We head out West to the Central division. This division has been dominated by the Red Wings in recent years, but with off-season moves aplenty, will that soon change?
 
**Remember the grades aren't on how good or bad the team is, it's based on how the teams management did in the off-season so far through trades and free agency.
 
Central Division
Detroit Red Wings
What's to say bad about the Stanley Cup Champions? There really isn't anything you can say that they did bad this off-season. If anything, you can still say they are weak in net, but Osgood proved his worth in the playoffs and with the team in front of him that stacked, you don't need an amazing Vezina caliber goalie in net. My thoughts on why Detroit didn't go after a new, younger starting goalie is because Ryan Miller is a UFA at the end of this season. Miller is a Michigan boy, and played all his hockey there, even in college, what a fit he would be in Detroit.
 
The obvious improvement the Wings made this off-season was the signing of Marian Hossa, who many believed was the top free agent on the market. Not only did they sign him, they signed him at a discounted rate because Hossa wants to win a cup, and because it's a rule that no one will make more then Lidstrom on the team. It was a great move by the Wings to re-sign Brad Stuart after acquiring him at the trade deadline last year. He adds a lot to the back end of that team.
 
Compared to some teams, the Wings were quiet, while at the same time making a big splash. You can tell it's all about quality for the Wings, not quantity. I am giving them an A- for their efforts. Signing Hossa was huge, re-signing Stuart is big, but the main thing is they kept the main core of their team in tact. The only reason the Wings didn't score higher is because how well some other teams did around the league. If you are a Wings fan, you must be happy.
 
Columbus Blue Jackets
For me, there is a lot of question marks on the Jackes off-season moves. First of all with the trade Fritche/Zheredev for Tyutin/Backman I am going WHY?! There would have been better and cheaper ways to get some D-men on your roster. Giving up Zheredev and Fritche is a LOT for 2 shakey defencemen, at best. Now the best defencemen on your team is Mike Commodore, who you are paying 3.75 million a year for....ouch!
 
Enough of the bad, and more of the good. Columbus acquiring R.J. Umberger at the draft was huge for them, this guy has a tonne of skill and will be a solid player for years to come. They also signed him to a contract that is very, very reasonable. I like the trade to get Torres on their roster, they need a player like him who will shake things up. It is too bad about Brule but it was a trade of one declining player for another, and I think a change of scenery will help both teams out. Kristian Huselius signing on for 4 years is great news for the Jackets, and Rick Nash. A line of Umberger, Nash and Huselius would be great, except Umberger really isn't a #1 center. I can really see Nash and Huseius playing well, and with signing Huselius it helps fill the void for the lost Zheredev.
 
The Jackets made some other minor moves, but really aren't worth mentioning. Overall I'll throw a B- the Jackets way. With some boneheaded moves they make me shake my head, but they also made up for it in signings and trades. They need to get Leclaire signed to have a steady goaltender and I think they may compete for a playoff spot next year.
 
St. Louis Blues
I hate to say it, but because of where I live (Canada) I almost forget that the Blues even exist anymore. The big story with the Blues was playing the offer sheet game with the Canucks, while somehow remaining respectful to each other at the same time (weird, isn't it?) The 'Nucks signed David Backes to an offer sheet, the Blues matched it, then the Blues signed Steve Bernier to an offer sheet (after he was traded to Vancouver) and the Canucks matched it. I hate the offer-sheet game but it sure makes things interesting between the teams.
 
Back to the Blues....their big splash was trading for goalie Chris Mason. Manny Legace isn't a real #1 goalie, and despit Mason probably not being one either, he's an upgrade from Manny. Let's not forget to mention Hannu Toivonen and Marek Schwarz each waiting for their shot. I think the Blues are smart to stock up on these goalies as they could just easily unload them to teams who are struggling in net with a big pay-day in return.
 
The Blues are going to get a B for their moves this off-season. I can't give them a bad mark as they didn't really get any worse, but they didn't get that much better either. Strong drafting is the way this re-building franchise is going and I think it will work out just fine.
 
Nashville Predators
What a surprising, and good year it was last year for the Preds. Despite being ousted in the first round, they actually made the playoffs, and managed to give the Red Wings a short run for their money. I didn't see the Predators make any bad moves this off-season, so there isn't to much to harp on them about. With the cap space they had though, they could have made some runs at some UFAs but who really knows if they did and just didn't luck out?
 
The positives for the Preds came with 3 names: Ryan Suter, Shea Weber and Dan Ellis. These 3 re-signings are huge for the Predators as all 3 should be good for some time to come. I know you may be thinking "come on?, Dan Ellis?" But Ellis will be a much more solid goalie then many think. Plus, with getting Chris Mason out of town, there is no controversey in net now, and the fact that Ellis is Nashvilles verified #1 must do wonders for his confidence.
 
It may be boring but I have to give out another B here. Once again, a team that doesn't make any moves bad or good naturally stays neutral.
 
Chicago Blackhawks
Wow, am I ever excited to see this team in action. If they can avoid the injury bug, I am saying they will compete with the Wings for the division title. This is another team that did nothing bad this off-season except for over-pay for free-agents, but so did everyone else so I am not faulting them too much for that.
 
The good of the Hawks is obviously signing Brian Campbell. I didn't even think Chicago was in the running for Campbell. He is an all-star defencemen and makes this team so incredibly much better. The other huge move for the Hawks was signing Christobal Huet. A #1 goalie who will compete for the job with the Boulin Wall (Until Khabiboulin is traded or bought out).
 
The Hawks get an easy A from me. They are young, skillful, and will be damn exciting to watch this season. It's time to really get excited if you are a Hawks fan, they will be a great team for a some years to come.
 
Final Grades:
Wings A-
Blue Jackets B-
Blues B
Predators B
Blackhawks A
 
This whole division did good this off-season. Detroit will still be the clear favorite but the Hawks will compete and so will the Jackets and Predators. The Blues on the other hand, they are still re-building so I won't hate on them to much if they are bad this year. Next up we will head to the Northwest in what is the most competitive division in the NHL. The Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Wild are featured here, it should be good.