NHL preview: Sharks are team to beat in Western Conference

1. San Jose

2010-11 finish: 48-25-9 (105 points).

First in the Pacific division, second in the West.

Brent Burns is the puck-moving defenseman they wanted to complement a corps of talented forwards. Logan Couture (32 goals, 56 points as a rookie) looks like the real deal.

2. Vancouver

2010-11 finish: 54-19-9 (117 points).

First in the Northwest, first in the West.

Prospect Cody Hodgson will replace Ryan Kesler, out until late October (hip surgery). They hope to build a tenacious fourth line around Maxim Lapierre. Goalie Roberto Luongo must rebound from erratic playoff performances.

3. Chicago

2010-11 finish: 44-29-9 (97 points).

Third in the Central, eighth in the West.

The Blackhawks’ porous defense contributed to their post-Cup stumbles last season. They should be tougher after adding Sean O’Donnell and Daniel Carcillo and score more thanks to winger Andrew Brunette.

4. Kings

2010-11 finish: 46-30-6 (98 points).

Fourth in the Pacific, seventh in the West.

Acquiring Mike Richards from Philadelphia made them imposing up the middle. Left wing Dustin Penner, in the final year of his contract, has motivation to be productive. Goalies Jonathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier will push each other. A decent power play would enable them to do some damage.

5. Detroit

2010-11 finish: 47-25-10 (104 points).

First in the Central, third in the West.

Core forwards Henrik Zetterberg (24 goals, 80 points), Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen seem immune to age, as do defensemen Nicklas Lidstrom and Niklas Kronwall. Jimmy Howard’s goaltending is only adequate but that should be good enough.

6. Nashville

2010-11 finish: 44-27-11 (99 points).

Second in the Central, fifth in the West.

Goaltender Pekka Rinne’s 2.12 goals-against average and .930 save percentage lifted them to fifth in the West and they beat the Ducks to win their first playoff series. They’re blessed on defense with Norris Trophy finalist Shea Weber, Ryan Suter and Jonathon Blum. Keeping them all will be a problem.

7. Ducks

2010-11 finish: 47-30-5 (99 points).

Second in the Pacific, fourth in the West.

They can be dangerous if goalie Jonas Hiller avoids a recurrence of the vertigo symptoms that troubled last season and if Corey Perry can duplicate his 98-point MVP performance. Teemu Selanne (31 goals, 80 points in 73 games) remains a wonder. Their defense is still patchy and their bottom six forwards must have more impact.

8. St. Louis

2010-11 finish: 38-33-11 (87 points).

Fourth in the Central, 11th in the West.

Bruising winger David Backes was appointed captain after a 31-goal season. Winger Chris Stewart was impressive after being acquired from Colorado (15 goals in 26 games). Veterans Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner, signed as free agents, could lead them to the playoffs.

9. Minnesota

2010-11 finish: 39-35-8 (86 points).

Third in the Northwest, 12th in the West.

The Wild was 14th in the West in goals and hopes to change that with the acquisitions of wingers Devin Setoguchi and Dany Heatley. New Coach Mike Yeo wants to open things up so the defense will face pressure.

10. Columbus

2010-11 finish: 34-35-13 (81 points).

Fifth in the Central, 13th in the West.

They made a good move in acquiring Jeff Carter from the Flyers to get a top-notch center for winger Rick Nash. Signing undisciplined defenseman James Wisniewski to a six-year, $33-million deal might backfire. They lack the scoring and defensive depth.

11. Calgary

2010-11 finish: 41-29-12 (94 points).

Second in the Northwest, 10th in the West.

Jarome Iginla had back spasms during training camp and center Mikael Backlund broke a finger (out six weeks), depleting their depth up front. Can Rene Bourque and Curtis Glencross top 20 goals again? The top four defensemen are OK, not great.

12. Phoenix

2010-11 finish: 43-26-13 (99 points).

Third in the Pacific, sixth in the West

Losing goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov to free agency was deflating. Mike Smith will try to replace him. Defenseman Keith Yandle is a standout and Shane Doan is a fine leader but the Coyotes appear set for a fall.

13. Colorado

2010-11 finish: 30-44-8 (68 points).

Fourth in the Northwest, 14th in the West.

A league-worst 3.45 team goals-against average and .890 save percentage led to trading prime draft picks to Washington for promising Semyon Varlamov. Forwards Matt Duchene (27 goals) and Paul Stastny (22 goals, 57 points) need more support.

14. Dallas

2010-11 finish: 42-29-11 (95 points).

Fifth in the Pacific, ninth in the West.

Losing Brad Richards to free agency hurt a thin forward corps now led by Loui Eriksson (27 goals, 73 points). Defenseman Alex Goligoski had 15 points in 23 games after being acquired from Pittsburgh and will help the power play. Ownership issues have kept the payroll down, though the situation appears headed toward resolution.

15. Edmonton

2010-11 finish: 25-45-12 (62 points).

Fifth in the Northwest, 15th in the West.

The Oilers’ talent stockpile includes the No.1 draft picks of 2010 and 2011, Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Their speedy forwards will confuse many defenders but their defense is weak and goaltending a mess, with Nikolai Khabibulin’s 3.40 goals-against average and .890 save percentage.