Fun fact about the NHL’s Western Conference in 2014-15: Roughly 11 teams could realistically make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.

Yes, it’s more “West Is Best” this season, with Stanley Cup favorites and burgeoning contenders clashing not only to win the conference, but make the cut in two incredibly competitive divisions.

Well, save for three of the four Canadian teams.

Here are the Puck Daddy and Yahoo Sports predictions for the Western Conference.

The panel: Greg Wyshynski, Puck Daddy editor; Sean Leahy, Puck Daddy editor; Ryan Lambert, Puck Daddy columnist; Jen Neale, Puck Daddy writer; Josh Cooper, Puck Daddy editor; Jen LC, Puck Daddy analytics columnist; Sam McCaig, Yahoo Sports hockey editor; Nick Cotsonika, Yahoo Sports columnist; Darryl “Dobber” Dobbs, Puck Daddy fantasy hockey writer.

Playoff teams are marked with an (*).

And here … we … go.

GREG WYSHYNSKI, PUCK DADDY EDITOR

The Blackhawks are loaded for another run at the Cup and will cruise to a President’s Trophy win this season. The Blues take second, holding off a surging Dallas team, provided Kari Lehtonen remains healthy. The Avalanche tumble from that 112-point season, but not far enough to miss the wild card.

Bruce Boudreau’s teams make the playoffs. It’s just what they do. The contentious situation in San Jose gives us pause, but there’s way too much talent there for them to falter. And the Kings know they can win the Cup finishing first or eighth; they sail into the playoffs.

That leaves the Wild and the Canucks for the last spot, and I don’t trust the Wild’s goaltending this season as much as I trust Miller and Lack. Now that the circus has left town, and Kesler’s in Anaheim’s locker room, the Canucks get back to what they do best – make the Western Conference playoffs (and get knocked out by Chicago).

SEAN LEAHY, PUCK DADDY EDITOR

Central Division Pacific Division *St. Louis Blues *Anaheim Ducks *Chicago Blackhawks *Los Angeles Kings *Dallas Stars *San Jose Sharks *Colorado Avalanche Vancouver Canucks *Minnesota Wild Arizona Coyotes Nashville Predators Calgary Flames Winnipeg Jets Edmonton Oilers

It's really hard to look at the eight teams who made the playoffs in the West last season and say one of them won't be back again in 2015. Sure, Vancouver and Nashville may be better than last season, but are they improved enough to surpass one the established top eight? Not yet. (How easy would it be pick one of these non-playoff teams if they were playing in the East?)

Despite having a summer that had bewildered everyone, and their mission to alienate Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau, I wouldn't be shocked to see the Sharks *finally* make a run. Maybe the "us vs. them" mentality Doug Wilson has instilled in this team pays off. And maybe it ends with a housecleaning. We'll see.

In the end, to steal a line from Doc Emrick, the Kings will again be the kings. The roster is basically the same from last season and they know how to turn it on come April. And if Jonathan Quick can't get the job done, Martin Jones makes for a fine replacement.

RYAN LAMBERT, PUCK DADDY COLUMNIST

Central Division Pacific Division *Chicago Blackhawks *Los Angeles Kings *Dallas Stars *San Jose Sharks *St. Louis Blues *Anaheim Ducks *Minnesota Wild *Vancouver Canucks Nashville Predators Edmonton Oilers Colorado Avalanche Arizona Coyotes Winnipeg Jets Calgary Flames

Wow, six of the eight or nine best teams in the league last season are the best teams again. Who saw this coming? The Canucks will improve now that the goalie situation is resolved, and the team doesn't hate their coach. Meanwhile, Minnesota will remain static with Darcy Kuemper providing reliable puck-stopping all season (if they're smart anyway).

JEN NEALE, PUCK DADDY WRITER

Central Division Pacific Division *Chicago Blackhawks *Los Angeles Kings *Dallas Stars *Anaheim Ducks *St. Louis Blues *San Jose Sharks *Colorado Avalanche Calgary Flames *Minnesota Wild Vancouver Canucks Nashville Predators Edmonton Oilers Winnipeg Jets Arizona Coyotes

The West will continue to be competitive, and I have the same teams making the playoffs as did the previous season. The only difference is the seeding.

Dallas and Colorado will swap places in the standings with the Avs taking the wild card. Both teams are good; however, the Stars are considerably better with the addition of Jason Spezza than the Avs have become by adding Jarome Iginla.

Minnesota is the only real question mark in the conference. They could be challenged by the somewhat remastered Nashville who added a new coach and James Neal. The Canadian teams are still remixing their lineups and are a season or so out from being true threats once again.

California will remain dominant, as will Chicago and St. Louis.

View photos Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports More

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