The Western Conference has been the more dominant in the NHL for the last five years with Boston interrupting what would be a sweep over the previous half decade.
The pendulum swinging west has more to do with roster depth providing more of a difference than anything else. Of the five previous Stanley Cup Final series, only the Boston/Vancouver managed to reach seven games, further supporting the strength of the western teams.
The top lines for the Western Conference have a significantly smaller gap on each team, with many players interchangeable in the top three lines.
Calgary Flames Matt Stajan, Curtis Glencross, Jiri Hudler
The Flames aren’t a terrible team, but their top line will hardly strike fear into anyone’s heart. All three are serviceable veterans that will eventually give way to younger, more talented players.
Phoenix Coyotes Mikkel Boedker, Martin Hanzal, Shane Doan
The Coyotes bid farewell to their most dangerous center in Ribeiro, but are in danger of sliding back into irrelevance. Their top line features the oft-injured Hanzal, speedy Boedker and the ageless Doan. Nothing spectacular, but consistent.
Nashville Predators Colin Wilson, Mike Ribeiro, James Neal
The Preds promise to be a curiosity all season with new coach Peter Laviolette. The expectation is a more up-tempo, offensive style that favors the freewheeling Ribeiro and Neal. Both know their way around the goal, and the youngster Wilson stands to benefit from that.
Vancouver Canucks Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Radim Vrbata
It’s hard to believe that so many other teams outclass the Canucks these days, but the times haven’t been kind to the Sedin twins. A statistical wall appears to be struck as their decline begins. The talent is still there, but the grind of the 82-game season has worn them down. On the brighter side, Vrbata hasn’t ever played with anyone (or two) as talented as the Swedish twins.
Minnesota Wild Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu, Jason Pominville
The Wild might have the most brittle number one line in the league with all three players missing time last year. When they are at 100% health however, this trio can be absolutely lethal. Parise and Koivu see the ice as well as anyone in the game while Pominville has some obscenely silky hands. All three can bang the twine with regularity, but they need to stay on the ice.
San Jose Sharks Joe Pavelski, Joe Thornton, Thomas Hertl
Jumbo Joe still centers the top line in San Jose, but this could be his swan song in the Shark Tank. Pavelski’s time is now while Hertl’s may be in a few years. Both will benefit from the unbelievably talented Thornton’s stick and grab their share of glory. Expect to see Logan Couture slide into the number one center spot if Thornton doesn’t pull his weight.
Winnipeg Jets Andrew Ladd, Brian Little, Evander Kane
On of the forgotten lines because of the struggles of their team lives in Winnipeg. All three have had standout seasons to thrust them into the limelight. Winnipeg literally made no moves this summer, so this trio will be called upon to carry the weight of the franchise.
Dallas Stars Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Valeri Nichushkin
The Stars’ success last year was due in large part to the three players that play on their top line. While Seguin and Benn were linemates all year, the young Russian Nichushkin, was finding his way. With his rookie year in the rear view the big right winger will absolutely explode playing with the talented duo.
St. Louis Blues T.J. Oshie, David Backes, Alex Steen
It will be interesting to see if Steen can recover the hot stick he was wielding in the early parts of last year. Oshie has steadily improved his game over the past four years and is becoming a viable fantasy option too. Backes is a workhorse up the middle. His stats won’t blow you away, but he’s a tremendous presence up the middle in St. Louis.
Los Angeles Kings Marian Gaborik, Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown
The defending Stanley Cup champs boast an impressive top line featuring one of the NHL’s most underrated centers in Kopitar. Gaborik will have a full season to benefit from the shifty Slovenian playmaker. Dustin Brown provides a physical edge, but not much else.
Colorado Avalanche Gabriel Landeskog, Matt Duchene, Jarome Iginla
Landeskog and Duchene are only slightly older than Iginla when their age is combined (43-37). The two youngsters will be able to learn a thing or two from the 560-goal scorer, assuming he can keep up. The speedy Avs were a curious fit for the 17-year NHL veteran, but coming off of a 30-goal, 60-point season, Iggy still has plenty left in the tank.
Anaheim Ducks Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Matt Beleskey
The Ducks would have a top three overall first line with me playing left wing along side Getzlaf and Perry. Instead they chose Beleskey who provides a combination of energy, grit and potential. He could feasibly pot 30 goals playing a full season with the top Anaheim trio.
Edmonton Oilers Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jordan Eberle
These three are better equipped for an EA Sports game where you can turn line changes and fatigue to OFF and play an entire game with the top line. Hall is arguably the best left wing in the NHL at age 22. Age 22. The second mention was meant for you to repeat aloud. Nugent-Hopkins is supremely gifted when he can stay healthy while Eberle is a top five right wing in the league.
Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Brandon Saad
Without question the Hawks are among the elite in the west. Their top line is the most dynamic in the NHL with Toews the “elder statesman” among the three at 26 years of age. They are downright scary and will only get better over the next five years.