Anaheim- it seems a while ago now that Anaheim won their first Stanley cup. They are still reeling after a shocking first round exit to Dallas. And I have to say, don't expect Anaheim to set the world on fire this year. Sure they'll make the playoffs, but their veteran core is getting older and older, so I see them finishing around 5th or 6th in the conference. Expect a big year from Ryan Getzlaf though.

Atlanta- Atlanta is still laughing from the deal they pulled of with Pittsburgh at the deadline last year. But with no support, don't expect Kovalchuk to be able to get it done by himself. This is still a young team, who I see finishing near the bottom of the east. Look for a big year out of Tobias Enstrom, though. Also Atlanta needs to figure out who is going to be their dependable no. 1 goalie, otherwise they will be going down the drain real fast.

Boston- I really like this team's toughness. They pushed the powerhouse Canadiens to a 7th game last year, and expect the same kind of effort this year. My only issue with them would be goaltending. Tim Thomas is not the guy who will get you to the cup finals. They better hope that Fernandez can come through for them. I like this team, especially with a healthy Bergeron, and expect them to finish around 6th or 7th in the conference. Look for another big year for Savard, and a great sophmore season from David Krejci.

Buffalo- This team has been devestated over the last few years, because it seems that no one wants to play there, or Buffalo can not afford them. Expect this young team to score a lot of goals, but don't expect them to make the playoffs, mainly because of their defense. Expect a big year from Derek Roy. I think they will finish around 9th in the East.

Calgary- I really like the way this team is going. If Kiprusoff can solve his problems with Mike Keenan and post numbers similar to the ones he posted in 04, expect the Flames to be a cup contender. Expect Iginla to mesh nicely with Cammeleri, who will benefit from having larger linemates who can do some of the dirty work. I expect the Flames will win their division and finish 2nd or 3rd in the Conference. Expect a big year from Mike Cammaleri and a Norris-worthy season from Dion Phaneuf.

Carolina- No one really knows what happened to this team. They really came out of no where to win the cup in 06, and have fallen back into obscurity. I don't expect they'll make the playoffs, unless Ward does something spectacular. I expect them to finish 9th or 10th in the east. Expect a nice season from Patrick Eaves. 

Chicago- Many new NHL fans (or old ones for that matter) have fallen in love with the young, talented, Blackhawks. This team has a dynamic young core that includes the likes of Toews, Kane, Barker, and Seabrook, along with capable veterans like Campbell, Sharp, and Havlat, who are still relatively young themselves. Now don't expect Chicago to be able to compete with Detroit for the division title, but expect them to make the playoffs, probably around 7th or 8th in the West. Expect a big year from Toews as he bounces back from an injury, as well as a good campaign from Nik Khabibulin.

Colorado- This team could be good, or they could be terrible- it really depends. It depends on whether Sakic and Forsberg play, it depends on whether this team can play defense, and it depends on whether Peter Budaj can be a solid No. 1 goalie. This team has too many "i

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