I Got Tired of Season Previews so here's my predicted standings

West-Pacific            West- Central           East- Atlantic             East- Metropolitan
Anaheim                   Chicago                    Boston                       Pittsburgh
Vancouver                St. Louis                  Toronto                      Philadelphia
LA                           Minnesota                 Ottawa                      Islanders
San Jose (W)           Nashville                   Montreal (W)            Rangers (W)          
Edmonton (W)         Colorado                  Detroit                       Washington
Phoenix                    Winnipeg                  Buffalo                       New Jersey        
Calgary                    Dallas                        Tampa-Bay               Carolina
                                                                 Florida                      Blue Jackets

W denotes teams who are a wildcard

Stanley Cup Finals St. Louis Blues over the Toronto Maple Leafs

Okay, so I know what you're thinking. You think I'm crazy for taking the Leafs to the finals. Well who else would it be? Pittsburgh has some of their own problems to solve which will prevent them from going deep. Philly tanked last year and still doesn't have a legitimate number one goalie and the Rangers under performed last year so while the certainly have the talent to make a run I'm not sure they will. Boston just went to the finals and it's rare for a team to repeat and neither Ottawa or Montreal are ready, so that leaves Toronto. Their defense is a bit suspect, but they have scoring and they have goal tending and most importantly, they now have experience. I think they're ready. If it isn't them in the East it'll be the Rangers or another surprise team. The Islanders are turning into a force to be reckoned with in the East and will lock up a division playoff spot this year.

In the West St. Louis is also a very strong team with playoff experience, I expect them to win this year. Chicago is strong coming back from a Cup watch for them to win the West Central, but again, I don't expect a repeat. Minnesota is always in the running. In the West-Pacific there will be two wild card teams this year as I expect Edmonton to just edge out Nashville for the last playoff spot. It's the usual suspects at the top of the division as the California teams and Vancouver are all strong as before, but as usual Vancouver will be out in round one. The California teams all probably have a good chance at a deep playoff run this year and with Edmonton I don't expect a deep run as young as they are. You need experience. How deep they go will also depend a lot on who they get for a first round match up However, just getting into the playoffs for them this year would be good just to end their playoff drought, this will also prepare them for future runs.
                     
                                                                                                                         
                                             
                                                                                                                          Darren.