CENTRAL DIVISION
1. Tampa Bay Lightning (43-21-6)
The reigning champions still look absolutely frightening. Keep in mind they won the Stanley Cup with little postseason help from injured captain Steven Stamkos, who was one goal from his seventh 30-goal season last year.
2. Carolina Hurricanes (38-25-5)
The Hurricanes have an exciting young core headlined by center Sebastian Aho and right wing Andrei Svechnikov. The only question is their ceiling under the current goaltending tandem of Petr Mrazek and James Reimer.
3. Dallas Stars (37-24-8)
Last year’s Western Conference champions are bringing back almost the exact same roster from a year ago. Look for defenseman Miro Heiskanen to take a step forward after an incredible postseason.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets (33-22-15)
The Blue Jackets aren’t the most talented team, but they get results under coach John Tortorella. The team also has an outstanding young goaltending tandem in Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins.
5. Nashville Predators (35-26-8)
The Predators keep backsliding after their run to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final, and general manager David Poile did nothing to improve the team in the offseason. More is needed from highly paid forwards Matt Duchene, Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen.
6. Florida Panthers (35-26-8)
The Panthers had the NHL’S 26th-ranked save percentage last season despite sporting the highest-paid goaltender in Sergei Bobrovsky. They better hope that was a fluke; otherwise, it’s tough to see them keeping pace.
7. Chicago Blackhawks (32-30-8)
The Blackhawks are rebuilding. They will start the season with Colin Delia (3.65 career goals-against average) and former Golden Knight Malcolm Subban (2.97 career GAA) as their two main goaltenders.
8. Detroit Red Wings (17-49-5)
The Red Wings were abysmal last season and tried to at least add competent NHL players. It might not result in a lot more wins, but it should at least be a little easier on their fans’ eyes.