1. Nashville Predators
Bar none the best defense in the league, which is nice when Pekka Rinne is still your goaltender. Forsberg now ranks among the league's stars, and the forward corps will benefit from a full year of Johansen.
2. Dallas Stars
The kings of offense should reign supreme again, adding Jiri Hudler (and potentially more GP from Seguin) to an already stacked group. Hamhuis should stop the bleeding a little bit on defense, though it's still only a fair group there. I'd put the Stars atop the Central if only I could get past that AHL caliber goaltending.
3. St. Louis Blues
These aren't the Blues of the past few years, but it is still too early to write them off. Led by their top 3, they have one of the strongest Ds in the league. Tarasenko will continue to terrorize the league and by the end of the year, ranking him above Kane may not be quite so humorous. Goaltending is a bit of a wildcard, but Allen has shown the ability to perform in his relatively small samples.
4. Chicago Blackhawks
The Hawks have more denfeseman than they can figure out what to do with, but age is emerging as a factor among its leaders. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Hawks enter the year with four rookies in its forward ranks, and there will be inevitable growing pains there. Crawford will continue his push to be considered among the league's goaltending elite.
5. Minnesota Wild
Boudreau has an excellent track record as a regular season coach, but he has always been surrounded with elite talent. The Wild have impressive depth, but are lacking the kind of go-to finishers he may be used to. They could suprise a bit if Staal can channel his old self, as he is still only 31. I expect a finish similar to last year.
6. Winnipeg Jets
The Jets' recent banishment of Pavelec gives me renewed hope for their chances, as Hellebuyck was clearly their best option. Hopefully they're wise enough to apply the same lesson to Mark Stuart. They feature a pair of Calder hopefuls in Laine and Connor, but are forced to rely on them for production. They will also miss the reliable top-6 play of Ladd.
7. Colorado Avalanche
The Central will probably again be the league's best division, and someone has to come in 7th. Varlamov will likely again be at the mercy of an endless assault from opposing teams through the the Avs mediocre defense. The team is lacking in depth among its forwards, again counting on production from 39-year-old Iginla, but there is one saving grace--Patrick Roy is no longer the coach of this team.