1) Anaheim - 1 win away from a Conference finals berth last season, the Anaheim Ducks lost arguably their #1 and #3 defensemen with Chris Pronger and Francois Beauchemin through trades and free agency respectively. However, 5 of the starting 6 D are all under 30, with the returning grey beard being future Hall of Famer Scott Niedermayer. His leadership and the offensive abilities of Ryan Whitney and James Wisnewski will have the Ducks looking strong from the blueline. The Ducks may be the strongest offensively in the Pacific with a line of all-stars with Big 15, Bobby Ryan and Corey Perry, each having the potential of having 100+ pts seasons. The only question will be between the pipes, as Jonas Hiller and J.S. Giguere will battle for the top job.
2) San Jose - San Jose has been a dominant force in the Western division for the last 2 years, getting off to great starts to take a stranglehold on the Pacific. Evgeni Nabokov has been rock solid in the regular season between the pipe for the Sharks, and barring injury will be a staple in the net for the future. Jumbo Joe Thornton will have to lead the offense for the now captain-less Sharks, as one-time 50 goal scorer Jonathan Cheechoo is now seeing action on the 3rd line, and Patrick Marleau will have to be mentally strong to battle the never ending trade rumors that follow him season after season. Rob Blake and Dan Boyle will have to be rock solid on the blue-lines as both Christian Ehrhoff and Brad Lukowich were dealt to Vancouver.
3) LA Kings - getting better
4) Dallas - Sucks
5) Phoenix - Sucks and should be moved
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