Get primed for the start of training camp

Trading for defenceman Dougie Hamilton and signing free agent winger Michael Frolik were two steps in the right direction and adding Sam Bennett, the fourth pick in the 2014 Draft, to young forwards Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau provides reason for optimism. MORE

The Edmonton Oilers have been perennial also-rans, picking first overall in four of the past six drafts, but winning the draft lottery this year and landing Connor McDavid could finally have them headed in the right direction. MORE

Carey Price isn't the only valuable player on the club, but on the whole, Montreal's skaters have to do a much better job controlling play if they are going to have a legitimate opportunity to win another Stanley Cup. MORE

The Senators were a great team down the stretch last season - not only relying on Andrew Hammond, but improving their puck possession. And that improvement is what they'll need to carry over if they are going to be in the playoff mix again. MORE

The Maple Leafs started down a rebuilding path last summer after hiring new team president Brendan Shanahan, but that was barely dipping a toe in the water. With Mike Babcock and Lou Lamoriello on board and Phil Kessel gone, this is the real start of a new era. MORE

The Vancouver Canucks were good enough to reach the playoffs last season, finishing with 101 points before getting bounced out of the first round by the Calgary Flames. And it's not likely that they are going to collapse to the point of being a downright bad team this season. MORE

Nikolaj Ehlers is the most highly-touted Jets prospect and leads a strong crop of young talent in consideration for roster spots. That's exciting, but leaves the Jets with an element of uncertainty heading into the season. MORE

With a roster that looks like it is set to win, Anaheim’s goaltending will be ever-important. And while they have lots of talent up front, it’s not necessarily going to be an easy shuffle. MORE

The anticipated prize of the 2016 Draft is Auston Matthews, a Scottsdale, Arizona native, and the way this team is currently constructed, the Coyotes will have an excellent chance to be in that lottery. MORE

With so many changes, who knows how the new Bruins will respond? They could get right back to the playoffs or last season’s playoff miss could be the start of a new streak. MORE

With Jack Eichel and other off-season additions, the Sabres should be significantly better. Not likely good enough to reach the playoffs, but leaps and bounds more competitive than they were last year. MORE

Since there are a lot of familiar faces up front, the Hurricanes will need Eric Staal, Jordan Staal and Jeff Skinner to have productive seasons in order to have a chance to contend for a playoff spot. MORE

As it looks right now, Colorado might need another spectacular season from Semyon Varlamov if they are going to be a playoff team once again. MORE

A healthy lineup and stable goaltending from Sergei Bobrovsky could have the Blue Jackets right back in postseason contention. MORE

The Dallas Stars snapped a five-year playoff drought in 2014 and should have continued their ascent last season, but it didn’t happen. Enter a handful of former Blackhawks. MORE

The Detroit Red Wings extended their streak of reaching the playoffs to 24 straight seasons, but Mike Babcock departed to Toronto. Enter Jeff Blashill.  MORE

It’s not easy to build a contender on a budget and, as it stands right now, the Panthers are probably going to need some favourable breaks in order to make the playoffs.  MORE

The Kings have enough talent on the roster to not only return to the playoffs, but be a Cup contender once again. But after last season, that can’t simply be assumed. MORE

A more potent offence, a strong defence and a healthy Rinne should be enough to send the Predators to the postseason again, but the Central Division is really competitive, so it could be a battle. MORE

It's a rebuilding process for the Devils and with the forwards in particular, it’s going to take some time to get appropriate talent in place. MORE

The Rangers need their young forwards to improve and handle bigger roles if the Rangers are going to take this all the way. MORE

After missing the playoffs for the second time in three seasons, the Flyers surprised many by hiring Dave Hakstol as head coach. MORE

Pittsburgh may need to upgrade on defence if they are going to be serious about a Stanley Cup run, but the talent they have in place does set them up to think seriously about that possibility. MORE

If Martin Jones is up to the task of handling a starter’s workload in goal, the Sharks could be right back in the playoff picture. MORE

Late last season and into the playoffs, the Blues turned to Jake Allen as their starter ahead of Brian Elliott and it figures to be Allen’s job going forward. MORE

There’s a reason that the Lightning didn’t make dramatic changes to their roster, and that is because they were close to winning it all with this group last season. Maybe this year, they finish the job. MORE

Bringing in playoff performer Justin Williams can’t hurt a franchise that has historically found ways to underachieve in the playoffs. MORE