Postseason & Award Predictions

Here are my playoff and award predictions. I can't wait until I can point at these and laugh!

2014-15 Outlook: Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg Jets

Head Coach: Paul Maurice (2nd Season in WPG)

Arena: MTS Centre (Capacity: 15,004)

2013-14 Record: 37-35-10 (Last in Central Division)

Record vs MIN in 2013-14: 1-3-1

2013-14 Corsi For %: 49.4% (19th in NHL)

Top Scorer: Blake Wheeler (69 Points, 2.12 P/60)

Top Goaltender: Ondrej Pavelec (22-26-7, 3.01 GAA, .901 SV%)

2014-15 Outlook: St. Louis Blues

St. Louis Blues

Head Coach: Ken Hitchcock (4th Season in STL)

Arena: Scottrade Center (Capacity: 19,150)

2013-14 Record: 52-23-7 (2nd in Central Division)

Record vs MIN in 2013-14: 4-1-0

2013-14 Corsi For %: 52.7% (6th in NHL)

Top Scorer: Alexander Steen (62 Points, 2.20 P/60)

Top Goaltender: Jaroslav Halak (24-9-4, 2.23 GAA, .917 SV%)

2014-15 Outlook: Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators

Head Coach: Peter Laviolette (1st Season in NSH)

Arena: Bridgestone Arena (Capacity: 17,113)

2013-14 Record: 38-32-12 (6th in Central Division)

Record vs MIN in 2013-14: 2-3-0

2013-14 Corsi For %: 49.4% (18th in NHL)

Top Scorer: Shea Weber (56 points, 0.93 P/60)

Top Goaltender: Carter Hutton (20-11-4, 2.62 GAA, .910 SV%)

2014-15 Outlook: Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars

Head Coach: Lindy Ruff (2nd Season in DAL)

Arena: American Airlines Center (Capacity: 18,532)

2013-14 Record: 40-31-11 (4th in Central Division)

Record vs MIN in 2013-14: 2-1-1

2013-14 Corsi For %: 51.5% (10th in NHL)

Top Scorer: Tyler Seguin (84 Points, 2.81 P/60)

Top Goaltender: Kari Lehtonen (33-20-10, 2.41 GAA, ..919 SV%)

2014-15 Outlook: Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche

Head Coach: Patrick Roy (2nd Season in COL)

Arena: Pepsi Center (Capacity: 18,007)

2013-14 Record: 52-22-8 (Central Division Champions)

Record vs MIN in 2013-14: 4-0-1

2013-14 Corsi For %: 46.6% (26th in NHL)

Top Scorer: Matt Duchene (70 Points, 2.55 P/60)

Top Goaltender: Semyon Varlamov (41-14-6, 2.41 GAA, .927 SV%)

2014-15 Outlook: Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks

Head Coach: Joel Quenneville (7th season with CHI)

Arena: United Center (Capacity: 19,717)

2013-14 Record: 46-21-15 (3rd in Central Division)
Record vs MIN in 2013-14: 2-3-0

2013-14 Corsi For percentage: 54.21% (4th in NHL)

Top Scorer: Patrick Sharp (78 points, 2.29 P/60)

Top Goaltender: Corey Crawford (32-16-10, 2.26 GAA, .917 SV%)

2014-15 Outlook: Pacific Division

Its a look at California, Western Canada, and that team in the desert. Enjoy!

2014-15 Outlook: Metropolitan Division

Taking a look at the crapshoot more commonly known as the Metropolitan Division.

2014-15 Outlook: Atlantic Division

Today we begin out previews of the entire league with a look at how the Atlantic Division will finish.

The Popularity and Affordability of Hockey

105,491 people filled Michigan Stadium last week. Photo: Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Last week, Craig Calcaterra of Hardball Talk posted a piece on whether or not football is dying and compared it to the popularity of baseball. It is a truly outstanding piece, and I would highly recommend giving it a read before going any further here.

For those who don't feel like reading it, here is a small excerpt:

Postseason and Award Predictions

This season, the NHL is ushering in new divisions and a new way to get in the playoffs. The top three teams in each division make the playoffs, with a "wild card" team (meaning a team from either division with the best point total in the conference can take those spots) taking the seventh and eighth spots in both conferences. With all that in mind the matchups in the first round would be the division winner versus the wild card team and the number two team against the number three team.

Meet The New Divisions: Central Division

7. Winnipeg Jets-The Jets were a team who just missed the playoffs in a bad division. Now, they move into a much stronger division and will learn that they need to play more consistently to win. They have a few good players on this team, but they lack the depth that is necessary to help them win. The Jets fly right into the basement of the Central.

Meet The Central Division: Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg Jets

Head Coach: Claude Noel (3rd Season in WPG)

Arena: MTS Centre (Capacity: 15,004)

2012-13 Record: 24-21-3 (2nd in Southeast Division)

Record vs MIN in '12-13: Did Not Play

Leading Scorer: Andrew Ladd-46 points (18 G, 28 A)

Leading Goaltender: Ondrej Pavelec-44 G, 21-20-3, 2.80 GAA, .905 SV%

Meet The Central Division: St. Louis Blues

St. Louis Blues

Head Coach: Ken Hitchcock (3rd season in STL)
Arena: Scottrade Center (Capacity: 19,150)

2012-13 Record: 29-17-2 (2nd in Central)

Record vs MIN in '12-13: 3-0-0

Leading Scorer: Chris Stewart-36 points (18 G, 18 A)

Leading Goaltender: Brian Elliott-24 G, 14-8-1, 2.28 GAA, .907 SV%

Meet The Central Division: Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators

Head Coach: Barry Trotz (15th season in NSH)
Arena: Bridgestone Arena (Capacity: 17,113)

2012-13 Record: 16-23-9 (last in Central Division)

Record vs MIN in '12-13: 1-0-2

Leading Scorer: Shea Weber-28 points (9 G, 19 A)

Leading Goaltender: Pekka Rinne-43 G, 15-16-8, 2.43 GAA, .910 SV%

Meet The Central Division: Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars

Head Coach: Lindy Ruff (1st season with DAL)
Arena: American Airlines Center (Capacity: 18,532)

2012-13 Record: 22-22-4 (Last in Pacific Division)

Record vs MIN in '12-13: 1-2-0

Leading Scorer-Jamie Benn: 33 pts (12 G, 21 A)

Leading Goaltender-Kari Lehtonen: 36 G, 15-14-3, 2.66 GAA, .916 SV%

Meet The Central Division: Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche

Head Coach: Patrick Roy (1st season with COL)
Arena: Pepsi Center (Capacity: 18,007)

2012-13 Record: 16-25-7 (Last in Western Conference)

Record vs MIN in '12-13: 1-4-0

Leading Scorer: PA Parenteau/Matt Duchene-43 points

Leading Goaltender: Semyon Varlamov-35 G, 11-21-3, 3.02 GAA, .903 SV%

Meet The Central Division: Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks

2013 Stanley Cup Champions
Head Coach: Joel Quenneville (6th season with CHI)
Arena: United Center (Capacity: 19,717)

2012-13 Record: 36-7-5 (Presidents Trophy Winner)
Record vs MIN in '12-13: 2-0-1

Leading Scorer: Patrick Kane-55 Pts (23 G, 32 A)
Leading Goaltender: Corey Crawford-30 G, 19-5-5, 1.94 GAA, .926 SV%

Meet The New Divisions: Pacific Division

Today we look at the new Pacific Division: