Time to put on my beaver fur thinking cap, have some moose steaks and talk hockey. Rosters are getting set, and it’s time to take a look-see and figure out what this season might look like:

Atlantic Division
Wow, who’da thunk it? The Rangers buying all the offense money can buy and getting replacement level talent on their blueline. Guess what? It hasn’t worked for years and it’s still not going to work. New Jersey has great goaltending and D… but terrible O. The team with the most balance here it Pittsburgh. Also, the Isles and Flyers made some moves… maybe for the Flyers it makes a difference.

Pittsburgh Penguins
New Jersey Devils
New York Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers
New York Islanders

Central Division
I know, I’m completely ignoring all standard conventions and jumping from one conference to another. What a daredevil I must be.

Ah, the Central Division. So… anyone want to win a division? ‘Cause this might be the easiest division to win in hockey. Nashville made multiple moves rivaling only the fictional Cleveland Indians from Major League, so they’re out. Who’s going to step up on Columbus and be the netmider? How much can a few rookies really help Chicago? Detroit is the only team worth anything and might be the only playoff team from this division.

Detroit Red Wings
St. Louis Blues
Nashville Predators
Chicago Blackhawks
Columbus Blue Jackets

Northeast Division
Umm, let’s see. The teams that should be good are bad and the teams that should be bad are good. Sucks to see half the Original 6 teams in one division and yet none are really contenders to win the division and I’d be shocked to see any of the three in the playoffs:

Ottowa Senators
Buffalo Sabres
Montreal Canadiens
Toronto Maple Leafs
Boston Bruins

Northwest Division
How good is Colorado? Well, I hate them so I’m leaning towards not as good as some are advertising. Calgary is still good and Vancouver is getting no love in a lot of the preseason polls I’m seeing.

Calgary Flames
Vancouver Canucks
Colorado Avalanche
Minnesota Wild
Edmonton Oilers

Pacific Division
I’ll try to remain as objective as possible here…

I want to put the Sharks in the first slot here, as they have a bunch of 2nd and 3rd year players who should come into their own this season… especially if they have the balls to play Marleau on the wing with Thornton - that would give them the best line in all of hockey. The Ducks and Kings I think are going to be just like their openers against each other - up and down. I think the Kings are young and have a great first line.. and that’s where it ends. The ducks lost both their veteran leaders and I think they fall a lot harder than some are predicting.

San Jose Sharks
Dallas Stars
Anaheim Ducks
Los Angeles Kings
Phoenix Coyotes

Southeast Division
Carolina took a year off last year but Cam Ward should rebound and take the ‘Canes to the top. Tampa and Atlanta are still good, and Floria and Washington still awful.

Carolina Hurricanes
Tampa Bay Lightning
Atlanta Thrashers
Washington Capitals
Florida Panthers

And finally, the worst teams in each conference will be:
Boston Bruins
Phoenix Coyotes

Scoring Title:
Sid Crosby

Rookie of the Year:
Jonathan Bernier

Stanley Cup Finals:
San Jose vs Ottawa Senators