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Dallas Stars: Central Division Result Analyses of Next Season

By Avery Klatsky

WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 12: Patrik Laine #29 of the Winnipeg Jets is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a first period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell MTS Place on May 12, 2018 in Winnipeg, Canada. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 12: Patrik Laine #29 of the Winnipeg Jets is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a first period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell MTS Place on May 12, 2018 in Winnipeg, Canada. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 06: Carter Hutton #40 of the St. Louis Blues spits water during a break against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on April 6, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blues defeated the Blackhawks 4-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 06: Carter Hutton #40 of the St. Louis Blues spits water during a break against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on April 6, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blues defeated the Blackhawks 4-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

With free agency in its prime, here are predictions and analyses of teams and players results in the Central Division next season.

Let’s dive right in and start with who the best is…

Best Record – St. Louis Blues

Yes, you read that right. I am predicting that the St. Louis Blues finish first in the Central Division this season, and for a few reasons.

Firstly, St. Louis arguably won free agency and has the most improved team already since July 1st. They re-signed David Perron, who was stolen by Vegas in the expansion draft. They also signed center Tyler Bozak, formerly a player of the Toronto Maple Leafs, to a 3-year deal worth approximately $5 million per year.

The biggest move that St. Louis made, however, was a blockbuster deal with the Buffalo Sabres. They sent Page Thompson, Patrik Berglund, Vladimir Sobotka, and two draft picks to Buffalo in exchange for center Ryan O’Reilly. Did St. Louis come out on top of the deal? Who knows yet. They did have to give up an arm and a leg to get O’Reilly, who is now playing with his third team in the NHL. If he lights it up this year, it’s safe to say that the Blues won the trade.

In addition to trading O’Reilly and signing other players, the re-signed Robby Fabbri, who will look to make a big impact on the wing, and goalie Chad Johnson each to one-year deals.

After missing the playoffs last season, St. Louis is going to come out of the gate blazing to make it into the postseason.

Nashville and Winnipeg both could make a strong case to contend against St. Louis for the best record in the Central Division. Between that and St. Louis’ several new additions, the Blues will either make it or break it with the new shake-ups in their roster.

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