[CaptainCrunch]

Pacific

1) Anaheim - Its hard to counter that combination of skill, speed and especially size
2) Calgary - Numbers be damned, this is a deep team, while it lacks the super high end forward, the have a lot of meat through the lineup. One of the fastest teams in West. Their skill gets overlooked because of their work ethic
3) LA - The Windows closing a bit, but they're better then they were last year when they missed the playoffs. Like Anaheim they're big, fast, but not as skilled but grind teams down.
4) San Jose - I think that the window is really slammed shut on this team. They have a lot of really good elements, but their core is unbalanced
5) Vancouver - Not a fan of this team and I think its worse then last year at this point, they're also a old and slow team. They are possession darlings but I still don't think that really leads to winning hockey.
6) Edmonton - I think Chia's deals have been the whole reshuffling deck chairs on the titanic. McDavid will make a bit of difference but not once. The Oilers have proven that skill doesn't = offense or wins. This team is soft up front. Even with Gryba and Reinhart and Sekeris they still have one of the worst bluelines in hockey. Talbot is wait and see.
7) Arizona - Have a deep prospect base, but this franchise doesn't seem to have the will to do anything but hang on.

Central

1) St Louis - The regular season darlings of the NHL. Big, Strong, Fast, but can't raise the level of their game for the playoffs.
2) Chicago - A slight Stanley Cup hangover. Slightly worse points wise but better position wise.
3) Minnesota - They have to bring it together eventually, a deep team, but goaltending I think will be a question
4) Nashville - Still not a fan of their center depth, but their goaltending and Blueline are top notch (Wildcard)
5) Colorado - I think they'll surprise and squeek in with the final wildcard spot. A lot of good young talent, and a very good goalie. (Wildcard)
6) Dallas - A lot of changes seem to happen every year. I'm not in love with their forward group after the first line, nor do I like their defense.
7) Winnipeg - I think this team is going to fall and fall hard this year. I'm not convinced that their goaltending is solved. I like their blueline and forwards, but I think that they will flounder.

Conference order

Anaheim
St Louis
Chicago
Calgary
LA
Minny
Nashville (wildcard)
Colorado (wildcard)
Dallas
San Jose
Vancouver
Winnipeg
Edmonton
Arizona