Here's my top 5:
5) Chicago Blackhawks
Once again Anthony fields a deep roster with solid top end talent in Toews, Vanek, Hossa and solid goaltending. Chicago is poised to take back the Central East division from Detroit and Carolina.
4) Washington Capitals
I've done this before... Gave Brian a bunch of preseason ranking love only to watch him barf all over himself. Not this year, though. This team is crazy deep and the additions of Krejci and Iginla should elevate this squad to first division status.
3) Boston Bruins
HOWEVER, Washington is still not good enough to take the Northeast division away from Boston. This team has been shaken up due to cap problems but at the end of the day might be even better than last years squad who challenged St Louis for the President's trophy. We lost some big names in Bergeron, Krejci, Rask, Niskanen, etc. But added Turris, Niemi, Pavelec, Saad, Zuccarello, Atkinson, Staal, etc. I'm feeling really good about this year!
2) St Louis Blues
The Blues are a wagon once again. Steen, Tarasenko, Stamkos, Spezza and maybe the best goalie tandem in the league in Lundqvist and Bishop (assuming Bishop comes back well from surgery and wasn't just a flash in the pan).
1) Anaheim Ducks This might be Tyler's year. I predict the Ducks will come out of the bloodbath division on top. This is a fantasy dream team with so much top end talent it makes me sick. Moreover most of it is cost controlled, allowing Tyler to afford great depth to compliment his high flying scorers. Interestingly there's more Bruins players than Ducks on this squad (the Bruins have more Ducks than Bruins...).
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I'm fully prepared for some hate from Snuggy! lol.