The Atlantic

New Jersey

Why They Will: This is primarily the same team that won the ultra-competitive Atlantic and finished third in the East with 106 points and was considered one of the hottest teams in the league down the stretch.

They have a good mix of returning youth and veteran players with Johnny Oduya, Travis Zajac, Patrick Elias, Paul Martin, and Jamie Langenbrunner.

The defense is solid, Zach Parise has burst into the upper-echelon, and Martin Brodeur is...well, Martin Brodeur.

Additionally, hopefully some of the youngsters like Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond (immediately one of my favorite names in the game) can step up and keep these devils dangerous.

Why They Won't: One of the reasons the Devils surprised so many people last year was because of Coach Brent Sutter, who jumped ship to Calgary to coach for his brother's team. 

While newcomer Jacques Lemaire has had success with NJ in the past, his past few years in Minnesota lead many to believe that maybe the game is starting to pass him by. Minnesota missed the playoffs last year despite allowing the second least amount of goals in the league with 200 (NJ was fourth with 209).

Parise, Zajac, and Oduya should continue their development, and while I can't see Elias or Langenbrunner dropping off much, the loss of John Madden and Brian Gionta might make it difficult to replicate the success of last year.

Brian Rolston will have to step up, and as legendary as Brodeur is, it seems time will eventually catch up with him; the only question is when. 

 

New York Islanders

Why They Will: The Islanders were fully devoted to the rebuild last season, letting their young guys play in all situations and gain valuable experience despite the standings. As a result, players like Kyle Okposo, Josh Bailey, and Blake Comeau emerged as the future go-to players of this team. 

Mark Streit is proving to be worth every cent of his contract, as he led the team in points last season. The additions of Dwayne Roloson and Martin Biron to Rick Dipietro give the Islanders a formidable goaltending corps, as all three are more than capable of running with the No. 1 spot, and it also gives them trade bait.

With the first overall pick, the Islanders grabbed the much coveted John Tavares, who is the most hyped prospect since Sidney Crosby was picked by the Penguins. He tore up the OHL and the World Juniors, and should be the frontrunner for the Calder Trophy. All in all, this a team that could surprise.

Why They Won't: This team isn't surprising anyone. When you're led offensively with 56 points by a defenseman, the team is in trouble.

Yes, Okposo, Bailey and Comeau were bright spots last year and showed that there is light at the end of the tunnel, but the three of them combined for 89 points last season, not exactly the second coming of Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier, and Clark Gillies.

Tavares hasn't done anything in the NHL yet, and even if he fits right in and is a point-a-game player, even Crosby and Oveckin couldn't turn their teams around instantly.

The Islanders also boasted the worst goal differential in the league last year with a -78. That isn't something fixed easily.

The Islanders won't make the playoffs, but at least fans can be thankful that GM Garth Snow seems steadfast in rebuilding through the draft, which is the way to build a team that will be competitive for years. That team just isn't here yet.

 

New York Rangers

Why They Will: The Rangers seem to be perennially in contention for the 4-8 spot, and there is no reason to expect that to change this year. A full year under Coach Tortorella will allow the players to become comfortable in his system, and you can be sure that system will include discipline and defensive responsibility.

Marian Gaborik was one of the prized forward UFA's, and when healthy, one of the most dangerous players in the league. Marc Staal is a bright young spot on the blueline as is Brandon Dubinsky of the forwards.

And if the defense fails, Henrik Lundqvist is as good as a last line of defense as one could ask for. GM Sather managed to trade away Scott Gomez with his cap strangling contract and got underrated Chris Higgins, who's very solid in both ends and capable of chipping in 20+, and blue chip prospect Ryan McDonagh, who could push for a roster spot.

Ryan Callahan emerged near the end of last year and, with newcomers Vaclav Prospal and Ales Kotalik, will supply the secondary scoring. All in all, this is a balanced team with a great goaltender, exactly the type of team I wouldn't bet against.

Why They Won't: The Rangers squeezed in last year, and managed to hold onto the seventh spot with mediocre play due to the teams chasing them missing opportunities.

Getting rid of Gomez opened up some cap space, but it left them weak at center, and that space was immediately used on Gaborik, who is as fragile as a Faberge egg.

True, if he stays healthy he'll be the team's X-factor, but does anybody honestly believe he avoids injury playing against Pronger six times? The bloated contracts of Chris Drury, Michael Rosival, and Wade Redden limit what NY can do if they want to make a move by trade.

The loss of Blair Betts and Fredrik Sjostrom puts a question mark on the best PK in the league last year, and the loss of underrated Paul Mara is going to hurt an already suspect defense.

Along with the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Rangers were the only playoff teams that allowed more goals than they scored. Too many question marks, plus one of the toughest two divisions in the NHL, will be too much for the Rangers to overcome.  

 

Philadelphia Flyers

Why They Will: The Flyers were a very dangerous team last year and there is nothing to suggest they won't be at least as equally dangerous this year. The Flyers had an incredible four players with 30+ goals this past season, led by Jeff Carter's 46.

Philadelphia's depth and willingness to attack in any situation gave other team's fits, and will continue to do so this year.

Led by Captain Mike Richards, Simon Gagne, Daniel Briere and Scott Hartnell, the Flyers forward squad is as dangerous as there is in the league, and with expected full-time spots available for Claude Giroux and possibly James Van-Riemsdyk, they're only going to get more dangerous.

The talented blue line consisting of youngsters Braydon Coburn and Matt Carle and veteran Kimmo Timmonen seemed one player away from being formidable. Well the Flyers went out and got the most formidable bruiser out there in Chris Pronger.

His arrival, combined with recently signed Ian Laperriere and last season's acquisition of Daniel Carcillo, these Flyers, like the Broadstreet Bullies before them, will be make the Flyers a difficult opponent. This is a team that should challenge for the division and even the conference title.

Why They Won't: The loss of Mike Knuble could lead a void in the leadership, while giving away talented depth in Joffrey Lupol and Luca Sbisa to Anaheim in exchange for Pronger may hurt the Flyers if they become susceptible to the injury bug.

Additionally, Pronger is getting up in age, and considering his style of play should be expected to slow down a bit.

Bringing in Ray Emery to replace Martin Biron may blow up in Philly's face. Biron was quietly solid, and always seemed to play his best in the playoffs.

Emery, on the other hand, is known as a moody, egotistical prima donna and besides one good season with Ottawa, hasn't proven much. 

 

Pittsburgh Penguins

Why They Will: Well, being the defending cup champions proves they're good. Really, really good. This team is overflowing with talent. In net, Marc-Andre Fleury has grown into one of the premier stoppers in the league.

Sergei Gonchar, Kris Letang, Alex Goligoski, and Brooks Orpik are joined by shot blocking Jay McKee to form a blueline that protects Fleury as much as can be asked. Ruslan Fedotenko, Bill Geurin, and Chris Kunitz help support the tremendous depth at the center that the Pens are blessed with.

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are arguably the best in the game, and Jordan Staal and Maxim Talbot round out the third and fourth lines and can be used interchangeably on the wing throughout the lineup. A full year under Coach Bylsma will prove that their scorching hot record down the stretch was no fluke.

Did I mention the Penguins did as well as they did even with a considerable injury to Sergei Gonchar (25 games played)? This is one of the few teams that you can already pencil in to a spot.

Why They Won't: Many don't remember that the Penguins were well below average midway through the season, it was only because of their ridiculous stretch to close the season that they ended up in fourth.

Obviously that coincided with the coaching change, but the season before last, they challenged for first in the East under Therrien.

With that in mind, was it really him that was holding the Pens back this year? Will they tire of Bylsma the same way halfway through this season?

Losing Hal Gill and Rob Scuderi is going to hurt this defense. Throughout the playoffs, this was the duo that kept shutting down opponents' best line after best line.

And most importantly, playing the whole season with a target on your back can wear a team down.

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