Players to Watch in the Northwest
The Northwest is one of the most heavily competitive divisions in the National Hockey League (NHL), and next year will be more of the same. The Vancouver Canucks, Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild and Edmonton Oilers will battle for the division’s top spot. Below is a list of one player on each team to watch next season.
Keith Ballard – Defenceman – Vancouver Canucks
Ballard was brought over in a trade at the NHL entry draft this offseason, in the hopes that he would bolster the Canucks defence. Ballard preformed well for the Florida Panthers last season, notching 28 points and playing in all 82 games.
Canucks general manager (GM) Mike Gillis is hoping that Ballard can bring more of an offensive dynamic to the back end. A smooth skater, with the ability to make the first pass, Ballard should help the Canucks break-out of their own end. It is likely that Ballard will see first and second unit time next year, and could even spend some time on the team’s power play.
Matt Duchene - Forward – Colorado Avalanche
Duchene finished third on the Avalanche in scoring last season, but was perhaps their most important player. Just 19 years-old, Duchene is one of the best young players in the league and is expected to become an elite player in Colorado.
Duchene was first in rookie scoring last year with 55 points, and played in all 82 games. The youngster is expected to improve on his point total next season. Playing in all situations, Duchene is key to the Avalanche’s continued success. The Avalanche surprised many last year, with their eighth place finish in the Western Conference. The success was largely due to the accomplishments of their young players, led by Duchene.
Olli Jokinen – Forward – Calgary Flames
When Flames GM Darryl Sutter elected to bring back Jokinen this offseason, most hockey fans could not decipher why. Jokinen constantly under preformed for the Flames last season, scoring only 35 points in his 56 games and was not clicking at all with right wing Jarome Iginla.
If the Flames are to succeed next season, Jokinen will have to return to form. It is expected that he will play on the first unit with Iginla, which is a decision that could easily backfire on the Flames.
Martin Havlat – Forward – Minnesota Wild
Havlat was brought in by Wild GM Chuck Fletcher to rack up goals and lead the team offensively. Last season, Havlat never seemed to find his form, scoring only 54 points and finishing the year at minus-19.
Havlat cannot have another season like last year if the Wild are to make the playoffs. With a thin offensive unit to begin with, the goal scoring cannot fall solely on captain Mikko Koivu. Havlat is going to have to get on the board. Expect the 29 year-old to log a lot of ice time and play on the team’s power play, getting an abundance of chances to light the lamp.
Taylor Hall – Forward – Edmonton Oilers
2010’s first overall draft choice, Taylor Hall, will be counted on to step into the Oilers line-up and produce immediately, taking on the task of second line centre.
Hall proved in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) that he is an incredibly dynamic forward capable of end-to-end rushes, and possesses an amazing goal scoring ability. Hall will be watched from all around the NHL, as he walks into the Oilers line-up in October. Hall is skilled enough to break nearly any line-up in the league, but because Edmonton’s forward crop is so weak, Hall will be counted on more than usual. Expect the 18 year-old to see a great deal of ice time, along with time on the special teams.
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