1. The Canes finished strong last season but more offense will need to be generated in order for this momentum to continue in 2016. The loss of Eric Staal will be more than compensated by the additions of Teuvo Teravainen and Lee Stempniak. Youth will be served as Elias Lindholm and Viktor Rask will be expected to take another step forward offensively. Key memo to Justin Faulk- Stay healthy and elite status will come. Goalie Cam Ward has another resurgence coming. PLAYOFFS: MAYBE 2. NHL MVP Patrick Kane will lead the scoring parade for the Blackhawks who are hoping last year's rookie phenom Artemi Panarin will continue to click with him on the top line. Jonathan Toews will anchor the 2nd unit but could be lacking a legitimate scoring threat to combine with. Marian Hossa has seen better days, but don't write him off yet. A sleeper addition that should bolster their defensive depth is Brian Campbell. He could be stealing some power-play time from Brent Seabrook. Is there anyone that still thinks that Chicago's weak link resides in goal?  Yeah, I thought so. The boys will be back.  PLAYOFFS: OF COURSE 3. No more Patrick Roy could be exactly what the doctor ordered for an offensive revival in Colorado. Look for Nathan MacKinnon and Matt Duchene to bounce back strongly next season. Gabriel Landeskog will continue his consistency, but maybe he should be scoring cloer to 70-points than 60. Mikko Rantanen can push for Calder Trophy honors if he garners top-six minutes. Repeat after me-Tyson Barrie rocks! Why would one of the most offensively gifted defensemen in their NHL prime always be mentioned in trade rumors? Semyon Varlamov has regressed over the last two seasons and I for one expect Calvin Pickard to challenge for the starting job. However, I must admit that not having Patrick Roy constantly scrutinizing his play, should help Varlamov reclaim his fame.  PLAYOFFS: MAYBE 4. A myriad of injuries derailed the Blue Jackets before the season was a few months old in 2015, but they have a shot to vie for the post-season in the upcoming year, if they can stay healthy. Huge seasons from goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and d-man Seth Jones will be needed if they are to finish in the top eight. Tortorella's team will not excel in the scoring department, so defense and goaltending will be their forte. Or not if things don't work out. PLAYOFFS: MAYBE 5. Its very simple for the Dallas Stars who arguably boast the most dangerous top-six forwards in the NHL; get top-15 goaltending and make a Stanley Cup push or be a first round playoff casualty. Seguin, Benn, Klingberg, and Spezza will be crucial regular season contributors, but the Niemi/Lehtonen goalie tandem will determine their long-term playoff fate.  PLAYOFFS: FOR SURE