Eastern Conference

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The Detroit Red Wings celebrate after he scored a third period goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during game five of the 2008 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Joe Louis Arena on June 2, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan.

Photograph by : Getty Images

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Atlantic Division

Pittsburgh Penguins

Last season: 47-27-8 - 102 points, second in conference, lost to Detroit in Stanley Cup final.

Training camp opening: Sept. 16 in Pittsburgh.

Additions: LW Ruslan Fedotenko, RW Miro Satan, LW Matt Cooke, LW Janne Pesonen, RW Eric Godard.

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

Stories to watch: A gutted right wing (four regulars have left) opens the door for former all-star Miro Satan on the top line with Sidney Crosby. Crosby also gets a new left-winger in Ruslan Fedotenko. . . . The loss of Roberts, Laraque and, particularly, Malone takes away in the grit department.

Season-opener: Oct. 4 at Stockholm, Sweden, against Ottawa.

New Jersey Devils

Last season: 46-29-7 - 99 points, fourth in conference, lost to New York Rangers in conference quarter-finals.

Training camp opening: Sept. 19 in Newark, N.J.

Additions: C Brian Rolston, C Bobby Holik, D Anssi Salmela, G Scott Clemmensen.

Subtractions: RW Arron Asham, LW Sergei Brylin, D Karel Rachunek.

Stories to watch: What's old is new again as GM Lou Lamoriello delved into the unrestricted free agent market to bring back Rolston and Holik, both members of the Devils' Stanley Cup winning team in 1994-95. . . . Paul Martin anchors a defensive corps that doesn't dominate the way it once did. Salmela, a 23-year-old Finn whose 16 goals led the Finnish Elite League last season, was signed in hopes of giving the blue-line an offensive boost.

Season-opener: Oct. 10 versus NY Islanders.

New York Rangers

Last season: 42-27-13 - 97 points, fifth in conference, lost to Pittsburgh in conference semifinals.

Training camp opening: Sept. 16 in New York.

Additions: C Dan Fritsche, LW Markus Naslund, LW Patrick Rissmiller, LW Aaron Voros, RW Nikolai Zherdev, D Wade Redden, D Dmitri Kalinin.

Subtractions: C Sean Avery, LW Ryan Hollweg, LW Martin Straka, RW Jaromir Jagr, RW Brendan Shanahan, D Marek Malik, D Christian Backman, D Jason Strudwick, D Fedor Tyutin.

Stories to watch: Centres Chris Drury and Scott Gomez, the Rangers' big signings from two summers ago, never really gelled while playing alongside Jaromir Jagr, but the team is hoping for a different result with the acquisitions of Naslund and Zherdev. . . . Can Redden again become the elite defenceman he was when he posted 50 points in 65 games with the Senators in '05-06?

Season-opener: Oct. 4 versus Tampa Bay Lightning in Prague, Czech Republic.

Philadelphia Flyers

Last season: 42-29-11 - 95 points, sixth in conference, lost to Pittsburgh Penguins in conference final.

Training camp opening: Sept. 19 in Voorhees, N.J.

Additions: C Glen Metropolit, RW Arron Asham, D Ossi Vaananen, D Steve Eminger.

Subtractions: C Jim Dowd, C Patrick Thoresen, RW Sami Kapanen, LW Vinny Prospal, LW R.J. Umberger, D Jaroslav Modry, D Jason Smith.

Stories to watch: The Flyers went from being the worst team in the NHL in '06-07 to Eastern Conference finalists last season. Whether they'll be able take that success further and reach the Stanley Cup final for a shot at their first title since 1975 is the big question. . . . With the retirement of Kapanen and departures of Umberger and Prospal, speedy winger Claude Giroux, the Flyers' first-round pick in 2006, could crack the roster out of training camp.

Season-opener: Oct. 11 versus New York Rangers.

New York Islanders

Last season: 35-38-9 - 79 points, 13th in conference, missed playoffs.

Training camp opening: Sept. 19 at Moncton, N.B.

Additions: C Doug Weight, D Mark Streit, G Yann Danis.

Subtractions: C Shawn Bates, C Josef Vasicek, LW Ruslan Fedotenko, RW Miroslav Satan, G Wade Dubielewicz.

Stories to watch: AHL coach of the year Scott Gordon takes over for Ted Nolan behind the bench for an Islanders team that hasn't made it passed the conference quarter-finals since they competed in the Patrick Division (1992-93). . . . Kyle Okposo, the seventh-overall pick in the 2006 draft, got a taste of the NHL late last season with a nine-game stint that saw him pick up four points in his first six games. He'll be leaned on to produce for the offensively starved Isles.

Season-opener: Oct. 10 at New Jersey Devils.

Northeast Division

Montreal Canadiens

Last season: 47-25-10 - 104 points, first in conference, lost to Philadelphia in conference semifinals.

Training camp opening: Sept. 20 in Montreal.

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

Subtractions: D Mark Streit, C Bryan Smolinski, RW Michael Ryder.

Stories to watch: For nearly a decade Canadiens' faithful have been crying out for some muscle. Already multi-talented, the Habs addition of Georges Laraque could be the final piece in pushing the NHL's winningest franchise back to the Stanley Cup. . . . Lang was brought in in mid-September to add depth to Montreal's already solid attack.

Season-opener: Oct. 10 at Buffalo.

Ottawa Senators

Last season: 43-31-8 - 94 points, seventh in conference, lost in conference quarter-final to Pittsburgh.

Training camp opening: Sept. 16 in Ottawa.

Additions: LW Jarkko Ruutu, D Jason Smith, G Alex Auld, D Filip Kuba, D Alexandre Picard, D Brendan Bell.

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

Stories to watch: GM Bryan Murray is fond of saying he's filled the Senators' dressing room with "good guys." The test will be if these "good guys" can actually help get this team back as a Cup contender. . . . Captain Daniel Alfredsson will be 36 in December and struggled with injury woes last season.

Season-opener: Oct. 4 at Stockholm, Sweden against Pittsburgh.

Boston Bruins

Last season: 41-29-12 - 94 points, eighth in conference, lost to Montreal in conference quarter-finals.

Training camp opening: Sept. 19 in Wilmington, Mass.

Additions: RW Michael Ryder, RW Blake Wheeler.

Subtractions: G Alex Auld, C Glen Metropolit, RW Glen Murray.

Stories to watch: Boston paid plenty to add 14-goal man Ryder, who's played his best hockey under coach Claude Julien - in junior with the Hull Olympiques, in minor pro with AHL Hamilton and in the NHL with the Canadiens during Ryder's rookie season. . . . Sophomore winger Milan Lucic could be Boston's most popular player since Cam Neely if he continues to progress with a solid mix of goals and fists.

Season-opener: Oct. 9 at Colorado.

Buffalo Sabres

Last season: 39-31-12 - 90 points, 10th in conference, missed playoffs.

Training camp opening: Sept. 19 in Buffalo.

Additions: D Craig Rivet, G Patrick Lalime.

Subtractions: RW Steve Bernier, G Jocelyn Thibault, D Dmitri Kalinin.

Stories to watch: Buffalo seemingly keeps losing players and not replacing them. Last summer, Daniel Briere and Chris Drury bolted. They shipped Brian Campbell out at the trade deadline for Steve Bernier. Bernier was traded to the Canucks for a pair of draft picks this summer. . . . Will Sabres fans continue to flock to the HSBC Arena given the team's propensity of dumping high-priced talent?

Season-opener: Oct. 10 at home to Montreal.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Last season: 36-35-11 - 83 points, 12th in conference, missed playoffs.

Training camp opening: Sept. 19 in Toronto.

Additions: LW Niklas Hagman, LW Nikolai Kulemin, C Ryan Hollweg, RW Jamal Mayers, D Jeff Finger, G Curtis Joseph, D Mike Van Ryn.

Subtractions: G Andrew Raycroft, C Mats Sundin, RW Darcy Tucker, C Kyle Wellwood.

Stories to watch: Will Mats Sundin return to Toronto? Will Brian Burke become GM before this time next year? Will the Leafs be in the running for the No. 1 overall draft pick next June?

Season-opener: Oct. 9 at Detroit.

Southeast Division

Washington Capitals

Last season: 43-31-8 - 94 points, third in conference, lost to Philadelphia in conference quarter-finals.

Training camp opening: Sept. 20 in Arlington, Va.

Additions: C Keith Aucoin, G Jose Theodore.

Subtractions: LW Matt Cooke, RW Ben Clymer, D Steve Eminger, G Olaf Kolzig, G Cristobal Huet.

Stories to watch: Can coach of the year Bruce Boudreau keep the train rolling? The Caps became a different animal when Boudreau took over from Glen Hanlon. . . . As a team, Washington's enthusiasm for the game is unrivaled.

Season-opener: Oct. 10 at Atlanta.

Carolina Hurricanes

Last season: 43-33-6 - 92 points, ninth in conference, missed playoffs.

Training camp opening: Sept. 19 in Raleigh, N.C.

Additions: C Dwight Helminen, D Joni Pitkanen, D Josef Melichar, D Anton Babchuk.

Subtractions: C Keith Aucoin, RW Erik Cole, G John Grahame, D Bret Hedican, C Trevor Letowski, D David Tanabe, D Glen Wesley.

Stories to watch: The Hurricanes will be looking for the same sort of production this season from the well-travelled Sergei Samsonov, who resurrected his career and earned himself a three-year, $7.6-million US deal after netting 14 goals and 32 points in 38 games in Carolina. . . . The departures of Wesley (retirement) and Hedican (free agent), and additions of Pitkanen, Babchuk and Melichar gives their blue-line a shot of youth, mobility and offence. . . . Eric Staal will be under pressure to produce given his new, large contract.

Season-opener: Oct. 10 versus Florida Panthers.

Florida Panthers

Last season: 38-35-9 - 85 points, 11th in conference, missed playoffs.

Training camp opening: Sept. 20 in Coral Springs, Fla.

Additions: LW Cory Stillman, D Bryan McCabe, D Keith Ballard, D Nick Boynton.

Subtractions: C Olli Jokinen, D Mike Van Ryn, D Steve Montador, D Jassen Cullimore, C Jozef Stumpel.

Stories to watch: Who'll replace C Olli Jokinen's experience and offence at centre? The depth chart is thin up the middle, with Stephen Weiss considered the No. 1 centre. . . . Can new head coach Peter DeBeor make the transition from junior to the NHL?

Season-opener: Oct. 10 at Carolina.

Atlanta Thrashers

Last season: 34-40-8 - 76 points, 14th in conference, missed playoffs.

Training camp opening: Sept. 21 in Duluth, Ga.

Additions: C Jason Williams, LW Marty Reasoner; D Ron Hainsey.

Subtractions: C Bobby Holik, D Steve McCarthy, RW Mark Recchi, D Alexei Zhitnik.

Stories to watch: New coach John Anderson has had terrific success at the American Hockey League level, but the big question is whether than can carry over to the NHL . . . Can anyone besides Ilya Kovalchuk put the puck in the net?

Season-opener: Oct. 10 at St. Louis.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Last season: 31-42-9 - 71 points, 15th in conference, missed playoffs.

Training camp opening: Sept. 16 in Tampa.

Additions: LW Greg Malone, LW Vinny Prospal, LW Gary Roberts, RW Radim Vrbata, RW Mark Recchi, RW Adam Hall, D Andrej Meszaros, D Matt Carle, G Olie Kolzig.

Subtractions: D Dan Boyle, G Marc Denis, D Brad Lukowich, D Filip Kuba, D Alexandre Picard, LW Andre Roy, C Tim Taylor.

Stories to watch: New owners, a new head coach, new defenceman, new forwards and a new goalie. Enough said. . . . Since leadership starts at the top, can Barry Melrose be an effective coach after being out of the league for 13 years?

Season-opener: Oct. 4 vs. New York Rangers, at Prague, Czech Republic.

Western Conference

Central Division

Detroit Red Wings

Last season: 52-21-7 - 115 points, first in conference, won Stanley Cup.

Training camp opening: Sept. 18 in Traverse City, Mich.

Additions: RW Marian Hossa, G Ty Conklin.

Subtractions: G Dominik Hasek, LW Dallas Drake.

Stories to watch: The Detroit Red Wings brought in Hossa to add more power to an already potent offence. As one of the few players on the roster not to have won a Stanley Cup, he'll also be hungry for a title. . . . If Chris Osgood is injured, can potential backups Conklin and Jimmy Howard play well enough to allow the Wings to stay on top?

Season-opener: Oct. 9 versus Toronto.

Nashville Predators

Last season: 41-32-9 - 91 points, eighth in conference, lost to Detroit in conference quarter-finals.

Training camp opening: Sept. 20 in Nashville.

Additions: LW Josh Gratton, LW Michael Ryan, G Drew MacIntyre.

Subtractions: RW Alexander Radulov, D Marek Zidlicky, LW Martin Gelinas, LW Jan Hlavac, RW Brandon Bochenski, LW Darcy Hordichuk, G Chris Mason.

Stories to watch: The Predators haven't done much to address the loss of Radulov and his 26 goals last season. . . . For the second year in a row the Predators have more significant subtractions than additions. Last season they dropped 19 points and four places in the standings. This year it could cost them a playoff spot.

Season-opener: Oct. 10 at St. Louis.

Chicago Blackhawks

Last season: 40-34-8 - 88 points, 10th in conference, missed playoffs.

Training camp opening: Sept. 19 in Chicago.

Additions: C Tim Brent, D Brian Campbell, D Matt Walker, G Cristobal Huet.

Subtractions: LW Rene Bourque, C Jason Williams, C Kevyn Adams, G Patrick Lalime, C Yanic Perreault, D Andrei Zyuzin, C Robert Lang.

Stories to watch: Competitive hockey should be back in a big way in the Windy City. Stocked with young talent such as Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, the 'Hawks won the Brian Campbell sweepstakes, and he leads one of the best young blue-lines in the NHL. . . . If healthy, Martin Havlat puts this team into the playoffs.

Season-opener: Oct. 10 at New York Rangers.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Last season: 34-36-12 - 80 points, 13th conference, missed playoffs.

Training camp opening: Sept. 19 in Columbus.

Additions: C R.J. Umberger, RW Kristian Huselius, RW Raffi Torres, D Fedor Tyutin, D Mike Commodore, D Christian Backman.

Subtractions: RW Gilbert Brule, D Ron Hainsey, RW Nicolai Zherdev, C Danny Fritsche, D Dick Tarnstrom, RW David Vyborny.

Stories to watch: The off-season was all about change. Columbus added Umberger, Huselius and Torres to its top two lines which should boost the offence. . . . The Jackets defensive crew is at best, reliable.

Season-opener: Oct. 10 at Dallas.

St. Louis Blues

Last season: 33-36-13 - 79 points, 14th in conference, missed playoffs.

Training camp opening: Sept. 19 in St. Louis.

Additions: LW Brad Winchester, RW Matt Foy, G Chris Mason.

Subtractions: C Ryan Johnson, RW Jamal Mayers, G Hannu Toivonen.

Stories to watch: A good core of youngsters is still a year or two away from pushing this team into serious playoff contention, so, it will again be up to veterans Paul Kariya, Keith Tkachuk and blossoming Brad Boyes to carry the load.

Season-opener: Oct. 10 versus Nashville.

Northwest Division

Minnesota Wild

Last season: 44-28-10 - 98 points, third in conference, lost to Colorado in conference quarter-finals.

Training camp opening: Sept. 20 in Grand Forks, N.D.

Additions: LW Andrew Brunette, RW Owen Nolan, RW Antti Miettinen, D Marek Zidlicky, D Marc-Andre Bergeron, C Craig Weller.

Subtractions: RW Brian Rolston, RW Pavol Demitra, D Keith Carney, LW Todd Fedoruk, LW Chris Simon, LW Aaron Voros, RW Matt Foy, D Petteri Nummelin.

Stories to watch: Marian Gaborik is entering the final year of his contract and is already musing about exploring free agency. . . . Mikko Koivu heads into camp as the likely first-line centre, but the Finn has only scored 20 goals once in three years with the Wild.

Season-opener: Oct. 11 versus Boston.

Colorado Avalanche

Last season: 44-31-7 - 95 points, sixth in conference, lost to Detroit in conference semifinals.

Training camp opening: Sept. 20 in Centennial, Colo.

Additions: G Andrew Raycroft, RW Darcy Tucker, LW Per Ledin, RW Brian Willsie, D Daniel Tjarnqvist.

Subtractions: G Jose Theodore, LW Andrew Brunette, D Jeff Finger, D Kurt Sauer.

Stories to watch: The glaring weakness for the Avalanche heading into camp is between the pipes. Jose Theodore bolted to Washington in free agency, leaving Peter Budaj with the starting job. Raycroft, who was run out of Toronto in the off-season is the only experienced backup. . . . After parting ways with former head coach Joel Quenneville, the Avalanche turned some heads by promoting Tony Granato, the team's head coach from 2002-04.

Season-opener: Oct. 9 versus Boston.

Calgary Flames

Last season: 42-30-10 - 94 points, seventh in conference, lost to San Jose in conference quarter-finals.

Training camp opening: Sept. 19 in Calgary.

Additions: LW Mike Cammalleri, RW Todd Bertuzzi, LW Rene Bourque, LW Curtis Glencross, D Mark Giordano.

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

Stories to watch: Will Bertuzzi return to his previous form when he was a dominant power forward from 2001-2006 or will he prove to be more of a distraction for the Flames?. . . . Will goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff's save percentage slide for a fourth straight season?

Season-opener: Oct. 9 at Vancouver.

Edmonton Oilers

Last season: 41-35-6 - 88 points, ninth in conference, missed playoffs.

Training camp opening: Sept. 19 in Edmonton.

Additions: LW Erik Cole, RW Gilbert Brule, D Lubomir Visnovsky, D Jason Strudwick.

Subtractions: D Joni Pitkanen, C Marty Reasoner, C Curtis Glencross, C Jarret Stoll, LW Raffi Torres, LW Geoff Sanderson.

Stories to watch: Injuries ravaged the Oilers last season and the team likely would have crept into the post-season had Sheldon Souray, Ethan Moreau and Shawn Horcoff been around. This is a young team - if healthy - ready for the next step.

Season-opener: Oct. 12 versus Colorado.

Vancouver Canucks

Last season: 39-33-10 - 88 points, 11th in conference, missed playoffs.

Training camp opening: Sept. 19 in Whistler, B.C.

Additions: RW Steve Bernier, C Pavol Demitra, C Kyle Wellwood, LW Darcy Hordichuk, C Ryan Johnson, D Rob Davison.

Subtractions: RW Trevor Linden, D Aaron Miller, LW Markus Naslund, C Byron Ritchie, C Brendan Morrison.

Story to watch: Aging Markus Naslund exited while aging Pavol Demitra entered. The Canucks still haven't solved their slim scoring attack and it'll be another season of Roberto Luongo-and-a-prayer to get Vancouver back into the playoffs.

Season-opener: Oct. 9 versus Calgary.

Pacific Division

San Jose Sharks

Last season: 49-23-10 - 108 points, second in conference, lost to Dallas in conference quarter-finals.

Training camp opening: Sept. 20 at San Jose

Additions: D Dan Boyle, D Rob Blake, D Brad Lukowich.

Subtractions: D Brian Campbell, D Matt Carle, D Sandis Ozolinsh, D Craig Rivet, C Curtis Brown, LW Pat Rissmiller.

Stories to watch: New Sharks head coach Todd McLellan will bring some winning attitude to a team that has underachieved during recent playoff years . . . GM Doug Wilson made virtually no changes at forward, which fell flat at times when Joe Thornton was silent.

Season-opener: Oct. 9 versus Anaheim.

Anaheim Ducks

Last season: 47-27-8 - 102 points, fourth in conference, lost to Dallas in first round.

Training camp opening: Sept. 20 in Anaheim.

Additions: C Brendan Morrison, D Steve Montador.

Subtractions: D Marc-Andre Bergeron, LW Todd Bertuzzi, C Doug Weight.

Stories to watch: The Ducks didn't make many off-season moves, but might still try to make room for the return of RW Teemu Selanne . . . The only blue-liner signed beyond this season is Chris Pronger.

Season-opener: Oct. 9 at San Jose

Dallas Stars

Last season: 45-30-7 - 97 points, fifth in conference, lost to Detroit in conference final.

Training camp opening: Sept. 19 in Frisco, Texas.

Additions: LW Sean Avery, LW Fabian Brunnstrum.

Subtractions: RW Antti Miettinen, G Johan Holmqvist, C Stu Barnes, D Mattias Norstrom, LW Brad Winchester, LW Niklas Hagman.

Stories to watch: The Stars have only missed the playoffs once since 1997 - in 2002 - and after bringing back most of their core from last year the team appears poised to reach the post-season again. . . . The Stars don't have a veteran presence to backup Marty Turco. Tobias Stephan is the only other goaltender on the roster with NHL experience - one game last season.

Season-opener: Oct. 10 versus Columbus.

Phoenix Coyotes

Last season: 38-37-7 - 83 points, 12th in conference, missed playoffs.

Training camp opening: Sept. 19 in Phoenix.

Additions: C Olli Jokinen, RW Todd Fedoruk, LW Brian McGrattan, D Kurt Sauer, D David Hale.

Subtractions: D Nick Boynton, D Keith Ballard, C Niko Kapanen, RW Radim Vrbata, RW Craig Weller, LW Marcel Hossa.

Stories to watch: Wayne Gretzky and company sport a new look. The Coyotes gave up a pair of solid defencemen in Ballard and Boynton to land first-line centre Jokinen. The firepower is certainly there, can the defence hold up in front of stopper Ilja Bryzgalov? . . . With McGrattan, Fedoruk and Daniel Carcillo on board, the Coyotes will sport plenty of snarl.

Season-opener: Oct. 11 versus Columbus.

Los Angeles Kings

Last season: 32-43-7 - 71 points, 15th in conference, missed playoffs.

Training camp opening: Sept. 19 at El Segundo, Calif.

Additions: C Jarret Stoll, D Denis Gauthier, D Matt Greene.

Subtractions: D Rob Blake, LW Michael Cammalleri, LW Scott Thornton, D Lubomir Visnovsky.

Stories to watch: Defenceman Drew Doughty, who was selected second overall in June's entry draft, will be given every opportunity to crack the lineup. . . . Can new head coach Terry Murray make the rebuilding process quick and painless?

Season-opener: Oct. 11 at San Jose