[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Nichushkin is not a big add by any means, but this news just piles into the larger feeling I'm having that the flames main competitors have all made substantial improvements this offseason, while the flames have not.

Colorado looks like a much stronger team heading into next season. Vegas also looks potent. Canucks look better albeit still not great. Phoenix has improved.

The cali teams haven't made improvements but their players seem to ebb and flow much more often so we can't discount them.

The oilers are the only team that I can identify in our division that has had a "worse" off season than we have, and that worries me.

Keep in mind all those teams are trying to keep pace with us. The Colorado Avalanche are not our direct competition. I suspect both teams will be competing for the division lead. Our direct competition is San Jose, who I think got worse, and Vegas who stayed about the same and I expect will be a two horse between Vegas and Calgary for 1st.