By Jordan Chong /

Anaheim Ducks
Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan were amongst the leagues top lines last season, and with Teemu Selanne still playing at a high level and the additions of Saku Koivu and Joffrey Lupul, the Ducks offence is one of the deepest in the league. The signings of defencemen Nick Boynton and Steve Eminger will fill in for the loss of Chris Pronger and give their veteran captain Scott Niedermayer a solid supporting cast.

Calgary Flames
The signing of Jay Bouwmeester makes the Flames defensive core one of the grittiest in the league, as he joins Dion Phaneuf, Robyn Regher and Cory Sarich in the top four. Jarome Iginla consistently puts up big numbers for the Flames, and a full season with Olli Jokinen by his side should boost the Calgary offence even more.

Chicago Blackhawks
These kids are for real. The Blackhawks showed the world last post-season that they could play and beat the league’s best. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are early in their careers and are already elite players in the NHL. Marian Hossa joined the flashy Hawks forward core this off-season, signing a 12-year deal with Chicago. Brian Campbell, Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith lead a skilled blue line, and Cristobal Huet is the number one goalie for the Blackhawks.

Colorado Avalanche
With the face of the Avalanche, Joe Sakic, retiring this off-season, the veteran leadership will be put upon new captain Adam Foote, and long-time Avalanche forward Milan Hejduk. Third overall draft pick Matt Duchene will join a young group of forwards that includes Paul Stastny, Marek Svatos and Wojtek Wolski, who all bring a ton of promise to the Avalanche.

Columbus Blue Jackets
Coming off their first playoff berth in franchise history, the Jackets are ready to take the next step to becoming contenders in the West. The Blue Jackets biggest off-season move was locking up their franchise player Rick Nash for another eight years. Goaltender Steve Mason is coming off a Rookie of the Year award and Vezina Trophy nomination, and is primed to carry the Jackets beyond the first round of the playoffs.

Dallas Stars
An injury-filled season, including the loss of their captain Brenden Morrow, was the turning point for the Stars last year. Now healthy, and with new coach Marc Crawford, the Stars will be looking to return to the post-season as one of the league’s best teams. A healthy Morrow leading the way, and a comeback season from goaltender Marty Turco could have the Stars back as one of the top teams in the league in no time.

Detroit Red Wings
With a core group of Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Johan Franzen, Nicklas Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski and Chris Osgood, how can you not like the Red Wings chances of making it to the Stanley Cup Final for the third year in a row? The Wings lost a few pieces to their team, but year after year, they have proved that they have what it takes to win games and go far in the playoffs.

Edmonton Oilers
Pat Quinn brings his experience behind the bench of the Oilers this season, and he is primed on making the Oilers a playoff team once again. The signing of goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin to a four-year deal gives the Oilers a solid number one goalie, and with Sheldon Souray anchoring the blueline, the Oilers will look to Sean Horcoff and Ales Hemsky to take control on the offensive front.