The Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings have each won two Stanley Cups over the past four years. Will the Western Conference's streak continue in 2015-16?
A clean slate at the start of a new season provides optimism for every team: A look at the Western Conference teams' reasons for hope entering the new campaign.
Disclaimer: This is not to say that each item is created equal, or that each one is the only component to a deep run. This list does not account for injuries, which could cripple even the strongest teams. These are simply plausible reasons why your favorite team could be playing late into the season.
Anaheim Ducks: Picking up where they left off. The Ducks had 109 points last season, finished one victory shy of the Stanley Cup Final and return nearly all of their key players, so that's a good start. Matt Beleskey and Francois Beauchemin are out, but they have been replaced by Carl Hagelin and Kevin Bieksa. Shawn Horcoff and Chris Stewart provide additional depth for a team that is still young – and hungry to win – at its key spots. (Peter Barzilai)
Arizona Coyotes: Up to the kids. Everything will have to go right, and then some, for them to make the playoffs, let alone win the Cup. Coach Dave Tippett favors a tight style, which should keep the Coyotes in many games. But to pull off the shocker the team will need at least several of its top prospects, including Max Domi, Anthony Duclair, Dylan Strome, Christian Dvorak, to force their way onto the NHL club and put up big numbers. (PB)
Calgary Flames: Next step. After going from 42 points in 2012-13 to 77 points in 2013-14 to 97 points last season, the rebuild is done and the Flames are equipped to compete for the Cup. The roster is brimming with young talent, including T.J. Brodie, Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau, Lance Bouma and Sam Bennett. Add in newcomers Dougie Hamilton and Michael Frolik, as well as a healthy Mark Giordano, and the Flames are primed to take the next step. (PB)
Chicago Blackhawks: Always find a way. The Blackhawks seem to have discovered a secret hack allowing them to overcome just about anything on the road to victory. With the leadership of Jonathan Toews and superior coaching of Joel Quenneville, this team can consistently bend without breaking. Even with the loss of big pieces, the Blackhawks will still figure out how to rise to the top of the league. (Kristen Shilton)
Colorado Avalanche: Potential in forwards. What's most interesting about the Avalanche, and what will be the key to their success this season, is the team's group of young, talented forwards. Matt Duchene, Mikhail Grigorenko, Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon are all bursting with possibility. They could blossom into a difficult crew for other teams to defend against, and propel the Avs up the standings. (KS)
Dallas Stars: Potent goal scorers. Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin were two of the most prolific offensive weapons in the Western Conference last season, and they, plus the gifted Valeri Nichushkin and the recently extended Cody Eakin, stand to only get better with more experience. Add in veteran Patrick Sharp, who knows a thing or two about clutch goal scoring, and every team the Stars face this season will be struggling to keep up. (KS)
Edmonton Oilers: Overwhelming talent. They keep accumulating top-shelf talent so it seems inevitable that the Oilers will make another run the Cup – or at least reach the playoffs. Now they add Connor McDavid, arguably the most talented player to come out of the draft since Sidney Crosby. Combine him with previous first overall picks Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov and newcomers Andrej Sekera and Cam Talbot, and the Oilers may finally be closer to the Cup than the draft lottery. (PB)
Los Angeles Kings: Even strength. They won the Cup in 2012 and 2014 so it stands to reason they'll raise it again in 2016. Quirky math aside, the Kings return fresh after missing the playoffs in 2015 and with most of the top players from the previous Cup teams still in their prime. Drew Doughty (26), Jake Muzzin (26) and Anze Kopitar (28) are under 30, and Jonathan Quick (30), Dustin Brown (31) and Jeff Carter (31) are just on the other side of it. Newcomer Milan Lucic (27) should also fit in nicely with the Kings' tough and heavy style. (PB)
Minnesota Wild: Pieces are in place. The Wild may not have gone crazy in free agency, but then again, did they really have to? Goaltender Devan Dubnyk's arrival last season sparked such a run for Minnesota it surged into the playoff picture. By mostly staying the course with their roster, integral pieces such as Ryan Suter, Zach Parise, Mikael Granlund and Nino Niederreiter all stand to come back invigorated by the postseason appearance and ready to build on what the Wild have started creating. (KS)
Nashville Predators: Stingy defense. Some teams, such as Dallas, are offensive powerhouses while others, such as Nashville, are built to withstand them. The Predators' defensive unit is stacked with battle-tested veterans (Shea Weber, Roman Josi) and bolstered by a strong crop of young contributors (Mattias Ekholm, Seth Jones). With Vezina runner-up Pekka Rinne at full health, the Preds will be able to hold any team at bay. (KS)
San Jose Sharks: Right ingredients. There is a nice mix of veterans and youngsters, star power and potential, but how it all fits together will be the key. Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau, each at 36, appear to have enough in the tank to play top-six minutes, and Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl should be the franchise cornerstones going forward. The goaltending has the potential to be improved with Martin Jones and Alex Stalock, both of whom have shown flashes in limited action and now will get a chance at big minutes. (PB)
St. Louis Blues: Players ready to step up. The Blues are a tremendously talented team, and there's no reason this can't be the year they show it on the ice in the postseason. After an up-and-down 2014-15, Paul Stastny is poised to lead the Blues' offense as a No. 1 center and veteran presence, while Robert Bortuzzo should play a more prominent role on defense. Couple that with a breakout season from goaltender Jake Allen, who is again in a battle with Brian Elliott, and opportunities for youth after Patrik Berglund's injury and the Blues will become a tough out. (KS)
Vancouver Canucks: Old guard plus new wave. The Sedins, who will be 35 when the season starts, are still highly productive, and now they have young running partners such as Bo Horvat, Sven Baertschi and Brandon Sutter. Ryan Miller is the No. 1 goalie, but Jacob Markstrom should get his chances and could be difference maker if he finally lives up to the hype. (PB)
Winnipeg Jets: Core is strong. Andrew Ladd, Blake Wheeler, Bryan Little and Dustin Byfuglien are stabilizing forces for a young, and mostly untested, team in a tough division. Forward Mark Scheifele and defenseman Jacob Trouba are cornerstone pieces. The Jets' appearance in the playoffs last year may not have gone to plan, but the players at the heart of this team can lead them further now. (KS)
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