[CaptainCrunch]

I guess its time to start some prediction games. I mean with the start of the regular season two days hence.

I think we should just start with the division that we know and love.

1) Anaheim - I'd like to bet against them, but they still have one of the top bluelines in the game. They still have a nasty forward group to play with and they do have some injury issues that could really hurt them in terms of Kesler, Vatanen and Lindholm who are still a ways away.

2) Calgary - Coming in to the season healthy. The addition of Hamonic bolsters a blueline that was top heavy before. Jagr being added late should help the power play and provide some secondary scoring, but RW scoring as to be a concern. This teams success comes down to goaltending, if they get average or above goaltending without a lot of bad goals against this team is a strong competitor for top spot in the pacific.

3) San Jose - Call them a dark horse, but they still have a tremendous amount of talent all over the ice and Jones is a goaltender that can shoulder the lead. they have a decent blueline and the loss of Marleau should make them slightly less deadly up front but still strong.

4) Edmonton - I know, I know, I'm a anti-Oilers homer, but I've learned to live with it. With the demotion of JP the Oilers have stacked their top line, but their bottom 9 forwards aren't awe inspiring. They have some nice pieces on the blueline but Sekera being gone til after Christmas means that Russell and Nurse and Benning are going to have to eat more minutes. Can Talbot replicate his superman effort from last year?

5) Arizona - Has some nice young talent, Stephan should help their forward group as well. Their defense should move the puck fairly well, but this all comes down to Raanta carrying the load and seeing a lot of shots against. Young teams make a lot of mistakes and they count heavily on their goaltenders to bail them out. Not there yet, but maybe on the rise.

6) LA Kings - This team didn't do a great job of addressing their scoring needs int he off season and at its core this is an older slower team. Quick can hold the fort for them, but I think the slide is on and a rebuild is coming.

7) Vancouver - Will be horrendous, I'm not even sure of what they're plan is anymore. Are they rebuilding, are they a retirement home for older players?. Boeser and Horvat are the future of this team but its not enough, their goaltending duo looks suspect.

8) Vegas - Cool name, bad team, welcome to the NHL boys, make sure you check your teeth after every game.