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I see Detroit back to the top again but I somehow think that Jimmy Howard will come back down to earth. Still the veteran leadership provided by Lidstrom will still be evident. Zetterberg and Datsyuk and Franson are offensive machines. Hudler back and Modano will provide some new energy. The long season will test this aging team with injuries. If they don't have injuries I see this among the best in the west.
Chicago lost veteran leadership. Kane and Toews are great players but they will have be leaders immediately. I still expect them to be a top team. But I don't see them with a long run in the playoffs.
Nashville is the wildcard in this division. If the changes they made prove correct then they will surpass Chicago. If not then they struggle to make the playoffs. Offense will again be the challenge. If the new additions and young players show dramatic improvement then they can overtake Chicago.
StL will be better but they will still have offensive challenges. There defense is young and yet to be a force. The offense has talent but yet to find a collective team unit.
Columbus I don't think will survive. They will have to move Nash and start all over but I don't think the franchise will survive that transition. I look for this team to move eventually. Columbus is not a hockey city and not making the playoffs is really hurting this team.
Overall Detroit will regain the lead again with Nashville and Chicago 2 and 3 but the Hawks will miss the bulk of Bugflien( not sure I spelled it correctly)
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