Breaking Down the NHL: Pacific Division

Anaheim Ducks

This team is the favorite…. to get the first pick in the drat and probably take Alexis Lafreniere who’s saucing it up in the Q. No Corey Perry for Getzlaf is an adjustment and the team jut doesn’t have the talent or depth to compete in this division. Granted this team was the most injured team in the league last season, but they’ll still be bottom dwellers for me.

Pacific Finish & Outlook: 7th, Misses playoffs, In need a rebuild after the Getzlaf & Perry days.

Arizona Coyotes

I like the ‘Yotes, and I want to like them more but need more out of their goaltending tandem of Raanta and Kuemper. Phil Kessell and his big boy Pepsi lovin’ ass are gonna light it up offensively and if they stay healthy (2nd most injured team last year behind the Ducks) then they’ll be a Bubble team with a chance at the playoffs.

Pacific Finish & Outlook: 4th, Bubble Team, Makes playoffs if they can beat out Winnipeg for the Wild Card.

Calgary Flames

This team is a wagon and won the Pacific last year but flamed out to the Av’s. Flames signed the leagues second best pest Matthew Tkachuk to a big ticket and Johnny Hockey is playing for a contract so you know he’ll be buzzin’. This team is poised to repeat as Pacific champs, but need more out of their goaltending (this seem like a league recurring theme huh?) to reach their expectations of making a Stanley Cup.

Pacific Finish & Outlook: 1st, Makes playoffs, Strong contender to win the West and the Cup with Colorado and Nashville.

Edmonton Oilers

This team has playoff potential every year solely because of Connor McDavid. Dude is the Kevin Durant of the NHL. He had the game-winner last night against Vancouver and is just a wheelin, dealin’ stud. But him and Draisaitl can’t carry this defensively weak team all the way to the playoffs in this Western Conference.

Pacific Finish & Outlook: 6th, Bubble Team, Misses playoffs, Not deep enough.

Las Vegas Golden Knights

The Knights got shafted on in the playoffs and the Sharks ultimately pulled out the dub via their 5 minute major penalty PP. Another good year is expected out in Vegas and they’ll have their presence felt this spring and beyond.

Pacific Finish & Outlook: 2nd, Makes playoffs, Strong team but need the big boys of Stone and Pacioretty to play up to par in the post season.

Los Angeles Kings

Ya know how I said the Ducks are gonna be really bad? Well the Kings are gonna be worse. Superstars Drew Daughty and Anze Kopitar are King legends having won 2 Cups, but they can’t carry that poor squad. They’ll be hunting for the first pick in the draft this year.

Pacific Finish & Outlook: 8th, Misses playoffs, Fading this team every game, Will look to rebuild through a high draft pick.

San Jose Sharks

The Sharks came up just shy of a Cup appearance last season, and that maybe the end of the Sharks window. They resigned Erik Karlsson who’s an elite D-Man but they lose San Jose icon Joe Pavelski and Jumbo Joe Thornton gets one year older. They’ll get in the playoffs but the Shark Tank ain’t what it used to be.

Pacific Finish & Outlook: 3rd, Makes playoffs, Need new guys like Timo Meier to fill the skates of Pavelski

Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks are just one or two pieces away from being a playoff team. Elias Pettersson and Brock Boesser are two young studs (Petterssonn especially) will shine this year, but won’t have enough team depth and goaltenidng to make the ‘yoffs this spring

Pacific Finish & Outlook: 5th, Bubble Team, Won’t have enough depth to finish out the playoff race, Need a few more pieces to compete.