As our previews of the 2017-18 NHL season continue, today we’ll be looking at the Central Division! After Nashville went all the way from a wildcard spot to the Stanley Cup Final last season, they’ll be looking to do one better and top the division entirely this year. But of course, there’s always competition from perennial contenders Chicago and two very skilled teams in Dallas and St. Louis. How will it all pan out? Check out our predictions below! (Also, be sure to check out our previews for the Atlantic and Metropolitan divisions, if you haven’t already!)

CENTRAL DIVISION

1. Nashville Predators

Getting a wildcard spot in last year’s playoffs proved to be a blessing in disguise for the Nashville Predators, as they shellshocked the Blackhawks to sweep them in round one all the way to a trip to the Stanley Cup Final. Although they lost James Neal to Vegas in the expansion draft, the Preds still boast a potent offense led by Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson; arguably the best quartet of defensemen in the NHL (sorry, Calgary); and an elite-level goalie in Pekka Rinne. They’ll make another solid Cup run this year.

2. Chicago Blackhawks

Following the embarrassment of their sweep to the Preds, Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman vowed to “make sure this never happens again” in the team’s post-mortem press conference. While it remains to be seen how much of an improvement reacquiring Brandon Saad will be while losing Panarin – not to mention bringing back Patrick Sharp while also losing Niklas Hjalmarsson and Marcus Kruger – the Hawks remain a franchise built around the classic group of Toews, Kane, Keith and Seabrook, which are always a force to be reckoned with.

3. St. Louis Blues

Though we’ve pencilled Chicago in as the Central runner-up, several teams in the division could easily topple them, and the Blues look the most likely to do so. Vladimir Tarasenko is one of the best scoring forwards in the league, and the acquisition of Brayden Schenn from Philly – not to mention Jaden Schwartz and skilled young playmaker Robby Fabbri – will carry the offensive load for the Blues nicely this year. Add their rock-solid defense of Pietrangelo, Parayko and co, and you’ve got yourself a strong playoff team.

WILDCARD 1. Dallas Stars

Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin are one of the most deadly offensive duos in the league, with an industrious supporting cast – including veterans Alexander Radulov and Jason Spezza – to work with as well. Their defense, led by John Klingberg and now including Marc Methot of the Sens, is certainly nothing to scoff at either. They may have fallen well short of the mark last season, but a group like the one Dallas has is too good to not at least challenge for a playoff spot this year.

5. Winnipeg Jets

The Central Division is the West’s equivalent to the Metropolitan, so the Jets are unlucky to have to fight for their playoff lives among such a strong group of teams. That said, they’ve certainly got the potential to make a good run for it down the stretch, with dynamic winger Patrik Laine leading their offense alongside elite young centre Mark Scheifele. Their group of young defensemen, led by Josh Morrissey and Jacob Trouba, is excellent as well. But like the Hurricanes and Flyers, consistency in net is going to be Winnipeg’s biggest X factor this year, with Steve Mason pencilled in as their main man.

6. Minnesota Wild

The Wild were an unlucky team last season, having just barely missed out on the Central division title – by three points, to boot – and crashing out in round one to the Blues. While the team itself looks pretty solid, particularly on D with Jonas Brodin and Matt Dumba among its major pieces, it’s hard to see them being one of the best in the division this time. Top forwards Zach Parise and Eric Staal are on the wrong side of 30 now, so the Wild’s fortunes this season could come down to a Vezina-like season from Devan Dubnyk.

7. Colorado Avalanche

Oh Lordy, where to start. Following an abysmal season that saw the Avalanche finish at the bottom of the league standings – and still fall out of the top three after the draft lottery – this Colorado team will be in tough to shake off their new reputation as a cellar-dwelling team. Although Gabriel Landeskog (assuming he stays), Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen will be able to provide plenty of offense, the team otherwise has holes in almost every area of the ice. Also, the longer the Matt Duchene saga drags on, the less Joe Sakic will get in return when/if he trades him.

Featured image credit: NHL.com