What we think we know about every team in the NHL's Central Division

We think we know exactly how the Central Division will go.

Though, we admit, there is a wide range of possible outcomes for a number of these teams.

So far we've shared what we think we know about the Atlantic and Metropolitan Divisions, and some time after the playoffs are finished we'll swing back around to face up to what we really knew.

On to the Central...

ARIZONA COYOTES

We think we know that the Coyotes, while probably not a playoff team and certainly not a contender, could surprise with their compete in 2023-24. They're still building up to the day when they can open a new home -- hopefully in Arizona -- but with most of the league capped-out the Coyotes have become a landing spot for a few helpful veterans. Combine that with how some of their youngsters are developing, and Logan Cooley's exciting arrival, and we think we know the Coyotes are going to move up the lottery board in 2024.

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

We think we know that Connor Bedard is in for one of the best rookie offensive seasons of the salary cap era. Since 2005-06, only four rookies have scored at least 35 goals: Patrik Laine (36), Sidney Crosby (39), Auston Matthews (40) and Alex Ovechkin (52). In that same time only five rookies with a minimum of 42 games played finished with a point per game average or better: Mat Barzal (1.04), Connor McDavid (1.07), Evgeni Malkin (1.09), Crosby (1.26) and Ovechkin (1.31). We think we know that Bedard has a chance to join Crosby and Ovechkin as the only ones to achieve both in their first season.

COLORADO AVALANCHE

We think we know the Avalanche found their starting goalie in Alexandar Georgiev next season, though the 27-year-old is going to have to prove all over again that his 62-game year wasn't a blip. We also think we know several of their depth forwards are going to be challenged to come through this season. Can Ryan Johansen find better production as the 2C? Can Jonathan Drouin stick with Nathan MacKinnon, or become a value piece elsewhere?

But we also believe this team's talent is abundant and guaranteed to reach the playoffs. We think Bowen Byram could be in for a level-up season and that a contract extension with Devon Toews can be figured out. We think we know Gabriel Landeskog has a chance to join back in for the playoffs and that the Avalanche will be a top-end contender again.

DALLAS STARS

We think we know that Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger has to play fewer regular season games this year. Last season, Oettinger played in 62 games (only Connor Hellebuyck and Juuse Saros played more) and though he certainly had a strong season overall, he was clearly struggling by March. Oettinger and the Stars broke through to the third round of the playoffs, but he had an .895 post-season save percentage and seemed to hit a wall against Vegas.

What we don't know is if Dallas will actually play him less because Scott Wedgewood returns as the backup and no other veteran was brought in, but we think we know Oettinger needs more rest to be at his best for a playoff run. And we think we know a Stanley Cup is possible here.

MINNESOTA WILD

We think we know this could be Marc-Andre Fleury's last in the NHL. I mean, we hope it's not, but it's time to brace for it. Fleury, 39 in November, has one season left on his contract and is again set to share the crease with Filip Gustavsson who is freshly signed to a three-year extension. Early in training camp, Fleury said he'd decide at the end of the season.

For the team's chances, we think we know the Wild still have questions about depth down the middle, which again could be problematic. However if Marco Rossi can add a new dimension, perhaps they could overachieve.

NASHVILLE PREDATORS

We think we know the Predators are going to try and push the pace to be a better offensive unit in 2023-24. Historically this organization is renowned for its ability to develop defencemen and for the great goalies they've had a long the way. What they're not known for is a high-octane offence or a chaotic system.

A lot of that character was established by head coach Barry Trotz, but now GM Barry Trotz has communicated his intent for the team to play fast and his choice to hire Andrew Brunette as a head coach confirms it. Brunette, who led an absolutely wild Panthers team in 2021-22 was an assistant coach for a high-flying New Jersey Devils team in 2022-23.

ST. LOUIS BLUES

We think we know that Jordan Binnington's play is a big part of St. Louis' decline. The Blues dropped off by 28 points last season to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2018 and while there were a few reasons for that, Binnington continued a poor trend. Since winning the Cup in 2019, Binnington's numbers have fallen off and he's had a cumulative .901 save percentage since the league shut down for COVID in March of 2020. Last season was the worst yet, with a 3.31 GAA and .894 save percentage. Making $6 million for another four seasons, we think we know he's lowering their ceiling and is the X-Factor for a playoff return.

WINNIPEG JETS

The Blake Wheeler buyout and Pierre-Luc Dubois trade has somewhat changed Winnipeg's outlook this season, though expiring contracts to Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck loom. We think we'll know by American Thanksgiving in November if the Jets are going to have to come up with an exit plan early, or ride it out until the end with these players.

Late-November is usually a good touch point to get a feel if a team is going to over- or under-perform and if the Jets sink the UFAs probably won't be convinced to stay and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will have to get proactive. However, we also think the pieces are still in place for this team to surprise and excel again. We think we know that, because of this, Winnipeg could still get back to the post-season, keep their UFAs for the one run, and then maybe even re-sign them still.