The Flyers did the most to improve. The Red Wings did the most to add experience. And the Avalanche did the most they could to preserve the core of their championship team.
But it says here that none of those clubs will hoist the Stanley Cup after the coming season.
Rather, it will be the Blues.
Five reasons ...
No team is tighter on defense. Following the lead of Chris Pronger and Al MacInnis on the blue line and following the rigid yet high-paced system of Coach Joel Quenneville, the Blues always take care of business. Last season, they allowed 2.38 goals per game, fifth in the NHL, despite shoddy goaltending from Roman Turek.
Turek is gone, traded to the Flames in June in a significant bit of addition through subtraction. That leaves second-year man Brent Johnson as the No. 1, but don't think General Manager Larry Pleau will tolerate subpar play from his most important position without making a trade.
Following a below-standard, 35-goal year, Keith Tkachuk took his qualifying offer this summer, one year at $8.3 million, and arrived in camp in the best shape he has known in years. He's aiming now for 50 goals and beyond, and don't put it past him. When he is on, he is nothing less than the game's best power forward.
Tkachuk will skate with major trade acquisition Doug Weight and Scott Young. Weight is perhaps the most underrated player at any position in the NHL, and Young is coming off a career year with 40 goals. This all-American trio could turn out to be the best in the league ... and the best at Salt Lake City.
Overall depth is outstanding, notably at forward. The second line of Daniel Corso, Pavol Demitra and Cory Stillman has drawn raves in camp. And there is an abundance of checking talent with Dallas Drake, Mike Eastwood, Mike Keane and Jamal Mayers.
Perhaps the most prominent obstacle for the Blues will be history. They have reached the postseason 22 times, the longest active streak in any sport, but have never won the Cup. In that span, incredibly, they have won two rounds only twice.
Expect them to win four rounds next spring.
Icy chips
The Capitals had a vacancy for captain after stripping Adam Oates of that title when he asked for a trade this summer, but they chose against giving it to Jaromir Jagr, the Penguins' captain the past two seasons. Instead, they will divide it between Brendan Witt and Steve Konowalchuk. Jagr is one of the alternates.
Already Rangers coach Ron Low is complaining about cheap shots he feels have been delivered to Eric Lindros. Get used to it. The only way New York can protect its massive investment is by enlisting the sympathy of referees.
For all the eyebrows the Flyers raised with their off-season deals, none will mean much unless John LeClair shows his chronically ailing back can withstand the rigors of his rugged game. So far, he has shined on a new line with Jeremy Roenick and Pavel Brendl, and he appears to be regaining confidence.
Fashion update: New alternate sweaters will be unveiled by the Oilers, Canucks, Avalanche, Sharks and Predators this season. And the Flyers have dropped their orange road uniforms for the mostly black ones they have used as alternates in recent years.
That's not a misprint on the preseason scoring statistics: Right at the top is the Thrashers' Ilya Kovalchuk, the first overall pick in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He has six goals and three assists in five games, and those who have seen him will tell you that's no fluke.
Former Penguins figure to be the backups for both of New York's teams. Peter Skudra has beaten out Johan Holmqvist for the Rangers' No. 2 job behind Mike Richter, and Garth Snow was relegated to backup by the Islanders' waiver acquisition Friday of Chris Osgood.
Classy move by the NHL: The Canadiens were informed they would not have to protect Saku Koivu, stricken by cancer, in the waiver draft, allowing the team to keep another forward. Koivu, undergoing chemotherapy, is expected to survive, but doctors are uncertain if he will play again.
Only three days until the puck drops between Mario Lemieux and Joe Sakic.
Dejan Kovacevic can be reached at dkovacevic@ post-gazette.com.
Inside the NHL: Season to end on a high note 
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