ESPN.com's reporters explain what to expect from each NHL team this season, including best new faces, biggest unknowns, sure things and more.
Metropolitan Division | Atlantic Division | Central Division | Pacific Division
Metropolitan Division
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes hit rock bottom last year -- and then they got younger ... and better. Can Justin Faulk use his World Cup snub as motivation to push callow Carolina into the playoffs this season?
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets have fallen off the NHL map the past couple of years, but Columbus still has offensive depth, a young, mobile blue line and a former Vezina Trophy winner in goal.
New Jersey Devils
The Devils' deal for former No. 1 draft pick Taylor Hall could prove to be the offseason's most impactful move, especially if the wing jump-starts New Jersey's offense in front of Cory Schneider.
New York Islanders
The Islanders shed key players from the squad that won the franchise's first playoff series since 1993 -- but they still have stalwart John Tavares, one of the league's premier two-way centers.
New York Rangers
The retooled Rangers don't carry the Cup expectations they've had in recent years, but -- as usual -- how far they'll advance next spring all comes down to "The King," goalie Henrik Lundqvist.
Philadelphia Flyers
Was last season's playoff berth an aberration or a sign of upward movement within the Metropolitan Division? Coach Dave Hakstol will be doing his best to ensure it's the latter.
Pittsburgh Penguins
No team has won back-to-back Stanley Cups since 1998, so the Penguins are feeling the heat to repeat. Can Sidney Crosby & Co. defy history and go all the way again this season?
Washington Capitals
The window is closing for the Caps to capitalize on perennial scoring champ Alex Ovechkin and Vezina winner Braden Holtby. Can this talented Washington team avoid yet another playoff washout?
Atlantic Division
Boston Bruins
The Bruins have missed the playoffs the past two seasons, but Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron are energized by their World Cup heroics, and veteran David Backes will add depth and leadership.
Buffalo Sabres
Can superstar-in-waiting Jack Eichel avoid a sophomore jinx and end the Sabres' playoff drought? He'll have help from veteran forward Kyle Okposo and talented young defenseman Dmitry Kulikov.
Detroit Red Wings
Provided Dylan Larkin builds on his stellar rookie season -- and new addition Frans Nielsen flashes the two-way form he did at the World Cup -- the Red Wings will be playoff-bound once again.
Florida Panthers
There's no doubt the Florida Panthers are young, talented and rich. But can their grizzled vet, the ageless Jaromir Jagr, help them match last season's surprising 103-point pinnacle?
Montreal Canadiens
Last season was devastating for Montreal. But the chemistry between a healthy Carey Price and blockbuster blue-line addition Shea Weber struck up at the World Cup bodes well for the Canadiens.
Ottawa Senators
The Senators have veteran Dion Phaneuf for a full season and Erik Karlsson, one of the best two-way blueliners in the NHL, leading the D. Can they keep Ottawa from stumbling down the stretch?
Tampa Bay Lightning
With star Steven Stamkos returning and former No. 1 pick Jonathan Drouin back in the team's good graces, the Lightning are fully charged and poised for another Stanley Cup run.
Toronto Maple Leafs
There's more to like about Toronto than just No. 1 draft pick Auston Matthews, although he's a superstar in the making. The future looks bright for the Leafs heading into their centennial season.
Central Division
Chicago Blackhawks
Was last year's first-round playoff exit a sign the Blackhawks are mortal? Hardly. Chicago is deeper than ever on defense and still has the 1-2 punch of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews up front.
Colorado Avalanche
The biggest change for the Avalanche came behind the bench, which could lead to a completely different style of play. But will it be enough in the tough Central?
Dallas Stars
The dark injury cloud that settled over the Stars in the offseason won't prevent them from keeping the Central Division title within their sights.
Minnesota Wild
The Wild have had big expectations for years, so it's essential they make some noise this season or face the prospect of big changes.
Nashville Predators
The big changes the Predators have undergone in less than a year -- bringing in a dynamic defenseman and a potential franchise center -- will pay off in the tough Central.
St. Louis Blues
They've got a new captain, a veteran coach in his final season and questions about the future of their best puck-moving defenseman -- what is up with the St. Louis Blues?
Winnipeg Jets
Being loaded with talent -- led by flashy Finn Patrik Laine -- puts the Jets in a good position. A black cloud hanging over the defense could limit the team's potential.
Pacific Division
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks will have a familiar face behind the bench this season in Randy Carlyle. The coach who led Anaheim to its only Cup wants veterans Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry to pick up the pace.
Arizona Coyotes
Max Domi sees no reason the rebuilding Coyotes and their roster of young talent can't win "night in and night out" -- especially with superstar-in-waiting Dylan Strome in the fold.
Calgary Flames
Bringing in Brian Elliott to hold down the fort in goal could be a potential game-changer for the Flames, who have plenty of young talent but were hampered by inconsistent goaltending last year.
Edmonton Oilers
This could be the season the long-awaited Oilers' turnaround comes to fruition -- provided a "more confident" Connor McDavid takes charge on offense and new addition Adam Larsson shores up the D.
Los Angeles Kings
Can the Kings return to glory? They're older and slower, but any team with a world-class No. 1 defenseman such as Drew Doughty and a top-notch No. 1 center in Anze Kopitar can't be counted out.
San Jose Sharks
NHL history hasn't been kind to the Stanley Cup runner-up, but the stacked Sharks are primed for another deep run. Will this be the season that Jumbo Joe Thornton finally hoists the Cup?
Vancouver Canucks
As he proved during the World Cup, Loui Eriksson is a perfect fit with the Sedins. But the rest of Vancouver's lineup remains a concern -- and the Canucks look like a team stuck in transition.