hooters who played 64 games or more last season with a 19.7 shooting percentage, which led to 25 goals. He had to leave training camp to care for his ailing father in the Czech Republic and his return date is unknown. Dennis WidemanDefense - CGYGOALS: 11 | ASST: 35 | PTS: 46SOG: 175 | +/-: -8Cervenka is a low-risk signing for Calgary, but the expectation is that he can step into a top-six forward role and produce. The 26-year-old had 39 points in 54 games for Avangard Omsk last season,Authentic Alex Ovechkin Jersey, and really turned it on with a league-best 21 points in Omsk's run to the Gagarin Cup Final. His presence gives the Flames a new look, but how much his talent shows in the North American game will help determine how different their attack will be from previous seasons.The biggest on-ice addition for Calgary is defenseman Dennis Wideman, whose booming shot and offensive abilities were highly desired among unrestricted free agents. The Flames pounced before the July 1 free agency period began,Mike Richards Authentic Jersey, trading a 2013 fifth-round pick and defenseman Jordan Henry to the Washington Capitals for Wideman's rights,Authentic Henrik Zetterberg Jersey, then keeping him off the market with a convincing pitch from Iginla, plus a lucrative five-year contract.Adding Wideman to a top-four of Mark Giordano, Jay Bouwmeester and Chris Butler on the blue line deepens an area the Flames hope will generate more offense with the change in style, especially if high-priced Bouwmeester stays and excels under Hartley.Then there is always consistent goalie Miikka Kiprusoff, still likely a lock to play the great majority of games at 35 years old. He could benefit from more spot starts from a backup battle between newly signed Irving and Henrik Karlsson. Kiprusoff must improve in the shootout -- or the Flames must win more in regulation -- to keep Calgary from enduring the exasperation of missing the playoffs by a few points again.If health is not an issue, and the free-agent trio of Cervenka, Hudler and Wideman fill up the scoresheet with regularity to help spread their offense, the Flames should enjoy some improvement under Hartley. It still will be a challenge to make the playoffs in the West.Follow Brian Schiazza on Twitter: @NHLSkeetz
Exactly one week before Christmas 2011, the Minnesota Wild had the best record in the NHL at 20-8-5.Fast forward to July 4, 2012, and the same club that finished the season at 35-36-11 was at the top of the NHL heap again -- for its twin signings of the most coveted free agents on the market, left wing Zach Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter.Now they just need to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs.Season Preview: Northwest DivisionQuestions facing Northwest teamsBy NHL.com StaffNHL.com presents six questions for each of the five teams in the Northwest, as the Vancouver Canucks look to hold on to their division title. READ MORE › Can Hartley transform Flames into contenders? Avalanche poised to contend in the West With strong nucleus in place, Oilers offer hope Schneider ready to take No. 1 job in Vancouver Rookies Cervenka, Schultz can alter division raceM