By Mark Janzen /

Montreal Canadiens

Montreal finished on top of the Eastern Conference last year but did not stand pat over the summer.

After losing to Philadelphia in the second round, GM Bob Gainey acquired Georges Laraque to improve team toughness.

The Canadiens also went and improved the second best offense in the league by picking up Robert Lang and Alex Tanguay.

Tanguay, who struggled in Calgary at times, should feel right at home in Quebec and that will pay dividends. If all goes well, Habs fans will hopefully see the point-per-game Tanguay of old.

Lang will bring more depth and leadership to an already balanced offensive attack.

In net, the Canadiens had added another option to their goaltending situation with the addition of Marc Denis, but he has since been waived.

Jaroslav Halak and Carey Price will man the crease for the Habs.

Calgary Flames

Todd Bertuzzi will make his debut in a Calgary Flames jersey.

The burly forward is back with Mike Keenan who will try to rev the big man’s engine for another go-round. After a disappointing 40-point year in Anaheim last year, Bertuzzi will delight the Calgary faithful if he can return to his numbers from his days in Vancouver.

Mike Cammalleri should spark the offense. In Calgary, the young sniper will be surrounded by a collection of skilled and gritty forwards, players who will complement Cammalleri in all aspects of his game. A number of forwards were also added to the Flames lineup, including Rene Bourque, Curtis Glencross and Andre Roy. These players will provide the Flames with a healthy dose of speed and sandpaper.

On defense, Mark Giordano returns after a year-long hiatus in Russia. He will help round out an already impressive defensive corps that will provide toughness and the ability to put points on the board.

Swedish sniper Mikael Backlund is a young Flames prospect who will be given a chance to crack the roster for 2008-09.

Edmonton Oilers

For Kevin Lowe, the summer of 2008 was all about business. But instead of quantity, it was quality Lowe was after.

Lowe acquired Erik Cole and Lubomir Visnovsky in separate deals that will go a long way to making the Oilers a contender.

Cole is the type of gritty scorer with veteran experience that this young Oilers roster needs. He has shown the potential to put up nearly a point-per-game numbers.

Visonvsky solidifies a defense that is now rather offensive. He will provide a lift for Edmonton’s powerplay, as he and Sheldon Souray should make a formidable tandem.

Defenseman Jason Strudwick also arrives in Edmonton this fall and will give the Oilers a little more depth.

Look for rookie forwards Marc Pouliot and Rob Schremp along to be given a shot at the roster.

North Vancouver-native and former Columbus Blue Jacket Gilbert Brule has been sent to the minors.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto is in rebuilding mode. Or so they say. And this leads many to question this summer’s activity.

The Leafs signed Jamal Mayers, Niklas Hagman and Ryan Hollweg.

All three should be solid contributors for a club who will ice a mix of young and veteran players.

Defenseman and 2008 first round draft pick Luke Schenn was signed to a three-year entry-level contract on Tuesday.

The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan-native impressed in the pre-season and was a plus-3 in seven games with the Leafs.

Schenn was a fifth overall pick by Toronto in the 2008 NHL Draft in Ottawa.

Also on the back end, the Leafs picked up Jeff Finger and MikeVan Ryn. Both players will give the Leafs some solid defensive play. In the crease, Curtis Joseph returns as the backup.

Ottawa Senators

The Sens have said goodbye to some longstanding team members and replaced them with an interesting mix of proven warriors and prospective stars. Defensive defenseman Jason Smith will give Ottawa a blue-collar effort that will likely inspire his teammates.

Filip Kuba and Alexandre Picard were also added to the back-end. Kuba is a consistent contributor, chipping in 25 to 30 points and about 30 penalty minutes a season over the course of his career. Picard is still developing but could play a fine role as a fifth or sixth defenseman.

In goal, the Senators added Alex Auld from the Boston Bruins.

Up front, Jarkko Ruutu was probably the biggest acquisition.

Ruutu will play his pest role as he always has and he could be exactly the type of spark the Sens need.

Ryan Shannon and Brad Isbister were also acquired over the summer, but both have been sent to the minors.

Vancouver Canucks

New GM Mike Gillis added some new intriguing pieces to the Canucks’ forward unit this off-season. Gillis’ biggest free agent splash was the signing of Pavol Demitra. His arrival should help offset the loss of Markus Naslund. Gillis hopes Demitra can provide Vancouver with another offensive option, something to encourage and complement the Sedin twins.

Steve Bernier comes to Vancouver from Buffalo with great potential. Bernier could be paired with the Sedin twins, a line that could contribute in a big way this season.

If Kyle Wellwood can return to his 42 points in 48 games form of two years ago, he’ll give Vancouver two quality scoring lines.

Rounding out the new faces are forwards Ryan Johnson and Darcy Hordichuk, as well as defensemen Nolan Baumgartner and Rob Davison. The Canucks also recently acquired tough D-man Shane O’Brien from the Tampy Bay Lightning.