Team Previews: Standings

Now that this blog has been dead for a few weeks as July dragged on, the dog days of summer are officially here as the clock flips to August. We will be breaking down each team in the NHL over the course of the month, but first we take a look at the bigger picture. As a newly-christened NHL blogger (as opposed to just a Thrashers writer) I am blessed with the privilege of incorrectly predicting where 30 teams in the NHL will finish. And so, here goes nothing:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

NORTHEAST DIVISION

1. Buffalo Sabres
2. Boston Bruins
3. Montreal Canadiens
4. Toronto Maple Leafs
5. Ottawa Senators

The breakdown: The Bruins will likely suffer a Stanley Cup hangover out of the gate (quite possibly literally after some of their bar tabs) and Buffalo will benefit from the wave of excitement after a big off-season under Terry Pegula's new regime. Montreal will compete for one of the bottom playoff spots in the Eastern Conference and Toronto and Ottawa will continue their rebuild. Toronto will again make steps in the right direction but are still a year and a good GM away from making a real run.

Marian Gaborik's heath in crucial to the Rangers.

ATLANTIC DIVISION


1. Philadelphia Flyers
2. New York Rangers
3. Pittsburgh Penguins
4. New Jersey Devils
5. New York Islanders

The breakdown: This may be the toughest division in hockey and looking ahead is the toughest to predict. The Rangers will benefit immensely from a healthy Marian Gaborik, if he can stay so, and free agent trophy Brad Richards who is reunited with old coach John Tortorella. The Devils are on a steady decline and despite their impressive finish to last season it's tough to envision them competing in such a loaded division. This will also likely be the Islanders last season in last place for a while as their rebuild continues to move along impressively.  What more can be said about the Flyers? They got the goaltender they needed and got a little younger. Not only that, but improved cap flexibility will help GM Paul Holmgren swing a deal they were previously unable to make mid-season because of cap constraints. The Atlantic will be a battle from start-to-finish, undoubtedly.

SOUTHEAST DIVISION


1. Washington Capitals
2. Tampa Bay Lightning
3. Florida Panthers
4. Carolina Hurricanes
5. Winnipeg Jets

The breakdown: This is an extremely intriguing division. The Capitals have loaded up by adding Tomas Vokoun between the pipes and should contend for the top spot. Tampa Bay will trail just a few points in the standings and goaltending may be an issue. The Panthers chemistry will be the biggest question with a complete roster overhaul in the off-season by GM Dave Tallon. Florida, Carolina, and Winnipeg should all be within a few points for each other and may all battle for a playoff spot. Winnipeg pulls up the rear, considering they finished just 8 points ahead of Florida for last place last season and failed to improve like their divisional counterparts and will have a rigorous travel schedule until the divisions re-align in 2012-2013.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

CENTRAL DIVISION

1. Chicago Blackhawks
2. Detroit Red Wings
3. Nashville Predators
4. Columbus Blue Jackets
5. St. Louis Blues

The breakdown: Chicago made subtle moves to improve, but bringing in Andrew Brunette is a massive acquisition for the Hawks and should fit in nicely. Detroit is aging but still incredibly dangerous as always. Nashville and Columbus should compete for the bottom playoff spots in the Western Conference, but the question is whether or not Columbus will be able to get off to a hot start. With new acquisitions Jeff Carter and James Wisniewski expected to be leaned on heavily in Ohio, Jackets fans definitely have reason for optimism. The Blues seem to be trending backwards after what appears to be a rebuild on verge of flickering out. The Central could be pretty crowded at the top this season, with a lot of new talent coming and going from top to bottom.

NORTHWEST DIVISION


1. Vancouver Canucks
2. Minnesota Wild
3. Colorado Avalanche
4. Calgary Flames
5. Edmonton Oilers

The breakdown: Vancouver will return hungry after falling a win away from a Stanley Cup in 2011. Minnesota is vastly improved with sniper Dany Heatley and skilled forward Devin Setoguchi coming in from San Jose. Colorado will benefit from improved goaltending and their core getting a year older, while Calgary and Edmonton will battle for the bottom for two different reasons: Calgary is on the verge of a rebuild while Edmonton is breaking out of one. If Edmonton doesn't escape the basement this season, they surely will in 2012-2013 with one of the league's most dynamic groups of young talent.

Mike Richards will play a huge role in Los Angeles.

PACIFIC DIVISION


1. Los Angeles
2. San Jose
3. Anaheim
4. Phoenix
5. Dallas

The breakdown: The Kings made some splashes in the off-season, most notably adding Mike Richards from Philadelpha and Simon Gagne from Tampa Bay, which I believe will give them enough firepower to overcome San Jose for the top spot in the division. San Jose and Anaheim will be evenly matched for the second spot, and while San Jose has improved defensively Anaheim still has a ton of firepower in Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, and Bobby Ryan. Phoenix will likely finish on the outside looking in this season and will likely relocate afterwards, unfortunately. Dallas has begun it's rebuild as well and will bring up the rear in the Pacific for another season.

UPCOMING in the next 30 days will be team-by-team breakdowns as we count down towards training camp in September.