However, the roles that Kristopher Letang and Alex Goligoski will be thrust into will only serve to speed up their development as offensive contributors. Marc-Andre Fleury showed flashes of what made the Pens take him first overall, and can be counted on for 35 wins.
5. Ottawa Senators
After a tumultuous season that ended in a first-round sweep at the hands of the Penguins, Brian Murray overhauled the Senators, shipping off any negative influences and dead weight. Whether he brought enough in to replace the not so dearly departed, only time will tell—but the core is still intact and one of the top two lines in the league will be re-united.
Alfredsson is the undisputed leader and they will go where he takes them. Heatley and Spezza must live up to their newfound financial status and play complete games. Fisher, Vermette, Kelly, and Neil have some things to prove this season after disappointing last year. The blue line is solid defensively, with Phillips and Volchenkov capable of being the top shutdown duo in the league, but will not provide much offense this year.
Will Martin Gerber be the No. 1 he was supposed to be when they signed him, or will he fade away in his contract year? question. My guess is that he will be fine and will have a good season supported by newcomer Alex Auld, instead of being back-stabbed by Ray Emery. (And you thought I could get through this without mentioning his name!)
6. New York Rangers
A top-flight goaltender in Lundqvist but the departure of a pair of Czechs to the Russian league leaves a hole, and the attempts to repair it might have fallen short. The upside is that Gomez and Drury can take over this team, and play it their way.
Nigel Dawes will have a breakout season with fellow sophomore Brandon Dubunsky. They will also miss the agitation of Sean Avery—although Martin Brodeur is thanking his lucky Stars—and apparently the leadership of Brendan Shanahan.
The blue line is solid, and Wade Redden will be expected to return to his Team Canada-calibre form, not continue his course of the past two seasons.
7. Carolina Hurricanes
Another offseason is in the books, and this team is better than the one that played last year. If Rod Brind'Amour is healthy to start the season, I think he can singlehandedly will this club to the playoffs. Eric Staal, Ray Whitney, and a midseason return of Justin Williams will provide the offense, and the defense is adequate and has scoring potential.
The most intriguing story is that of Sergei Samsonov, who was left on the scrap heap but had a resurgence in Raleigh, averaging almost a point a game with the 'Canes over the final third of the season. Here's hoping that he can continue that production over a full season.
In goal, Cam Ward will be pushed by Michael Leighton, and the duo make a solid unit that can win some games, but might not be the most consistent in the conference.
8. Buffalo Sabres
This team is small, speedy, and can play a system. The players are so similar that they are almost "plug and play." They can play whatever roles are assigned to them and play it well.
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