// BEGIN editorial data
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spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams.ID_WB = 32230877;
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams.sPubDate = "7/31/2009 7:19:17 AM GMT";
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spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams.appHeader = "Ranking non-playoff teams that could make postseason next season";
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams.appFooter = "By Sporting News' Craig Custance";
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spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i++] = new Array("","1. Kings","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Art/SPORTS/LOGOS/NHL/losangeles_kings.standard.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "100", "100", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i-1].body = "
Last season's record: 34-37-11 (79 points)
Key additions: Ryan Smyth, Rob Scuderi
Playoff prospects: Excellent
With a little help, the Kings finally have playoff look.
Smyth remembers lining up against Anze Kopitar in the faceoff circle when Kopitar was 16 years old. It was during the World Championships in Austria and the impression Kopitar made was immediate.
\"I was like, 'Look at this kid, he's huge. He's going to be a star,'\" Smyth told Sporting News.
When Smyth was traded by the Avalanche to the Kings this summer, he remembered that moment. Kopitar is on his way to becoming a star in Los Angeles, and now Smyth is his teammate, hoping to help elevate him to that level. Getting in the playoffs would do it.
Of the 14 teams that missed the playoffs last season, the Kings are best poised to make a successful postseason run this year. They have the right blend of youth, experience and hunger. Smyth and another newcomer, defenseman Scuderi, well could be the final pieces to the playoff puzzle in L.A.
\"I just want to be a piece,\" Smyth said. \"You can see they're on the verge.\"";
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i++] = new Array("","2. Wild","","http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Art/SPORTS/LOGOS/NHL/minnesota_wild.standard.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "100", "100", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i-1].body = "
Last season: 40-33-9 (89 points)
Key addition: Martin Havlat
Playoff prospects: Solid
The Wild nearly made it last season without Marian Gaborik, thanks to a great year from goalie Niklas Backstrom. An infusion of energy and offense from new coach Todd Richards should boost this franchise. Look for Brent Burns to have a big season playing for Richards.";
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i++] = new Array("","3. Stars","","http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Art/SPORTS/LOGOS/NHL/dallas_stars.standard.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "100", "100", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i-1].body = "
Last season: 36-35-11 (83 points)
Key addition: None
Playoff prospects: Good
Goalie Marty Turco will have a better season, which immediately lifts the Stars. But instability in ownership is never good and it appears the Stars are on more of a budget than they have been in the past. Getting and keeping Brenden Morrow healthy is absolutely crucial to this team.";
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i++] = new Array("","4. Sabres","","http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Art/SPORTS/LOGOS/NHL/Logo_BuffaloSabres.standard.gif","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "100", "100", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i-1].body = "
Last season: 41-32-9 (91 points)
Key addition: None
Playoff prospects: Promising
While we didn't like Buffalo's quiet offseason, there's still enough homegrown talent with the Sabres to make a playoff push. A healthy goalie Ryan Miller is a difference-maker for the Sabres.";
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i++] = new Array("","5. Panthers","","http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Art/SPORTS/LOGOS/NHL/florida_panthers.standard.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "100", "100", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i-1].body = "
Last season: 41-30-11 (93 points)
Key additions: Jordan Leopold, Scott Clemmensen
Playoff prospects: Decent
The key will be replacing departed defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, which won't be easy. The goaltending duo of Clemmensen and Tomas Vokoun is the best in the Southeast Division, and coach Peter DeBoer has proven to be a great hire.";
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i++] = new Array("","6. Predators","","http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Art/SPORTS/LOGOS/NHL/nashville_predators.standard.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "100", "100", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i-1].body = "
Last season: 40-34-8 (88 points)
Key addition: None
Playoff prospects: Declining
Nobody is going to expect Nashville to contend, but there is so much homegrown talent. David Poile and Barry Trotz know how to run an organization, and Pekka Rinne was a find in goal last season. So it's never smart to bet against the Predators. A tight budget along with an impossible schedule work against Nashville.
";
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i++] = new Array("","7. Senators","","http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Art/SPORTS/LOGOS/NHL/ottowa_senators.standard.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "100", "100", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i-1].body = "
Last season: 36-35-11 (83 points)
Key addition: Alex Kovalev
Playoff prospects: Murky
Until the Dany Heatley situation is settled, it's hard to predict how Ottawa will fare. But a healthy Pascal Leclaire is an upgrade in goal and this team played well for Cory Clouston down the stretch last season.";
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i++] = new Array("","8. Oilers","","http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Art/SPORTS/LOGOS/NHL/edmonton_oilers.standard.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "100", "100", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i-1].body = "
Last season: 38-35-9 (85 points)
Key addition: Nikolai Khabibulin
Playoff prospects: Average
Even with the addition of Khabibulin, there hasn't been enough improvement for the Oilers to make a significant jump in the competitive Western Conference. The wild card is new coach Pat Quinn. If he can light a fire under this roster, we could see internal growth from some of the young players.";
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i++] = new Array("","9. Thrashers","","http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Art/SPORTS/LOGOS/NHL/atlanta_thrashers.standard.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "100", "100", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i-1].body = "
Last season: 35-41-6 (76 points)
Key additions: Pavel Kubina, Nik Antropov, Evander Kane
Playoff prospects: Better than you think
John Anderson had the Thrashers playing well down the stretch last season, and the defense is shaping up to be offensively gifted, led by Kubina, Toby Enstrom, Ron Hainsey and Zach Bogosian. If Ilya Kovalchuk signs a contract extension, it's an indication he believes the team is headed in the right direction. If he doesn't, it could become a distraction.";
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i++] = new Array("","10. Maple Leafs","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Art/SPORTS/LOGOS/NHL/toronto_mapleleafs.standard.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "100", "100", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i-1].body = "
Last season: 34-35-13 (81 points)
Key additions: Mike Komisarek, Wayne Primeau, Francois Beauchemin
Playoff prospects: Doubtful
Brian Burke deserves credit for adding a lot of grit to a roster that had little, but there's still not enough scoring. Toronto is on the right track but probably a year away.";
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i++] = new Array("","11. Lightning","","http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Art/SPORTS/LOGOS/NHL/tampabay_lightning.standard.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "100", "100", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i-1].body = "
Last season: 24-40-18 (66 points)
Key additions: Mattias Ohlund, Antero Niittymaki, Victor Hedman
Playoff prospects: Not yet
There's actually a lot to like in Tampa. Hedman and Ohlund immediately address the glaring weakness on defense. GM Brian Lawton has done a commendable job fixing mistakes made by an overeager ownership last year. But to expect the Lightning to jump from 66 points to the playoffs is asking too much.";
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i++] = new Array("","And ...","","","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_NHLNonPlayoffTeams[i-1].body = "Avalanche, Coyotes and Islanders?
Forget it.";
// END editorial data