1. Nashville Predators

Their defense is still stacked, but will the offense match?

2. St. Louis Blues

Coming in as defending Stanley Cup champions shouldn’t have any effect on this team.

3. Colorado Avalanche

They were a dark horse team last year, but they should be legit contenders this year.

4. Winnipeg Jets

The loss of a few key players will hurt, but this team is too talented to not make the playoffs.

5. Dallas Stars

If they remain a defensive stalwart they’ll be playing in the playoffs once again.

6. Minnesota Wild

They seem to always be a player or two away from making a leap in a stacked division.

7. Chicago Blackhawks

They could certainly make strides this year, but everyone above them is better by far.

Head Coach: Peter Laviolette

Key Position: Forwards

Key Acquisitions: F Matt Duchene (Columbus)

Head Coach: Craig Berube

Key Position: Goaltender

Key Acquisitions: D Justin Faulk (Carolina)

Head Coach: Jared Bednar

Key Position: Defensemen

Key Acquisitions: F Andre Burakovsky (Washington), F Joonas Donskoi (San Jose), F Nazem Kadri (Toronto)

Head Coach: Paul Maurice

Key Position: Forwards

Key Acquisitions: D Neal Pionk (NY Rangers)

Head Coach: Jim Montgomery

Key Position: Forwards

Key Acquisitions: F Joe Pavelski (San Jose), F Corey Perry (Anaheim), D Andrej Sekera (Edmonton)

Head Coach: Bruce Boudreau

Key Position: Defensemen

Key Acquisitions: F Ryan Hartman (Philadelphia), Mats Zuccarello (Dallas)

Head Coach: Jeremy Colliton

Key Position: Everything

Key Acquisitions: F Alexander Nylander (Buffalo), F Andrew Shaw (Montreal), F Zack Smith (Ottawa), D Calvin de Haan (Carolina), D Oli Maatta (Pittsburgh), G Robin Lehner (NY Islanders)