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Chicago Blackhawks: 2019-20 Pacific Division preview

By Vincent Parise

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 30: Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings battles for the puck with Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks in the first period in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center on May 30, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 30: Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings battles for the puck with Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks in the first period in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center on May 30, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Blackhawks Jonathan Toews
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Arizona Coyotes

Sooner than later, the Arizona Coyotes are going to be a member of the Central Division so they will be a division rival. This will happen when Seattle’s NHL franchise becomes the 32nd team in the NHL. Arizona is just starting to get good, so this could get really interesting as they start to enter the playoff conversation.

They missed the playoffs last year but they were the best non-playoff team in the Pacific. They were 39-35-8 for 86 points. It was another step in the right direction for a young team that has a bright future. The Blackhawks and Coyotes have been trading partners multiple times over the years and they have both come out on top of a few trades with one another.

In 2018-19, the Blackhawks earned two points against them as they went 1-2-0. It is going to be a challenge once again in 2019-20. It is a team that has added some key pieces and has really good goaltending. They have playoff hopes once again this year and this could be the year they finally breakthrough.

light. Related Story. Dennis Gilbert will be a solid player

Over the offseason, they added Phil Kessel in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Kessel is one of the best scoring wingers in the world and his scoring prowess will go to good use for them. Their captain, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, is one of the best defensemen in the NHL. He is a problem for any team trying to defend him and the addition of Kessel should really help him out. They also have Antti Raanta, who has emerged as a top-flight goaltender in the NHL. This should be a good season for Arizona. It is important that they get off to a good start because that has been an issue for them.

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