With star center Ryan Getzlaf still thriving and an ever-improving corps of young talent dotting the roster, the Ducks appear in good shape to sustain long-term success.
Behind rookie Nathan MacKinnon the Avs made the leap from league also-ran to Central Division champs in 2013-14. Can Colorado take the next step and emerge as Stanley Cup contenders?
Rather than bring back several of their pricey vets in free agency for a run at the Cup, the Canadiens chose to invest more into their young core, with P.K. Subban's eight-year extension leading the charge.
While Alexander Steen will be hard-pressed to replicate last season's unforeseen production, the Blues' wealth of talent at forward should be able to cover for any regression he may notice.
Even after an offseason overhaul of both management and personnel, the cupboard certainly isn't bare for Sidney Crosby and the Pens.
The addition of Brad Richards to the Blackhawks' second line could be exactly what Chicago need to return to the Stanley Cup Finals for second time in three seasons.
The defensively-averse Alex Ovechkin may be tasked with delivering stronger two-way play under new coach Barry Trotz, but he still figures to get his points one way or another.
After a 57-point showing in 2011-12, the enigmatic Evander Kane has inexplicably regressed each of the last two seasons. The Jets' fortunes may rest on the 23-year-old finally unlocking his vast potential.
The Flyers were able to squeeze into the playoffs last season despite a team defense that was often shaky at best. With Kimmo Timonen (blood clots) now out of the picture for 2014-15, could a return to the postseason be in jeopardy?
The Canucks were a mess last season under coach John Tortorella, who was unceremoniously fired after one year on the job. With a new coaching staff in place, can Henrik Sedin and company challenge for a playoff berth?
The 38-year-old Patrik Elias is one of several greybeards the Devils will count on to drive their offensive attack this season, but that's precisely the problem.
The Bruins may have wilted in the playoffs last season against the Habs, but with the return of a strong core headlined by goalie Tuukka Rask, another run at the Cup remains plausible.
The newly-rebranded Arizona Coyotes need to determine if they can annually contend for the playoffs with their aging corps, or if it's time to embrace a youth movement.
With the addition of Aaron Ekblad to an already-young group, the future is seemingly promising in South Florida. But how soon can the Panthers emerge as an annual playoff contender in the Eastern Conference?
Phil Kessel represents one of the few Leafs' commodities worth investing heavily in, but many of his other teammates will see some unwarranted price inflation on draft day.
The addition of uber-prospect Jonathan Drouin and a full season of star center Steven Stamkos have the Lightning thinking a return to the Stanley Cup Finals may be within reach.
A chic preseason pick to take home the Stanley Cup last season, the Senators were instead one of the NHL's biggest disappointments. Expectations will be dialed back in 2014-15, but blueliner Erik Karlsson should nonetheless remain a fantasy stud.
Sean Monahan is one of the many reasons for Flames fans to be optimistic about the future, but a playoff berth this season may be too much to ask.
Pavel Datsyuk was one of the many key forwards that missed extensive time for the Red Wings last season. With several young players stepping up in his absence, the 36-year-old could begin to relinquish some offensive responsibilities in 2014-15.
With his 2006 run to the Stanley Cup now a distant memory, Cam Ward will have to fend off upstart Anton Khudobin for No. 1 netminding duties on a middling Carolina squad.
After the dismissal of long-time coach Barry Trotz following last season's 88-point effort, will Shea Weber and the Preds be able to regroup in Year 1 under new bench boss Peter Laviolette?
Matt Moulson will return to Buffalo after brief stops in Long Island and Minnesota last season, but he'll likely once again find himself as the top winger on one of the league's worst teams.
Taylor Hall once again checks in as the most appealing fantasy option for the youthful Oilers, but don't expect him to lead the club back to the playoffs in the rough-and-tumble Western Conference.
The Isles should be in good shape offensively with a healthy John Tavares back in action, but the team will need to make significant strides on defense in order for a return to the playoffs to materialize.
The Sharks have expressed a desire to find more ice time for promising youngsters such as Tomas Hertl, but that doesn't mean they'll become another Western Conference also-ran this season.
The Stars added Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky to an already-stacked forward corps in the offseason. But can those additions mask the team's weakness at the back end?
Surrounded by the most offensive talent he's ever enjoyed on the Wild power-play, defenseman Ryan Suter could have a shot at flirting with 50 points this season.
Veteran center Jeff Carter created magic with youngsters Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli in the playoffs as the Kings netted their second Stanley Cup in three seasons. Can the trio carry over those successes to the regular season?
After surprisingly leading the Rangers to the Stanley Cup Finals last season, what can netminder Henrik Lundqvist and his mates do for an encore?
After a falling short in their first-round playoff series with the Penguins, Boone Jenner and company will look to make an upward push in the Metro Division standings in 2014-15.