1. Detroit Red Wings

This could be the last time they contend with Lidstrom

2. Chicago Blackhawks

With some added grit Chicago could make another title run

3. St. Louis Blues

It’s time for the Blues to reach their potential

4. Nashville Predators

Their defensive trio can’t do it all by themselves

5. Columbus Blue Jackets

They want to win now, but they’re still weak in net

Red Wings: D Ian White, G Ty Conklin

Blackhawks: D Steve Montador, F Andrew Brunette

Blues: F Jason Arnott, F Jamie Langenbrunner

Predators: F Niclas Bergfors

Blue Jackets: F Jeff Carter, D James Wisniewski

They will do enough on offense and defense to win games, but will they get a better year from goaltender Jimmy Howard?  He did win 37 games last year, but his 2.79 GAA was way too high for him. Bringing back Ty Conklin to backup Howard was a good move to help insure there isn’t any let down in net this season.  Detroit must have a healthy Pavel Datsyuk if they are to make another run at the Cup.  They will get the same consistent production from Henrik Zetterberg, but the key is with Datsyuk.  The same can be said for Johan Franzen who was healthy, but didn’t produce at his usual pace.  Valtteri Filppula and Darren Helm will have to emerge as premiere players this season.  They can’t continue to rely on them as players waiting in the wings.  The defense will have Nicklas Lidstrom for another season and that bodes well for the entire team.  He never stops playing at a high level and has been instrumental in the emergence of fellow Swede Niklas Kronwall. Ian White will try to replace the production of the retired Brian Rafalski. It will be hard, but the Red Wings depth on defense is as good as its ever been.

The salary cap era in the NHL hasn’t been too kind to the Blackhawks.  They have lost some key players due to the restrictions of the salary cap the last two offseasons.  However, they still have a talented core that will be around for a long time and that alone will keep them in contention.  Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are two of the best young forwards in the NHL.  They are complemented well on the top line with Patrick Sharp who must be re-signed soon or he will likely find a new home after the season.  Marian Hossa is still a great scorer, but age is starting to catch up with him.  Dave Bolland must stay healthy to keep the second line productive when Toews and Kane are in slumps. Andrew Brunette was a great find who will bring added scoring to the power play.  Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook are the only defenseman who can provide a consistent scoring threat from the blue-line.  Steve Montador was brought in to try and change that, but youngster Nick Leddy can provide added offense as well. Goaltender Corey Crawford had some fans forgetting about Antti Niemi.  Crawford was given an opportunity to be the full time starter and didn’t disappoint.  How he does in his second full season will determine the Blackhawks fortunes.

If the St. Louis Blues are going to get back to the playoffs, they will need a big season from goalie Jaroslav Halak.  It was big news last year when they acquired him from Montreal after his tremendous playoff performance in 2010.  He fell flat last year and so did the rest of the team.  Halak has a good young defense in front of him that should rejuvenate him and the Blues.  Kevin Shattenkirk was acquired at the trade deadline last year that saw Erik Johnson depart to Colorado.  Shattenkirk is a good puck passer and excellent on the power play.  Along with Alex Pietrangelo who is in the mold of Chris Pronger who once played in St. Louis, the Blues have a fabulous blue-line.  Along with Shattenkirk the Blues received Chris Stewart who has drawn comparisons to Jarome Iginla in Calgary.  If Stewart does live up to that potential the Blues will have a one-sided victory in that deal. Veterans Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner were brought in more for support and to keep the young players motivated and focused.  David Backes and T.J. Oshie are stars in the making, but Oshie must stay healthy and keep his head on straight.  If Andy McDonald can stay healthy the Blues will have a big boost from the wing to set up Backes and Oshie for easy goals.

It’s imperative that the Predators keep the trio of start they have in Shea Weber, Ryan Suter and Pekka Rinne.  It will be tough, but for the future of the franchise to stay competitive they must keep all three.  They advanced past the quarterfinals last year for the first time in franchise history.  The big reason was because of those three mentioned earlier.  Weber is a physical force wherever he is on the ice.  Like Zdeno Chara for Boston, Weber has a devastating slap shot that is tough to pick up.  Suter is an excellent setup man on the blue-line.  Not the fastest skater, but he knows his way around the ice.  Rinne is among the best goaltenders in the NHL today.  Another Vezina trophy nomination this season will result in a big pay day coming to the 6-5 Finn.  The Predators have struggled to find a consistent scoring threat, but that hasn’t stopped them from competing.  Patric Hornqvist and Sergei Kostitsyn were the top goal scorers last year and must be again. A full season from Mike Fisher after being acquired last season from Ottawa will help set up Nashville’s top scorers.  If David Legwand and Colin Wilson both have 50+ point seasons it will be a breathe of fresh air in the Music City.