Predicting the Final Records for Every NHL Team in 2011-2012

The NHL season is just over a week away, and the season promises to be as exciting as ever. The Boston Bruins will try to defend their Stanley Cup championship for the first time since the 1972-73 season, while several other quality teams attempt to knock them off.

The San Jose Sharks and Washington Capitals made some bold offseason moves to improve on disappointing playoff performances last season, and the Pittsburgh Penguins will get superstar center Evgeni Malkin back from knee surgery.

Every season there are surprise teams that impress, and those who inexplicably disappoint.

Let's predict the final records of every team in the NHL for the 2011-12 regular season.

Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins featured columnist for Bleacher Report and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston. Follow him on Twitter for Bruins and NHL news and analysis. Follow @NicholasGoss35

Eastern Conference: Atlantic Division

The Atlantic division may be the most competitive division in the NHL. Every team could make the playoffs if health isn't a major issue. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh tied with 106 points last season, and the Flyers won on a tiebreaker.

2011-12 Atlantic Division Prediction

Team	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS
Pittsburgh Penguins*	82	52	22	8	112
Philadelphia Flyers*	82	45	29	8	98
New York Rangers*	82	45	31	6	96
New York Islanders	82	36	30	16	88
New Jersey Devils	82	38	35	9	85

The Pittsburgh Penguins tallied 106 points last season without Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby for much of the season, and with at least Malkin back and no major offseason departures, the Penguins will improve this season and take the division.

The Flyers will be better in the playoffs with star goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, but they lost too much offense in the summer with the departures of Jeff Carter and Mike Richards to accumulate 106 points again.

The New York Rangers will be better as well, especially with the addition of free-agent center Brad Richards. However, health will be a major wild card for the Rangers. If Marian Gaborik, Ryan Callahan and Marc Stall have trouble staying healthy the Rangers will suffer.

The New York Islanders are building a very good young team, and if healthy they could make the playoffs. The goaltending situation is the wild card, but this team is definitely on the rise.

The New Jersey Devils disappointed last year, but with star forward Zach Parise back from injury, they will be better. In net, however, when will the Devils find Martin Brodeur's replacement? If the Devils are out of the race by the trade deadline, do they trade him to a Canadian team so he can finish his career at home?

* Denotes playoff team

Eastern Conference: Northeast Division

The Northeast division is very competitive as well, and includes the defending champion Boston Bruins. The Bruins won the division with 103 points last season, and the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres tied for second place with 96. Will the Toronto Maple Leafs finally make the playoffs this season?

2011-12 Northeast Division Prediction

Team	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS
Boston Bruins*	82	47	23	12	106
Buffalo Sabres*	82	46	24	12	104
Toronto Maple Leafs	82	39	30	13	91
Montreal Canadiens	82	39	33	10	88
Ottawa Senators	82	31	42	9	71

The Boston Bruins did not lose anyone major this offseason, and the addition of Joe Corvo will be an upgrade over Tomas Kaberle on defense. Young forwards Tyler Seguin and Brad Marchand could become stars this season. Meanwhile, the Bruins have the best goaltending combo in the NHL with Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask.

The Buffalo Sabres added defenseman Christian Ehrhoff and forward Ville Leino this summer, which will help tremendously. Ryan Miller will once again be an elite goalie, and if the Sabres can stay healthy they will see their win total improve. The Sabres' goal will be to get out of the first round after two consecutive early exits to the Bruins and Flyers.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have built a nice roster full of depth, and finally have a good No. 1 center if Tim Connolly can stay healthy. The Leafs will be much better this season, but they won't make the playoffs.

The Montreal Canadiens lack size and don't have enough talent on defense. Carey Price is an elite goaltender but is forced to play too many games. Scott Gomez has to produce on offense this season or his contract has to be moved at any cost.

The Ottawa Senators had plenty of money to spend this summer but did not, and didn't make any significant additions to one of the East's worst teams last season. It's going to be another long year in Canada's capital.

* Denotes playoff team

Eastern Conference: Southeast Division

The Southeast division includes many people's pick to win the 2012 Stanley Cup, the Washington Capitals. The Tampa Bay Lightning are a very good team though, and swept the Capitals in the second round of the playoffs last year. Will the addition of goalie Tomas Vokoun be the final piece of the Capitals' Stanley Cup puzzle?

2011-12 Southeast Division Predictions

Team	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS
Washington Capitals*	82	49	21	12	110
Tampa Bay Lightning*	82	44	27	11	99
Carolina Hurricanes*	82	41	29	12	94
Winnipeg Jets	82	34	35	13	81
Florida Panthers	82	32	38	12	76

The Washington Capitals will be better than last season now that they have a real No. 1 goalie in Tomas Vokoun. Alexander Ovechkin should become a better defensive player as well. But as always, the success of this team will be determined in the playoffs.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are hoping to get clutch goaltending again, which isn't a guarantee. Steven Stamkos will get back to 50 goals scored, but will Martin St. Louis finally show his age?

The Carolina Hurricanes are hoping 2011 Calder Trophy winner Jeff Skinner avoids a sophomore slump, as he and top center Eric Stall lead the offense. The addition of Tomas Kaberle and the re-signing of Joni Pitkanen were good defensive moves this summer.

The Winnipeg Jets will sell out and bring excitement to the city of Winnipeg, but the team won't produce. Evander Kane still hasn't shown us he will be a superstar, and their defense is pretty weak.

The Florida Panthers made a number of signings this summer, but most were overpaid. They will help a bit, but it will be another long season in South Florida.

* Denotes playoff team

Western Conference: Central Division

The Central division is very deep, and every team has a legitimate shot at the playoffs.The Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks will be elite teams, and if the St. Louis Blues are healthy they could make the playoffs. Detroit won the division with 104 points last season.

2011-12 Central Division Predictions

Team	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS
Detroit Red Wings*	82	48	23	11	107
Chicago Blackhawks*	82	45	27	10	100
Nashville Predators*	82	42	30	10	94
Columbus Blue Jackets*	82	38	29	15	91
St. Louis Blues	82	38	33	11	87

The Detroit Red Wings have too much talent to not win this division, and does anyone think Nicklas Lidstrom's production will decline in what could be his final chance at another Stanley Cup title? I don't think so.

The Chicago Blackhawks will be better than last season, and the increased depth is a reason why. Patrick Kane will bounce back from a semi-disappointing season, and Jonathan Toews will be a Hart Trophy candidate. Young goalie Corey Crawford is the next goaltending star in hockey.

The Nashville Predators won't be as good as last season. Shea Weber and possible trade scenarios will consume the team, and there's no guarantee Pekka Rinne will have another Vezina finalist season. There's not enough offense in Nashville to power them past Chicago in the division.

The Columbus Blue Jackets added two stars this summer: center Jeff Carter via trade and defenseman James Wisniewski through free agency. For Columbus, success rides on the shoulders of goaltender Steve Mason, who needs to play to his potential for the Blue Jackets to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2008-09.

The St. Louis Blues have been riddled with injuries recently, and Jaroslav Halak hasn't been too impressive in goal. The Blues don't have enough defense to contend in this division, and there are too many health worries on offense.

* Denotes playoff team

Western Conference: Northwest Division

The Vancouver Canucks won this division easily last season with 117 points, and advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals where they lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games. They were also the only team in this division to make the playoffs last year. The Calgary Flames finished second with 94 points.

2011-12 Northwest Division Predictions

Team	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS
Vancouver Canucks*	82	51	23	8	110
Minnesota Wild	82	39	33	10	88
Calgary Flames	82	38	33	11	87
Colorado Avalanche	82	34	39	9	77
Edmonton Oilers	82	27	41	14	68

The Vancouver Canucks will easily win this division, although there could be a Stanley Cup hangover. The Canucks are too good offensively to not win this division, especially when they have the past two scoring champs in Henrik and Daniel Sedin. Roberto Luongo must put his finals nightmare behind him if the Canucks will be successful this season.

The Minnesota Wild acquired Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi in multiple trades with the San Jose Sharks this summer, which will help their offense greatly. They did however lose defenseman Brent Burns to the Sharks via trade, and they did not fill his spot on the blue line well. Defense and goaltending will be the difference for the Wild this season.

The Calgary Flames might enter a rebuilding mode this season, and Jarome Iginla may finally be traded to a Stanley Cup contender. Miikka Kiprusoff could be on the move as well. The Flames aren't going to make the playoffs.

The Colorado Avalanche are a young team with lots of talent, but they won't make a run at the playoffs this season. Goaltending is a big question mark for the Avs, and developing their young talent will be goal No. 1 this season.

The Edmonton Oilers are another talented young team that won't quite compete this season. First overall picks Taylor Hall of 2010 and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of 2011 will be very good for the Oilers, who must find a consistent goaltender.

* Denotes playoff team

Western Conference: Pacific Division

The Pacific division is typically dominated by the San Jose Sharks, who are a great regular-season club, but always falter in the playoffs. The Sharks made some good moves this offseason to make another run at the Cup. The Phoenix Coyotes could be one of the worst teams in the West after losing star goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, who they relied on so much, to the Flyers via free agency. All in all, this is a very deep division with several talented teams.

2011-12 Pacific Division Predictions

Team	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS
San Jose Sharks*	82	51	21	10	112
Anaheim Ducks*	82	49	25	8	106
Los Angeles Kings*	82	47	29	6	100
Dallas Stars	82	39	32	11	89
Phoenix Coyotes	82	38	32	12	88

The San Jose Sharks will win this division, but it will be closer than you might expect. The additions of Martin Havlat and Brent Burns will help a lot, and the Sharks have good goaltending as well. Their success, like the Capitals, will be entirely based on their playoff performance.

The Anaheim Ducks will be better this season with the healthy return of goaltender Jonas Hiller, and the continued development of young players such as Bobby Ryan and last year's MVP, Corey Perry. The Ducks are a legitimate Cup contender.

The Los Angeles Kings will be better with Mike Richards in the fold, but they must re-sign restricted free-agent Drew Doughty. He is still unsigned and is crucial to their success.

The Dallas Stars lost Brad Richards this offseason, but will not suffer too many points as a result. They are hoping former Bruins winger Michael Ryder can be a consistent player for them. Their top line is still solid, even with the loss of Richards.

The Phoenix Coyotes are an aging team that lost star goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov in free agency this summer. The Coyotes relied so heavily on him to be successful, and without him will suffer. Phoenix doesn't have a ton of offensive firepower either.

* Denotes playoff team

Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins featured columnist for Bleacher Report and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston. Follow him on Twitter for Bruins and NHL news and analysis. Follow @NicholasGoss35