Many hockey pundits, including Sports Illustrated, predicted the Chicago Blackhawks to win it all this year. So anything less than those coveted 16 postseason wins in spring/summer 2015 will constitute a disappointment. Yes, that’s the standard. Two Stanley Cups in a four year span will do that.
NHL on NBC Analysts Mike “Doc” Emrick, Pierre McGuire and Eddie Olczyk (yes the hometown call is national too) met the media on conference call to preview the upcoming NHL season. It all gets started tonight in Dallas.
It looks likely that the Western Conference (the much stronger of the two conferences) could be decided by either the L.A. Kings or Chicago Blackhawks. However, there are three more teams (in addition to the Kings) that jump out as very large potential obstructions in the West. (I listed and profiled these three teams today for RedEye)
There are other teams to talk about and preview as the Chicago Blackhawks begin their season (click where highlighted for more on each team)
The Minnesota Wild: conference sleeper?
What about the Hawks good old pals the Detroit Red Wings?
And what about those L.A. Kings, is this the year we finally see a repeat Stanley Cup champ? Or will the strength of the West end up taking a toll on everyone, and the champion will come out of the East? Boston Bruins anyone?
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and very often writes The Sports Bank.net ,which is partners with Fox Sports. Read his features stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks). His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN 2