2011 NHL Predictions: 3 Revamped Teams with Stanley Cup Dreams

That’s right, the 2011-2012 NHL season is coming fast, and the excitement around the hockey community is on the rise.

After a wild playoff stretch that saw some of the wildest games in playoff history, the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup and will look to defend it against the best in the league.

While Boston will be ready with most of the same pieces in place, the Bruins will have much more competition with the rebuilding of many storied franchises.

These revamping processes have made bad teams great and great teams Stanley Cup contenders. These are the teams that will have the inside lane to the 2011-2012 championship:

Philadelphia Flyers—No team went harder at the offseason than the Philadelphia Flyers, and they took their early exit from the playoffs more seriously than anyone had anticipated.

After trading captain Mike Richards and star goal-scorer Jeff Carter for prospects and picks, the Flyers attacked the free agency pool by signing goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, scorer Jaromir Jagr and tough guy Max Talbot.

New York Rangers—The New York Rangers made their biggest splash with the addition of prize free agent Brad Richards, but their team has an amazing mix of young player that have matured together.

With young stars like Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky and Marc Staal playing alongside veteran scorer Marian Gaborik, the young Rangers will be a serious contender in the Eastern conference. Having Henrik Lundqvist in net doesn’t hurt either.

Los Angeles Kings—The Los Angeles Kings are returning most of their players from last season, but one key addition will be former Philadelphia Flyers captain Mike Richards.

With offensive stars like Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown and defensive juggernauts Jack Johnson and Drew Doughty all being in their early-to-mid 20s, not only will this year be a chance for the Kings to win the Stanley Cup, the next few years will be.

Check back for more on the NHL as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Hockey Page to get your fill of the NHL.

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