NHL Central Division Preview
Hey guys and welcome on in to the next NHL division preview show. I’m your host Terry Edelman at Ticks over on X ready to break down the Central division. uh talking about the central teams, looking at their forward depth, defensive depth, goal heading depth, uh future bets, uh and then looking at my power rankings for how I rank the Central Division uh heading into the season. Uh before we get to that though, make sure to hit the like button on the video, subscribe if you’re new to the channel, and um let me know in the comments section um what you think about the Central Teams. uh what did I get right? What did I get wrong? Let me know uh in the comment section. But we’re going to jump with the first we’re going to start with the first team, which is the Chicago Blackhawks. Uh viewers of the channel know my feelings on the Chicago Blackhawks. Uh but I think well I know the future is bright for this team. Um whether or not that comes this year, well, we’ll get to that, but uh the future is bright for the Blackhawks. Uh the top line, Ryan Donado, Connor Bdard, and Andre Burikovski coming over from the Seattle Kraken. Of course, Ryan Donado resigning with Chicago. He had that career year last year. Uh is he able to replicate that this season? Uh I’m not so sure. But if you’re on the top line with Conor Bernard, um that’s the best spot to be in this lineup offensively. Tivu Terrain, Frank Nazar, and Tyler Bertusi. Um Frank Nazar, another good young player for the Hawks. Uh a good second line center. I think he’s going to improve this year from what he did last year. Um, his linemates on the other hand, uh, I don’t know if we see a whole lot of improvement from them, um, this season. Uh, but Ilia McKev, Jason Dickinson, and Nick Felino on that third line. Um, a good physical third line. Uh, I don’t know about the offense though. And looking at this forward group in general, uh, where is all the offense gonna come from? Conor Bard, uh, basically he’s a one-man show still. Yes. Okay, there’s guys around him. Um, but overall, um, pretty rough forward roster compared to other teams in the central division. um have much deeper rosters, but what do the Hawks have? A lot of young players. Frankenar, Ryan Green, Colton Doc, uh Oliver Moore, Lucas Raichelle as well. Uh so, and then other guys, lots of other prospects as well. So, the Hawks are a team that this is probably not going to be their opening night lineup. uh with uh with all the different players they have uh they can move things around overall, but looking at this forward depth group, uh I think it’s it’s pretty weak compared to some other teams in this division. Taking a look at the defense again, young guys. Uh if you look if you look at this defense, um the first thing that pops off the page here is youth. Uh you’ve got Conor Murphy there. Uh but every other player uh is uh either a rookie or in their first or second season. Um I think why Kaiser might be in a second season, but um these guys um um a lot of youth on this uh defense uh for the the Hawks and that’s a huge question mark. Uh how are these guys going to play? um a lot of young defenses. Obviously, it takes time uh for them to to develop uh into NHL players. Um so, I don’t know how to judge the Hawks defense. Um I think there’s going to be growing pains. There’s going to be ups and downs. I think guys will have good times. Guys will have some rough times. I think defensively there might be some issues here uh with the Hawks defense. Um, but it’s tough to judge just because uh there’s there’s not a whole lot of experience uh here uh for these players. Wyatt Kaiser playing 57 games last year, eight points, 32 games a season before uh with seven points. So um obviously as a defenseman um your main job is to defend. Uh but Alex Lassic had a good year last year. His first season or basically his first full season in 23 24 16 points in 76 games played. He almost doubled that. 31 points and 82 games played last year. I think he’s going to be a really good defenseman in this league. And I don’t want to say well I guess I should say he’s one of the veterans here in uh in this defensive core. uh with this being his third full season, he’s kind of one of the veterans playing with Conor Murphy on that top line. So overall going to be very good in the future this year. I think there’s going to be some growing pains. There’s going to be some ups and downs with this defense. Taking a look at the goalending, uh Loro Suis still injured. Um didn’t play last year. Um is a guy with dealing with injuries for the Hawks. Arvitz Odblam coming back to be the backup behind Spencer Knight. Spencer Knight obviously the future I think in net for the Hawks or at least that they’re hoping he is. Um I think he’s going to play very good at times. Uh I think he’s going to have some bad games. He’s going to have some good games. Looking at the young young defense in front of him, uh I think there is going to be some growing pains. he is going to get left out to dry sometimes and he’s going to be needed to make big saves for this Hawks team. Looking at future bets for the Hawks, and I know people are going to look at this and they’re going to say, Terry, being a Homer, being a Wild fan, you hate the Hawks. And yeah, I am a Wild fan. Um, not hiding it. And I don’t like the Hawks. I’ve made that pretty clear uh on many many times in the past. Having said that though, I think this is the Hawks um roster compared to other teams, other um bottom tier teams. Uh I think the Hawks roster is the worst. Um yes, they finished second last year. Uh the Hawks had 61 points, the San Jose Sharks had 52. And well, obviously I’ll talk about San Jose tomorrow, but I do think they finish above the Hawks. Uh, so plus 200. They are the favorites to win this uh having the least amount of points in the NHL. I think Chicago does finish with the worst record in the NFL or in NH NHL, the worst record in the NHL. But sadly, that means they’re going to get a top pick in a very good draft. And pains me to say it even more. Um, I think they finished last this year, but I think they go up next year. And I think that’s the start of the Hawks journey back to being a contender. So, yeah, it’s going to be a rough year, but the future is bright for this Hawks team. As much as I hate hate to say it, the future is unfortunately bright, but probably not this year. Um, the Colorado Avalanche. So, we just talked about a team that I think is going to be uh at the bottom of the division. Obviously, I’m spoiler spoil spoilering that, but if I have them having the worst least amount of points in the NHL, kind of shows that. Now, we’re going to talk about another team um that I think is going to be near the top of the division, the Colorado Avalanche. Valerie Nushkin, Nathan McKinnon, and Marty Nus. Um NIS ups and downs since joining Colorado. Um from everything I hear, he wants uh a payday. and the Avalanche whether or not they’re able to or whether or not they choose to uh give him that will be up in the air. But um playing with McKinnon and Ashushkin on that top line uh is probably a good way to rack up some points and get yourself a big bag of money heading into next season with some team. Uh so a good spot for him on that top line. Um the second line, Gabriel Landiskog, uh Brock Nelson and Arturi Lechinan. Uh Lechinan’s been really good for the Avalanche, a dependable player, a depth player. Landiskog obviously coming back towards the end of last season, uh now um heading into his first full season back. Brock Nelson, an older guy, is getting older. Um still he’s been productive. Uh, I do think he is uh a candidate on this forward group to maybe be a player that’s going to take a small step back uh as um as father time hits him. I know he’s not that old, but um I do think Brock Nelson probably a more of a third line guy in my opinion at this point, but um he’s going to get points. He’s going to score some goals for the Avalanche. Ross Colton, Jack Drury, and Victor Olson on that third line. That is very, very interesting. Uh Ross Colton, obviously he had some uh really good offensive um games last year. He was a streaky player. I know he dealt with injuries as well. Victor Olivesson uh obviously playing in Buffalo his whole career. um did well with Vegas uh last year. Now coming over to Colorado uh Jack Drury um coming over with Natus uh in that deal. I like that third line. I think that and you know as I’m doing these as I’m doing these shows I I notice that I do seem to like a lot of third lines and that’s because a lot of these teams have some sneaky uh good third lines especially contenders uh that have a good mix mixture of youth and veteran presence and I I like this third line for Colorado. I think it’ll be a line to keep an eye on. Parker, Kelly, Zakar, Bardikov, and Joel Kiver on the fourth line, as well as Ivan Ivan trying to make the roster. No, that’s not a mistake. His name is Ivan Ivan to those thinking I made an error, I didn’t. But, um, overall, a solid roster, uh, a solid forward group. um questions with the fourth line, but there’s questions with everyone’s fourth line. The main um the most important um pieces of the forward group is obviously the top three lines. Fourth line, your job is to go out there, not get scored on. Um maybe try to be a physical line, defensive line, but yeah, that’s basically your job. Looking at the defense, uh we’ve got Devonte and Kale Mar uh as that top pair. Obviously one of the best D pairs in the NHL. I think that’s fair to say. Uh Samuel Gerard and Josh Manson, very solid second pair for the Avalanche. Saminsky and old man Brent Burns coming over from Carolina here on that third pair. And obviously I wish he obviously it would have been nice for him to come back to Minnesota, the team that drafted him. Uh but um going to and going to division rival kind of sucks, but I really like I really like the addition of Brad Barnes. Um, obviously he uh is in his last stretch here in the NHL as I believe he’s 40 years old now. Uh, so Brent Burns getting up there, but uh very still good uh offensive defenseman. Um, and um, yeah, he’s 40 years old. So, uh, but last year he 29 points in 82 games played. So it was a a bit of a step down. Uh obviously the season before 43 point 61 54 uh obviously in his uh main year 60 70 80 points. So obviously he is a guy that’s towards the end of his career, but I think that’s a really good uh uh depth defenseman to have here uh for the Avalanche. Goalending the Woods, Blackwood and Wedgwood uh both returning here. Of course, Colorado last year starting with completely different goalenders and completely just swapped out both of their goalies, brought in two new ones. Uh, and these are the guys here. McKenzie Blackwood obviously getting that five-year deal. Um, dealing with injuries but not in the IR. So, looking like he’ll start the season for the Avalanche. And questions, but we’ll have to see. Blackwood did really well with Colorado last year. Uh but uh now obviously he doesn’t have to worry about his contract. Um health obviously is important. Uh but um because of how solid the rest of the roster is, I think Colorado could have some goalending issues and still be fine. Uh, and they could always make some trades again to fix any issues they might have with the goalending. Kale Macar 90 plus points plus 115. When I look at this Colorado Avalanche team, yes, I think they’re going to be competing for the division title. So, you could look at them uh for the division title. Obviously, you’ve got McKinnon, you could look at his point props. Um they’re not expensive but very high numbers if you’re going to take uh a McKinnon. Um Mar he has in his last two seasons um 90 points and 90 points. Hold on. Or he has at least 90 points in uh back-toback uh seasons uh for the Avalanche. Let me bring it up here. Just one second. Yeah. So 92 last year and 80 games played, 90 the season before and 77 games played. Um last year was a a career year in points and goals, 30 goals and 92 points. Um 26 years old, still in the prime of his career. Um backto-back years he’s he’s reached 90 points plus 115 for him to get to 90 again. Uh, I think that’s uh if I was playing something with Avalanche, uh, that’s what I’d be looking at is for Kale Mar to have another monster year for the Avalanche. Maybe take a look at them winning uh, the Central Division as well. Uh, taking a look at the Dallas Stars. And looking at the Dallas Stars, it’s a perfect time to mention the Florida Panthers. Uh, of course, as I’m doing this uh show, I am recording it uh at 2:30 on Friday afternoon. Uh, of course, I recorded the uh Panther or the Atlantic show, released it. Uh, and then the next day, unfortunately, uh, Alexander Barov gets injured and looks like he’s going to be out the entire season. Uh, it looks that way. Uh, so obviously that is absolutely horrible for the Florida Panthers. Uh, and obviously when I’m doing a season preview show, uh, and that happens afterwards, it really sucks too because obviously that’s huge, huge, huge news, uh, for the Dallas Stars. Um, Jamie Ben out for the entire season, but his injury happening before I record this show. So, Jamie Ben was on the top line. The lines were different here, uh, with Johnston, Ben, and Rantin. Fortunately, Ben getting hurt in the game in Dallas against the Wild. Uh, and um will be out for a certain amount of time here. So, looking like Jason Robertson, Rope Hints, and Miko Rantin are reunited on that top line. And Robertson ups and downs last year. Miko Rantin obviously moving around from team to team now in his first full season with the Stars. Roa hints a very dependable player um for the stars. Um hence rantin and point same game parlays will be something I’ll look at. Uh hence assist I believe was something I bet last year as well. So uh Jason Robertson hopefully he has a better season. Dallas will be looking for him to have a better season uh as he um is going to be needing a new contract here um in the near future. I believe it is this year. One second. Yeah. Um he is an RFA still. So last year of his contract um should have a better season because of that. The second line is listed as there’s there’s different different sites have different listings. Um I do think the second line that I have here and the third line that I have here could literally be switched. Second, third, second, third, their ice time probably is going to be very similar. Uh so depending on where you look, one one line is the second line, one line is the third line. There’s different guys obviously with Ben getting injured that’s going to change things here uh for the stars. Uh Sam Steel, Matt Duchaine, Tyler Seagan. Obviously Duchaine Sean great chemistry together. Steel uh while I do see him as a third fourthline player uh has played very well with Dallas. Uh has had some big moments did very well for Minnesota as well. So um I always liked him when he was with the Wild. um a good player I think to fit with Duchain and Sean. Obviously Stars fans going to be hoping for health. You want to keep Deshaane and Sean both healthy. That’s incredibly important. Uh the third line or second line depending where you look. Justin Heruan heran uh obviously I’m sorry um uh if I mis mispronounced that which I probably did. uh playing with Wyatt Johnston and Maverick Bourc. Uh so you’ve got two young guys in uh Justin and Maverick. Uh and then you’ve got Johnston in the middle. Uh I think that’s again looking at third lines. Uh I think that line is going to be a but this one could be more of a second line. But I think because Duchain and Sean obviously have that veteran presence, I could see them technically being the second line, but doesn’t really matter. Overall, um the top nine for the Dallas Stars is very, very deep. Obviously, you’ve got two younger guys there playing with Johnston, but I think that’s a great matchup. that’s going to be a fast um young skilled um line uh and an offensive line. Uh so you’ve got three lines that can bring you offense for the Dallas Stars uh which is uh exactly what you want. Uh Oscar back Ratifaxa coming back to Dallas from St. Louis and Colin Blackwell Nathan Bastion there as an extra. Um, solid fourth line. Guys will move around. Overall, uh, I don’t think Dallas is going to be expecting a ton of offense there on that fourth line. It’s, again, it’s, uh, go out there and don’t get scored on. Give the other guys a break. And if you can put up some offense, great. But just don’t get scored on is usually the fourth line’s job. Taking a look at the defense, we’ve got Essa Lindell and Miro Heiskinan as the top pair. Thomas Harley, uh, who had a great season last year. He was a money maker for me, especially with Heiskin and Out. Um, Harley really had his opportunities. He’s an offensive defenseman, so there’s going to be, um, plenty of opportunities, uh, to make money with Thomas Harley, uh, offensively. Neils Lungquist, a younger defenseman there, uh, playing with Harley. Leon Brashelle again more younger defenseman with Ilia Leouchkin and then Alexander Petravic as an extra. Solid defense. Solid defense. Um I really love the top pair. Uh Thomas Harley. Uh again a player I really like. Neil Zungquist. Uh we’ll see um how things go with him this season. Uh and then the third pair. Um, again, Leouchkin a third a third pair of defenseman. Uh, more defensive, physical guy. Uh, Leon Bashelle, a younger guy. So, um, overall strong defense. Goalending, uh, Jake Oddinger and Casey to Smith. Uh, again, solid goalending. Uh, Jake Oddinger, I think we’re going to see a big season from him this year. Um, I really do. I think um he is going to I don’t know if he could say take that next step. If you look what he’s done in his career um every single NHL season he’s played his goals against average has been below 272. His worst season was in 2324 uh when he went 3514 and four with a 2.72 goals against average 905 save percentage and three shut outs. that was his worst season um that he’s had. Uh a lot of goalenders would kill to have numbers like that. Uh so uh he’s been excellent. Absolutely excellent. Average 912 say percentage 2.52 goals against average as an average. Good defense in front of him. Strong forward group. Uh, I think the main thing here for the Stars is to keep Oddinger fresh. Um, Casey De Smith should see his time in net. Uh, keeping fresh, keep him healthy, ready for the playoffs. Um, stars are going to be there. Um, would have to take something drastic for them to miss the playoffs. Um, and having said that, looking at future bets for me, win the Central Division plus 205. I think the Stars are definitely competing for that division title this year. Uh, obviously last year, uh, they finished second, 10 points behind the Winnipeg Jets, the Jets 116, the Stars 106, and Colorado 102. Uh, I do see the Jets taking a step back this season. Um, Dallas, I don’t know necessarily that they’d take a huge step forward because 106 points is is very good. Uh, and finishing or finishing with 106 points and their record last year is very, very good. So, I don’t really know how much better they’re going to get. Again, a very tough division. But, that’s why I’m obviously not on the points prop. I’m not sure where that’s at. So, I like the Stars to win the Central Division. I think they’re going to be competing for it. So, plus 205. Uh, pretty good odds there. Uh, compared to some other divisions. Wyatt Johnston 80 plus points plus 250. Um, Johnston, um, he has played 82 games in three consecutive seasons. So, right off the bat, when you’re looking at betting uh player futures, you want a guy that’s going to stay healthy. Uh and that was the case. That’s been the case with Johnston. Uh 41 points in his first season, 65 points in his second season, and then 71 points last year. So, he’s continued to improve each year, and I think we see him improve again. uh 71 points last year. I think he reaches somewhere in the 80 point range uh for the Stars plus 250. Great value there uh with Johnston. I think he has the best year of his career this year offensively. So uh we’ll take uh well obviously and that’s a good thing to mention. I’ve not pulled the trigger on any future bets yet. All the future bets that I show you on all four of the shows are the ones I’m considering. Uh and then after that, before the season starts, I’ll decide exactly which ones I’m going to pull the trigger on and which ones I’m not. Uh I really like Johnston to have a good season this year. So I’ll probably be looking at his I was looking at the 30 plus goals, but it was like minus two something. So there was absolutely no value there. So, we’ll go with we’ll look at point point prop for Johnston. And that brings us to the Minnesota Wild. Uh my favorite team. Uh obviously the team I’m most excited to talk about. Finally. Finally. Um the Wild’s forward depth. Carell Capri off, Marco Rossi, and Matt Baldi. Of course, Marco Rossi and Matt Baldy looking absolutely fantastic together uh in the Wilds preseason game against Dallas yesterday. Um Rossi scoring two goals, the second one, a beautiful pass from Baldi. Um so that was great to see. That’s exactly what you want to see as a Wild fan heading into the season. Krill Capri off in the last year of his contract and of course um there were reports that he was offered 16 million times 8 to make him the most highest played player in the NHL and the reports are that he turned that down. Um I don’t like that at all. Uh obviously, uh as a Wild fan, I want Capri off signed, sealed, and delivered uh for the long term. Uh but um that’s just something that’s going to have to be kept an eye on. And obviously we’ll get to the future bet section later on, but when you’re looking at future bets for a team and their star Ford um is involved in potential contract and trade rumors. Um, that’s obviously uh something you really need to consider when when looking at future bets because um if the Wild were to move Capri off, who knows what they’d be getting back. Uh chemistry uh and just overall impact would be huge if something like that was to happen. I’m not saying that we’re going down that route. Uh but um overall very top uh skill top line for the Wild. Uh I think Marco Rossi is going to have a great year this year. Super happy that the he was able to get resigned and is uh staying in Minnesota at least for the time being. Expect to see hashtrade Rossi on Twitter. Um because that’s my feelings with with Rossi. Uh the second line, Liam Ogrren, Yol Ericson, and Vladimir Terasenko. Uh Liam Ogrren um got jacked in the off season. Uh ton of working out for him. Uh and um with Matt Zukarelloo starting the season injured, Liam Ogren getting an opportunity on that second line. Uh and I think he is going to be a big bright spot for the Wild this season. Uh, and we’ll talk about that a little bit more coming up. Uh, Yol Erikson, um, incredibly important guy in this team. Uh, just, um, the physicality, uh, players hate playing against Y Ericen. The net front presence, uh, obviously um, the goal, this goal scoring ability, um, he’s just a great player. Vladimir Terasenko coming over from Detroit did not have a good year whatsoever last year. I think he is going to have a uh comeback here. Uh now I don’t know if he’s going to go back to his prime days um scoring 30 goals and and whatever but uh I think he is going to have an improved season here and I like him on that second line with Ogrant and Yol Erikson. Marcus Johansson, uh, Ryan Hartman, and Marcus Felino. Um, a good third line. Hartman, Felino, not fun to play against. Johansson, I think he could be in the press box at times and I’d be okay with that. But with Zukarella out, I get it. It makes sense. Um, Yakov Trenan losing some weight this off season. Uh, hoping to have a better year. Nico Sturm coming back to Minnesota from the Florida Panthers. Um, great fourth liner, great center, penalty killer, faceoff winner. Exactly what the Wild needed. Uh, so really happy to see Nico Sturm coming back and Deniligov coming over from Russia. Um, looking to make his season debut. Uh, I’m really excited about his future with the Wild as well. So looking at the forward depth group um here. Oh, and um also uh the Wild first game against the St. Louis Blues. You can expect Ryan Hartman props from me. Uh he loves to play the Blues, but we’ll we’ll get to that uh for the first game this season. Uh but just as soon as I’m thinking St. Louis Hartman, yeah, I’m ready. I’m ready to bet those props. But looking at this forward group, um, I like it. Of course, of course I do. Uh, obviously you’ve got some physical guys there in the third line. Uh, Danella Yurovi, obviously a young rookie in the fourth line, but I think playing with Sturm and Trenan is is a good spot for him to at least start. Uh, if if he kind of slows off uh or start slow offensively, uh maybe he gets some time in the AHL. We’ll have to see. Uh, but I’m very excited about Liam Ogrren getting that opportunity on the second line and I’m going on the record to expect Vladimir Terasenko to have a much improved year from last year. Taking a look at the defense, Jake Middleton and Brock Faber uh as the top pair, Zeve Bum and Jared Spurgeon as the second pair and David Uric and Zach Begoian as the third pair with Yonas Broaddin starting the season off injured. Uh obviously Yonas Broaddin in this line in this defensive core makes it much stronger. That’s just how it is. Uh but Captain Jared Spurgeon playing with Zeb Boom, I think that’s a great pair on that second uh pair. And when you look at the Calder Trophy winners, uh I obviously mentioned uh on the Atlantic show, Demidov, who’s the favorite, Steve Bum is actually tied for second uh in the Calder Trophy as uh so um the sports book’s kind of expecting him to have a good year. So am I. Obviously being a defenseman I think it’s going to be very difficult for him to win that award but um playing with Spurgeon I think is just perfect mentor for him for for Zion in his first full season. Middleton and Faber. Uh Brock Faber obviously um the hometown kid got his long-term deal um and is going to be probably on that top pair for his his um for the foreseeable f long-term future here with the Wild. David Urech coming over for Columbus. A former first round pick. Didn’t get much ice time last year. Uh but obviously with Broaddin out, Urchek is going to get an opportunity here. Zach Begoian, he’s been good at times. Um um also had some rough uh offensively. He’s not really expected to really bring a ton of offense, but I remember cashing a big plus money prop with him last year against one of his former teams. So, um that was nice. But Begoian, I think a good mentor for Urchek there on the third defensive pair. Bringing us to the goalending. Philip Gusterson uh starting goalender and obviously with Mark Andre Flurry retiring. Yesper Walstat taking over the backup goalie position. Uh Philip Gustoson had a very nice year last year at 31196. Uh Yesper Walstead in the AHL not so good but um he wants to move on and I’m fine with moving on from last year as well uh for Yes. for Walstead. Um, now getting his opportunity here. Obviously with Mark Andre Flurry retiring, Walstead the backup is getting his chance here to show um what he can do. Uh, and uh, very t highly touted uh, prospect um, over the last heading into the heading into last year was I believe the number one goalie prospect. Uh, so obviously rough year last year. Now it’s time to see what he can do in the NHL. Um, I like the goalending. Obviously, I want to see how Wellstead does. It could go very well. It could also not go very well. He’s a young goalender. Goalenders uh sometimes take a few years before they really uh sometimes take quite a few years before they really get into their groove. So, um it’s going to be um unknown unknown with the Esper Walston. Future bets for the Wild. Um honestly, I do think the Wild are kind of where they normally are is in a wild card spot in that bubble area. Uh fighting for a wild card spot. There’s no value with the Wild to make the playoffs. the value is actually what the Wild to miss the playoffs. Obviously, I’m not betting that. Um, but why am I not looking at the point total? Because this team has a lot of youth. We just looked at the team. Um, the Wild have uh young forwards, quite three young defensemen, more two because Faber’s kind of more experienced now, but and a young backup goalender. Uh so uh I with young players I I have to see I have to see it first before I’m ready to say that they’re going to lead that team um to victory. So uh with when it comes to the point total, I’m not confident on the Wild over or under. I could see them having a great season, finishing third in the division and having a great regular season or I could see them missing out in the playoffs and finishing in the bottom, not the bottom, but like third or second to the bottom uh sixth or seventh. I could see them having a bad year. So, it’s tough looking at future bets. Having said that, Liam Algrren uh to win the Calder Trophy is plus 10,000. Um there’s value uh obviously getting his chance in the second line, got jacked in the off season. Um he’s been very noticeable uh in in uh training camp in the preseason. So um I think there’s some value there. Now, of course, I think Ivan Demidov wins it. Uh he is the clear favorite. Um but Liam Ogrren um obviously a a long shot odds guy and there’s another one that I’ll be mentioning on the next show tomorrow as well. Philip Gustiffson 29 and a half wins minus 110. I think he does go over that 31 last year. Uh if the Wild are going to have a good season um and make the playoffs I think August reaches 30 wins. So 31 last year, he’s in a contract here. Hasn’t been resigned as of this moment. Of course, that could always change. Um but um um definitely if I’m looking at a future player bet for the Wild, uh I think Gustin over 29 and a half wins would be the way I would go. Matt Baldi, I expect a big year from him. I was looking at his props. Um, but not a lot of value. The books are expecting a very strong season from Baldi as well. So, not much value there. Next up is the Nashville Predators here. Um, and obviously Nashville um having a very rough season last year. Um, lots of expectations. just came out of started the season just awful and just could never recover uh from that uh early start. Now it’s a brand new year. Uh the Predators looking to have a much better season, but as of right now, Luke Evangelista unsigned. Um contract dispute there. Uh so something that the Predators need to get done. Uh obviously um he’s a younger player but skilled offensive player. Definitely a guy that the Predators want to have this season. Taking a look at the top here, Philip Forsber, Ryan O’Reilly, and Matthew Wood. Uh so obviously Forsber and O’Reilly veterans, Matthew Wood, um a young rookie, um looking to possibly start the season on the top line, um which means he will be someone to watch. um he will be someone to watch for player props um if he doesn’t in fact start on the top line. Uh Yokam Keml, Fedor Stretchov, and Steven Camp Steven Stamos on the second line. Again, two young guys in Keml and Swedkoff. Uh playing with a veteran Steven Stamos who did not have the best season last year. Uh he’ll be looking to have a better season this year. Um, Michael Bunting, Eric Holla, and Jonathan Marsho on that third line. And again, I’m going to give the third line praise as they do for a lot of teams. Bunting um has definitely shown offensive talent. Eric Holla fast um good third line player. Marsho uh can still score some goals um for the Predators. Uh, and then you’ve got uh Cole Smith, Michael McCarron, and Zachary Laroo as the fourth line. Reed Schaffefer as kind of an extra um extra depth guy. Looking at this roster, um, I find it very interesting. Uh, obviously in the top six, you’ve got three veterans that have been there that have done that, and then you’ve got three really young forwards, um, the future potentially for Nashville. Uh, so it’ll be interesting to see how the chemistry works with uh with those guys. Um, do we maybe see Sam Coast go to the top line and we see a really young second line or will uh the Predators mix and match um throughout the season? We’ll have to see. But um I’m not sure. I’m really not sure what to make of the Predators forward group. That’s going to be something I’m going to keep an eye on early on in the season to see how these young guys perform. We’ll probably be on Matthew Wood props if he is on the top line just because uh we’ll probably get some value early on with him. So Roman Yosi and Justin Baron are projected to be on the top pair. Brady Shay, Nicholas Perix on the second pair. Adams Adam Wilsby and Nick Blankenberg third pair. Nicholas Hey, unfortunately going on IR. Um you’ll see of course um the captain uh and one of if not the best uh player on this uh Predators team. Um the Predators are going to want him to stay healthy for the full season uh this year. Nicholas Heg of course unfortunately starting out injured already. Not a good sign. The Predators need him. Um, you’ve got Justin Baron, uh, who was supposed to be on the third line before Nicholas Hay goes on IR. Uh, so that, uh, is a big jump up for him. Uh, Brady Sheay, a good second line player. Nicholas Pervix, interested to see how he does this year. Uh, I think he could be beneficial to this Predator’s defense. And then the third pair, um, kind of be a wait and see type thing. Um, overall with the defense, there’s question marks kind of like I have with the forward group. There’s question marks here with the defense. Uh, starting goalender, uh, Jussi Sorrowos and backup goalender, Justice Anin. I think this is the one spot where I don’t really have as many question marks. Uh, here. Uh, I like the Predators goending. Uh, Justice Anin, of course, coming over. um uh from um the Colorado Avalanche uh last season. Uh bear with me for a second. Um um starting with Colorado 6 and4 with a 3.23 goals against average then went 911 and one with the Predators 3.17. So, um both um teams he played for uh sub uh three goals against average 872 888 same percentage. Uh so backup numbers um for sure. Uh UC Saros I think will get a majority of the starts here. Uh and um where the Predators go it’s going to kind of depend on Soros. uh can he steal games for them this year uh and help them improve? Um do the Predators get good defense and how do all those young forwards play? That’s all those are all questions and because of that I there’s absolutely no future bets that I’m considering for the National Predators. Um, they are kind of like the Ottawa Senators uh in the Atlantic in a team that I could see in different spots this year. I could see the Predators finishing second last right above Chicago. Uh, I could see them actually having an improved year uh and finishing fourth or fifth maybe. So, the Predators, a team that I’m just not super confident in how they’re gonna how their season’s going to go. Um, but a team to watch. Uh, they’ve got some youth in Nashville. Next up is the St. Louis Blues. Uh, here and there for depth. I really like the new logo. Uh, I really do. I really like the light blue. I’ll be honest. I really like it. Uh, Pavvel Buch, Robert Thomas, and Jimmy Snuggarod. Uh, as the top line, course, Robert Thomas assist. um when it was plus 100 last year or plus money was something I was betting a lot. Uh of course as you continue to rack up the assists, you lose value. Um so something I’ll be keeping a look an eye on early on in the season is Robert Thomas assist numbers. Holloway, Braden Shen, and Jordan Cyu. Um I really like that second line. I do think Braden Shen probably heading towards more of a third line player. I think on a Stanley Cup contender, I think he’s a third line guy. Uh but um playing with two offensively gifted players and Kyro and Holloway. I know Braden Shen, his point prop was a uh was decent odds last year. So um I think that second line is going to have success. Jake Neighbors, PS Sudter, and Nick Bugstad as that third line. Uh, Bugstad having some great seasons uh with Arizona and um with Utah. Uh Pia Sudter uh coming over from Vancouver. Um Jake Neighbors a good player. Um definitely his goal scoring prop was money last year at times. So an interesting third line. Uh I think there’s going to be offensive opportunities for them. Um might be some ups and downs. We’ll have to see how chemistry works, but uh a decent third line. Uh Alexe Tropachenko, Oscar Sunquist, and Nathan Walker as the fourth line with some other guys. I think Matthew Joseph could get in there. Alexander Texter uh could also get on that fourth line at times. So, overall for the forward group for the St. Louis Blues, I like it. I think it’s pretty decent. I think they’re going to score some goals. Uh obviously rookie Jimmy Snuggarod there Blues are going to really uh hope for a strong season from him and if they do if they can get some strong offense uh I think uh Blues will have a somewhat of a decent season here. Uh Cam Fowler and Colton Pareo as the top D pair. Philip Broberg and Justin Faulk as number two. Tyler Tucker, Logan Mayu as the third pair. Matthew Kessle as an extra Fowler obviously an experienced guy uh on that top pair as well as Colton Praco. I like that pair. I think it’s a decent uh first line or first D pair. Uh Philip Broberg and Justin Faulk. Um strong as well. I think Philip Broberg the Blues are going to be hoping he can take that next step. um obviously coming over um with the offer sheet, him and Holloway from the Oilers. So um this is I believe going to be his second full season. Um so the Blues hoping to get some uh uh solid play from him. And then the bottom pair is question marks question marks with both guys. is Logan Mayu of course coming over from Montreal. Uh a young prospect. Um see how he does. Maybe Matthew Kessle can get in at times. Um question marks. I don’t know a whole lot about that bottom pair. I’ll be honest. Uh so Blue is hoping that they can get some good play uh from the bottom pair. Starting goalending Jordan Bennington, backup goalie Yol Hoffer. Um I’m really interested to see um if this is going to be a starting and a backup or if it’s a 1A1B and we see some uh Yol Haer Joel Haer get some more starts this year. Obviously getting resigned, the goalie of the future for the Blues. Uh so I’m interested to see how this goalie split um how it works out. something I’ll be keeping an eye on. Um, future bets for the Blues. Yeah, I have one. I know. Shocking. Dylan Holloway, 70 plus points plus 100 here. Um, he played 77 games last year, 26 goals, 37 assists for 63 points. Um, kind of like some other young players we’ve talked about, I think he’s just scratching the surface. Uh, I think Holloway is going to be a dependable player. Uh, I think 70 plus points is uh is a good number for him. Uh, I think he finishes somewhere around that 74 75 uh point range. I think he has a good year. Uh, so he is one of my players to watch for the St. Louis Blues and a player I’m considering uh placing a future bet on. 70 plus points plus 100. Next we talk about the Utah Mammoth. Uh here uh Dylan Gunther, Logan Culie, and JJ Purka coming over from Buffalo. Uh I really like that top line. Uh Dylan Gunther. Um I have nothing but good things to say about Dylan Gunther. Of course, his anytime goal prop was a money maker last year throughout the season, but I pulled the trigger on his points prop last year, and he got injured. Uh, he only played 70 games. Uh, missed 12 games to injury, but still cash the point prop for me. Uh, Dylan Gunther, fantastic season last year. Um, chemistry with Logan Culie, now you’re adding JJ Purka into the mix. um a very good uh skilled but young in your prime type top line. Uh I’m very very interested to see how those three play together this season. Then you’ve got Nick Schmaltz, Barrett Hayden, and Clay Keller uh on the second line. And chemistry. Those three guys have played a lot together. They have chemistry together. Uh Clay Keller uh maybe being on that second line takes a little bit of the offensive pressure off him. Uh but a very skilled offensive player on that second line. Lawson Krauss, Jack Mc McBain, and Michael Carone. Uh as the third line, McBain has shown offensive talent at times. Michael Caronei can score some goals. He’s had uh some good goal scoring runs in the last couple seasons. Uh so overall a decent a decent third line. Utah like all teams will be needing some offense from the third line as well. Um but I think the majority of their offense is coming from those top two lines. Liam O’Brien, Kevin Stenland, and Brandon Tanv uh on the fourth line. Tanv coming over from Winnipeg. Good fourth line player. Same with Stenland. Liam O’Brien. Uh very decent fourth line. Alex Keroot could get in the mix as well. And young Tee Agla, the son of Jerome Agla, um probably not making the roster this year, but don’t quote me on that. Um very skilled young forward for the future for Utah. And um we’ll have to see exactly when he finally starts, but um player for the future for the Mammoth. Taking a look at the defense, Male Sergeev and John Marino as the top pair. Of course, Sergeev the number one defenseman on this team. Uh the main offensive defenseman on this team. Uh great trade getting him from Tampa Bay a couple seasons ago. Ian Cole and Shawn Dery uh as that second pair. Okay, I see Ian Cole being more of a third pair defenseman, but um we’ll see if he moves around a bit. Shawn Dery, I think a solid second line guy. Ali Mata and Nate Schmidt as the third pair, but you’ve also got Scott Prunovich and Maverick Lamaru. Uh really tall big defenseman. Uh we’ll see if he can get into the lineup. I think the fourth line or the fourth line, the third D pair, I think um we’ll see um healthy scratches. We’ll see guys move in and out uh here with the the Utah defense. Uh I don’t think it’s a set in stone uh that this is going to be the three guys every night. I think we’ll see guys move in and out. Now we get to the goalending and this is where the big question marks are for Utah. Um didn’t go out and get uh any they went out and got VTEC Vanderichek but didn’t go out and get that big uh um elite number one goalie. Not that they’re really easy to go and get unfortunately, but um Utah really hoping Vegala who can be lights out at times, other times can go through some rough stretches. Um he’s the starting goalender for this team. Uh so the the Mammoths will be really hoping he can have a good year and can get them into the playoffs. VTEC Vanichek coming over from Florida to be the backup here. Jackson Stalber, young third goalender, maybe competes for some uh starts if there’s injuries or or what have you. Maybe he gets into the lineup as well. Looking at future bets for the Utah Mammoth, what am I considering for this team? Well, I think they’re going to have a good year. Uh over 91 and a half points is minus 105. Uh Utah had 89 points last year. Um, I think they’re going to improve from last year. Um, they’ve got a lot of young players. Um, and some that I really think are going to take that next step this year. Uh, one being this guy. But making the playoffs, yes, minus 105. Don’t know if there’s quite enough value there for me. It’s obviously something I’m considering. I do think Utah makes that playoff push. Um, I just wish I could be getting some plus money though. Uh but the books do expect here um that Utah is gonna potentially be a playoff team. So that brings us to Dylan Gunther. Uh of course already sang his praises a few minutes ago. Um one of my favorite players in the NHL. Uh you can expect Dylan Gunther anytime goal props um early on in the season. Uh and whenever he’s on any kind of streak I will be on his props. But 70 plus points plus 195 uh and 30 plus goals plus 140. Uh Gunther 27 goals and 33 assists for 60 points last season. As I said, only playing in 70 games. Um obviously hoping he plays a full 82 games um is is what you want when betting a prop. Um but he is just that player on that top line getting Purka now has the chemistry with Kulie of course D Gunther Koulie um both young players another season behind their belt uh and I think that both guys have a monster year u here for Utah and if they do get into the playoffs this guy’s going to be a big reason Why uh Dylan Gunther 70 plus points plus 195 and anytime goal plus or 30 plus goals plus 140 are the two player props I would consider here for Utah. I will be on one one or both. I will I will be backing Dylan Gunther in some fashion here heading into the season. one because he cashed for me last year despite getting injured and two uh I really think he’s going to have a big year and Utah is going to need it to get into the playoffs. But they’re also going to need some goalending. This team could be a good over team uh if they don’t quite get the goalending. But I think the offense is going to be there. And finally, we will talk about the Winnipeg Jets. And then of course, we’ll get to my uh rankings uh power rankings to start the season. Uh the forward depth for the Winnipeg Jets, Kyle Connor, Mark Shley, Gabriel Valardi on the top line. Not a surprise there. Obviously, those three playing a lot together last year. Uh chemistry is there. Uh very solid top line for the Jets. Mark Schiffley is going to have a big responsibility here to start the season. Uh obviously uh captain Adam Lowry uh on IR so he will not play to start the season which is going to be a loss down the middle for the Jets. Um and Mark Shley I think is going to have to take uh some of that slack. Uh probably going to have quite a lot of minutes to start the season. Um because Jonathan Taves making his return to the NHL after a couple seasons off, last playing with Chicago, now coming to his hometown team. Um that could be a Cinderella story, but it could also go pretty rough. Uh so question marks there. Cole Perfetti, good talented young player. Uh I like him. I like Cole Perfetti. The issue is question marks with Jonathan Taves and Gustav Nyquist. I’m sorry, of course, my opinion. Gustav Nyquist should not be on that second line. Um, he did not play well with the Wild last year. When he came uh two seasons ago at the trade deadline, he played well, but last year he just did not play well for the Wild. Uh, and I I don’t think he’s a good fit for that second line. Um, obviously we’ll have to see the speed of Jonathan Taves, but I think Perfetti and might be a kind of a one-man show at times in that second line. Now, Jonathan Taves, from everything that’s been said, has looked great. Maybe he’s going to have a great year, but there’s question marks, especially early on if he can um get back to um his elite self. Obviously getting older as well, but hasn’t played hockey in a long time. Nino Nether Rider Flatlav Nomestikov and Alex Aalo as that third line and um Nidoriter dependable player could score some goals really decent third line player Nesnikov uh had his moments at second line last year he’s played well uh for uh the Jets Alex I follow a player Jets are going to be looking at uh to have a to improve this year um especially obviously losing Nikolai Eers, the offense is going to have to step up. Would not be surprised to see Ayafollo get moved to the second line at times. Nyquist get moved down. Um, but this is how it’s projected to start. Tanner Pearson coming over from Vegas, Cole Kepki coming over from Boston, and Morgan Baron on that fourth line. And then you’ve got other guys in David Gustoson and Jared Anderson Dolan as well. When I look at the Winnipeg Jets forward group, uh, I love the top line. Zero question marks with the top line, but after that, maybe not so much question marks with the third line, but lines number two and lines number four, there’s there’s question marks here. And I could see maybe the Jets struggling to score go score goals at times here, especially early on um this season. Looking at the defense, uh, we’ve got Josh Morrisy and Dylan Dlo. Of course, Josh Morsy, he very good offensive defenseman um for the Jets. Samberg, Neil Pian, very solid second pair. Hayden Flurry, and Luke Shen as that third pair, but they’ve also got other guys uh that can step up as well. So, the Jets do have a lot of defensive depth. I think defensively they’re going to be a good team. again this year. And then they of course they’ve got Beza winning Connor Halabuk in net as well. So that can’t hurt either. Um Eric Comry capable backup uh for the Jets. So maybe struggling to score a bit, but I like the defense, especially defensively. I like the goalending overall for the Jets. So I do think the Jets are going to be a good team. I don’t see them having the same season they had last year. I think um a lot of things went right for the Jets last year. Um I think there could be some question marks here to with how the season starts. Um but with that defense, with that goalending, um the Jets should be uh the playoff team still. I don’t think they’re going to drastically drop, but I think we could see a little bit of a drop for the Winnipeg Jets. And that is breaking down all eight teams in the Central Division, taking a look at their depth. And now we uh will took take a look at my power rankings and how I rank each team um heading into the season. And at number eight, I have the Chicago Blackhawks. Shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody. Uh of course, uh with my breakdown of the Hawks, um I think they’re the worst team in the Central Division. I think they’re the worst team in the NHL. Uh, and um, think they’re in for a rough year, but I also think they’re in for another good draft pick. And this team has a ton of young talent. Uh, so the future is bright for Chicago, but I think they’re in for a rough year. um with just all the other teams in this division uh having so much more depth uh and um veteran presence but better, more skilled veteran presence on a lot of these teams. At number seven, and I’m going to maybe get some slack in the comments from Blues fans, and this is not necessarily how I think the teams are going to finish at the end of the year. This is these are my power rankings, my team rankings heading into the season. The Blues and I do think there’s quite a bit of a drop off from seven to eight here uh between the Blues and the Hawk. I think the Hawks are going to be at the bottom by themselves. I think the rest of the division, I think kind of the murky middle here. I think the Blues, I have them at number seven right now. I could see them moving up to four uh with a very good start during the season. I think they’re a team that could be moving up and down the power rankings and maybe have them a bit low, but it was a tough decision between number seven and number six, which is the national predators. Uh, but to start the season off, I’m optimistic about the Predators. Uh, with just how last year went, kind of everything went wrong. I feel like the Predators are going to bounce back a bit here. um gonna need strong defensive play in front of Soros. Um but I could see the Predators moving down. Uh I could see them moving up a little bit. So, as I said earlier in my breakdown of the PRS, um they’re kind of a wild card. I don’t really know what to expect from the Predators up and down. They’ll probably move around my power rankings quite often uh throughout the season. Number five, I have the Utah Mammoth. And Utah is a team that I could see moving 543. I could see them moving up. I don’t really see them moving uh down um a lot. Obviously, goalending is the main question mark with Utah. I think they get decent enough goalending uh to be uh a good team in this division. Um, but as of right now, heading into the season, I have them my number five. I definitely think they could move up though. At number four is the Minnesota Wild. Uh, and the Wild again, a team that could maybe move up to that third spot. Maybe with a really good start of the season, maybe they move into the top two or to second. But with young players, slow start, maybe they fall down a bit. Uh the central team, as I said, the Hawks are at number eight, clearly by themselves at number eight. Uh but the other teams, seven to four, 7 to three, I think can really move around. Um I think it’s it’s going to be pretty close. I think it’s going to be a very close division when you’re looking at um teams three to seven. I think it’s going to be a very close division when all is said and done. Um who’s going to start off well? Who’s going to start off cold? That will obviously depend on how my power rankings move um throughout the season. Number three, I’ve got the Winnipeg Jets because they have Connor Halabuk uh and they’ve got that strong defense. Connor Halabuk, of course, a regular season goalender. Uh he’s a Vzna caliber goalender. Once we get to the playoffs, well, that’s a different story. But we’re not talking about the playoffs right now. Talking about the regular season, heading into the regular season, I can’t justify putting the Jets lower uh than third. Um, obviously finishing first last year, but with a cold start, I could see them moving down. I could number two, we’ve got the Colorado Avalanche. And as I said, number three to number seven kind of move around. I think one and two I think are pretty much going to be in that top two range. I think Colorado and I think Dallas are going to be fighting uh for the division title throughout the season. Um but I have to give Dallas the edge. Have to give Dallas the edge. Like I said when we’re talking about Jakeer uh what his worst season was uh is a lot better than a lot of other goalenders uh best seasons at times. So Jake Oner, very good goalender. The Stars depth throughout. Yeah, they’re losing Jamie Ben to start the season. Um, but they’ve got the depth obviously uh in my opinion to um still play very well without him. Um, so that’s how I have the Central Division heading into the season. Uh, what teams did I put too low? What teams did I put too high? let me know in the comments section below. And thank you for watching. Uh if you haven’t already checked out the Atlantic and the Metropolitan Division previews, uh make sure to go check them out. Uh if you’re looking for free pick videos, uh for NFL, uh they’re on the channel as well. Baseball playoffs are starting, hockey almost around the corner, picks on net, my NHL show right around the corner. I can’t wait. Super fun talking the Central division with you guys. Make sure to let me know what you think about the Central in the comments below. And make sure to tune in tomorrow as we talk about the Pacific uh and the final uh NHL division preview show. Thanks for watching, guys.
Get ready for my comprehensive NHL Central Division preview! I dive into each team’s roster, examining their forward lines, defensive depth, and goaltending strength to assess their chances this season. Plus, I explore key future bet opportunities and share my division power rankings, highlighting the teams to watch and potential surprises. Perfect for passionate hockey fans looking to gain an edge this season!”
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0:00 Video Start
0:55 Chicago Blackhawks
8:40 Colorado Avalanche
16:53 Dallas Stars
27:32 Minnesota Wild
40:01 Nashville Predators
46:41 St. Louis Blues
51:56 Utah Mammoth
59:35 Winnipeg Jets
1:04:56 Team Rankings
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