NHL WESTERN PREVIEW

Free agency, rising salaries and limited budgets make it difficult for successful NHL teams to stay together long enough to become dynasties. However, the Colorado Avalanche, with youth, speed, size and skill and some of the league’s most renowned clutch players, has an excellent shot at winning a second successive Cup--and more after that.

“We’re not scared of talking about winning again,” said General Manager Pierre Lacroix. “We’re not afraid of any jinx. We know we have maturity in our core players and young players who gained a lot of experience last season. I don’t think we have any weaknesses, but our players are aware we mean it when we say winning is our only goal, so I don’t think anybody is going to take the easy approach. We have no intention of making major moves, but we won’t sit back.”

They made a series of major moves last season, trading 10 players in the first 60 days to bring wingers Claude Lemieux and Mike Keane, goaltender Patrick Roy and defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh to Denver. The adjustments weren’t all smooth, and the Avalanche finished 27 points behind the Detroit Red Wings, who won a record 62 games.

But in the end, the Red Wings’ records were little more than a consolation prize, and the Avalanche is poised for another big season.

“We’ve got a few guys who have been through this before, like Mike Keane, Patrick Roy and Claude Lemieux. All their experience is going to help our younger people as we face the expectations people have of the defending champion,” Coach Marc Crawford said. “It’s the quality of our players, more than the depth, that makes it a lot of fun.”

Said Keane: “The way we’re looking at it, winning one Stanley Cup isn’t the best thing that can happen. You have to go out and win two or three to make believers out of everyone. We’re not going to be complacent. Patrick has three [Cup titles], Claude has three and we all want more.”

The Red Wings loom as Colorado’s top rival, although they haven’t remedied the defensive problems that contributed to their downfall last spring. The Phoenix Coyotes, formerly the Winnipeg Jets, also have enough offensive power to make some noise. But after those three teams, there’s a huge dropoff in quality, which should make for a tight playoff scramble.

Here’s a look at what to expect in the Western Conference this season, in predicted order of finish.

PACIFIC DIVISION

COLORADO AVALANCHE

Coach: Marc Crawford, third season.

1995-96: 47-25-10, 104 points

Who’s new: Left wing Eric Lacroix (trade with the Kings).

Outlook: The biggest challenge may be staying free of injuries through the 82-game playoff rehearsal. Colorado is the class of the conference with goalie Patrick Roy, centers Joe Sakic (a career-best 120 points last season and the playoff MVP) and Peter Forsberg (116 points), winger Adam Deadmarsh ready for a breakout season and a balanced defense led by Sandis Ozolinsh and defensive stalwarts Adam Foote, Sylvain Lefebvre and Uwe Krupp. This team is deep enough not to miss holdouts Chris Simon and Valeri Kamensky, it’s tough and it’s talented, probably an unbeatable combination.

*

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Coach: Tom Renney, first season.

1995-96: 32-35-15, 79 points.

Who’s new: Coach Tom Renney, former coach of the Canadian national team, left wing David Roberts (free agent).

Outlook: Pavel Bure was regaining his familiarity with fellow Russian Alexander Mogilny (55 goals, 107 points) last November when Bure injured his knee, ending his season. Both had spectacular training camps--they’re playing right wing on different lines but are united on power plays--and they will be a treat to watch. Center Trevor Linden will provide 80 points and leadership, but he’s the Canucks’ only proven center. They also might need help on defense, where they lack muscle and offensive spark besides Jyrki Lumme. Corey Hirsch supplanted Kirk McLean in goal last spring and may keep the starting job.

*

CALGARY FLAMES

Coach: Pierre Page, second season.

1995-96: 34-37-11, 79 points.

Who’s new: Center Dave Gagner (trade with Toronto).

Outlook: They haven’t gotten past the first round of the playoffs since they won the Cup in 1989, but that streak could end this season with them missing the playoffs altogether. The injury-induced retirement of winger Gary Roberts robs them of heart and goals. Right wing Theoren Fleury, all 5 feet 6 and 160 pounds of him, is a great sparkplug, but he can’t do it alone. After Fleury (46 goals, 96 points) and left wing German Titov (67 points), they have no snipers, but they’re high on 19-year-old right wing Jarome Iginla, whom they acquired for Joe Nieuwendyk. Their defense is soft, and Trevor Kidd’s goaltending is only average.

*

MIGHTY DUCKS

Coach: Ron Wilson, fourth season.

1995-96: 35-39-8, 78 points.

Who’s new: Right wing JariKurri, left wing Warren Rychel (free agents).

Outlook: Paul Kariya (50 goals, 108 points) and Teemu Selanne (16 goals, 36 points in 28 games after being acquired from Winnipeg) were a devastating combination last season. Selanne looked equally good with Kurri in exhibitions while Kariya recovered from an abdominal muscle problem. To make the top eight, the Ducks must also get big seasons from center Steve Rucchin, right wing Valeri Karpov and right wing Roman Oksiuta and develop or acquire a first-line center. A boost on defense wouldn’t hurt, either.

*

KINGS

Coach: Larry Robinson, second season.

1995-96: 24-40-18, 66 points.

Who’s new: Goalie Stephane Fiset (trade with Colorado), center Ed Olczyk (free agent).

Outlook: Life after Wayne Gretzky has begun, and the rebuilding will be painfully slow. Their strength should be defense. If they’re ever all injury-free, Rob Blake, Mattias Norstrom, Steven Finn, Philippe Boucher, John Slaney and Doug Zmolek provide toughness and mobility. Up front, however, the Kings have 15 third-line forwards and no threats besides Dimitri Khristich (27 goals last season) and Yanic Perreault (25 goals). Ray Ferraro (four goals in 11 games after arriving in a trade with the New York Rangers) has heart, but he’s small. Things can’t get worse for left wing Kevin Stevens (three goals in 20 games after being acquired from Boston)--or can they? He has much to prove.

*

EDMONTON OILERS

Coach: Ron Low, second season.

1995-96: 30-44-8, 68 points.

Who’s new: Goalie Bob Essensa (trade with Detroit), defenseman Kevin Lowe (free agent).

Outlook: They’re on the way back up after hitting bottom, and center Doug Weight (25 goals, 104 points) will lead the journey back. Jason Arnott (28 goals, 59 points) gives them depth up the middle, but winger Zdeno Ciger (team-leading 31 goals) went home to Slovakia. They ranked 24th in team goals-against average last season and must improve that dramatically. General Manager Glen Sather guaranteed they’d make the playoffs, and it might go to the wire.

*

SAN JOSE SHARKS

Coach: Al Sims, first season.

1995-96: 20-55-7, 47 points.

Who’s new: Goalie Kelly Hrudey, forwards Bernie Nicholls, Todd Ewen, Tony Granato and Tim Hunter (free agents), defensemen Al Iafrate (trade with Boston), Marty McSorley (trade with New York Rangers) and Todd Gill (trade with Toronto).

Outlook: Their motto must be, “If you can’t beat ‘em, beat ‘em up.” They will be physical, and they have some skill in wingers Owen Nolan (33 goals, 69 points) and Jeff Friesen (15 goals, 46 points) and centers Nicholls and Darren Turcotte. However, Sims, the former Duck assistant coach, must impose some discipline on a motley defense that will lack McSorley (hip surgery) until November. Hrudey, who will share time in nets with Chris Terreri, may long for the good old days with the Kings when he faced only 40 shots a game.

CENTRAL DIVISION

DETROIT RED WINGS

Coach: Scotty Bowman, fourth season.

1995-96: 62-13-7, 131 (first in NHL).

Who’s new: No off-season acquisitions.

Outlook: Their records meant nothing after they lost to Colorado in the conference final. They have ample skill up front in centers Sergei Fedorov (39 goals, 107 points and the Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward), Steve Yzerman (36 goals, 95 points) and Igor Larionov, and defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom had a fine season. But as a team, they showed little grit at crunch time. They lost defensemen Mike Ramsey (retired) and Marc Bergevin (free agent), so rookies Jamie Pushor, Aaron Ward and Anders Eriksson will be thrown in. Forward Keith Primeau asked for a trade and was suspended for not reporting to camp; the Wings should get an experienced defenseman for him. Vladimir Konstantinov (Achilles’ tendon surgery) and Viacheslav Fetisov (knee surgery) may be out awhile.

*

PHOENIX COYOTES

Coach: Don Hay, first season.

1995-96: 36-40-6, 78 points.

What’s new: Their address. They used to be the Winnipeg Jets.

Who’s new: Coach Don Hay, formerly an assistant in Calgary; right wing Mike Gartner (trade with Toronto); defensemen Brad McCrimmon and Jim Johnson, center Cliff Ronning and goalie Darcy Wakaluk (free agents).

Outlook: Left wing Keith Tkachuk (50 goals, 98 points) entrenched himself among the NHL’s elite with a standout performance for Team USA in the World Cup, and he’s primed for a big season. Gartner, who had 35 goals last season for Toronto at age 36, remains a threat and the speedy Ronning was a good addition. The defense, though, is slow. And until the Coyotes resolve the Jeremy Roenick mess--they acquired his rights from Chicago but he hasn’t signed and they say they won’t trade him--uncertainty will hurt them. Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin must be more consistent for them to become a top-echelon team.

*

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Coach: Mike Murphy, first season.

1995-96: 34-36-12, 80 points.

Who’s new: Coach Mike Murphy, formerly an assistant in Toronto; center Jamie Baker (trade with San Jose), winger Sergei Berezin (1994 draft pick who was playing in Germany).

Outlook: They made a series of odd deals and unloaded some big contracts but didn’t get younger. Defensemen Jamie Macoun, Dave Ellett and Larry Murphy weren’t fast in their prime and they’re all well past that. Doug Gilmour (32 goals, 72 points) is still their leader, but he’s fading. The Maple Leafs’ hopes depend on getting a big season from Swedish winger Mats Sundin (33 goals, 83 points) and more superb goaltending from Felix Potvin (2.87 goals-against, .910 save percentage).

*

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Coach: Craig Hartsburg, second season.

1995-96: 40-28-14, 94 points.

Who’s new: Left wing Kevin Miller (free agent), center Alexei Zhamnov (holding out after being acquired in a trade).

Outlook: The departure of free agents Bernie Nicholls and Joe Murphy and the trade of Roenick takes away three of their top seven scorers last season. They must satisfy Zhamnov (22 goals, 59 points) and hope Miller can duplicate last season’s 28-goal performance with San Jose and Pittsburgh. They will be hurting while right wing Eric Daze, who led NHL rookies last season with 30 goals, recovers from the sprained ankle he sustained in preseason play. Chris Chelios remains one of the NHL’s top defensemen, but his longtime partner, Gary Suter, is slowing.

*

ST. LOUIS BLUES

Coach: Mike Keenan, third season.

1995-96: 32-34-16, 80 points.

Who’s new: Defensemen Trent Yawney and Marc Bergevin, right wing Joe Murphy (free agents).

Outlook: Keenan, also the Blues’ general manager, gave up three young forwards and two draft picks to acquire Wayne Gretzky from the Kings then lost Gretzky to free agency. Desperate for offense, Keenan signed Murphy for $10 million. They’ll have trouble scoring again, even if winger Brett Hull (43 goals, 83 points) continues his fine World Cup play. Grant Fuhr (2.87 goals-against in a record 79 games) will have to hold them together again.

*

DALLAS STARS

Coach: Ken Hitchcock, first full season.

1995-96: 25-42-14, 66 points.

Who’s new: Goalie Arturs Irbe, left wing Dave Reid, right wing Pat Verbeek (free agents) and defenseman Sergei Zubov (trade).

Outlook: Center Mike Modano, coming off a good World Cup performance, may finally have the monstrous season Dallas has been awaiting. Signing Verbeek (41 goals in 69 games with the Rangers last season) gives them a consistent threat on the right side. Their defense is rugged and Zubov, a good playmaker, will help a power play that ranked 23rd last season. They intend to bring prize goalie Roman Turek along slowly.