Buffalo Boy's Blog

1. Calgary

2. Minnesota

3. Vancouver

4. Colorado

5. Edmonton

The Northwest is a tricky division. It to me is the Northeast of the Western Confernce. Any one of the five teams in it has a shot except maybe Edmonton but even they can surprise people as they did two years ago in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Calgary is the my favorite to win it for three simple reasons, Iginla, Phaneuf and Kiprusoff. They have the best forward, best defenseman and by far and away the best goalie in the division.

Minnesota is the second place team because they have the second best forward in the division in Marion Gaborik and they play such a tight defensive system that though it bores the hell out of me to watch them some nights, it works and they win with it. There is no reason to think they won't again this year. Im glad they are not in the Northeast Division because Buffalo always has trouble scoring against them.

Vancouver is my thrid place pick. Yes, ahead of Colorado. I just think that with the Sedin boys, Alex Burrows and arguably the second best goalie probably in the entire Western Conference in Roberto Luongo they have too much talent not to finish at least 3rd. If Minnesota doesn't play their stingy system they could find themselves in third and Vancouver in second, either way Vancouver is poised to make a solid run at the playoffs and knock Colorado out.

Colorado is headed for a down cycle. I honestly don't think they have the goaltending or the manpower on the blueline to make a run this year. Joe Sakic is back but hes showing his age. Paul Stasny though impresses me probably more than any other player in the West. He is going to put up huge numbers given a solid support staff. Milan Hejduk is still there and should be good for his consistent 25-30 goals.

Edmonton is last and though they will finish last, they are young and up and coming. I just don't think again they have the goaltending or the blueline. As much as we like to see offense in the NHL it always seems to come down to defense doesn't it?