2017-18 NHL Preview: Second 6
September 20, 2017
Today we preview the six teams that followed the “Original Six” in the NHL. The list includes the old California Seals, who were the first team to represent the Bay Area, which is now represented by the Sharks of San Jose, their division rival the LA Kings, the Dallas Stars (previously the Minnesota North Stars), and the St. Louis Blues. Representing the Eastern Conference in our preview are the Philadelphia Flyers and the Champions of last year, the Pittsburgh Penguins!
Dallas Stars – The Stars were a bust last season, plain and simple. Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, and Jason Spezza knew they didn’t reach expectations. During the off-season the Stars won the third overall pick in the lottery and acquired a true goaltender in Ben Bishop, who will be a huge upgrade from Antti Niemi. Although the Stars lost Cody Eakin, Ales Hemsky, and Patrick Sharp, they added the big blue-liner Marc Methot as well as lethal threat Alexander Radulov. The Stars should be better this year and should make the big D a playoff team again, all signs are pointing up in Dallas.
Los Angeles Kings – The actual Kings of the West, like they were when they won two Stanley Cups in three seasons between 2012 and 2014 and were on top of the NHL next to the Blackhawks, have missed the playoffs two out of the last few seasons including last season. So, what else can be their goal other than just strictly making the playoffs this year under new GM and former King, Rob Blake, and new head coach, John Stevens be? How about having more productive seasons from their top players. Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Tyler Toffoli all are expected to step up this upcoming season, along with the hopes that stud goaltender, Jonathan Quick can remain healthy and re-establish his game. The Kings will have to fight with teams like Edmonton, Calgary, Anaheim, and San Jose to reach the playoffs, but a poor start to the new season could derail those chances quickly.
Philadelphia Flyers – The Broad Street Bullies finished 11th in the Eastern Conference last season and have been in a playoff drought. While Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux lead the team in points, neither amassed the 30 goal mark, the only one to do so was Wayne Simmonds. Goaltending has been the biggest disappointment in recent years for the Flyers as they held on to Steve Mason, really because they had to. This year they hope new-comer Brian Elliot can help get Philly back to their winning ways.
Pittsburgh Penguins – The back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions are looking to make it a three-peat this season. Marc-Andre Fleury is gone, so that means this is truly Matt Murray’s job from here on out. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Conor Sheary, and Phil Kessel will continue to put the puck in the net this year while the Pens hope that Kris Letang can be healthy and contribute to the defending champs as well. No doubter that Pittsburgh has a chance to win it all again this season.
San Jose Sharks – This may be the most difficult year for the Sharks to reach the Finals and win it all despite Anaheim and LA maybe not being as talented as themselves. It is Edmonton and Calgary the Sharks need to worry about. Don’t get me wrong the Sharks have talent, Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns, and the ageless Joe Thornton (who is gunning for his 1,400th point this season) are all dominant even with the departure of Patrick Marleau. Burns is by far the best defenseman in the league as the toothless warrior won the Norris Trophy last season. Martin Jones also had himself a great season last year and is considered to be a top 10 goalie this season, but can San Jose get through the young guns of Alberta? The time is now.
St. Louis Blues – The Blues made it clear in the middle of last season that they are indeed looking towards the future while hanging on to the core of their forwards when they traded Kevin Shattenkirk. In order to keep the stud defenseman Colton Parayko they had to make a move and they did, so go forward the Blues hope their core of 30 year-olds (Stastny, Steen, Sobotka, Bouwmeester) can mix well with youngsters like Vlad Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz, and Robby Fabri. Jake Allen is also a must have for this team to make a run, if he can play like he did in the playoffs the Blues have a shot at the cup, as long as the injury bug doesn’t bite like it always seems to for St. Louis.
Written by Nick Gendreau
