Power Ranking Canada's NHL Teams Entering 2013-14 Season

Don't look now, but the first exhibition games of the 2013-14 NHL season are less than five weeks away.

After last year's endless summer, this one's already more than half finished. Most teams' rosters are getting close to being set.

We'll be seeing new divisional alignments this year, so let's imagine for a minute that there was a "Canadian Division." If all seven teams north of the border were matched up against each other, how would they rank?

Based on the movement we've seen so far, here's a look at how how things shake out so far.

No. 7: Calgary Flames

2012-13 Stats: 19-25-4, 42 pts, 25th overall

Departures: Alex Tanguay (LW), Jarome Iginla (RW), Roman Cervenka (C), Jay Bouwmeester (D), Steve Begin (C), Blake Comeau (RW), Cory Sarich (D), Brett Carson (D), Anton Babchuk (D), Leland Irving (G), Danny Taylor (G)

Additions: David Jones (RW), T.J. Galiardi (C), Shane O'Brien (D), Kris Russell (D)

Current Roster: 14 forwards, 7 defense, 3 goaltenders

Unsigned RFAS: none

Cap Space Available: $7.7 million

Last year's position among Canadian teams: 7th; Movement: none

Oh, Calgary. Will you ever change?

You've lost Iginla and Bouwmeester. Miikka Kiprusoff is almost certainly retiring. Even the weather gods conspired against you when they flooded the Saddledome in July.

You're looking to bring your young players along this year, but David Jones and T.J. Galiardi won't be enough to get your offense out of the doldrums. Best case scenario, the youngsters will get a lot of ice time to learn and develop, but you're not going anywhere in the standings.

Look for Calgary to finish 25th again, with 80 points through a full season.

No. 6: Ottawa Senators

2012-13 Stats: 25-17-6, 56 pts, 14th overall

Departures: Sergei Gonchar (D), Daniel Alfredsson (RW), Jakob Silfverberg (RW), Guillaume Latendresse (LW), Andre Benoit (D), Kaspars Daugavins (LW), Peter Regin (C), Mike Lundin (D), Ben Bishop (G)

Additions: Bobby Ryan (RW), Clarke MacArthur (LW),

Current Roster: 14 forwards, 6 defense, 2 goaltenders

Unsigned RFAS: Jared Cowen

Cap Space Available: $11.3 million

Last year's position among Canadian teams: 4th; Movement: Down 2

The additions of Bobby Ryan and Clarke MacArthur will not make up for the loss of Ottawa's two best players. At age 39 and 40, Sergei Gonchar and Daniel Alfredsson formed the foundation that allowed the young Sens to step up last year as the team faced its rash of injuries. Both will be sorely missed, especially in terms of leadership.

Ottawa still has top-flight goaltender Craig Anderson, and Erik Karlsson should be back to his old self after a full summer to heal from his Achilles injury. Unlike most teams, Ottawa is still well under the salary cap and could make some solid additions heading into training camp. Based on the current roster, don't expect the Sens to match their unlikely achievement of 2012-13.

The playoff bubble will be a best-case scenario for Ottawa this year. Look for an 18th-place finish, around 88 points.

No. 5: Edmonton Oilers

2012-13 Stats: 19-22-7, 45 pts, 25th overall

Departures: Ralph Krueger (coach), Magnus Paajarvi (LW), Ryan Whitney (D), Shawn Horcoff (C), Lennart Petrell (LW), Mark Fistric (D), Teemu Hartikainen (LW), Eric Belanger (C), Jerred Smithson (C), Chris VandeVelde (C), Theo Peckham (D), Nikolai Khabibulin (G)

Additions: Dallas Eakins (coach), David Perron (LW), Boyd Gordon (RW), Jesse Joensuu (LW), Andrew Ference (D), Anton Belov (D), Denis Grebeshkov (D), Philip Larsen (D), Jason LaBarbera (G), Ryan Hamilton (LW)

Current Roster: 13 forwards, 9 defense, 2 goaltenders

Unsigned RFAS: none

Cap Space Available: $1.3 million

Last year's position among Canadian teams: 6th; Movement: Up 1

The Edmonton Oilers have moved a lot of parts this offseason, most notably replacing head coach Ralph Krueger with the much sought-after Dallas Eakins. The new boss built a strong reputation as a teacher during this time with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, so he could be the perfect fit to bring along Edmonton's talented group of young guns.

As always, Edmonton's question marks lie behind the blue line and in net. Devan Dubnyk will get another year to evolve into a true No. 1 goaltender, but the Oilers have made some shrewd moves to try to shore up the defense. Andrew Ference is a steady veteran, Anton Belov was regarded as the best defenseman in the KHL before signing with the Oilers and young Philip Larsen was a nice acquisition from Dallas in the Shawn Horcoff deal.

Expect the Oilers to be noticeably improved this year, knocking on the playoff door right to the end. Let's call them 17th, for about 90 points.

No. 4: Winnipeg Jets

2012-13 Stats: 24-21-3, 51 pts, 18th overall

Departures: Nik Antropov (C), Kyle Wellwood (C), Ron Hainsey (D), Antti Miettinen (RW), Aaron Gagnon (C), Alexei Ponikarovsky (LW), Derek Meech (D/LW), Mike Santorelli (C), Alexander Burmistrov (C)

Additions: Devin Setoguchi (RW), Michael Frolik (RW), Jacob Trouba (D)

Current Roster: 13 forwards, 8 defense, 2 goaltenders

Unsigned RFAS: none

Cap Space Available: $2.3 million

Last year's position among Canadian teams: 5th;  Movement: Up 1

With their move to the Western Conference, expect the Winnipeg Jets to finally make the jump into the playoff picture. The team is maturing and with the exception of Alex Burmistrov, who signed in the KHL, they've re-signed their best young players.

The third season should be the charm for the Jets. Expect a 15th place finish, around 91 points.

No. 3: Vancouver Canucks

2012-13 Stats: 26-15-7, 59 pts, 8th overall

Departures: Alain Vigneault (coach), Cory Schneider (G), Mason Raymond (LW), Derek Roy (C), Andrew Ebbertt (C), Keith Ballard (D), Cam Barker (D), Ander Alberts (D), Steve Pinnizzotto (C), Manny Malhotra (C)

Additions: John Tortorella (coach), Brad Richardson (C/LW), Yannick Weber (D), Mike Santorelli (C)

Current Roster: 12 forwards, 6 defense, 2 goaltenders

Unsigned RFAS: Chris Tanev (D)

Cap Space Available: $4.3 million

Last year's position among Canadian teams: 2nd; Movement: Down 1

The Vancouver Canucks are no longer the Presidents' Trophy winners who perch atop the league standings. They slipped back to eighth overall last year, and they could slide further this year.

A lot will depend on whether new head coach John Tortorella can light a fire under Vancouver's established group of core veterans, igniting the offense and the power play. The rest will depend on Roberto Luongo. With Cory Schneider gone, the crease is Luongo's once again and he'll remain the center of attention.

When all is said and done, look for the Canucks to slip again this year. We could also see some surprising personnel moves before season's end. Look for about 93 points for Vancouver and 14th place, just enough to make the playoffs.

No. 2: Toronto Maple Leafs

2012-13 Stats: 26-17-5, 57 pts, 9th overall

Departures: Clarke MacArthur (LW), Mikhail Grabovski (C), Matt Frattin (RW), Mike Kostka (D), Ryan O'Byrne (D), Ryan Hamilton (LW), David Steckel (C), Mike Brown (RW), Mike Komisarek (D), Ben Scrivens (G), Leo Komarov (C)

Additions: David Clarkson (RW), David Bolland (C), Paul Ranger (D), Jonathan Bernier (G)

Current Roster: 12 forwards, 7 defense, 2 goaltenders

Unsigned RFAS: Nazem Kadri, Cody Franson

Cap Space Available: $4.9 million

Last year's position among Canadian teams: 3rd; Movement: Up 1

2012-13 was a year of tremendous growth for the Toronto Maple Leafs. After missing the playoffs for a decade, they stormed back into the race and almost grabbed the first round from the Boston Bruins.

The Leafs have added some ruggedness up front this summer in David Clarkson and Dave Bolland, but their most important acquisition is likely Jonathan Bernier. The former Los Angeles backup has sparkled when he's played, and has been itching for a chance to be No. 1.

He'll have to fight it out with James Reimer, which should lead to improved overall numbers in net for Toronto.

Assuming that Nazem Kadri and Cody Franson are signed by training camp, look for the Leafs to have another solid regular season and jump the Canucks in the "Canadian Division."

No. 1: Montreal Canadiens

2012-13 Stats: 29-14-5, 63 pts, 4th overall

Departures: Michael Ryder (RW), Erik Cole (LW), Colby Armstrong (RW), Tomas Kaberle (D), Jeff Halpern (C), Yannick Weber (D)

Additions: Danny Briere (C)

Current Roster: 13 forwards, 8 defense, 2 goaltenders

Unsigned RFAS: none

Cap Space Available: $3.4 million

Last year's position among Canadian teams: 1st; Movement: none

The Montreal Canadiens' roster is basically set, and will look a lot like last year's team. The question is, was last year's team the one that blew everyone out of the water in the regular season, or the one that imploded in the playoffs?

The answer is likely to lie somewhere in the middle. With an eye towards an improved postseason, the Habs might not feast in 2013-14 like they did last year. Look for about 100 points, still good for top-10 positioning in the league.

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