NHL team-by-team previews: Eastern Conference

Eastern Conference

ATLANTIC DIVISION

Last season: 50-22-10 (lost in the second round to Tampa Bay).

Coach: Michel Therrien (seventh season with Montreal, 202-141-23T-36OL; overall, 337-246-23T-68OL).

Top returning players: G Carey Price (Hart Trophy MVP, 1.96 GAA, .933 save percentage); LW Max Pacioretty (37 G, 30 A, tied for NHL best at plus-38); D P.K. Subban (15 G, 45 A).

Top newcomers: RW Zack Kassian.

Outlook: If the offense can pick things up, the Canadiens could advance past the second round of the playoffs.

Last season: 50-24-8 (lost in the Stanley Cup Finals to Chicago).

Coach: Jon Cooper (fourth season, 101-59-20).

Top returning players: C Steven Stamkos (43 goals, second in the NHL, 29 A); LW Nikita Kucherov (29 G, 36 A.

Top newcomer: RW Erik Condra.

Outlook: Tampa Bay's depth and the improved play of goalie Ben Bishop are two reasons the Lightning should make another Stanley Cup run.

Last season: 43-25-14 (lost in the first round to Tampa Bay).

Coach: Jeff Blashill (1st season).

Top returning players: C Pavel Datsyuk (26 G, 39 A in 63 games), LW Justin Abdelkader (23 G, 21 A), LW-C Henrik Zetterberg (17 G, 49 A).

Top newcomers: D Mike Green.

Outlook: Injuries will be a key, especially with Datsyuk recovering from offseason ankle surgery.

Last season: 43-26-13 (lost in the first round to Montreal).

Coach: Dave Cameron (second season, 43-26-13).

Top returning players: D Erik Karlsson (21 G, 45 A, Norris Trophy winner); C Kyle Turris (24 G, 40 A).

Top newcomers: None of consequence.

Outlook: If Cherry Hill's Bobby Ryan (18 G, 36 A) can increase his scoring output, Ottawa could make the playoffs again.

Last season: 41-27-14

Coach: Claude Julien (9th season with Bruins, 351-192-79;

overall, 470-278-10T-102OL).

Top returning players: C Patrice Bergeron (29 G, 32 A, Frank J. Selke winner as the top defensive forward); G Tuukka Rask (2.30 GAA, .922 save percentage in 70 games); D Zdeno Chara.

Top newcomers: LW Matt Beleskey; RW Jimmy Hayes.

Outlook: Boston should return to the playoffs, but the offense must show more consistency.

Last season: 38-29-15

Coach: Gerald Gallant (2d season with Panthers, 38-29-15; overall, 94-105-4T-6OL).

Top returning players: D Aaron Ekblad (12 G, 27 A, rookie of the year); C Nick Bjugstad (24 G, 19 A); G Roberto Luongo (2.35 GAA.

Top newcomer: RW Reilly Smith.

Outlook: Florida still appears a year away from being a playoff contender.

Last season: 30-44-8.

Coach: Mike Babcock (1st season, 458-223-105 overall).

Top returning players: LW James van Riemsdyk (27 G, 29 A); C Nazem Kadri (18 G); D Dion Phaneuf (3 G, 26 A).

Top newcomers: RW Michael Grabner; C Shawn Matthias.

Outlook: New coach Babcock brings a winning resumé, but Toronto will be hard-pressed to make the postseason.

Last season: 23-51-8

Coach: Dan Bylsma (1st year with Sabres; overall, 252-117-32).

Top returning players: LW Matt Moulson (13 G, 28 A), C Tyler Ennis (20 G, 26 A).

Top newcomers: C Jack Eichel (second overall selection in NHL draft), C Ryan Reilly (17 G, 38 A for Colorado).

Outlook: Additions of Eichel and Reilly should help.

METROPOLITAN DIVISION

Last season: 53-22-7 (lost in the conference finals to Tampa Bay).

Coach: Alain Vigneault (3d season with the Rangers, 98-53-13;

overall, 520-341-35T-74OL).

Top returning players: LW Rick Nash (42 goals, 27 A, plus-29); G Henrik Lundqvist (2.25 GAA, .922 save percentage).

Top newcomers: C Jarrett Stoll, RW Emerson Etem.

Outlook: After advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals two years ago and going to a Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals last season, the Rangers will again be major contenders.

Last season: 47-28-7 (lost in the first round to Washington).

Coach: Jack Capuano (6th season, 165-148-46).

Top returning players: C John Tavares (38 G, 48 A); D Johnny Boychuk (9 G, 26 A); D Nick Leddy (10 G, 27 A).

Top newcomers: D Marek Zidlicky, G Thomas Greiss.

Outlook: The Islanders return virtually the entire offense from a team that was fourth in the NHL in goals (245).

Last season: 45-26-11 (lost in the second round to the NY Rangers).

Coach: Barry Trotz (2d season with Capitals, 45-26-11; overall, 602-505-60T-111OL).

Top returning players: LW Alex Ovechkin (NHL-leading 53 goals); C Nicklas Backstrom (18 G, NHL-leading 60 assists).

Top newcomers: RW Justin Williams; RW T.J. Oshie.

Outlook: The Caps should contend for a division title again.

Last season: 43-27-12 (lost in the first round to the N.Y. Rangers).

Coach: Mike Johnston (2d season, 43-27-12).

Top returning players: C Sidney Crosby (28 G, 56 A), C Evgeni Malkin (28 G, 42 A in 69 games), G Marc-Andre Fleury (2.32 GAA, .920 save percentage).

Top newcomers: RW Phil Kessel; C Eric Fehr, C Nick Bonino.

Outlook: The Penguins have a suspect defense, so the offense will have to improve, which is why the addition of Kessel is huge.

Last season:42-35-5

Coach: Todd Richards (5th season with Blue Jackets, 127-105-21; overall, 204-176-37).

Top returning players: RW Nick Foligno (31 G, 42 A); G Sergei Bobrovsky (2.69 GAA, .918 save percentage).

Top newcomer: LW Brandon Saad.

Outlook: The Blue Jackets played well toward the end of last season and that momentum should continue.

Last season: 33-31-18

Coach: Dave Hakstol (1st season).

Top returning players: RW Jake Voracek (22 G, 59 A; G Steve Mason (2.25 GAA, .928 save percentage); C Claude Giroux (25 G, 48 A).

Top newcomers: D Evgeni Medvedev; C Sam Gagner.

Outlook: Earning a playoff berth is a realistic goal, but Hakstol must improve an offense that was 21st in goals (212).

Last season: 32-36-14

Coach: John Hynes (1st season).

Top returning players: LW Mike Cammalleri (27 G, 15 A in 68 games); G Cory Schneider (2.26 GAA.

Top newcomers: D John Moore; C-RW Kyle Palmieri.

Outlook: After being 28th in the NHL with 176 goals, they hope the offense will be improved.

Last season: 30-41-11

Coach: Bill Peters (2d season, 30-41-11).

Top returning players: D Justin Faulk (15 G, 34 A); C Eric Staal (23 G, 31 A); G Cam Ward (2.40 GAA.

Top newcomers: G Eddie Lack.

Outlook: Missing the playoffs for a seventh straight season is likely.