Things could still change. I think a lot of trades could still be made. Especially for teams like Winnipeg and Calgary.
Vegas is more or less the same team that won the cup to me. Sure they lost Smith, but thats about it really. We rarely see teams repeat though, so hard to say what Vegas will be after their cup hangover. I think they will still make the playoffs though but they likely wont have the same drive that took them to a cup.
Not sure on LA. I think they are worse but we will see. I personally dont care for PLD so I think they have less depth than they did before (without much of a talent upgrade). There goaltending is pretty awful. But I dont really know if the Kings are done, I could see another move or two from them. I think LA has more talent that then are given but as long as McLellan is their coach, I think they are always going to fall short.
Seattle will be interesting. I discounted them all year. They made the playoffs with very poor goaltending. They were more impressive in the playoffs than I probably gave them credit for. Probably will still be a playoff team, but I dont think I really consider them a threat.
Calgary. They will be worse and are a mess. Some trades are probably coming. Even if their players werent leaving and they were running back, I still dont think they would be a playoff team. I guess they could be a wild card because I dont see much from the Central outside of Colorado, Dallas and Minnesota.
Vancouver - I think if Demko is healthy, they could pass Calgary but thats not saying much. Nothing team.
Anaheim/SJ - Wet fart noise
Central is pretty woof. Colorado and Dallas really the only two teams to note. Minnesota cant beat anyone else but could probably hex the Oilers. Who knows with Winnipeg - there are a lot of shoes to drop there but they are probably a mess. Nashville is a nothing team. I could see St. Louis improve and maybe be a wildcard team (but thats more because all the other teams are mess), I think they are a non factor. Chicago and Arizona ... wet fart noise.