Predicting the Central Division standings

The Central Division is always among the most compelling groups in the NHL, and it's looking like it will crown a new champion in 2017-18.

That's because last season's top team appears destined to take a significant step back, while each of its three primary rivals has improved, as did another squad that's looking to become competitive again. Overall, the only real certainty should be who finishes last.

Here's how we see the Central shaking out:

1. Nashville Predators

The Predators didn't truly peak until the playoffs began last season, but they're ready to carry over their success from the spring into the fall.

Nashville will be without steady defenseman Ryan Ellis for several months, but this team is well suited to deal with his absence, with Roman Josi, P.K. Subban and Mattias Ekholm comprising the rest of one of the league's best top-four defensive corps.

General manager David Poile brought back Scott Hartnell and added Nick Bonino to replace the retired Mike Fisher this summer, ensuring the Predators have a chance to build on their Stanley Cup Final appearance by being the class of the division in the upcoming season.

2. Minnesota Wild

Only the Washington Capitals had a better goal differential than the Wild last season, and not much has changed for Minnesota.

Gone are Marco Scandella and Jason Pominville, but like the Predators, the Wild are strong enough on the back end to withstand Scandella's departure, and their forward group is still very deep.

Minnesota's bottom six is better now, and the Wild still boast an elite goaltender in Devan Dubnyk, so the team should finish respectably, with a shot at claiming the division crown.

3. St. Louis Blues

Much like the Wild, the Blues are hoping continuity leads to improvement come playoff time.

Much of last season's team remains intact, and it also added Brayden Schenn, who's a big upgrade over the departed Jori Lehtera. That draft-night trade helped St. Louis up front, and it looms particularly large in light of preseason injuries to Alex Steen and Robby Fabbri.

St. Louis failed to make it out of the second round last season, but the club that still features Vladimir Tarasenko, Alex Pietrangelo, Colton Parayko, and Jake Allen should be a threat to advance to the Western Conference Final.

4. Dallas Stars

The Stars improved the most on paper of any team in the division over the summer, but the actual impact of their free-agent additions remains to be seen.

Alex Radulov, Martin Hanzal, Marc Methot, and Ben Bishop will certainly help Dallas exceed the 79-point, sixth-place finish of a season ago, but it'll be tough for the Stars to crack the top three, given how stiff the competition is.

5. Chicago Blackhawks

It's going to be a disappointing season in the Windy City.

The Blackhawks are the defending Central Division champs, but after being swept out of the first round by the Predators in the spring, they're now without dynamic winger Artemi Panarin (traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Brandon Saad) and Marian Hossa (out for the season due to a skin disorder).

Chicago also has an aging top pairing on defense, as Duncan Keith turned 34 in July, and Brent Seabrook celebrated his 32nd birthday in April.

The Blackhawks do have some promising young forwards and will still rely on the experience of their veteran core, but they're in danger of falling into a period of decline.

6. Winnipeg Jets

There are reasons for optimism in Manitoba, but the Jets aren't quite ready to take off.

While there's some exciting, young talent on this roster and more coming down the pipeline, this team likely still needs some time to develop before it can challenge for a playoff spot.

Even a wild-card berth seems questionable. The forward group has plenty of question marks beyond the top line, and while Steve Mason is better than Ondrej Pavelec, goaltending will still be a concern.

Patrik Laine should make Winnipeg games worth watching, but that won't be enough to propel the Jets into the postseason.

7. Colorado Avalanche

It's entirely possible that the Avalanche, who set the salary-cap era record for futility last season, could be even worse in 2017-18.

Colorado is in the midst of its own youth movement with the likes of Mikko Rantanen, Tyson Jost, and Nikita Zadorov expected to take on larger roles this fall, but when (if?) Matt Duchene eventually gets traded, that will only make it more likely that the Avalanche once again finish in the basement of the Central Division with one of the league's worst records.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)