Pre-Free Agency Sixes in the Central Division

Jonathan Toews	Jeff Carter	Henrik Zetterberg	Martin Erat	David Backes
Patrick Kane	Rick Nash	Pavel Datsyuk	Patric Hornqvist	Chris Stewart
Patrick Sharp	R.J. Umberger	Johan Franzen	David Legwand	Patrik Berglund
Duncan Keith	Fedor Tyutin	Nicklas Lidstrom	Ryan Suter	Alex Pietrangelo
Brent Seabrook	Kris Russell	Niklas Kronwall	Cody Franson	Kevin Shattenkirk
Corey Crawford	Steve Mason	Jimmy Howard	Pekka Rinne	Jaroslav Halak

Just so we know what we're looking at here... according to the points from last year, these are the top three forwards, two defense and goaltender signed on for each team in the division. There are going to be better players missing from this list, due to free agency, injuries last season or other miscellaneous reasons. I don't believe this is an accurate look at each team, just a snapshot for comparison purposes.

The Central Division looks like it will be changed just enough going into the 2012 season that it will be very interesting to see how it pans out.  The Blackhawks and Red Wings are pretty well rolling in under the status quo (minus the retirement of Brian Rafalski, of course), the Predators are waiting on the new deal for Shea Weber, the Blue Jackets added some serious offense with Carter, while the Blues have had a serious face lift from the beginning of last season.

Goaltending through the division looks to be pretty sharp.  If anything, we should see some great match-ups in the creases during these division games, which has the opportunity to keep the race awfully close.  The defense goes up and down a bit, the Blackhawks and Red Wings are strong, the Predators are close, the Blue Jackets need some credibility and the Blues need some experience.  Up front, the two favourites are there for a reason, the Blue Jackets have potential to explode with their top three, the Preds will grind it out with theirs and the Blues also have some potential as well.

If I were to project division standings from these sixes, which isn't wise, but I will anyways... Chicago, Detroit, Nashville, Columbus and St. Louis.  I'm not sold on the Blues' youth today and the Jackets are a quality top two defender away from possibly moving up, while Nashville has all the pieces in place for their system, but it should work out closer than I make it appear.