Listed in order of predicted finish:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

ATLANTIC DIVISION

PENGUINS

Coach: Michel Therrien.

General Manager: Ray Shero.

2007-08 record: 47-27-8.

Key newcomers: RW Miroslav Satan, LW Janne Pesonen, LW Ruslan Fedotenko, RW Matt Cooke, RW Eric Godard, RW Bill Thomas, LW Paul Bissonnette.

Key departures: RW Marian Hossa, LW Ryan Malone, LW Jarkko Ruutu, RW Georges Laraque, C Adam Hall, G Ty Conklin, LW Gary Roberts.

Overview: Opening the season in Sweden and without defensemen Sergei Gonchar and Ryan Whitney could make it tough to get a strong start, but there is enough talent to make winning another Atlantic title a reasonable objective, though hardly a certainty.

PHILADELPHIA

Coach: John Stevens.

General Manager: Paul Holmgren.

2007-08 record: 42-29-11.

Key newcomers: RW Arron(cq) Asham, D Steve Eminger, C Glen Metropolit, RW Claude Giroux, F Jean-Sebastien Aubin.

Key departures: C R.J. Umberger, D Jason Smith, C Ryan Potulny, D Rory Fitzpatrick, D Denis Gauthier, LW Vaclav Prospal, C Jim Dowd, D Jaroslav Modry.

Overview: If the Penguins stumble -- and if Simon Gagne can avoid a recurrence of his concussion issues -- Philadelphia has the balance and depth to claim a division championship, although the salary cap-related losses of players like Umberger and Smith will hurt.

NEW JERSEY

Coach: Brent Sutter.

General Manager: Lou Lamoriello.

2007-08 record: 46-29-7.

Key newcomers: C Brian Rolston, C Bobby Holik.

Key departures: RW Arron Asham, D Vitaly Vishnevski.

Overview: The combination of future Hall of Fame G Martin Brodeur, New Jersey's customary commitment to team defense and a somewhat upgraded offense should get the Devils into the playoffs again.

NEW YORK RANGERS

Coach: Tom Renney.

General Manager: Glen Sather.

2007-08 record: 42-27-13.

Key newcomers: LW Markus Naslund, D Wade Redden, RW Nikolai Zherdev, C Dan Fritsche, LW Patrick Rismiller, D Dmitri Kalinin.

Key departures: RW Jaromir Jagr, LW Martin Straka, LW Brendan Shanahan, LW Sean Avery, D Fedor Tyutin, D Christian Backman, D Jason Strudwick, LW Ryan Hollweg, D Andrew Hutchinson, D Thomas Pock.

Overview: If players like Naslund, Redden and Zherdev respond well to a change of scenery, New York's lackluster offense could be rejuvenated, minimizing the negative impact of massive roster turnover on a club with excellent goaltending and tenacious defense.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Coach: Scott Gordon.

General Manager: Garth Snow.

2007-08 record: 35-38-9.

Key newcomers: D Mark Streit, C Doug Weight, D Thomas Pock, G Yann Danis.

Key departures: RW Miroslav Satan, LW Ruslan Fedotenko, D Rob Davison, C Josef Vasicek.

Overview: Some observers believe this will be an absolutely wretched winter on the Island. Others aren't nearly that optimistic, but at least the Islanders shouldn't have to worry about living up to overblown expectations.

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NORTHEAST DIVISION

MONTREAL

Coach: Guy Carbonneau.

General Manager: Bob Gainey.

2007-08 record: 47-25-10.

Key newcomers: C Robert Lang, LW Alex Tanguay, G Marc Denis, RW Georges Laraque.

Key departures: C Corey Locke, C Mikhail Grabovski, D Mark Streit, RW Michael Ryder.

Overview: While there still are questions about the Canadiens' overall grit and toughness, they have excellent speed and skill and a power play that can be devastating, although Streit's departure could hurt it.

BOSTON

Coach: Claude Julien.

General Manager: Peter Chiarelli.

2007-08 record: 41-29-12.

Key newcomers: RW Michael Ryder, RW Blake Wheeler, C Stephane Yelle.

Key departures: RW Glen Murray, G Alex Auld, C Glen Metropolit.

Overview: If C Patrice Bergeron rebounds from a serious concussion and Ryder can regain the scoring touch he showed in Montreal a few years ago, Boston's ability to generate goals will be dramatically upgraded, and the improvement will show in the standings.

OTTAWA

Coach: Craig Hartsburg.

General Manager: Bryan Murray.

2007-08 record: 43-31-8.

Key newcomers: LW Jarkko Ruutu, G Alex Auld, D Jason Smith, D Filip Kuba, D Alexandre Picard.

Key departures: D Wade Redden, D Andrej Meszaros, G Ray Emery, D Mike Commodore, LW Cory Stillman, RW Brian McGrattan.

Overview: Murray made numerous moves during the offseason, beginning with the hiring of Hartsburg, to change the Senators' culture. That things will be different is certain; whether they actually will be better might not be known for a while.

BUFFALO

Coach: Lindy Ruff.

General Manager: Darcy Regier.

2007-08 record: 39-31-12.

Key newcomers: D Craig Rivet, G Patrick Lalime, C Nathan Gerbe.

Key departures: RW Steve Bernier, D Nolan Pratt, G Jocelyn Thibault, D Dmitri Kalinin.

Overview: Generating even-strength goals shouldn't be a problem, but the power play will suffer if a quarterback to fill Brian Campbell's old spot isn't found. If goalie Ryan Miller lives up to his new contract, the Sabres could slip back into the playoffs.

TORONTO

Coach: Ron Wilson.

General Manager: Cliff Fletcher.

2007-08 record: 36-35-11.

Key newcomers: G Curtis Joseph, RW Jamal Mayers, LW Niklas Hagman, D Mikhail Grabovski, LW Nikolai Kulemin, LW Ryan Hollweg, D Mike Van Ryn, D Jonas Frogren, D Jeff Finger, D Luke Schenn.

Key departures: C Mats Sundin, D Bryan McCabe, LW Darcy Tucker, G Andrew Raycroft, C Kyle Wellwood, LW Chad Kilger.

Overview: With so much parity in the league and so many variables at play, it's difficult to make almost any prediction with confidence. Except for one about the Maple Leafs settling to the bottom of the Northeast.

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SOUTHEAST DIVISION

WASHINGTON

Coach: Bruce Boudreau.

General Manager: George McPhee.

2007-08 record: 41-31-8.

Key newcomers: G Jose Theodore, D Karl Alzner, C Keith Aucoin, RW Graham Mink.

Key departures: RW Matt Cooke, G Cristobal Huet, G Olaf Kolzig, D Steve Eminger.

Overview: LW Akex Ovechkin, the NHL's defending MVP, headlines a collection of superb young talent that should be a force in the league for years. How the Capitals fare this season, though, likely will be determined by what they get from Theodore.

CAROLINA

Coach: Peter Laviolette.

General Manager: Jim Rutherford.

2007-08 record: 43-33-6.

Key newcomers: D Joni Pitkanen, C Brandon Sutter, D Josef Melichar, D Anton Babchuk.

Key departures: LW Erik Cole, D Bret Hedican, LW Darcy Hordichuk, D Glen Wesley, C Keith Aucoin.

Overview: The Hurricanes have become the first team in NHL history to miss the playoffs two years in a row immediately after winning a Stanley Cup, but that streak could end this season if Carolina's overhauled defense corps jells. If it doesn't, Laviolette probably will be out of a job.

TAMPA BAY

Coach: Barry Melrose.

General Manager: Brian Lawton.

2007-08 record: 31-42-9.

Key newcomers: LW Ryan Malone, C Steven Stamkos, LW Gary Roberts, RW Mark Recchi, D Matt Carle, LW Vaclav Prospal, LW Janne Niskala, G Olaf Kolzig, C Adam Hall, RW Radim Vrbata, RW Evgeny Artyukhin.

Key departures: D Dan Boyle, LW Andre Roy, C Nick Tarnasky, D Doug Janik, G Marc Denis, D Brad Lukowich, LW Craig MacDonald.

Overview: Although the Lightning's new owners might be impulsive and guilty of some questionable decisions, no one can accuse them of allowing a bad team to get worse. A suspect defense corps still might keep Tampa Bay out of the playoffs, however.

FLORIDA

Coach: Peter DeBoer.

General Manager: Jacques Martin.

2007-08 record: 38-35-9.

Key newcomers: D Keith Ballard, D Nick Boynton, LW Cory Stillman, D Rory Fitzpatrick, C Shawn Matthias, RW Michael Frolik.

Key departures: C Olli Jokinen, D Steve Montador, C Garth Murray.

Overview: Florida has been bad enough for long enough that it has accumulated some very good young talent. If the likes of Jay Bouwmeester, Stephen Weiss and Nathan Horton ever realize their potential, the playoff drought that's lasted for nearly a decade will end.

ATLANTA

Coach: John Anderson.

General Manager: Don Waddell.

2007-08 record: 34-40-8.

Key newcomers: D Mathieu Schneider, D Ron Hainsey, C Jason Williams, C Marty Reasoner, D Sach Bogosian.

Key departures: D Ken Klee, LW Brad Larsen, D Alexei Zhitnik, RW Mark Recchi, C Bobby Holik.

Overview: The last time Atlanta faced a disaster like this, General Sherman was coaching the visitors. If the Thrashers aren't eliminated from serious playoff contention by next weekend, Anderson should receive the coach of the year award by acclamation.

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WESTERN CONFERENCE

CENTRAL DIVISION

DETROIT RED WINGS

Coach: Mike Babcock.

General Manager: Ken Holland.

2007-08 record: 54-21-7.

Key newcomers: RW Marian Hossa, G Ty Conklin, RW Darren Haydar.

Key departures: G Dominik Hossa, LW Dallas Drake, C Mark Cullen.

Overview: Hossa signed with the Red Wings because he feels they have the best chance to win the Stanley Cup. Even though there hasn't been a repeat winner in a decade, Detroit's skill, depth and defensive commitment make it hard to argue with his logic.

CHICAGO

Coach: Denis Savard.

General Manager: Dale Tallon.

2007-08 record: 40-34-8.

Key newcomers: D Brian Campbell, G Cristobal Huet, C Tim Brent, D Doug Janik, RW Akim Aliu.

Key departures: C Robert Lang, C Kevyn(cq) Adams, C Yanic Perreault, C Jason Williams, G Patrick Lalime, LW Rene Bourque.

Overview: After years as the NHL's leading tragicomedy -- and being a non-entity in their market -- the Blackhawks have a talented, exciting nucleus of young players that has invigorated the fan base and earned the respect of opponents. The Blackhawks matter again, in every way.

NASHVILLE

Coach: Barry Trotz.

General Manager: David Poile.

2007-08 record: 41-32-9.

Key newcomers: LW Josh Gratton, LW Triston Grant, RW Patric Hornqvist,

LW Alexander Radulov, G Pekka Rinne, Nick Tarnasky.

Key departures: D Marek Zidlicky, LW Darcy Hordichuk, G Chris Mason, LW Martin Gelinas, D Alex Henry, G Chris Mason, D Janne Niskala, RW Brandon Bochenski, LW Jan Hlavac.

Overview: The Predators survived considerable off-ice turmoil and fiscal problems last season, and had another chaotic summer. They don't have the money to keep all the players they'd like to, but Trotz's insistence on relentless defense keeps Nashville competitive.

COLUMBUS

Coach: Ken Hitchcock.

General Manager: Scott Howson.

2007-08 record: 34-36-12.

Key newcomers: RW Nikita Filatov, C Jakub Yoracek, C Derick Brassard, D Mike Commodore, RW Kristian Huselius, C R.J. Umberger, LW Raffi Torres, D Fedor Tyutin, D Christian Backman.

Key departures: RW Nikolai Zherdev, C Gilbert Brule, C Dan Fritsche, D Ron Hainsey.

Overview: The Blue Jackets seem poised for a breakout season every fall and every spring, they head home at the end of the regular season. Although Howson gave the team a major makeover during the offseason and Hitchcock teams are stingy defensively, a playoff appearance probably is too much to expect.

ST. LOUIS

Coach: Andy Murray.

General Manager: Larry Pleau.

2007-08 record: 33-36-13.

Key newcomers: G Chris Mason, RW Brad Winchester, D Andy Wozniewski, D

Mike Weaver, C Patrik Berglund, RW T.J. Oshie.

Key departures: RW Jamal Mayers, C Petr Cajanek, D Matt Walker, C Ryan Johnson

Overview: Losing D Erik Johnson for the season because of a freak knee injury was a vile portent for a franchise that has benefited from strong front-office leadership during the past year or so, but still doesn't figure to be a significant force for another year or so.

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NORTHWEST DIVISION

CALGARY

Coach: Mike Keenan.

General Manager: Darryl Sutter.

2007-08 record: 42-30-10.

Key newcomers: LW Mike Cammalleri, LW Todd Bertuzzi, RW Rene Bourque, LW Andre Roy, D Jim Vandermeer, C Mikael Backlund.

Key departures: LW Alex Tanguay, C Stephane Yelle, LW Kristian Huselius, RW Eric Godard, D David Hale, RW Owen Nolan, G Curtis Joseph, C Stephane Yelle.

Overview: Lack of secondary scoring could be major problem, although a line featuring Daymond Langkow between Cammalleri and Jarome Iginla should provide a steady source of goals. Keenan's grating style tends to have a limited shelf-life, too.

MINNESOTA

Coach: Jacques Lemaire.

General Manager: Doug Risebrough.

2007-08 record: 44-28-10.

Key newcomers: RW Owen Nolan, D Marc-Andre Bergeron, D Marek Zidlicky, LW Andrew Brunette, RW Antti Miettinen.

Key departures: C Brian Rolston, RW Pavol Demitra, D Keith Carney, D Petteri Nummelin, RW Mark Parrish, LW Todd Fedoruk, D Sean Hill, LW Chris Simon.

Overview: Although RW Marian Gaborik's long-term future with the franchise remains unclear and his decision will be a major factor in the team's direction, the airtight defensive game Lemaire preaches gives the Wild a chance to be in virtually every game.

EDMONTON

Coach: Craig MacTavish.

General Manager: Steve Tambellini.

2007-08 record: 41-35-6.

Key newcomers: LW Erik Cole, D Lubomir Visnovsky, C Gilbert Brule, C Ryan Potulny, D Jason Strudwick.

Key departures: D Joni Pitkanen, LW Raffi Torres, C Jarret Stoll, D Matt Greene, RW Geoff Sanderson, C Marty Reasoner.

Overview: Injuries effectively sabotaged the Oilers last season, and staying reasonably healthy will be critical to their prospects for success this season. Still, with young players like Sam Gagner and Andrew Cogliano holding prominent roles, Edmonton could challenge for the Northwest title.

VANCOUVER

Coach: Alain Vigneault.

General Manager: Mike Gillis.

2007-08 record: 39-33-10.

Key newcomers: D Nolan Baumgartner, C Kyle Wellwood, LW Darcy Hordichuk, RW Steve Bernier, RW Pavol Demitra, C Ryan Johnson, D Rob Davison, C Jason Krog, C Mark Cullen.

Key departures: LW Markus Naslund, D Aaron Miller, C Brendan Morrison, D Mike Weaver, C Trevor Linden.

Overview: Vancouver is one of North America's most picturesque cities, and that's a good thing because the Canucks won't be very pleasing to look at this season. Especially if they don't find a way to get more than sporadic offensive contributions from anyone outside the first line.

COLORADO

Coach: Tony Granato.

General Manager: Francois Giguere.

2007-08 record: 44-31-7.

Key newcomers: LW Darcy Tucker, G Andrew Raycroft, C Nathan Smith, RW Brian Willsie, D Daniel Tjarnqvist.

Key departures: C Peter Forsberg, G Jose Theodore, D Johnny Boychuk, LW Andrew Brunette, D Kurt Sauer, D Jeff Finger.

Overview: Having Joe Sakic put off retirement for at least one more year preserves a link to the Avalanche's glory days, but there won't be another banner going up in the Pepsi Center anytime soon. That won't change even if Peter Forsberg is coaxed back for another partial season.

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PACIFIC DIVISION

SAN JOSE

Coach: Todd McLellan.

General Manager: Doug Wilson.

2007-08 record: 49-23-10.

Key newcomers: D Rob Blake, D Dan Boyle, D Brad Lukowich, D Brendan Buckley.

Key departures: D Brian Campbell, D Matt Carle, D Craig Rivet, LW Patrick Rismiller.

Overview: The Sharks have a nasty habit of underachieving in the playoffs, but they usually are one of the league's better clubs during the regular season. That's no small feat when sharing a division with Anaheim and Dallas.

ANAHEIM

Coach: Randy Carlyle.

General Manager: Brian Burke.

2007-08 record: 47-27-8.

Key newcomers: D Ken Klee, LW Brad Larsen, C Brendan Morrison, C Josh Green, D Steven Montador.

Key departures: D Mathieu Schneider, LW Todd Bertuzzi, D Marc-Andre Bergeron, D Sean O'Donnell.

Overview: The Ducks are just two years removed from a championship, and with a core featuring talented youngsters like Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry as well as veterans Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger and Teemu Selanne, are capable of an extended run in the playoffs next spring.

DALLAS

Coach: Dave Tippett.

Co-General Managers Brett Hull and Les Jackson.

2007-08 record: 45-30-7.

Key newcomers: LW Sean Avery, RW Lauri Tukonen, RW Fabian Brunnstrom.

Key departures: RW Antti Miettinen, LW Niklas Hagman, LW Brad Winchester, D Nolan Baumgartner.

Overview: Dallas was no fun to play against even before Avery was added to the mix, so few opponents will look forward to games against the Stars. Of course, Dallas' collection of quality players -- guys like Brad Richards, Mike Ribeiro and Brenden(ca) Morrow, among others -- has something to do with that, too.

PHOENIX

Coach: Wayne Gretzky.

General Manager: Don Maloney.

2007-08 record: 38-37-7.

Key newcomers: C Olli Jokinen, RW Alex Bourret, C Kyle Turris, LW Todd Fedoruk, RW Brian McGrattan, D Kurt Sauer, D David Hale, C Garth Murray, D Ryan Lannon.

Key departures: RW Blake Wheeler, D Keith Ballard, D Nick Boynton, G David Aebischer, RW Bill Thomas, D Brendan Bell, RW Radim Vrbata.

Overview: Phoenix has missed the playoffs all three years Gretzky has been behind its bench, but the Coyotes have invested the high-draft choices all that futility produced wisely. Adding Jokinen should accelerate their development, even though he's never been in a playoff game.

LOS ANGELES

Coach: Terry Murray.

General Manager: Dean Lombardi.

2007-08 record: 32-43-7.

Key newcomers: C Jarret Stoll, D Drew Doughty, D Matt Greene, D Denis Gauthier, D Sean O'Donnell.

Key departures: C Mike Cammalleri, D Lubomir Visnovsky, D Rob Blake, RW Lauri Tukonen, G Dan Cloutier, RW Ladislav Nagy, RW Scott Thornton, RW Brian Willsie.

Overview: Los Angeles has an exceptional group of young talent, and should evolve into a contender over the next few years. Getting there rarely is quick or easy, however, and the growing pains will be sharp for at least one more winter.