EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. 
The Sabres have by far the deepest set of Forwards in the NHL with an above average defense as well as one of the best 1-2 punch goalies in the league. They also have a solid set of coaches to drive the team to where it needs to be.
2. 
Some argue the Rangers were a fluke last season, and some argue they could do even better this year. Assuming Lundqvist stays healthy, i see him putting together another solid season and with the aquisitions the Rangers made, they should fly from the start, in a rather weak Atlantic division.
3. 
TB still has the big 3, and as long as they stay healthy, the Bolts will do well. They should get better goaltending this year and i expect Lecavalier to finally reach his full potential as well as St. Louis who looked like he got his swagger back in the playoffs last season.
4. 
Still one of the better teams in the league after losing two elite players. They will slip a little in the standings, but you can never underrate the offensive capabilities and two goalie tandem this team has. I expect the Sens to do even better in the playoffs. There is something about having too much talent on a team come playoff time, it never seems to work.
5. 
Boston looks great on paper once again. Chara is that monsterous, feared D-man they really needed. Boston has one of the best offenses in the league in my eyes, as well as one of the most underrated Defenses. Goaltending will be a key factor for this team, more than most teams.
6. 
Looks like the Devils started clicking as a team late last season and early in the playoffs. I expect things to go well for this team(no real up and down play like last season) if the core manages to stay healthy and on the team. And they still have a guy named Brodeur who can single handedly win games.
7. 
The Canes are going to have a rather dissapointing season(compared to expectations), but somehow sneek a 7th spot. They lost some key players and some are injured, but most importantly locked up the core which will keep this team atleast a solid contender. Ward is a huge factor for this teams success since they lost a solid goaltender in Gerber.
8. 
After their dissapointing season last year, i see the Isles making a nice comeback this season. Many have written off this team because of in office management confusion. I guess these are the same people that have not realized the Islanders made some of the best moves this off-season, as far as filling holes goes on the ice and on the bench. A nice deep mixture of solid veterans with young talent may take this team even further, and we can’t forget about Dipietro who can be a freak of nature.
9. 
Gagne may be gone and lately you can never trust a full season out of Forsberg. Alot of offensive firepower still, but little help on D and in the net overall. They just miss a playoff spot like Atlanta and Toronto Last season.
10. 
The Leafs have some good leadership but severly lack in offense and in the net. One of the better overall Defenses in the league can not carry a team to a playoff spot unless they get firepower from somewhere else besides Mccabe or Kaberle. Peca can have a comeback year, but i still don’t see it as enough for the Leafs.
11. 
I see a bad season coming for the Habs, mostly from injuries and not the great goaltending they had late last season. If healthy, could be a brink playoff team.
12. 
Better than last season and fans see a promising future in the years to come. However, i don’t see a huge year from Malkin like most expect, but still a solid season for the young Russian. Crosby will have another great year.
13. 
The Panthers got a little better on offense and defense but took a big step back in goaltending. If this team can click(which i don’t see happening) they can have a shot at a playoff berth, but not much more.
14. 
Even with Lehtonen staying healthy, this team takes a big step back. They didn’t do much to fill holes, especially on defense, and they lost 97 points in Savard. Not a deep team at all, but still carry two of the best in the game, which is not enough for a team dying to finally get a playoff spot.
15. 
Caps fans will not have much to look forward too besides one of the most exciting players in the game(ovechkin).
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. 
The best second half team last year. Thornton and Cheechoo for a whole year is scary. Good Defense as well as solid goaltending to go along with this insane offense will put this team atop the West.
2. 
Surprise team here. They have gotten better on offense and Gaborik should breakout with Demitra. Still a solid defensive minded team with a solid goaltender in Fernandez. Did i mention Minny has some of the best home ice advantage in the league with the most 1 goal losses last year? They will just beat out the Flames for the NW title.
3. 
The Wings have chemistry, which is what alot of teams lack. They lost Legace but still have solid goaltending, and lost Shanahan but still have like eight 20+ goal scorers as well as an offensive/defensive Defense.
4. 
I see Nashville as a better “team” than last year, but not as good of a record because of a somewhat stronger division. This may better prepare them for the playoffs where they got steam rolled.
5. 
Flames are still one of the best, but the West is just that strong. I see the Flames going deeper in the playoffs this time around, but then may soon be haunted by lack of offensive needs like last season. Flames also have Kipper who is a complete freak in the net as well as one of the stronger D’s in the league.
6. 
Luongo is a huge step up in the net as long as the D can play up to potential. Canucks still have a fairly week offense but i expect some breakout seasons and some players like the Sedins and Naslund, having some big seasons.
7. 
The Ducks have the best 1-2 punch at D, but it’s not the deepest Defense. They lack offense but will have enough to get by because of help from the D and the goaltenders. A team really built for the playoffs.
8. 
Phoenix has alot of underrated talent and i see Gretzky pushing this team in(barely) because of such a strong Western Conference. One of the tougher teams in the league helps as well.
9. 
Modano, Lindros are key factors. But can they stay healthy? They also lost Arnott and will lack the offense from lost players and injuries. Solid D and a good goaltender, but just not enough overall as a team.
10. 
This team may finally miss the playoffs. The deciding factor is Theodore, and i don’t really see him having a great year. The Avs lost too many big names the last couple years and it almost bit them in the ass last year; this year it will.
11. 
This may maybe be the best team in the west in 2-3 years. Could be a surprise team this year, but like i said, the West is too tough for a team like this.
12. 
This team took a huge blow this off-season. They have a fairly deep set of forwards that can pot some goals, but the D and goaltending is going to kill the little that is left of this cinderella squad from last year. I don’t see the chemistry in this team this year.
13. 
This team has really improved, but the West is too tough for a team that was as bad as they were last year. It just can’t be that big of a jump just yet.
14. 
Goaltending and D is argueably the worst in the league. Alot of young offensive talent, but that is about it, which unfortunately is not enough for a team dying for a playoff spot in one of the better U.S hockey towns.
15. 
I predict next year a better season for the Hawks. They are definitely up and coming like the Jackets and Kings in the west.
Posted by hockeyfreak 
Posted by hockeyfreak 