How UKASF’s NHL writers see the 2013 season pan out
Just a day before the puck will drop for the 2013 NHL season, now that the Lockout has finally been broken and swept under the rug (for now) here are some predictions as to how it will all play out from UKAmericanSportsFans.com writers George Royle, Jonathan Northall, Katy Parles and Mike Fuller.
Where do you see the Stanley Cup heading come June?
George Royle: With the lockout leading to a shortened season, it is a tricky job to predict a Stanley Cup winner. It isn’t a short enough season for it to be a lottery, but it is certainly short enough to have an impact upon who the winner is. I think that the trophy will leave the West and be lifted in the East by the New York Rangers. This is a pretty brave call as the Rangers will have to be very quick out of the blocks, playing the Penguins, Bruins, Flyers and the Maple Leafs in a brutal January schedule.
Last season was a good campaign for the Rangers, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. However, with some great off-season trades, they have got even stronger on paper. The addition of Rick Nash, the five-time all-star is a massive one. With great depth in the offense, I think we could see a lot of goals from the Rangers in 2013. Having a solid foundation at the back is a crucial part of success in the NHL. The Rangers have that with Henrik Lundqvist in goal. He had a phenomenal 2011/12 season, and is now viewed as the best goalie in the NHL by many.
Jonathan Northall: I feel that this year, it will be the Pittsburgh Penguins who will deliver on the promise that they have. Since the Stanley Cup win of 2008-09, the Pens have flattered to deceive somewhat. With the likes of Crosby and Malkin, the Penguins should have achieved an hegemonic status over the NHL. However, that hasn’t been the case. A shortened season should play into the hands of the Penguins as they have lost their way in the last two seasons.
The lockout has given Sidney Crosby’s concussion time to settle whilst Evgeni Malkin has been tearing up the KHL. According to The Hockey News, only 6 of the current Penguins roster have played elsewhere during the lockout. For me, a fresh Penguins team being driven by an in form Malkin will build momentum during a 48 game season and bring Lord Stanley back to the ‘Burgh in 2013.
Katy Parles: There is a lot of belief in the Dallas Stars camp coming into this new season, and with the return of Stars legend Mike Modano to the club there is a certain something about Dallas this season that I feel sets them up as serious Stanley Cup contenders. In the same way as the LA Kings came to ride on the crest of the Jonathan Quick wave during their march to Stanley Cup glory last season, so the Stars have a huge key player in goaltender Kari Lehtonen who I believe will come up trumps for them this season.
With star forwards Jamie Benn, Loui Eriksson and Derek Roy the Stars were already strong on points scorers, but with the addition of veterans Jaromir Jagr and Ray Whitney they add a depth of experience which cannot be underestimated. Also like LA, I don’t expect the Stars to lead the way in their conference all season, but I believe that come play-off time the team will pull together and bring the good times back to Texas.
Mike Fuller: Always a difficult decision that will haunt me for the season, but I’m backing the St Louis Blues to repeat the form that surprised everyone last year. Ken Hitchcock won the Jack Adams award for best coach for the way he orchestrated their transformation in to division winners after he joined in November and now they will have a full season playing his systems.
Goaltending tandem Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott are key to defence-first philosophy along with brilliant young blueliner Alex Pietrangelo, though I reckon they could be an offensive force too. Captain David Backes is a superb two way forward, TJ Oshie improves every year and Andy McDonald will be more prominent after an injury hit 2012. Their division is tough, but they should have more than enough to earn a spot in the top eight and from their I think they look a team built for playoff hockey.
Who do you believe will be a surprise package?
JN: The Minnesota Wild, the franchise has bet big with bringing Ryan Suter and Zach Parise to the Xcel Energy Center. The Wild needed to do something special to make ground on the Vancouver Canucks who have dominated the Northwestern division over the last few years. I think that this year could see a power shift and the Wild will push the Canucks for the title.
The other teams (Oilers, Flames and Avalanche) are transitioning too but the big spending Wild, for me, will emerge. Parise, a local boy, is a tried and tested deliverer and the motivation of playing for his home town team will be enough alone. I fully expect Minnesota to make the playoffs after finishing 4th in the division last year.
KP: It technically may not class as a surprise, but after six long seasons without Stanley Cup action I think this is the season the Oilers’ long game might come into play. Their young draft picks have come good in recent seasons with the likes of Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Nugent-Hopkins strengthening year-on-year. With the addition of another number one pick, the hotly tipped Nail Yakupov, the Oilers have a clutch of forwards with speed, skill and youth to spare. Some might feel it’s too soon for the Oilers and I wouldn’t go as far as to tip them for cup success, but I feel this is the year they could break the duck and at least qualify for a play-off run. Much will depend on the form of the younger of their two goaltenders, Devan Dubnyk, and a defence which, also young, will be tested by the bigger, harder hitting sides of the league.
MF: We should definitely see an improvement from the Carolina Hurricanes after last year’s disappointing 12th in the East, thanks to some ambitious summer additions. Jordan Staal has joined brother Erik in Raleigh and they make for an impressive top two centers, whilst they also took a punt on enigmatic wing Alexander Semin to discover his 35+ goal form.
Factor in the progression of young talents Jeff Skinner and Justin Faulk, as well as the strong goaltending they will get from Cam Ward and I think it’s a well balanced line-up. With divisional games being so key to this shortened season, playing in the weak Southeast is a big advantage too.
GR: My surprise package for the 2013 season is the Dallas Stars, a team going in search of making the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. The Stars surprisingly topped the NHL at Christmas last season, but they faded and slipped out of the playoff picture. I think the 48-game season will suit them, as they have been quick starters in the last few seasons.
GM Joe Niuewendyk worked very hard in the off-season and in doing so brought some great players to Texas. He managed to lure Jaromir Jagr, Derek Roy and Ray Whitney to the franchise, three players who combined for 175 points last season. These guys will bolster the Stars’ offense, which already includes the likes of Jamie Benn (providing he is signed), Loui Eriksson and Michael Ryder. I expect quite a high finish in the West and the Stars to end their playoff drought.
Which player is your breakout star for this season?
KP: OK so maybe I’m biased, but I honestly think this year will be a breakout year for Rangers’ Chris Kreider. The kid was called up to the Blueshirts towards the end of last season and was thrown headlong into Stanley Cup play-offs, where he acquitted himself not just well, but occasionally brilliantly. To bear up under that kind of pressure speaks highly of Kreider’s character and faced with a shortened regular season he will undoubtedly want to come out flying.
He is a big, physical forward with a deft touch who I believe will slide effortlessly into Tortorella’s plans. He typifies the Rangers spirit, able to contribute defensively when called upon to do so as well as using his size and speed to add points. Keep your eye on Chris Kreider this season – he is going to make waves.
MF: Anders Lindback looks set to get an even split of the starts in net for the Tampa Bay Lightning, I expect him to be the clear starter by the end of the year. He’s been backing up Pekka Rinne very capably in Nashville for the previous two seasons and bares strong resemblances to his fellow Finn in both stature (6”5 plus) and style.
At only 24 he’s still fairly raw in goaltending terms so there will be mistakes thrown in there, but more ice time will quicken that development. Any continuation of the strong form he’s shown back home during the lockout will make him a big difference maker for the Bolts, who definitely need an improvement on the back end if they are to make the playoffs.
GR: My breakout star for 2013 is David Rundblad of the Phoenix Coyotes. Not many people will have heard of this guy. The young Swede was snapped up by Ottawa last season but was soon sent to the Coyotes in a trade for Kyle Turris. He was recalled to join back with the Coyotes after the lockout a few days ago, and if he is given ice time, I think he will offer Phoenix a lot.
For a defenseman he has a great shooting ability and slick hands, which will mean some offense being provided. It may or may not be his breakout season, but keep an eye on this guy.
JN: Matt Duchene of the Colorado Avalanche. Being 3rd overall in an NHL draft, you’d expect a player to be able to justify that responsibility. Matt Duchene is yet to fulfil that promise. However, I think this year could be the year. Last season, it was Gabriel Landeskog that dominated the headlines in Colorado. Now Landeskog is captain, it’s time for Duchene to step up and produce the numbers that his obvious talent is lacking.
Having spent the lockout playing in Sweden and Switzerland before being part of a Spengler Cup winning Team Canada, Duchene has kept busy and kept hitting the back of the net. It’s now time, and I think he will, to do the same in the NHL. Northwestern division, you have been warned….!
