contract extension looming, the Colorado Avalanche have entered must-win territory. Their current roster certainly has the horses to hoist the Cup and bring it back to the Mile High City for the first time since Hall of Famer Ray Bourque raised it over his head at center ice in 2001.

> Prediction: Stanley Cup Contender

Preview by: Shane A – Guest Contributor

Minnesota Wild

2020-21 Result: 35-16-5, 3^rd in West Division, Eliminated in 1^st Round

+ Key Additions: C Frederick Gaudreau (PIT), D Dimitry Kulikov (EDM/NJD), D Alex Goligoski (ARI), D Jon Merrill (DET/MON)

– Key Departures: C Marcus Johansson (SEA), C Nick Bonino (SJS), LW Zach Parise (NYI), D Ryan Suter (DAL), D Carson Soucy (SEA)

Wild Outlook

After a surprise third place West Division finish last season, the Wild wasted little time shaking up their aging, overpaid and regressing veterans in the off-season. Buying out long-time captain Zach Parise and fellow Minnesota native Ryan Sutter. They also lost depth center Nick Bonino to free agency and crafty forward Marcus Johansson to Seattle`s Expansion Draft.

The Wild have elected to remain mostly internal to fill those vacant roster spots. It’s a wise choice, considering the hefty cap recapture penalty that is about to hit the team next off-season.

The most important piece of business accomplished by new GM Bill Guerin was to lock up star winger Kirill Kaprizov. After rumors ran wild all summer that he is threatening to stay in Russia and sign a lucrative deal there, Kirill eventually signed with Minnesota late summer for an annual salary of $9 million over five years.

With an impressive top core of forwards returning, youngsters Joel Eriksson Ek, Matthew Boldy, Jordan Greenway, and Kevin Fiala are all expected to take another step in development now that the roster is wide open for opportunity. After posting 51 points (27 goals, 24 assists) in only 55 games, the uber talented “Kirill the Thrill” will be counted on to take another step as well. One that the now 24-year-old Novokuznetsk, Russia native should be easily obtainable.

With a stable core of defencemen and a capable goaltending due of veteran Cam Talbot and sophomore Kappo Kahkonen backstopping a potentially lethal offense, the Wild should safely make the playoffs and maybe even win an opening round.

> Prediction: Mid-round Playoff Exit

Preview by: Mike Raschle – RSM Special Content Contributor – @mikehabs09

Winnipeg Jets

2020-21 Result: 30-23-3, 3^rd in North Division, Eliminated in 2^nd Round

+ Key Additions: C Riley Nash (CBJ/TOR), D Brenden Dillon (WAS), D Nate Schmidt (VAN)

– Key Departures: C Mathieu Perreault (MON), C Nate Thompson (PHI), C Trevor Lewis (CAL), D Jordie Benn (MIN), D Tucker Poolman (VAN), G Laurent Brossoit (VGK)

Jets Outlook

To understand this year’s edition of the Winnipeg Jets, one must return to the summer of 2019 when the organization was put in a difficult position as defenceman Jacob Trouba wanted out. The situation was compounded by losing key rearguards Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Chiarot and Tyler Myers in a relatively short space of time. Credit GM Kevin Cheveldayoff for adding the right pieces to get the team by and head coach Paul Maurice for getting the maximum value from what he had.

This past off-season Cheveldayoff made two key acquisitions on defence in Brenden Dillon and Nate Schmidt. Adding them to the return for Trouba, namely Neal Pionk and Ville Heinola, and it’s clear that Cheveldayoff was masterful in his handling of a tough situation. It should also be noted that the oft-criticized Josh Morrisey should benefit considerably from playing next to a player the calibre of Schmidt rather than Tucker Poolman (with all due respect.)

Upfront all eyes will be on Pierre-Luc Dubois to live up to expectations which could be the boost the Jets need to carve their path deeper in the playoffs. Dubois has the potential to be a top-6 impact player but was more of a passenger last season after a trade north, the subsequent quarantine and a slow start.

Mark Schiefele, Kyle Connor, and Nikolaj Ehlers are the type of high-end forwards that other teams covet and may have a greener light this season from Maurice to attack given improved defensive zone play. The concern for the forwards may be the depth of the bottom-6 complement beyond Adam Lowry.

With a much improved backend, Vezina-quality goaltending, and plenty of fire-power from a skilled set of forwards who create an abundance of chances, the Winnipeg Jets are well positioned to compete for the second place spot in the Central Division behind the Colorado Avalanche.

> Prediction: Mid-round playoff exit

Preview by: Rick Stephens – RSM Founder and President – @allhabs

Chicago Blackhawks

2020-21 Result: 24-25-7, 6^th in Central Division, Missed Playoffs

+ Key Additions: C Tyler Johnson (TB), LW Jujhar Khaira (EDM), D Seth Jones (CBJ), D Caleb Jones (EDM), D Jake McCabe (BUF), G Marc-Andre Fleury (VGK).

– Key Departures: C Pius Suter (DET), C Vinnie Hinostroza (BUF), D Duncan Keith (EDM), D Adam Boqvist (CBJ), D Brent Seabrook (Retire)

Blackhawks Outlook

Long-time GM Stan Bowman acquired what he felt was the prized available piece this off-season (if you ignore that Jack Eichel is also on the trade block), by trading for offensive defenceman Seth Jones, however, the price was steep. The transaction cost high-end defensive prospect Adam Boqvist, the 12th overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft (Columbus selected Cole Sillinger) and a 2021 2nd round pick (which Columbus flipped for Jake Bean) and an additional 2022 1st round pick. In addition, the Blackhawks needed to clear salary cap space to fit Jones. To do this, they flipped long-time veteran Duncan Keith to Edmonton in exchange for Seth’s brother, Caleb Jones and a minor conditional pick.

If that wasn’t enough, the overhaul continued in net. 2021 Vezina Trophy winner Marc-Andre Fleury was acquired as essential a salary dump from Vegas. He will be paired with Helsinki, Finland native Kevin Lankinen. While not winning a Vezina, Lankinen enjoyed quite a rookie campaign, posting a save-percentage of .909 and a goals-against-average of 3.01. It’s safe to say the last line of defense has the potential to carry a young, restructured defense.

Upfront, much remains the same. The return of beloved captain Jonathan Toews, and the addition of all-utility center Tyler Johnson, a recent back-to-back Stanley Cup Champion, will only improve an already proven attack. Blackhawks legend Patrick Kane will continue to control the offense and after posting yet another over point-per-game season in the 2020-2021 season, his 10th in 13 seasons, a decline does not appear to be looming. Kaner and under-sized winger Alex Debrincat look to continue to terrorize the West this season.

All looks good on paper for Chicago to return to the playoffs after finishing a disappointing sixth place in last years altered Central Division. The biggest concern is how much change to key positions has happened in one short off-season.

Will this core gel in time? History is on their side with plenty of veteran, Cup experience still on the roster. A slow start could mean another long summer in a top-heavy Central division.

> Prediction: Bubble Playoff Team

Preview by: Mike Raschle – RSM Special Content Contributor – @mikehabs09

Dallas Stars

2020-21 Result: 23-19-14, 5^th in Central Division, Missed Playoffs

+ Key Additions: C Luke Glendening (DET), LW Michael Raffl (PHI), D Ryan Suter (MIN), Andreas Borgman (TOR/TBL), G Braden Holtby (VAN)

– Key Departures: C Andrew Cogliano (SJS), LW Jason Dickinson (VAN), D Sami Vatanen (UFA), D Julius Honka (SHL), D Jamie Oleksiak (SEA)

Stars Outlook

The Dallas Stars, and GM Jim Nill decided to give their veteran core one more crack at playoff success. After making the Stanley Cup Finals in the 2019-’20 season, the club missed the playoffs last season. With injuries to key players all over the roster, the regression was not necessarily a surprise.

With many of the core forwards in their early to mid-thirties, the prime years of stars Tyler Seguin, Jaime Benn, Alexander Radulov, and Joe Pavelski are slowly dwindling. With only depth forwards added in the off-season, the message to this group is clear: results are needed now.

On defense, its a bit of a different tale. Youngster Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell are locked in at reasonable cap hits and are only improving as they age closer to their respective primes. Pair them with the veteran presence of John Klingberg and Ryan Sutter and this top four is only getting better.

In net, its a bit of a log jam. The addition of struggling veteran Brayden Holtby is a bit of a mystery when considering he will be paired with 35-year-old Anton Khudobin to start the season.

Another potential problem is Ben Bishop is still on this roster as well. Even though his injury timeline appears to be a bit of a mystery, if he were to return, the Stars would be spending over $10 million on three regressing goaltenders with an average age of 34 years old.

Jake Oettinger, the best tender Dallas has available, may just be stuck in Texas of the American Hockey League. The 22-year-old Lakeville, Minnesota posted a team-leading 2.36 goals-against-average and a .911 save-percentage in the 2020-’21 NHL season.

Even though the defense is heading in the right direction, there are way too many question marks and best-case scenarios everywhere else to make this Dallas Stars’ season a success.

> Prediction: Bubble Playoff Team

Preview by: Mike Raschle – RSM Special Content Contributor – @mikehabs09

Nashville Predators

2020-21 Result: 31-23-2, 4^th in Central Division, Eliminated in 1^st Round

+ Key Additions: C Cody Glass (VGK), RW Matt Luff (LAK), D Philippe Myers (PHI), G David Rittich (CAL/TOR)

– Key Departures: C Brad Richardson (CAL), LW Calle Jarnkrok (SEA), RW Viktor Arvidsson (LAK), RW Erik Haula (BOS), D Erik Gudbranson (CAL), D Ryan Ellis (PHI), G Pekka Rinne (Retire)

Predators Outlook

After a third straight opening round playoff exit, and a franchise icon Pekka Rinne announcing his retirement, change was inevitable in Nashville. Core pieces, Ryan Ellis and Viktor Arvidsson, were both moved this off-season for rebuilding pieces.

Cody Glass and Philippe Myers headlined these returns. Both are expected to slot lower in the Preds lineup than the players that departed.

Glass is the highlight piece to build around. The 22-year-old Winnipeg, Manitoba native has two NHL seasons of experience with Vegas, after being selected sixth overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He also enjoyed a 102 point (37 goals, 65 assists) season with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League prior to that draft. The right-shooting center is a few years away from taking the next step, and should slot in nicely in the Preds top-nine until he is ready for top line duty.

Juuse Saros enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2020-2021, and will be expected to match his 2.28 goals-against-average and .927 save-percentage for this team to come anywhere close to a playoff spot. A resurgence from over-paid former stars Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen would take pressure off superstar defenceman and captain Roman Josi to keep fans from running to the Grand Ole Opry for entertainment.

> Prediction: Dazed and Confused

Preview by: Mike Raschle – RSM Special Content Contributor – @mikehabs09

St Louis Blues

2020-21 Result: 27-20-9, 4^th in West Division, Eliminated in 1^st Round

+ Key Additions: LW Brandon Saad (COL), LW Pavel Buchnevich (NYR)

– Key Departures: LW Jaden Schwartz (SEA), LW Alex Steen (Retire), LW Mike Hoffman (MON), LW Sammy Blais (NYR), D Carl Gunnarsson (Retire), D Vince Dunn (SEA)

Blues Outlook

The St. Louis Blues team that won the Stanley Cup in 2018-2019 is almost unrecognizable three mere off-seasons later. Even though the current squad still prominently features captain Ryan O’Reilly, Brayden Scheen, and David Perron in the top six, the rest of the Cup winning core is buried in the bottom half of the lineup.

Youngsters Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou have developed nicely in depth roles in recent seasons, but for this team to be successful, they need to take the next stop now. The addition of the skilled Pavel Buchnevich will be a nice complimentary piece who will work with the young core.

Disgruntled former superstar Vladimir Tarasenko asked for a trade just over half a year ago. That request has yet to be granted and he is back with the Blues this fall. That cannot be a pleasant situation for anyone. The oft-injured former 40-goal scorer is currently projected on the Blues third line with Thomas and signed PTO invite James Neal. It’s a strange line dynamic to say the least.

On the back-end, the loss of former captain Alex Pietrangelo is still felt a season later, especially so after irresponsibly losing highly regarded offensive defenceman Vince Dunn to Seattle’s expansion draft. The remaining core will rely heavily on young Colton Parayko to take the next step in his development after regressing last season and only posting 12 points (2 goals, 10 assist). It’s a far cry from the half a point-per-game pace he consistently achieved early on in his career.

> Prediction: Dazed and Confused

Preview by: Mike Raschle – RSM Special Content Contributor – @mikehabs09

Arizona Coyotes

2020-21 Result: 24-26-6, 5^th in West Division, Missed Playoffs

+ Key Additions: C Jay Beagle (VAN), LW Antoine Roussel (VAN), Loui Eriksson (VAN), LW Ryan Dzingel (OTT), D Connor Timmins (COL), D Shayne Ghostisbehere (PHI), G Carter Hutton (BUF)

– Key Departures: C Christian Dvorak (MTL), C John Hayden (BUF), RW Connor Garland (VAN), LW Michael Bunting (TOR), C Frederick Gauthier (NJD), C Derick Brassard (PHI), D Oliver Ekman-Larsson (VAN), D Alex Goligoski (MIN), D Niklas Hjalmarsson (Retired), G Antii Raanta (CAR), G Darcy Kuemper (COL)

Coyotes Outlook

After losing their top picks in the combine scandal last year, the mood in Arizona is SELL, SELL, SELL. The Coyotes front office is obviously aggressively trying to model the Houston Astros rebuild but the bulk of the press is going to be asking where will they play after this season as their Gila River Arena lease will not be renewed.

It is hard to even give an honest evaluation of the Yotes on paper right now, but there are likely several AHL teams that would give Arizona a hard time. The former bright spot was their goaltending (now gone) and their ‘D’ core (mostly gone) leaving the young Jacob Chychrun with a huge task in front of him. Young defenders Connor Timmins, Kyle Capobianco, Victor Soderstrom, and Ilya Lyubushkin will be given every chance to become full-time big leaguers in front of a thoroughly underwhelming offense.

Gary Bettman likely won’t entertain moving the franchise; however, if there’s ever been a candidate to move to Houston this is the one. Expect it to be a very tough year to be a Coyotes fan, as even Paul Bissonette can’t call them a “wagon” anymore which should tell you everything you need to know. Let’s hope Shane Wright likes warm winters and cacti!

> Prediction: Draft Lottery Contender

Preview by: Daniel B – Guest Contributor – @dnbnntt