NHL Eastern Conference preview

Listed in order of 2009-10 division finish

Northeast Division

Last season: 45-27-10, 100 points, lost in the first round to Boston.

Coach: Lindy Ruff

The big story: Ryan Miller emerged into the class of NHL goalies after winning MVP honors in the Olympic tournament plus the Vezina Trophy. The Sabres also had last year's Calder Trophy winner in defenseman Tyler Myers and added a pair of veteran blue-liners in Jordan Leopold and Shaone Morrisonn. Derek Roy and Tim Connolly are a pair of solid centers.

Last season: 44-32-6, 94 points, lost in the first round to Pittsburgh.

Coach: Cory Clouston

The big story: The Senators made the playoffs for the 12th time in the last 13 seasons and hope to go a little further than the first round this season with their big acquisition, former Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar. There was hardly any turnover up front, with 38-year-old Daniel Alfredsson still productive and Mike Fisher coming off another 20-goal season. They need more consistency in goal, however.

Last season: 39-30-13, 91 points, lost in second round to the Flyers.

Coach: Claude Julien

The big story: The Bruins' major collapse against the Flyers made their off-season seem twice as long. They have a fine defensive nucleus led by goalie Tuukka Rask and defenseman Zdeno Chara, but they must hope that new acquisition Nathan Horton and a healthy Marc Savard and Milan Lucic will put some life into an offense that finished next to last in goals last year.

Last season: 39-33-10, 88 points, lost in the conference finals to the Flyers.

Coach: Jacques Martin

The big story: The Canadiens had a nice run in the playoffs, knocking out No. 1 Washington and No. 2 Pittsburgh before falling to the Flyers. Carey Price takes over in the net in place of playoff hero Jaroslav Halak, a tough task in front of the Habs' demanding fans. They are well-balanced offensively with Mike Cammalleri, Tomas Plekanec, and Brian Gionta, and have a rising defenseman in P.K. Subban.

Last season: 30-38-14, 74 points, did not qualify for the playoffs.

Coach: Ron Wilson

The big story: In posting the worst record in the Eastern Conference, the Maple Leafs missed the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season and underwent a major overhaul. A pair of midseason acquisitions, defenseman Dion Phaneuf and goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere, will anchor their positions, and forward Kris Versteeg comes in from Chicago off a Stanley Cup.

Atlantic Division

Last season: 48-27-7, 103 points, lost in the first round to the Flyers.

Coach: John MacLean

The big story: MacLean will seek improvement for a team that has been knocked out in the first round of the playoffs the last three seasons. The Devils signed sniper Ilya Kovalchuk, a two-time 50-goal scorer, to a 15-year contract, and he will complement Patrik Elias and Zach Parise. Martin Brodeur, now 38, remains the gold standard in goal after posting 45 wins last season.

Last season: 47-28-7, 101 points, lost in the second round to Montreal.

Coach: Dan Bylsma

The big story: The Penguins hope to bounce back from a second-round playoff exit as they open their new $321 million arena. Center Sidney Crosby remains on the very short list of top NHL players. Evgeni Malkin expects to rebound from an injury-plagued season. The Penguins lost three dependable defensemen but picked up Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek to fill the gap.

Last season: 41-35-6, 88 points, lost in the the Stanley Cup Finals to Chicago.

Coach: Peter Laviolette

The big story: So how can the Flyers top their magical run to the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals? They open with their share of question marks - defenseman Chris Pronger's rehab from off-season surgery, goalie Michael Leighton's back issues - but they have terrific balance at forward and on defense. Sean O'Donnell was a key acquisition along the blue line.

Last season: 38-33-11, 87 points, did not qualify for the playoffs.

Coach: John Tortorella

The big story: It took a shoot-out against the Flyers in the final regular-season game to knock the Rangers out of the playoffs. The Rangers appear to have good balance with forward Marian Gaborik coming off a 42-goal season, and emerging defenseman Marc Staal back after agreeing to a new five-year contract. Goalie Henrik Lundqvist played in 73 games last season and could use a capable backup.

Last season: 34-37-11, 79 points, did not qualify for the playoffs.

Coach: Scott Gordon

The big story: The Islanders again brought up the rear in the division last season but improved by eight wins and 18 points. Second-year forward John Tavares appears to be a rising star. Former Penguin Mark Eaton leads a group of three new defensemen. Goalie Rick DiPietro, who has played in 13 games in the last two seasons, hopes the injury bug is behind him.

Southeast Division

Last season: 54-15-13, 121 points, lost in fthe irst round to Montreal.

Coach: Bruce Boudreau

The big story: The Capitals set a franchise record last season with 121 points, then were shocked by No. 8 Montreal in the first round of the playoffs. Alexander Ovechkin notched his fourth 50-goal season in the last five, and his center, Nicklas Backstrom, topped 100 points. Defenseman Jeff Schultz led the NHL with a plus-50. Semyon Varlamov or Michael Neuvirth will replace Jose Theodore in goal.

Last season: 35-34-13, 83 points, did not qualify for the playoffs.

Coach: Craig Ramsay

The big story: The Thrashers made some big changes, with general manager Rick Dudley and coach Craig Ramsay (formerly of the Flyers) coming in. They signed four members of Chicago's Stanley Cup champions, headed by winger Dustin Byfuglien, who scored 11 goals in the playoffs, to go with young talent like defenseman Zach Bogosian and forward Evander Kane.

Last season: 35-37-10, 80 points, did not qualify for the playoffs.

Coach: Paul Maurice

The big story: The Hurricanes barely missed the playoffs after a strong second half last season. With the retirement of Rod Brind'Amour, they will look to forward Eric Staal for leadership. A healthy Cam Ward will help in goal. They made two key pickups on defense, signing Joe Corvo and getting Anton Babchuk back from Russia. Brandon Sutter scored 21 goals last season.

Last season: 34-36-12, 80 points, did not qualify for the playoffs.

Coach: Guy Boucher

The big story: The Lightning brought in star power in the front office, hiring new general manager Steve Yzerman, who brought in Boucher. Steven Stamkos, who tied Sidney Crosby for most goals last year with 51, appears headed for superstar status and sparks an offense that already boasts Martin Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, and newly acquired Simon Gagne, the ex-Flyer.

Last season: 32-37-13, 77 points, did not qualify for the playoffs.

Coach: Peter DeBoer

The big story: After nine straight years of failing to qualify for the playoffs, the Panthers brought in former Chicago general manager Dale Tallon as their new GM. Despite facing the most shots in the NHL last season, goalie Tomas Vokoun is vastly underrated. The Panthers had only two 20-goal scorers last season in Stephen Weiss and Michael Frolik, and look for more.