Grounded

WINNIPEG JETS

2013-14 record: 37-35-10 (84 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: Andrew Ladd

The Winnipeg Jets have been continuing the tradition that the Atlanta Thrashers started when they first joined the league in 1999.  That's not a compliment, and entering year four, Jets fans are getting restless.  A largely unchanged (of any significance) roster returns, as does the front office.  However, a coaching change was made in the middle of last season, and now, it is up to Paul Maurice, who took over mid-season, to get the Jets pointed in the right direction.  Given the division they're in, it will not be easy.

Up front, the only real change is that Dustin Byfuglien is moving back to right wing, a position he played while in Chicago.  While he was a major goal contributor from the blue line last season (20 goals), it was cancelled out by the fact that he was a major liability in his own end (-20).  Blake Wheeler, Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little, and Evander Kane all return, which isn't bad.  However, this is largely the same group that has overseen a playoff-less run since the Thrashers days, and Kane remains an enigma off the ice.  The less said about the blue line, the better, as they've been in the bottom third of the league since their only playoff run of 2007.  There are some good players here, with Jacob Trouba being a rising star.  However, if the Jets are to get anywhere, they will need good health (Zach Bogosian, Paul Postma, and Grant Clitsome all missed time) and a return to form by Tobias Enstrom.  If you're looking for a fatal flaw on the Jets, look no further than in goal, as Ondrej Pavelec posted horrific numbers (3.01 GAA) as a starter.  An eventual replacement is in the pipeline (Eric Comrie and/or Connor Hellebuyck), but nothing right away if Pavelec continues to struggle.

Prediction: 7th in the Central Division

The Jets' path to the playoffs was already going to be tough, with five of the seven teams making the playoffs last season.  However, a less than sterling defense and mediocre goaltending make it nearly impossible to say the Jets will be in anything more than the Connor McDavid sweepstakes.

Erie Report: A Hot Start

The Erie Otters kicked off the 2014-15 season on Wednesday, and they didn't show too much rust in their opening game at Saginaw.  Despite the Spirit opening the scoring, the Otters would put up a 7-spot en route to a 7-1 win.  Dylan Strome and Nick Betz had four points apiece and Mason Marchment had three points.  Friday, the Otters traveled to Windsor and while they found themselves down two goals to start, the Otters came through once again, this time, with five unanswered goals in a 5-2 win.  Connor McDavid scored four points and Taylor Raddysh scored his first OHL goal in the game.  Saturday was a little shakier, as the Plymouth Whalers led 2-0 after one period and were up 3-2 after the second period.  However, McDavid forced overtime with a goal in the third period and Darren Raddysh would score the game winner in a 5-4 overtime win for the Otters.  The Otters have their home opener in a Saturday tilt with the Sarnia Sting.

Capital Gains?

WASHINGTON CAPITALS

2013-14 record: 38-30-14 (90 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: Alexander Oveckin

It's one thing to be disappointing in the playoffs.  It's another to actually miss the playoffs, and that is something the Washington Capitals did after many seasons of never finishing at or above expectations in the Alexander Ovechkin-era.  That led to the ax job on the General Manager and head coaching jobs, meaning George McPhee and Adam Oates were let go, and in their places would be Brian MacLellan and Barry Trotz.

Offensive depth remains an issue, but a large part of the their offense still goes through Ovechkin, who scored 51 goals en route to a Rocket Richard Trophy.  Still, it didn't cover up his -35 rating, and worse yet, it also exposed the lack of depth on the blue line, as well as some issues with the old coaching regime's tactics.  To that end, Trotz was brought in, and he brings a solid defensive pedigree with him.  For depth, Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik were brought in, which should at worst, provide the Capitals with six solid defensemen.  Up front, Evgeny Kuznetsov finally gets the opportunity to show what he can do, and if he plays well, he will provide the Capitals with that elusive second line center they've been needing for years behind Niklas Backstrom.  Braden Holtby would like a refund on last season, but he is now the unquestioned starter, which should improve his confidence.

Prediction: 5th in the Metropolitan Division

The Capitals got better defensively, but everything is still on Ovechkin's stick, for better or for worse.  Everyone that was ahead of the Capitals in the division last season improved save for the Flyers, which means it will be tough sledding for the Capitals to make the playoffs once again.

A New Day in Vancouver

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

2013-14 record: 36-35-11 (83 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: Henrik Sedin

The 2013-14 season for the Vancouver Canucks is one that is neither likely to be forgotten anytime soon nor one that anyone associated with the team would like to remember.  The John Tortorella Experiment ended after one year, but not before the Roberto Luongo Ferris Wheel finally stopped with a whimper, Tortorella trying his antics during an intermission against the Calgary Flames in a game, Mike Gillis getting canned after several trades gone awry (Derek Roy, anyone?), and Ryan Kesler asking for and getting a trade out of town.

This year, the Canucks will be dipping into their past, as Trevor Linden was brought in as President of Hockey Operations, and he brought in Jim Benning as General Manager and Willie Desjardins as head coach.  Linden and Benning wasted no time giving the team a makeover, trading Kesler to Anaheim for Nick Bonino, Luca Sbisa, and a first round pick in 2014 (which turned out to be Jared McCann).  In free agency, Ryan Miller was brought in to give Eddie Lack more time to develop and Radim Vrbata will replace some of Kesler's production.  Vrbata's addition means that the top three lines are more likely to be set in the places they were meant to be.  Desjardins brings with him AHL championship experience, as well as WHL coaching experience, and he brings a more patient approach to the game, something that will go over well in the dressing room.  Defensively, a change from the zone scheme will be welcome, and though depth is still an issue, it will help if Alexander Edler rebounds from a horrible 2013-14 campaign, but he will have to wait for redemption while he recovers from injury.  Miller will provide a veteran presence in net, but he hasn't been the Ryan Miller of old, and given the win now market of Vancouver, any struggles he has could be magnified.

Prediction: 3rd in the Pacific Division

The Canucks are in a make the playoffs mode this season, and certainly, they have the pieces in place to do so.  Goal could be a deciding factor, but a more harmonious front office this season will positively affect the players.  After all, it can't be any more chaotic than last season.

Turning Over a New Leaf

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

2013-14 record: 38-36-8 (84 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: Dion Phaneuf

The Toronto Maple Leafs fell back to their usual bumbling ways after making the playoffs in 2013.  From the disastrous maiden year of David Clarkson to the Dave Bolland Experiment gone awry to a defense that was easy to get around, the Maple Leafs took several steps back.  Though Jonathan Bernier made his case to be the starting goaltender, he also got hurt, and that exposed both James Reimer and the defensive unit in front of the goaltender.  The only moves the Leafs made to fix this unit were buying out Tim Gleason, trading for Roman Polak, and signing Stephane Robidas.  None of those moves are exactly extreme makeover quality.  The hope here is that Dion Phaneuf will rebound from a horrid year and youngsters Jake Gardiner and Morgan Rielly will continue to develop into solid players.  Up front is where the team's strength lies, particularly the top two lines.  The James van Riemsdyk-Tyler Bozak-Phil Kessel line posted their usual great numbers.  It's the bottom two lines that could be an issue, particularly if Clarkson doesn't improve upon his 14 points in 60 games from last season.

Prediction: 7th in the Atlantic Division

The Leafs have more questions than answers at this point, which means they will be missing out on playoff hockey barring a miracle.

Striking Again

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

2013-14 record: 46-27-9 (101 points)
Lost to Montreal in Conference quarterfinals
Captain: Steven Stamkos

The Tampa Bay Lightning were supposed to be a rebuilding team that was going to struggle last season.  Losing Steven Stamkos for half the season due to a broken leg and later Martin St. Louis in a trade that saw Ryan Callahan come from the New York Rangers would have suggested this to be true.  However, a funny thing happened, and the rookies stepped up, and Ben Bishop emerged as a top goalie for the Lightning as they claimed a playoff spot.  However, Bishop was hurt, and down went the Lightning's chances of advancing.  Stamkos is healthy once again, and the Lightning suddenly find themselves with higher expectations.  Even though they're going to miss Calder Trophy candidate Jonathan Drouin for a month, Stamkos will have Callahan, Valtteri Filppula, Tyler Johnson, and Ondrej Palat helping up front, meaning the Lightning will have depth up front.  Defense let them down in the playoffs, and other than Victor Hedman, the blue line was mostly in need of better talent.  To that end, they traded for Jason Garrison and signed Anton Stralman in free agency.  Brian Boyle was also signed to provide the team with badly needed size and a strong presence on the bottom two lines.  Bishop seized the starting job last season, but his absence due to injuries was felt, which was why Evgeni Nabokov was signed.

Prediction: 2nd in the Atlantic Division

The Lightning snuck up on last year, and now with higher expectations, they're going to have to prove that it wasn't a fluke.  A healthy Stamkos and an improved blue line should ensure that the Lightning won't be a one-year wonder.

Blood in the Water

SAN JOSE SHARKS

2013-14 record: 51-22-9 (111 points)
Lost to Los Angeles in Conference quarterfinals
Captain: TBA

The San Jose Sharks became just the fourth team in NHL history to blow a 3-0 series lead and lose the series when they turned the trick against the Los Angeles Kings last season.  The Sharks' actions during the off-season can be best described as a chicken running around with its head cut off, as they've let Dan Boyle walk, move Brent Burns back to the blue line, taken away all letter designations from their players until after training camp, and are toying with the idea of letting the backup goalie become the starter.  While Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau are still solid point producers, only Marleau actually showed up for the playoffs, and Joe Pavelski emerged as a viable option while Logan Couture was never the same after getting injured prior to Olympic break.  There's no shortage of offensive options, but fixing the power play is a must.  The blue line sees Burns going back to the position he played on a regular basis as of three seasons ago.  This move was necessitated by the Boyle departure, and there will be at least one more newcomer (likely Mirco Mueller) since Brad Stuart was traded.  Antti Niemi had a good, but not great season.  However, that season got much worse come playoff time, as he was yanked in favor of Alex Stalock, who had a great regular season as a backup, but he could not save the Sharks' sinking ship in the playoffs.

Prediction: 4th in the Pacific Division

The Sharks are doing just about everything to wash away the stench of the 3-0 to 4-3 series loss they endured.  Whether or not any of it works will be figured out in the early parts of the season, and with jobs potentially on the line, the pressure to succeed is on more than ever.