Raise your hand if you had Phoenix and Los Angeles in the Conference Finals this year. Anyone? If you didn’t, that’s completely understandable. Not like the former had an extensive history of playoff success since moving from Winnipeg, but if you want to use the old “sun shines on a underdog once in a while” reference, it makes perfect sense.

On Tuesday, we took a look at Eastern Conference teams’ moves. Today we examine the Western Conference. As we move through July, there are several issues to look at out West.

1) The Vancouver Canucks on paper are still the best team in the Western Conference…on paper.
2) They will receive some stiff So-Cal competition for that top spot by the Los Angeles Kings who strengthened their center position and top six forward talent and the Anaheim Ducks, who boast some tremendous young talent, including reigning league MVP Corey Perry.

Most hockey fans have heard the name Bernie Nicholls before. He scored 475 goals in the NHL and he averaged more than a point-per-game for his career so if he was talking, I was listening.

FANS CAN VOTE ONLINE TO HELP FLYERS CAPTAIN TAKE HOME AWARD

The National Hockey League has announced that Mike Richards is one of five finalists for the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award presented by Bridgestone, which recognizes an NHL player as a superior team leader who leads by positive example through on-ice performance, motivation of team members and a dedication to community activities and charitable causes.