NHL IN 30/2016: PART 3 (DET, EDM, FLA, LA, MIN) 1. This could be the year that Detroit’s long-running playoff streak ends.  The team is in a transition mode as Zetterberg gets older and Datsyuk departs to play in the KHL.  Nyquist & Tatar have fallen short on the expectations bar but the jury is still out on these youngsters if they can replace the elder statesmen as leaders.  Larkin made a huge impression last year and will need to battle the sophomore jinx if the Wings intend to compete for a playoff berth.  A lot of young faces (Mantha, Pulkkinen, Athanasiou & Sadowy) and some vets like Vanek & Nielsen were brought in to keep a good balance. Mrazek & Howard man the nets and the Winged Wheel should see some improvement from Mrazek this season.  PLAYOFFS-NO. 2. Looking at this team reminds of the love song from Foreigner and fans are still left waiting for the young talent to mold into a contending NHL team.  An off-season shocker by trading Hall to New Jersey for Adam Larsson may stabilize the back end for years to come.  When you have McDavid leading the offensive troops, I guess someone had to be used as fodder.  The Oil is set down the middle and now need their young wingers to mature, which may take some more seasoning.  Talbot should provide a little more confidence from within the paint as he starts his second year with the team.  Some more growing pains, but positive steps will be taken this season.  PLAYOFFS-NO. 3. The Panthers are starting to round into form now as their creator Dale Tallon has done a magnificent job of transforming the Cats over the past few years. Ageless wonder Jagr along with budding phenoms Huberdeau and Barkov have gained valuable experience and maturity and are now an everyday presence.  Trocheck, Bjugstad & R. Smith need to continue in their development.  Newcomer Yandle brings in some explosive offense from the blue line to complement Ekblad and Luongo is, well, Luongo in net.  PLAYOFFS-YES. 4. The Kings core is as good as any in the NHL and they should continue to be a threat.  Kopitar is still under-rated as far as a top-level NHL center but he is a true leader.  Carter & Toffoli will contribute the most on offense but keep an eye on Pearson with the departure of Lucic should open up valuable ice time.  Doughty, Muzzin & Martinez are as good as any top 3 defensemen in the league and when you have Jonathan Quick manning the crease, well, you know your chances are good night-in and night-out.  PLAYOFFS-YES. 5. The Wild always seem to be one of those on-the-cusp teams and this season will be no different in the tough Western Conference.  Eric Staal was brought in to provide a deeper attack but he is not the Staal we once knew.  The main core (Parise, Koivu & Pomminville) is getting older so more will be counted on from Coyle, Niederreiter, Granlund and Haula if they want to have a decent chance of making the post-season.  Top offensive defenseman Ryan Suter r is also getting a tad long in the NHL tooth but should be good to lead the blueline corps.  Dubnyk have found a home and stability in Minnesota and will be relied upon again to provide the steadiness in net.  PLAYOFFS-MAYBE.