NHL Preview.

There are no great teams in the NHL anymore just very good ones. With that in mind my preview will outline my picks for where each team will finish in their conference and whether they rank from really good to really bad. And their will be some random comments where I feel like it.

Eastern Conference

1. New York Rangers 110 points

Very Good. Chris Gomez was a great pickup but Chris Drury is going to put them in the Cup Final

2. Pittsburgh Penguins 108 points

Very Good. Easily the most exciting team in the league. A weak defense will cost them in the playoffs.

3. Ottawa Senators 106 points

Very Good. I don't see much drop off from last year but I don't see that much improvement either. The Rangers and Pens will both be improved enough to ensure the Sens don't go back to the Finals.

4. Florida Panthers 102 points

Good. The Panthers get to beat on a terrible division all year.

5. Buffalo Sabres 98 points

Good. Still have enough to be good and this conference sucks.

6. New Jersey 92 points

Average. Marty Brodeur is the only thing keeping them in the playoffs. This team is finally going to fall back to the pack.

7. Carolina Hurricanes 92 points

Average. They can't be as bad as last year can they?

8. Toronto Maple Leafs 91 points

Average. Jason Blake will add enough offense to get them back to the playoffs. Where they will get swept in the 1st round.

9. Montreal Canadiens 90 points

Average. Won't score enough goals.

10. New York Islanders 85 points

Average.

11. Philadelphia Flyers 80 points

Bad. Will rebound and Daniel Briere should have a big year but they are still a year away from the playoffs.

12. Boston Bruins 80 points

Bad. Does anyone in Boston even care?

13. Tampa Bay Lightning 78 points

Bad. Have three great scorers and awful defense and goaltending.

14. Washington Capitals 70 points.

Really Bad. At least Ovechkin is fun to watch.

15. Atlanta Thrashers 65 points.

Really Bad.

Western Conference

1. San Jose Sharks 115 points

Really Good. Should have a great regular season and flame out in the playoffs again. Too much underachieving lately to make me think otherwise. And what the hell did they bring in Roenick for? The guy is a proven loser.

2. Anaheim Ducks 112 points

Really Good. Even if Scott Neidermayer doesn't come back they are still loaded.

3. Detroit Red Wings 110 points

Really Good. Will also flame out in the playoffs.

4. Minnesota Wild 108 points

Really Good. Fast and fun to watch.

5. Vancouver Canucks 105 points

Good. Roberto Luongo is now the best goalie in the league but will need help from the Bobbsy twins in the playoffs.

6. Colorado Avalanche 102 points

Good. Young guys like Paul Stastny plus Ryan Smyth alongside Joe Sakic puts them back in the playoffs.

7. Calgary Flames 98 points

Good. Does anybody really think Mike Keenan won't fuck this up? There is no way Kipper and Iginla will put up with him all year.

8. Chicago Blackhawks 95 points

Good. This team is going to surprise everyone and Havlat will have a huge year.

9. Dallas Stars 92 points

Average. Very boring.

10. Nashville Predators 90 points

Average. Too much turmoil and overachieved last year.

11. St. Louis Blues 85 points

Average. Starting to show some signs of life.

12. Columbus Blue Jackets 74 points

Really Bad. Not a chance in this conference

13. Los Angeles Kings 69 points

Really Bad.

14. Edmonton Oilers 68 points

Really Bad. When you can't get anyone to play in your city you know you are in deep shit.

15. Phoenix Coyotes 58 points

Absolutely Terrible. Gretzky must wonder why he ever got involved with this team. They are going to be completely hopeless this year.

Stanley Cup: Anaheim over the Rangers
MVP: Sid the Kid
Vezina: Luongo
Scoring Leader: Crosby