We’re going to dive deep into the hard numbers and RAW data to eliminate as much gray area as possible, and to bring you an educated projection of how the season could unfold based on several major factors.  I have broken down into great depth the strength of all 32 teams’ top 6 and top 9 forward groups, their top 4 defensemen depth, their starting goalie rates, and their “spending/buying power” (a breakdown of cap space, and to a lesser extent, cash in the bank, heading towards free agency).   So, grab a snack, your drink of choice, light some candles, tune out the wife, and get ready for your ego to be crushed or massaged depending on where your team lands. 

Our travels today lead us into the vaunted and legendary Central Division.  The projected order of finish is based, again, on the top 6 and 9 forward depth, top 4 defenseman depth, starting goalie rating, and spending power of each franchise.  Our last couple of champions reside here, and the fierce battle for supremacy for next season is well under way. 

1. Colorado Avalanche.  Oh baby, it is a close race at the top.  Bryce will likely be fielding one of the deepest and most well-balanced rosters in the league.   Tony is the only other GM who can boast a top 8 ranking overall in forward depth, top 4 D-corps, and starting goaltending.  But the Avs actually fall within the top 5 in all of those categories.  Wow.  Spending power is actually decent in the mile high city too, as the organization sits about 20th overall in ability to get silly come free agency. 

2. Dallas Stars.  Has anyone ever been able to send out a goaltender the calibre of Igor Shesterkin since the inception of the league?  I’m not sure if the brhl was in operation during the days of the Dominator, but that’s the last tendy to have a season as spectacular as Igor’s.   The only possible saving grace for the rest of the league is that Junya sits around 10th and 12th overall in top 6 and 9 forward depth.  That isn’t much of a consolation though when you realize the Stars are top 10 in the buying power department.  With a top 3-4 overall D-corps, Kato is free to focus on needs up front. 

3. St Louis.  Fresh off of raising Lord Stanley, Eric somehow slots into the 3rd slot.  So disrespectful.  But that’s how she goes in this division.  Everyone’s favourite Furry sits solidly between 6th and 9th OV in goaltending and forward categories, but the back end is a so, so 15th best in the league.  Finances are tough to rank here with lots of cash, but limited cap room available.  The formula I used for buying power was cap space + half of cash, which lands St Louis at 22nd overall in that category. 

4. Minnesota Wild.   Ouuu, the fickle goaltending position.  Varlamov fails to hit the all-important 35 games.   The forward and D-men ranks are ever so slightly above average, but Al will be on the hunt for help in the crease this summer as you could argue he sits dead last at that position currently.  There are some solid names available in goal this summer, and with the 9th best financial position, the Wild are in good shape to take care of that need and others. 

5. Chicago Blackhawks.   Another team with a good top 4 grouping on the backend, Dave does have some serious work to do elsewhere.  Sitting barely inside the top 20 in the other ranks, and approximately 25th in spending power, Chicago may have to dip into their picks and prospect pool to compete this season.  Again, I did not factor in picks or prospects into these rankings, so there are many teams who can move up or down just by liquidating those assets. 

6. Seattle Kraken.  It’s basically a dead heat between the Kraken and Preds here, but our birthday boy Rex seems to be primed and motivated to take the next step as early as this season.   He needs a goalie, which is okay, because he sits 4th in buying power and there are tendies available in free agency.   He boasts a top 5 overall grouping of top 4 D-men, so that’s ready to go.  Up front though, there will be major growing pains unless some big moves are made.  28th is where Rex is hovering in the forward rankings. 

7. Nashville Predators.   Here are the raw numbers in Tennessee these days.  24th and 22nd overall up front (top 6/top 9), 21st best top 4 on the backend, 20th in goal, and 12th overall in buying power.  Make of that as you will.  The finances are in order to improve the current team, but to what extent is the question.  Sheds and his Preds will likely continue to lay low and build more for the long term if I were to bet on things. 

8. Winnipeg Jets.   Everyone’s favourite Doc will likely continue to rebuild going through this 2022-23 season.  Dr. J actually sports a pretty solid grouping up front, so he may surprise me, but the franchise is big-time in the red financially.  With the obvious needs in goal and on D (31st and 28th), the Jets don’t appear to have the means to contend just yet, and playing in this division it’s probably best not to rush the rebuild too quickly.