NHL team-by-team previews: Western Conference

In order of last season's finish

Western Conference

CENTRAL DIVISION

Last season: 51-24-7 (lost in the first round to Minnesota).

Coach: Ken Hitchcock (5th season with St. Louis, 175-79-27;

overall, 708-429-88T-97OL).

Top returning players: RW Vladimir Tarasenko (37 G, 36 A); LW Alexander Steen (24 G, 40 A).

Top newcomers: RW Troy Brouwer; C Kyle Brodziak.

Outlook: Once again St. Louis is viable division contender.

Last season: 47-25-10 (lost in the first round to Chicago).

Coach: Peter Laviolette (second season with Nashville, 47-25-10; overall, 436-307-25T-73OL).

Top returning players: D Shea Weber (15 G, 30 A), C Filip Forsberg (26 G, 37 A).

Top newcomers: D Barret Jackman, C Cody Hodgson

Outlook: Former Flyers coach Laviolette made a major impact in his first season. With a strong group of defensemen, Nashville will again contend in the Central Division and could have a longer playoff run.

Last season: 48-28-6 (won the Stanley Cup).

Coach: Joel Quenneville (8th season with Blackhawks, 316-155-65; overall, 754-438-77T-106OL).

Top returning players: C Jonathan Toews (28 G, 38 A); D Duncan Keith (Conn Smythe winner, 3 G, 18A in the playoffs).

Top newcomers: C Artem Anisimov, D Trevor Daley.

Outlook: The Blackhawks have won three Stanley Cups in the last six years, but never consecutively in that span. This team has the ingredients to repeat.

Last season: 46-28-8 (lost in the second round to Chicago).

Coach: Mike Yeo (fifth season, 150-110-34).

Top returning players: G Devan Dubnyk (1.78 GAA, .936 save percentage), D Ryan Suter (2 G, 36 A).

Top newcomers: None of consequence.

Outlook: If the Wild can keep injuries to a minimum, they should improve. Minnesota should qualify for the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season.

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

Coach: Paul Maurice (third season at Winnipeg, 61-38-18; overall, 323-319-80T-46OL).

Top returning players: D Dustin Byfuglien (18 G, 27 A), LW Andrew Ladd (24 G, 38 A).

Top newcomers: C Alexander Burmistrov returns after two seasons in Russia's KHL.

Outlook: The Jets made the playoffs for the first time since 2007 but lost some key players. They will contend for a playoff spot but are far from a certainty.

Last season: 41-31-10

Coach: Lindy Ruff (third season with Dallas, 81-62-21; overall, 652-494-78T-84OL).

Top returning players: LW Jamie Benn (35 G, 52 A, NHL-best 87 points); C Tyler Seguin (37 G, 40 A).

Top newcomers: LW Patrick Sharp; G Antti Niemi.

Outlook: The Stars were second in the NHL with 261 goals but 26th in goals against with 260. The defense, led by John Klingberg and veteran Alex Goligoski, doesn't appear good enough to make this a playoff team.

Last season: 39-31-12

Coach: Patrick Roy (third season, 91-51-20).

Top returning players: G Semyon Varlamov (2.56 GAA, .921 save percentage); RW Jarome Iginla (29 G.

Top newcomers: C Carl Soderberg D Francois Beauchemin.

Outlook: The Avalanche have not qualified for the playoffs in four of the last five years and will have trouble this season unless the offense is more consistent.

PACIFIC DIVISION

Last season: 51-24-7 (lost in the conference finals to Chicago).

Coach: Bruce Boudreau (fifth season with Ducks, 162-79-29; overall, 363-167-69).

Top returning players: C Ryan Getzlaf (25 G, 45 A), RW Corey Perry (33 G.

Top newcomers: LW Carl Hagelin, D Kevin Bieska.

Outlook: The Ducks will once again be Stanley Cup contenders. Hagelin, one of the fastest skaters, should thrive in Anaheim and give the Ducks a needed two-way performer.

Last season: 48-29-5 (lost in the first round to Calgary).

Coach: Willie Desjardins (second season, 48-29-5).

Top returning players: LW Daniel Sedin (20 G, 56 A), C Henrik Sedin (18 G, 55 A).

Top newcomers: C Brandon Sutter, LW Brandon Prus.

Outlook: The Canucks are showing age, with both Sedins and goalie Ryan Miller all 35. Despite the age, Vancouver will compete for a playoff spot.

Last season: 45-30-7 (lost in the second round to Anaheim).

Coach: Bob Hartley (fourth season with Calgary, 99-95-18; overall, 428-321-61T-52OL.

Top returning players: D Mark Giordano (11 G, 37 A in 61 games), C Jiri Hudler (31 G, 45 A).

Top newcomers: RW Michael Frolik, D Dougie Hamilton.

Outlook: The Flames qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2009 and should duplicate that feat. Former Gloucester Catholic star Johnny Gaudreau (24 G, 40 A) injected life and energy into a team that should continue improving.

Last season: 40-27-15

Coach: Darryl Sutter (fifth season with Kings, 138-84-39; overall, 547-404-101T-69OL).

Top returning players: D Drew Doughty (7 G, 39 A); G Jonathan Quick (2.24 GAA, .918 save percentage).

Top newcomers: LW Milan Lucic; G Jhonas Enroth.

Outlook: After winning two Stanley Cup titles in three years, the Kings missed the playoffs a year ago. The offense, with the likes of former Flyer Jeff Carter, should be stronger this season. Barring key injuries, the Kings appear ready to make another run at the Stanley Cup.

Last season: 40-33-9

Coach: Peter DeBoer (first season; overall, 217-200-77).

Top returning players: C Joe Pavelski (37 G, 33 A); C Joe Thornton (16 G, 49 A).

Top newcomers: RW Joel Ward; D Paul Martin.

Outlook: The Sharks missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2002-03 season. Martin will give them a veteran presence on the back line. A return to the postseason is very likely.

Last season: 24-44-14

Coach: Todd McLellan (first season with Oilers; overall, 311-163-66).

Top returning players: RW Jordan Eberle (24 G, 39 A); C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (24 G, 32 A).

Top newcomers: C Connor McDavid (first overall pick in NHL draft); G Cam Talbot.

Outlook: McDavid is expected to be a sure-fire star, and Talbot is out to show he could be a No. 1 goalie, so there should be improvement. Still, the Oilers have missed qualifying for the playoff nine straight times and that streak should remain intact.

Last season: 24-50-8

Coach: Dave Tippett (seventh season with Coyotes, 217-176-65; overall, 488-332-28T-102OL).

Top returning players: D Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23 G, 20 A); G Mike Smith (3.16 GAA, .904 save percentage).

Top newcomer: D Nicklas Grossmann.

Outlook: The Coyotes were 29th in scoring with 165 goals and don't appear appreciably better.