1. Tampa Bay Lightning

This team is stacked and there’s no reason they shouldn’t get to the Conference Finals again.

2. Toronto Maple Leafs

They won the John Tavares sweepstakes and now they have their eyes set on the Stanley Cup.

3. Boston Bruins

They’re mixing in some good youngsters with their savvy veterans.

4. Florida Panthers

There’s plenty of talent here, but they play in a top tier division that won’t give up the top three spots easily.

5. Buffalo Sabres

They made some savvy moves in the offseason and it should improve their point total quite a bit.

6. Detroit Red Wings

This ‘Hockeytown’ will have to wait another year to be considered potential playoff contenders.

7. Montreal Canadiens

Rebuilding is never easy, especially when you still have one of the best goaltenders in the game.

8. Ottawa Senators

The only thing they will compete for is the number one pick of the draft.

Head Coach: Jon Cooper

Key Position: Goaltender

Key Acquisitions: None

Head Coach: Mike Babcock

Key Position: Defensemen

Key Acquisitions: F Tyler Ennis (Minnesota), F John Tavares (NY Islanders)

Head Coach: Bruce Cassidy

Key Position: Forwards

Key Acquisitions: G Jaroslav Halak (NY Islanders), D John Moore (New Jersey)

Head Coach: Bob Boughner

Key Position: Defensemen

Key Acquisitions: F Mike Hoffman (San Jose)

Head Coach: Phil Housley

Key Position: Goaltender

Key Acquisitions: G Carter Hutton (St. Louis), F Conor Sheary (Pittsburgh), F Jeff Skinner (Carolina)

Head Coach: Jeff Blashill

Key Position: Forwards

Key Acquisitions: F Thomas Vanek (Columbus), G Jonathan Bernier (Colorado)

Head Coach: Claude Julien

Key Position: Goaltender

Key Acquisitions: F Max Domi (Arizona), F Tomas Tatar (Vegas)

Head Coach: Guy Boucher

Key Position: Defensemen

Key Acquisitions: F Mikkel Boedker (San Jose), F Chris Tierney (San Jose)