by Lyle Richardson - November 21, 2012 11:20 AM EST
After several solid seasons, the Sharks are definitely on the decline. And transitioning from old vets to young talent could prove tricky.
From 2007-08 to 2010-11, the San Jose Sharks were among the NHL's dominant clubs, topping the Pacific Division four times, finishing first in the Western Conference in consecutive seasons ('08-'09, '09-'10), second overall in two others ('07-'08, '10-11) and making back-to-back appearances (2010 and 2011) in the Western Conference Finals.
by Lyle Richardson - November 19, 2012 12:05 PM EST
The powerhouse Blues may need a trade or two to get over the hump and contend for a Cup.
The St. Louis Blues enter 2012-13 hoping to build upon last season’s surprising performance, in which they made their first playoff appearance since 2009.
by Lyle Richardson - November 16, 2012 11:40 AM EST
A cancelled season would produce a large crop of quality unrestricted free agents.
If the current NHL lockout forces the cancellation of the 2012-13 season, a number of potential unrestricted free agents may have played their final games with their current teams.
by Lyle Richardson - November 14, 2012 3:20 PM EST
The contending Penguins may be forced to improve from within if a new CBA squeezes their budget.
The Pittsburgh Penguins entered the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs as the favorite to win it all, but were eliminated from the opening round by the Philadelphia Flyers in six games.
by Lyle Richardson - November 12, 2012 12:30 PM EST
The Coyotes have the makings of a contender. Now they just need stable ownership that can help them add the final pieces they need.
For the fourth straight season, the Phoenix Coyotes enter a new NHL campaign uncertain over their future in Arizona.
Prospective buyer Greg Jamison is still poised to purchase the club, with reports emerging every few weeks claiming an arena deal between him and the city of Glendale is close to finalization, yet the deal has yet to materialize, bringing no end to speculation over the club’s future.
by The Hockey News - November 9, 2012 12:05 PM EST
The ever-changing Flyers made a few more adjustments this off-season, but still have issues to address.
The Philadelphia Flyers enter the (potential) 2012-13 season possessing significant scoring punch, but also with concerns over their defense and goaltending depth.
by Lyle Richardson - November 7, 2012 12:50 PM EST
The Senators won't sneak up on anyone this season. What tweaks are necessary to build on last year's success?
The rebuilding Ottawa Senators, who missed the playoffs in 2010-11, entered last season expected by many observers to finish last in the Eastern Conference.
by Lyle Richardson - November 5, 2012 12:59 PM EST
Once the lockout ends, the Oilers appear ready to make a major splash on the trade front.
Despite the Edmonton Oilers’ depth in promising young talent, questions remain about key areas on their roster.
While right wingers Jordan Eberle and Nail Yakupov, left winger Taylor Hall, center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and defenseman Justin Schultz suggest a bright future for the Oilers, they’ll need help to end their lengthy absence from the Stanley Cup playoffs.
by Lyle Richardson - November 2, 2012 2:14 PM EDT
The Rangers nearly made it to the Stanley Cup final and though they remain strong, questions linger.
Expectations are high for the New York Rangers this season.
Having finished 2011-12 atop the Eastern Conference, only to fall to the New Jersey Devils in the conference final, many observers anticipated the Rangers would add another star player via trade or free agency.
by Lyle Richardson - October 31, 2012 12:11 PM EDT
The Islanders have solved their arena problem, but on-ice issues remain.
The New York Islanders recently announced their move from the decrepit Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale to the shiny new Barclays Center in Brooklyn by 2015, successfully bumping the NHL lockout from the hockey headlines for a couple of days.
by Lyle Richardson - October 29, 2012 12:41 PM EDT
The Devils face an uphill battle as they try to duplicate last season's surprising success.
The euphoria of New Jersey Devils fans over their club’s surprising run to the 2012 Stanley Cup final this spring quickly gave way in July to the disappointing realities of free agency.
by Lyle Richardson - October 26, 2012 1:13 PM EDT
Looking at the state of the Predators and what position they'll be in when the NHL lockout ends.
The Nashville Predators go into this season having lost one of their best defensemen in the off-season.
Despite GM David Poile’s best efforts to re-sign Ryan Suter, the blueliner surprised the club and its fans by inking a 13-year, $98-million contract with the Minnesota Wild.
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"That hockey game will haunt me until the day I die…"
- Toronto's Joffrey Lupul reacting on Twitter to his team's meltdown loss in Game 7 to the Boston Bruins.
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