NHL Line Projections for 2016-17 (Central Division)

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NHL Line Projections: Chicago Blackhawks left wing Artemi Panarin (72) receives congratulations from right wing Patrick Kane (88) and center Jonathan Toews (19) after scoring in the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

NHL Line Projections for 2016-17 – Training Camps are Coming to a Close as Teams Face Those Final Crucial Roster Cuts. Now, With Only 5 Days Until the New NHL Season, Depth Charts Begin to Take Form. Projected Line Combos/Defensive Pairings in the Central Division

Moving on with the season preview, we turn our focus to NHL line projections for all 30 teams. Since we’re only seven five days away from a brand new season, prospective opening night rosters are becoming much clearer. At this point, most teams are making those final decisions and rosters should start to take shape in the final couple preseason games.

Shifting over to the Western Conference, we turn our focus to the Central Division. This is arguably the toughest division in hockey, and the numbers tend to back it up. The Dallas Stars, St. Louis Blues, and Chicago Blackhawks all produced more points/had a better record than first place in the Pacific. They’ve also got the Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild that seem to be in contention every year. Lastly, we come to the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche, who are both looking to improve after a disappointing 2015-16 campaign.

*It’s worth noting these are simply early NHL line projections for how things might shake up on opening night/early on in the season.

NHL Line Projections in 2016-17 (Central Division)

Nov 28, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (1) and center Matt Duchene (9) and center Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrate the win over the Winnipeg Jets at the Pepsi Center. The Avalanche defeated the Jets 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Colorado Avalanche

Gabriel Landeskog – Nathan MacKinnon – Matt Duchene
Mikko Rantanen – Carl Soderberg – Jarome Iginla
Joe Colborne – Mikhail Grigorenko – Blake Comeau
Andreas Martinsen – John Mitchell – Cody McLeod
xs: Rene Bourque, Mike Sislo

Francois Beauchemin – Tyson Barrie
Nikita Zadorov – Erik Johnson
Fedor Tyutin – Eric Gelinas
xs: Patrick Wiercioch

Semyon Varlamov – Calvin Pickard

*Assuming Rantanen will be ready for opening night

This who should play center debate with Nathan MacKinnon and Matt Duchene needs to end. They either need to split them up and slide Carl Soderberg to the third line (not a favorable option), or trade Matt Duchene. Something’s gotta give, and perhaps a slow start out of the gates might be enough to initiate a trade.

We’re predicting that preseason performer Rene Bourque earns an NHL contract after coming into camp on a professional tryout offer. He can slide in pretty much anywhere in the Avs bottom six forward group but could start the year in the press box.

That third line could be very important to Colorado‘s success in 2016-17. We all know how important depth scoring is in today’s NHL, and there’s an exclamation mark on it in a tough central division that includes the offensively poised Dallas Stars. It could be a big year for Mikhail Grigorenko to finally take that next step in his development.

The goaltending situation will be an intriguing scenario to watch this year. Joe Sakic can only save one goaltender, and logic might suggest the younger, cheaper option makes the most sense. If the Avs want to feel comfortable protecting Calvin Pickard (leaving Semyon Varlamov exposed), he’ll need to see a little extra time in the crease this year.

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