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NORTHWEST DIVISION
Calgary Flames
Say hello to: C Olli Jokinen, LW Alex Tanguay, RW Tim Jackman, LW Raitis Ivanans, G Henrik Karlsson, D T.J. Brodie, C Stefan Meyer, C Brendan Morrison
Say goodbye to: LW Nigel Dawes, RW Brian McGrattan, RW Jamal Mayers, LW Eric Nystrom, RW Christopher Higgins, G Vesa Toskala
On the mend: C Daymond Langkow (neck), C Matt Stajan (shoulder) C/RW David Moss (shoulder), RW Ales Kotalik (knee) are out indefinitely
Insider says
The Flames must become a better offensive team than last season, but the thought that Alex Tanguay and Olli Jokinen will make enough of a difference that they'll be in the playoffs is hard to believe.
Pivotal player
C Olli Jokinen
Shock and awe was everywhere when the big centre was re-signed to a two-year, $6-million contract. Jokinen struggled during his first stint with the Flames, so the skeptics are out in full force.
2009-10 record: 40-32-7, third in division, 10th in conference
In a shootout
Jarome Iginla
Olli Jokinen
Niklas Hagman
Burning question
Was last year's failure to make the playoffs the first step down to the bottom of the standings or just a blip?
Soft spot
Until proven otherwise, it'll be scoring. Several players are coming off disappointing seasons -- Jokinen, Tanguay, Jarome Iginla, Jay Bouwmeester to name a few -- and in need of bouncing back.
Cap room
None
Colorado Avalanche
Say hello to: LW Daniel Winnik, G Jason Bacashihua, C Mark Olver, D Jonas Holos
Say goodbye to: RW Marek Svatos, C Stephane Yelle, LW Darcy Tucker, D Brett Clark, D Ruslan Salei
On the mend: LW Peter Mueller (concussion) and LW David Koci (jaw) are out indefinitely; RW Milan Hejduk (back) is day-to-day
Insider says
The sophomore jinx can affect as many as a half-dozen players who were freshmen last season. If the likes of Matt Duchene, T.J. Galiardi and Ryan O'Reilly struggle, the Avs will take a step back.
Pivotal player
G Craig Anderson
It's almost criminal the goalie figured to be a stop-gap netminder wasn't among the top three in voting for the Hart Trophy or the Vezina Trophy. His performance all season was why the Avs made the playoffs.
2009-10 record: 43-30-9, second in division, eighth in conference
In a shootout
Matt Duchene
Milan Hejduk
Paul Stastny
Burning question
Are all those surprise stories from a year ago capable of doing it again?
Soft spot
Scoring from the wings could be an issue. Milan Hejduk is the lone proven winger, while others are either second-year players or the likes of Chris Stewart, coming off a career year.
Cap room
$13 million
Edmonton Oilers
Say hello to: LW Taylor Hall, C Colin Fraser, RW Steve MacIntyre, LW Magnus Paajarvi, RW Jordan Eberle, D Kurtis Foster, D Jim Vandermeer
Say goodbye to: LW Ethan Moreau, C Mike Comrie, LW Patrick O'Sullivan, C Robert Nilsson, RW Fernando Pisani, C Ryan Potulny
On the mend: LW J.F. Jacques (back) wilk be eased into action
Insider says
The new kids will generate some excitement, but the thin defence and questions about goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin -- as well as the others between the pipes -- will mean making the playoffs is a tall order.
Pivotal player
RW Ales Hemsky
Injuries kept the talented winger to just 22 games last season. The youngsters will give some buzz, but Hemsky is most likely to be a consistent point producer.
2009-10 record: 27-47-8, fifth in division, 15th in conference
In a shootout
Ales Hemsky
Taylor Hall
Gilbert Brule
Burning question
Will Taylor Hall become the first Oiler to win the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year?
Soft spot
Where do you want to start? The forwards are young and will be prone to mistakes, the defence is not strong and the goaltending is questionable. Mainly, there's hope for the future.
Cap room
$9 million
Minnesota Wild
Say hello to: C John Madden, C Matt Cullen, LW Eric Nystrom, RW Brad Staubitz, LW Matt Kassian, G Jose Theodore
Say goodbye to: LW Derek Boogaard, D John Scott, C Andrew Ebbett, RW Owen Nolan
On the mend: C James Sheppard (broken kneecap) is expected to miss up to four months; RW Pierre-Marc Bouchard (concussion) is working his way back after missing all but one game last season; G Josh Harding (knee) is out for the season
Insider says
Coach Todd Richards wants his team to play an up-tempo style, but the Wild simply doesn't have the offensive talent to trade scoring chances. Watch for tighter defence this year, but it won't be enough.
Pivotal player
LW Guillaume Latendresse
After being acquired from the Montreal Canadiens, Latendresse netted 25 goals and 37 points in 55 games for the Wild, which badly needs scorers.
2009-10 record: 38-36-8, Fourth in division, 13th in conference
In a shootout
Martin Havlat
Mikko Koivu
Guillaume Latendresse
Burning question
Will the Wild be able to play the trapping game which brought success during the franchise's first few seasons?
Soft spot
Scoring. The Wild has some gunners in Latendresse, Martin Havlat, Mikko Koivu, Andrew Brunette and Chuck Kobasew, but for some reason it isn't enough.
Cap room
$2.4 million
Vancouver Canucks
Say hello to: D Dan Hamhuis, C Manny Malhotra, LW Raffi Torres, C Joel Perrault, LW Jeff Tambellini, D Keith Ballard, G Cory Schneider, D Ryan Parent
Say goodbye to: D Willie Mitchell, G Andrew Raycroft, LW Steve Bernier, LW Michael Grabner, C/RW Pavol Demitra, C Kyle Wellwood, C Ryan Johnson, LW Darcy Hordichuk, D Shane O'Brien
On the mend: D Sami Salo (Achilles) is out indefinitely; LW Alex Burrows (shoulder) is expected to miss about a month
Insider says
The Canucks should win the Northwest Division for the third consecutive season. In fact, they're a Stanley Cup contender in a season where several teams are in the mix.
Pivotal player
C Henrik Sedin
Last season's Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy winner doesn't have to be all-world to get his team to the playoffs but will be looking to repeat his performance
2009-10 record: 49-28-5, first in division, third in conference
In a shootout
Ryan Kesler
Mikael Samuelsson
Mason Raymond
Burning question
Can Ryan Kesler, Alex Burrows and Mason Raymond all improve on their career seasons from 2009-10?
Soft spot
Forward depth is still a question mark. Manny Malhotra will help in a big way, but the bottom six consists of role players and question marks.
Cap room
None
CENTRAL DIVISION
Chicago Blackhawks
Say hello to: G Marty Turco, D John Scott, LW Viktor Stalberg, RW Hugh Jessiman, RW Fernando Pisani, C Ryan Potulny
Say goodbye to: G Antti Niemi, G Cristobal Huet, LW/D Dustin Byfuglien, D Brent Sopel, LW Ben Eager, LW Andrew Ladd, LW/C Kris Versteeg, RW Adam Burish, C Colin Fraser, C John Madden, D Kim Johnsson
On the mend: D Brian Campbell (knee) is out for a month
Insider says
Even with star forwards Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa and a strong supporting cast, the Blackhawks aren't as strong as last season but still a team to beat.
Pivotal player
G Marty Turco
The past couple of seasons were not kind to the former Dallas Stars standout. Now he's coming to a top-level team, although he'll need to be a bigger contributor than his predecessors were last season.
2009-10 Record: 52-22-8, first in division, second in conference
In a shootout
Jonathan Toews
Patrick Kane
Marian Hossa
Burning question
The hunger will remain, but will there be any bitterness about losing so many key players from a championship team?
Soft spot
Remember how the Blackhawks had third and fourth lines which were able to dominate their opponents? That won't happen this season.
Cap room
$1 million
Columbus Blue Jackets
Say hello to: LW Nikita Filatov, LW Ethan Moreau, RW Ben Guite, C Tomas Kana
Say goodbye to: No one worth mentioning
On the mend: D Kris Russell (knee) is to return within a few weeks
Insider says
A lack of talent wasn't addressed by adding role players in the off-season. The return of Nikita Filatov won't have enough impact.
Pivotal player
LW Rick Nash
The lone true consistent threat, Nash has developed his game the way Steve Yzerman did, but the organization hasn't rewarded its franchise player with enough talent around him.
2009-10 Record: 32-35-15, fifth in division, 14th in conference
In a shootout
Rick Nash
Kristian Huselius
Derick Brassard
Burning question
Will goalie Steve Mason, who struggled after winning the Calder Trophy in 2009, regain his form?
Soft spot
Too little talent and depth up front, too little offensive ability on the blue line.
Cap room
$6.5 million
Detroit Red Wings
Say hello to: LW Jiri Hudler, C Mike Modano, D Ruslan Salei, D Jakub Kindl
Say goodbye to: D Brett Lebda, D Andreas Lilja
On the mend: D Derek Meech (concussion) is day-to-day
Insider says
Injuries played a part in Detroit needing an incredible finish to make the playoffs and finish fifth in the conference. The Wings will be fighting for a division title.
Pivotal player
G Jimmy Howard
It's his team now. After finally making it to the show, Howard eventually supplanted Chris Osgood as No. 1 and put together an excellent season. He'll have to do it again.
2009-10 record: 44-24-14, second in division, fifth in conference
In a shootout
Pavel Datsyuk
Henrik Zetterberg
Todd Bertuzzi
Burning question
Did last season's injury wave represent the fact the Red Wings are getting old, or was it just a run of bad luck?
Soft spot
Goaltending will continue to be a question mark until the Wings have a proven netminder who can put together back-to-back standout seasons.
Cap room
$600,000
Nashville Predators
Say hello to: C Matthew Lombardi, RW Sergei Kostitsyn, D Shane O'Brien, D Aaron Johnson, G Anders Lindback
Say goodbye to: C Jason Arnott, C Dustin Boyd, G Dan Ellis, D Dan Hamhuis, C Mike Santorelli, RW Ben Guite
On the mend: None
Insider says
Just when the Predators have a bounce-back season as a team, they lose more talent. A playoff spot will be hard, but you know they'll try for it.
Pivotal player
D Shea Weber
Obviously the play of goaltender Pekka Rinne will be huge, but the Predators are now Weber's team to run. At least they have that cornerstone in place.
2009-10 record: 47-29-6, third in division, seven in conference
In a shootout
Martin Erat
David Legwand
Matthew Lombardi
Burning question
Will Patric Hornqvist be able to duplicate his 30-goal season of a year ago?
Soft spot
Everywhere. Scoring is at a premium, the goaltending depth is non-existent and the blue line took a hit with Dan Hamhuis' departure. Still, the Preds keep overcoming these things.
Cap room
$12 million
St. Louis Blues
Say hello to: G Jaroslav Halak, C Vladimir Sobotka, C T.J. Hensick, D Alex Pietrangelo, C Nicholas Drazenovic
Say goodbye to: G Chris Mason, C Keith Tkachuk, LW Paul Kariya
On the mend: C Vladimir Sobotka (shoulder) will miss the first couple of weeks
Insider says
The Blues are the best bet to duplicate the feats last season of the Phoenix Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings. All that young talent is ready to take a step forward.
Pivotal player
G Jaroslav Halak
The Montreal Canadiens playoff hero last spring was acquired via trade and inked to a four-year $15-million US contract. All the youth in front of him will be prone to mistakes, and Halak will need to close the door.
2009-10 record: 40-32-10, fourth in division, ninth in conference
In a shootout
Brad Boyes
Andy McDonald
T.J. Oshie
Burning question
Are all those young players ready to take a collective step forward?
Soft spot
Scoring is a big issue, especially from the third and fourth lines. The defencemen are talented, but nearly all of them have a history of injury troubles.
Cap room
$14 million
PACIFIC DIVISION
Anaheim Ducks
Say hello to: D Toni Lydman, D Andy Sutton, LW Aaron Voros, RW Ryan Hillier, D Cam Fowler, LW Tomas Zaborsky, D Paul Mara
Say goodbye to: D Scott Niedermayer, D Aaron Ward, LW Kyle Calder, D James Wisniewski, LW Mike Brown, D Steve Eminger, D Nathan Oystrick, G Joey MacDonald, LW Matt McCue (trade with Rangers)
On the mend: D Toni Lydman (head) is out indefinitely; LW-RW Joffrey Lupul (blood infection) is out until at least November
Insider says
Having lost Scott Niedermayer one year after losing Chris Pronger and Francois Beauchemin, the Ducks don't have the back end -- or netminding -- to be a legitimate playoff threat.
Pivotal player
C Ryan Getzlaf
Anaheim's best forward has Corey Perry, Teemu Selanne and Bobby Ryan to score, too, but is still the straw to stir the offensive drink.
2009-10 record: 39-32-11, fourth in division, 11th in conference
In a shootout
Ryan Getzlaf
Corey Perry
Teemu Selanne
Burning question
How long before Luca Sbisa and Cam Fowler can become the pillars of the blue line? It's a few years away.
Soft spot
The defence and offensive depth. The top forward line is great, but after that, the Ducks have to hope Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu still have magic. Goaltending is an issue, too.
Cap room
$6 million
Dallas Stars
Say hello to: G Andrew Raycroft, G Brent Krahn, RW Adam Burish
Say goodbye to: G Marty Turco, C Mike Modano, LW Jere Lehtinen
On the mend: None
Insider says
Every team in the league would love Brenden Morrow and Brad Richards, but it's not enough to make the Stars a playoff team. Watch for a further step back.
Pivotal player
G Kari Lehtonen
Highly touted Atlanta first-round pick has been injured so much during his career it's amazing to think the Stars believe he can lead them to the playoffs. Dallas isn't sitting pretty with Andrew Raycroft and Brent Krahn waiting in the wings.
2009-10 record: 37-31-14, fifth in division, 12th in conference
In a shootout
Mike Ribeiro
Brad Richards
Loui Eriksson
Burning question
Can Kari Lehtinen hold up for a whole season as the No.-1 man in net?
Soft spot
Scoring from the wings is OK but not beyond the first two lines. Goaltending is a big question mark and the defence doesn't play physical.
Cap room
$8 million
Los Angeles Kings
Say hello to: D Willie Mitchell, LW Alexei Ponikarovsky, LW Andrei Loktionov
Say goodbye to: LW Alexander Frolov, LW Raitis Ivanans, D Randy Jones, D Sean O'Donnell, C Jeff Halpern, RW Fredrik Modin
On the mend: D Matt Greene (shoulder) is expected back in late October or early November
Insider says
Reaching the playoffs was the first step for a team that has been constantly rebuilding. Next is to not only finish in the top five of the Western Conference but to win a playoff round ... or more.
Pivotal player
D Drew Doughty
It's amazing to think how far he has come during the past year. At 20, Doughty was part of a Canada's Olympic gold-medal winning team and a Norris Trophy finalist. The next step is to lead a team deep into the playoffs.
2009-10 record: 46-27-9, third in division, sixth in conference
In a shootout
Jack Johnson
Anze Kopitar
Dustin Brown
Burning question
Is goalie Jonathan Quick as good as his breakout season or will he take a step back?
Soft spot
After the top three defencemen, it becomes a crapshoot. Forward depth is an issue for a team with such high hopes, and goaltenders have to prove they're for real.
Cap room
$8.5 million
Phoenix Coyotes
Say hello to: LW Ray Whitney, C Andrew Ebbett, C Eric Belanger, D Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Say goodbye to: D Zbynek Michalek, D Mathieu Schneider, C Matthew Lombardi, C Robert Lang, LW Daniel Winnik
On the mend: D Kurt Sauer (head, neck) is out indefinitely
Insider says
The Coyotes went 14-6 in shootouts last season, by far the most victories in the NHL. If they flip that record this season, they won't make the playoffs.
Pivotal player
G Ilya Bryzgalov
He was a deserved Vezina Trophy finalist after winning 42 games and posting eight shutouts. It was a breakout season, and there's no reason to think his game will fall apart. Should he not be as good again, the good times will dry up in the desert.
2009-10 record: 50-25-7, second in division, fourth in the conference
In a shootout
Radim Vrbata
Adrian Aucoin
Wojtek Wolski
Burning question
The never-ending relocation questions didn't affect the Coyotes last season. Will the expectations of being a playoff team?
Soft spot
Goals were an issue last season, and losing Matthew Lombardi will be a factor. Whether Lee Stempniak has a hot hand or reverts to old form will be an interesting study.
Cap room
$9 million
San Jose Sharks
Say hello to: G Antti Niemi, G Antero Niittymaki, RW Jamal Mayers
Say goodbye to: G Evgeni Nabokov, D Rob Blake, C Manny Malhotra, RW Brad Staubitz, RW Jed Ortmeyer
On the mend: None
Insider says
You know they will be a top-flight regular-season team again. Until the Sharks win a Stanley Cup, though, it won't be a successful season.
Pivotal player
G Antti Niemi
The consensus is Niemi benefited from playing on the loaded team in Chicago. Now, he won't have as deep a club in front of him and will be counted on as the netminder to put the Sharks over the hump.
2009-10 record: 51-20-11, first in division, first in conference
In a shootout
Joe Pavelski
Dany Heatley
Ryane Clowe
Burning question
We've said it before and we'll say it again: What's preventing this crew from being a champion?
Soft spot
Losing Rob Blake makes the defence corps even thinner. Scoring depth is an issue, which happens with so much front-line talent.
Cap room
$1 million