Eastern Conference
1. Philadelphia Flyers
Ray Emery has returned from exile in Russia, reportedly sold his Hummer for an eco-friendly SUV and has a defensive wall named Chris Pronger in front of him. The Flyers are one of the most balanced teams in the NHL, and if they stay injury free (that means you, Simon Gagne), they should finish atop the Eastern Conference during the regular season. The real question is whether Emery can repeat his playoff run of 2007 with the Senators.
2. Washington Capitals
Everyone knows what two-time and reigning Hart Trophy winner Alexander Ovechkin can do, but now we'll find out about the rest of the Capitals as they battle for supremacy in the East. As Ovie recently said, “It's time to win some team trophies.” The under-the-radar signing of Mike Knuble should pay huge dividends in D.C. as the rugged winger provides not only more offense but also grit and character. The Capitals will inch one step closer to the Cup this season.
3. Boston Bruins
The big bad Bruins were back last season, finishing atop the Eastern Conference and coming within one game of the conference finals, making themselves relevant in Boston again. This season, they will have targets on their backs and find it tougher to keep that top spot in the East. The loss of Phil Kessel and his 36 goals hurts, but the Bruins have enough depth to compensate. They will also benefit from the arrival of netminder Tuukka Rask, who will spell relief for Tim Thomas before and after the Olympics. The Bruins should take the Northeast and finish what they started last season. Cue the duck boats, folks — the Cup is coming back to Boston!
4. Pittsburgh Penguins
The defending Stanley Cup champions have the mark of a dynasty, and while they return probably the deepest core of talent in the NHL, the challenges of being the defending champs and also playing into June two straight seasons will catch up to them. Just as the Red Wings showed fatigue in the playoffs, the Penguins will show they're human as well. With their time in the Igloo winding down, the Penguins will not be able to do what their predecessors in 1991 and ‘92 did and repeat.
5. Montreal Canadiens
After waving goodbye to 11 free agents, Montreal defines the word enigma this coming season. With the additions of Paul Mara and Hal Gill, the defense is bigger but slower. And up front with the likes of Mike Cammalleri, Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta, the forwards have gotten faster and smaller. One thing isn't a mystery, though: The culture around the Habs is different with new head coach Jacques Martin. Martin sent a message recently, demoting forward Sergei Kostitsyn. If that message gets through and Carey Price performs like he's capable, the Habs will bounce back this season.
6. New York Rangers
If (and this a big if) Marian Gaborik stays healthy and the Blue Shirts find some veteran help on defense, the Rangers could be one of the most dangerous teams in the East and finish higher than sixth. But again, Gaborik's health is a big if, and the gut feeling here is that the oft-injured sniper spends some quality time on IR. Despite that, Henrik Lundqvist will always be a wall between the pipes and is good for 37-40 wins. According to one former Ranger, John Tortorella's free-wheeling system will make or break this team, so again, the keys are getting help on the blue line and keeping Gaborik healthy.
7. Florida Panthers
The Panthers have been on the periphery of the top eight for a few years now, but they always seem to fizzle out down the stretch. But head coach Pete DeBoer has the ears of this young team and with Tomas Vokoun in net, they will be in the mix again. This year, though, Stephen Weiss and Nathan Horton finally live up to their billing, and the rats will be flying onto the ice again in April.
8. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs haven't made the playoffs since 2003-04, and this won't be the year they break their curse of Stanley Cup futility (they haven't won since 1967). But this is the year they make it back to the dance. GM Brian Burke shifted his rebuilding process into high gear this summer by signing defensemen Mike Komisarek and Francois Beauchemin, adding Swedish goaltender Jonas Gustavsson and acquiring sniper Phil Kessel from the Bruins. Burke will have to go out and acquire a playmaking center for Kessel to replicate his 36-goal 2008-09 season, but this team is much improved and now boasts one of the strongest blue lines in the NHL.
Western Conference
1. San Jose Sharks
The Sharks will have another exceptional regular season led by the lethal combo of Joe Thornton and new linemate Dany Heatley. But it will be the same old story in the playoffs, as I see this talented squad failing to win the Cup yet again. San Jose won't bow out early this season, though, as it will make it to the conference finals. The Sharks won't be able to blame Patrick Marleau this time, as he may not even finish the season with the team. But either way, it's Thornton and Heatley who will disappear in the conference finals.
2. Vancouver Canucks
Roberto Luongo is poised for a huge season. After signing a 12-year extension with the Canucks, Luongo knows where he will be playing for the rest of his career, and the Vancouver brass couldn't be happier. Luongo finished last season in tears promising to take his team further than Game 6 of the second round, where they bowed out last spring. But while he will do his best to fulfill his promise and the Canucks have the potential to go far, they're still stuck in the wild, wild West. And this year, the competition is even tougher. The Sedin brothers are back, but depth is still an issue in Vancouver. Luongo may win gold in Vancouver with Team Canada, but he won't be taking home the Cup.
3. Chicago Blackhawks
After a tumultuous summer in which they signed the injured (and hard-luck) Marian Hossa to a much-maligned 12-year contract, unceremoniously fired GM Dale Tallon (the man who rebuilt the roster) and then saw young superstar Patrick Kane arrested for assault and battery on an elderly cab driver, the Hawks are still an en vogue pick to win the Cup. The talent is there, and when healthy, Hossa will make them even deeper. But one has to wonder how the hype and distractions will affect this young team. Also, can Cristobal Huet shoulder the load and be a playoff goalie?
4. Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings finally wore out in the finals, and while they still appear to be among the NHL's elite, the torch may be passed to the upstart Blackhawks in the Central this season. Experience always helps, but this could be the end of the Wings' current dynasty. But have no fear, Wings fans: GM Kenny Holland and Co. will start a new one soon as the Wings still draft better than anyone.
5. Calgary Flames
The Flames won't win the Northwest, but they will be neck and neck with the Canucks to the end. However, this team is built for the playoffs, and the Saddledome will still be rocking in June as the Flames make it to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2004. Jarome Iginla is ready for an MVP season, and Dion Phaneuf is back with a vengeance this season. The addition of Jay Bouwmeester to the blue line and Miikka Kiprusoff between the pipes doesn't hurt either.
6. Anaheim Ducks
After almost blowing their team up at the deadline last season, the Ducks caught fire down the stretch, upset the Sharks in the first round of the playoffs and took the eventual conference champion Red Wings to Game 7 in the conference semis. Rookie sensation Bobby Ryan pushed for the Calder Trophy and didn't even play a full season. He will be even better this season. Between the pipes, J.S. Giguere has a clear head after a tough year off the ice and is primed for a return to his 2007 Stanley Cup form. The Ducks won't win it again, but they will be a tough opponent all season and in the playoffs.
7. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets finally made the playoffs last season and are headed in the right direction. The problem is that now teams know they're for real, and this young squad may find it hard to meet that challenge. Steve Mason will be solid in net, and Rick Nash will have another strong season. Also keep an eye on Derick Brassard and Nikita Filatov.
8. Los Angeles Kings
The Kings look to be one of the feel-good stories of the 2009-10 season and will make the playoffs for the first time since 2001-02. GM Dean Lombardi has built this organization back up, and the team is ready to blossom. Captain Dustin Brown is a true leader, and the addition of Ryan Smyth only provides more leadership for this young squad. Jack Johnson and Drew Doughty are two rising stars that are ready to anchor the blue line. The only question mark will be in net. Can Jonathan Quick or Erik Ersberg become legit starting goaltenders? If not, look for the highly touted Jonathan Bernier to be given the chance.
Picks
Stanley Cup Finals: Bruins over Flames
Eastern Conference Finals: Bruins over Capitals
Western Conference Finals: Flames over Sharks
Presidents' Trophy: San Jose Sharks
Hart Trophy: Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames
Art Ross Trophy: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
Norris Trophy: Dion Phaneuf, Calgary Flames
Vezina Trophy: Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks
Calder Trophy: Artem Anisimov, New York Rangers
Jack Adams Trophy: Brent Sutter, Calgary Flames
