This is the fourth and final installment of my bold and too-early predictions for the NHL season. Just before Labor Day, I saw that there were no real playoff predictions yet, and thought I would get in my prognostications before the floodgates opened. Let others pick me apart afterwards. My first three entries are here, and I would stress that these opinions may or may not be shared by other DobberHockey writers.

So here goes. The Western Conference playoff teams, ranked from #8 to #1, with my estimated odds for each team to qualify for the post-season fun, and also to win the Stanley Cup. For each team, I've also added a sleeper pick to consider in fantasy drafts.

#8. Winnipeg Jets. I believe this team simply has too much talent to have sputtered away last season, and comeback years by Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck will have the Jets take the second wild card. Sleeper pick: Nikolaj Ehlers is hardly a true "sleeper," but in his 8th season, this elite player goes over a point per game.

#7. Vegas Golden Knights. I think we all saw Vegas as a stronger team before Robin Lehner's hip surgery, but they remain a win-now team. Jack Eichel stays healthy and hits 95 points, and their solid D-corps protect Logan Thompson. Sleeper: Chandler Stephenson. He's 28, coming off his best year, and lines up with Eichel and Mark Stone. Yahoo draft rank? 228. Crazy.

#6. Edmonton Oilers. I absolutely love the Jack Campbell addition, but the Connor McDavid/Leon Draisaitl Oilers are still too top-heavy, and the defense is suspect. Sleeper: Zach Hyman. Another top-line guy being forgotten in drafts, he may hit 60 points and 180 hits.

#5. Vancouver Canucks. Thatcher Demko is the real thing, and should be the Western Conference's token Vezina nominee. Bruce Boudreau's team starts strong, and coasts into the playoffs with home ice advantage. Sleeper: Conor Garland. More was expected last season, but he rebounds with 30-plus goals.

#4. St. Louis Blues. Can Jordan Binnington redeem himself after losing his net in 2021-22? Jordan Kyrou hits 95 points. The Blues are deep, and will be a hard out in the playoffs. Sleeper: Ivan Barbashev. Were his 60 points last year a one-off, or will he take that second line LW spot from Brandon Saad? And on a contract year…

#3. Nashville Predators. Smarting from being swept by the Avs, and with things to prove. Filip Forsberg, Matt Duchene, and the very under-appreciated Ryan Johansen as top line and power play, all hit 70 points or better. Roman Josi may not repeat his career year, but he remains elite. Sleeper: Don't forget Nino Niederreiter! The ex-Hurricane fits in perfectly to this offense. Second option, Tanner Jeannot for banger leagues.

#2. Colorado Avalanche! The Stanley Cup champs are still formidable, but losing Nazem Kadri and Andre Burakovsky has to hurt. Pavel Francouz, if healthy, can outplay Alexandar Georgiev, and Francouz will start for their playoff run. Sleeper: They just signed Evan Rodrigues, who may not get the first shot at second-line center, but I'd bet on him keeping that position once the opportunity comes.

#1. Calgary Flames. Jonathan Huberdeau is elite. Elias Lindholm is a complete 1-C. Jacob Markstrom proves his worth. And getting Mackenzie Weegar in the Florida trade was highway robbery. The Flames play for the Cup this year. Sleeper: The obvious one is Tyler Toffoli, being gifted that third top line position…. but I'm picking Daniel Vladar, who wins 70% of his 25 starts, as the backup.

As I also write a daily fantasy betting article during the season, I've added my perceived odds for each team to make the playoffs, and then also to win the Stanley Cup. Remember from my most recent article, that western teams #9–11 were close to the wildcard spot, also.

Winnipeg 53% playoffs, (<1 % Stanley Cup)

Las Vegas 60% (1%)

Edmonton 80% (7%)

Vancouver 80% (1%)

St. Louis 95% (5%)

Nashville 95% (7%)

Colorado 99% (11%)

Calgary 99% (15%)

…and yes, my percentages do add up to 800% in each conference for the playoff teams, and 100% for one Cup winner…

Good luck with your fantasy drafts, and I hope for every team to stay healthy, so we can watch the NHL's best all season!

@dokhockey