EAST
1. Washington - The Caps are perennial contenders. But some off-season retooling makes them the a good bet to take that next step.
2. Pittsburgh - With Crosby and Malkin back and healthy, the Pens will be among the East's top teams. Even without the duo, they're still very good.
3. Boston - Boston still needs Tim Thomas to excel to win its division, but its depth and talent gives the Bruins a shot to go back-to-back.
4. Philadelphia - No team made bolder off-season moves than Philly. They'll take a step back in the regular season, but be better in the long haul.
5. Buffalo - A full season of new ownership and a pair of veteran additions adds up to the Sabres rising through the Eastern rankings again.
6. Tampa Bay - Some sneered to think Tampa Bay could be a playoff team last season, but nobody's sneering anymore. The Lightning are for real.
7. NY Rangers - The addition of Brad Richards will improve the Rangers' offense, but the Blueshirts' defense will remain their calling card.
8. Montreal - Montreal has nice young pieces in Price and Subban, but still lacks punch overall and will be in a death match to nail a playoff spot.
9. Carolina - The Canes have star power, but little depth, especially on the blueline. They're a playoff bubble team at best. At worst? Don't ask.
10. Toronto - Toronto's bumpy rebuild has gotten it close to the playoffs without actually making it. Expect that pattern to continue this year.
11. New Jersey - With a lack of top-notch talent - and with Martin Brodeur another year older - the Devils don't have enough to contend.
12. NY Islanders - You see where GM Garth Snow is going with this young group. But do you see them being better than any division rival? Us neither.
13. Winnipeg - The Jets will benefit from playing before an energized full house, but that won't be enough to make up for serious roster holes.
14. Florida - Dale Tallon's rebuild of the franchise is in full swing. The influx of veterans will help the Cats, but not enough to secure a playoff spot.
15. Ottawa - The Senators have stars in Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza, but beyond them is a team at the start of a slow, painful rebuild.
WEST
1. Vancouver - All the key parts remain in tact for the league's best regular season club in 2010-11. No reason to think otherwise this campaign.
2. San Jose - Havlat and Burns give the Sharks a different look. They'll still dominate the West and wait for another shot to win an elusive Cup.
3. Chicago - With the goaltending sorted and talent up and down the lineup, it'll be hard to keep the Hawks down in the Central.
4. Los Angeles - Bringing Mike Richards and Simon Gagne into the fold makes it clear: The Kings want to win now. They've got the tools to do so.
5. Detroit - The Wings are a little bit older and greyer this year, but still have more than enough talent to vie for a home-ice playoff berth.
6. Anaheim - The Ducks have three world-class forwards who will push them into the post-season no matter who's between the pipes.
7. St. Louis - Adding veterans Arnott and Langenbrunner gives the Blues needed depth and experience. They've got speed to spare and will improve.
8. Nashville - The Predators will be in a battle for the playoffs again, but their young talent will progress enough to return.
9. Colorado - The Avs are a young team that has made serious changes, but there are serious questions as to how effective they'll be.
10. Calgary - Though they had a great second half last season, the Flames and their thin depth can't be expected to pick up where they left off.
11. Minnesota - Two new guns will help, but there are still holes throughout the lineup that will hurt Minnesota in the long run.
12. Columbus - Despite major additions to the roster, much of the Jackets' hopes rest on Steve Mason. If he struggles as he did last year, forget it.
13. Dallas - Ownership issues have affected the Stars' ability to retain and attract talent. They just don't have the big horses to run in the West.
14. Phoenix - Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov made up for the Coyotes' mild offense. Now he's in Philly and the team he left behind will be much worse for it.
15. Edmonton - Blue-chippers abound, but too many questions at all positions make the Oilers owners, not renters of the NHL's basement.
