It's time to drop the puck on the 2018-19 NHL season. While we're all brimming with excitement, plenty of questions about what lies ahead over the next seven months remain.
Here, we'll address one issue each Western Conference team is facing entering the new campaign.
Anaheim Ducks: How do they overcome early injuries?
Anaheim immediately faces a major uphill battle as injuries to Corey Perry, Patrick Eaves, and Ryan Kesler create significant holes in the roster. That will lead to opportunities for lesser-known winger Ondrej Kase and forward prospect Troy Terry. But if another Ducks regular goes down, it could be a long season in Orange County.
Arizona Coyotes: Can they finally take a step forward?
The Coyotes will get another crack at making progress during their ongoing rebuild. Arizona improved when it added Alex Galchenyuk and Michael Grabner over the summer, and believe it or not, Antti Raanta led the NHL in save percentage (.930) among goalies with 40-plus appearances in 2017-18.
Calgary Flames: How will their offseason acquisitions pan out?
Calgary did it all this offseason. They hired a new coach in Bill Peters, made a big trade splash when Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm were added, dipped into the free-agent market and lured James Neal, then also acquired Austin Czarnik and Derek Ryan, two supplemental pieces. Will all that lead to a playoff appearance? General manager Brad Treliving better hope so.
Chicago Blackhawks: Was last season a one-off, or the beginning of the end?
The Blackhawks' run of consecutive playoff appearances ended at nine last spring, and finding their way back won't be an easy task. Corey Crawford's health is the club's ultimate X-factor, but Chicago's fate in 2018-19 can't fall solely on his shoulders. Numerous key Blackhawks underachieved last season, and similar performances won't cut it in the league's most competitive division.
Colorado Avalanche: Who takes over in goal?
After surprisingly earning a playoff berth last season, the Avs' biggest move of the summer was acquiring goaltender Philipp Grubauer from the Washington Capitals and signing him to a three-year contract. He'll battle with the oft-injured Semyon Varlamov for the starting job, and whoever takes the reins will play an integral role in whether Colorado is competitive again.
Dallas Stars: Is another new coach the answer?
Dallas is on its third head coach in as many years, and rookie bench boss Jim Montgomery is tasked with getting an underachieving Stars squad back into the playoffs. Dallas has a loaded top line and some nice young pieces on the blue line. But the Stars have missed the postseason in three of the last four years, and another futile campaign could lead to some serious roster revamping.
Edmonton Oilers: Can they bury the memories of last season?
Edmonton's 2017-18 season was a nightmare, and the Oilers opted to give virtually the same roster another shot rather than undergoing a significant overhaul. To avoid a repeat disaster, Cam Talbot needs to be better in goal, and someone other than Connor McDavid has to step up offensively.
Los Angeles Kings: Can their core still carry them?
The Kings have a top-heavy roster and a talented core that's produced two Stanley Cups. But they aren't getting any younger, and the poor supplemental pieces surrounding Los Angeles' nucleus make it tough to believe this team is a championship contender. Signing Ilya Kovalchuk will help, but an injured Dustin Brown and an underwhelming bottom six will be a lot to overcome.
Minnesota Wild: How do they get over the hump?
The Wild have found a way into the playoffs in three straight seasons, only to be ousted in the first round each time. Other than naming Paul Fenton general manager, Minnesota didn't undergo any changes since its five-game elimination in April, and this club appears stuck on the bubble. Bruce Boudreau never misses the playoffs, and Devan Dubnyk is good enough to rely upon every year. But finding a way to get past the first round is priority No. 1 in 2018-19 for the Wild.
Nashville Predators: Is this Rinne's last season in Nashville?
The Predators are set to be a Stanley Cup contender again, but questions surrounding Pekka Rinne's future linger. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner faltered against Winnipeg in the playoffs to sour what was otherwise a stellar campaign in 2017-18. Rinne is a pending unrestricted free agent next summer, so this could be the 35-year-old's last shot at winning a ring with the club he's backstopped for 12 seasons.
San Jose Sharks: Are they the best team in the West?
An aging club with a shrinking championship window has turned back into a powerhouse thanks to general manager Doug Wilson, and now the Sharks look poised to make a run at the top of the Western Conference standings. The addition of Erik Karlsson, along with a full year of Evander Kane, gives San Jose one of the deepest rosters in the NHL, and their new-look lineup will lead to must-watch hockey.
St. Louis Blues: Can Jake Allen be consistent?
After a summer filled with big-name acquisitions, the Blues' most significant question for the upcoming campaign is the play of goaltender Jake Allen. The 28-year-old's .906 save percentage sunk St. Louis' playoff hopes in 2017-18. Now with a more complete roster in front of him, Allen will need to bounce back for the Blues to keep pace with their fellow Central Division contenders.
Vancouver Canucks: What's the ceiling for the kids?
The Canucks' rebuild is nowhere near complete, but fans will get a glimpse of the team's future in 2018-19. The arrival of dynamic center Elias Pettersson adds excitement to the organization, and Brock Boeser and Bo Horvat will be bright spots during another year of development for a team not expected to contend for a while yet.
Vegas Golden Knights: Are they a Cup threat again?
Vegas advanced to the Stanley Cup Final during its first season as an expansion team, setting a pretty high bar going forward. That may have seemed like a fluke at the time, but these Golden Knights are legit. Adding Paul Stastny and Max Pacioretty gives Vegas one of the deepest top-six groups in the NHL. This club can easily contend again.
Winnipeg Jets: How will the loss of Paul Stastny effect the attack?
Speaking of Stastny, how will the Jets overcome losing their big trade deadline acquisition? Stastny's passing prowess added a new element to Winnipeg's attack, and he was a key contributor as the club advanced to the Western Conference Final, tallying 15 points in 17 playoff games. The Jets are still deep up front, but there's no question Stastny's departure is an immediate downgrade up the middle.
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