Here is Ottawa Sun writer Bruce Garrioch’s take on where the NHL rank heading into the 2008-09 season:
POWER RANKINGS
1. Detroit: Wings look untouchable — again.
2. San Jose: Time for talk to turn to action.
3. Anaheim: Still a force to be reckoned with.
4. Montreal: Habs won’t be a surprise this year.
5. Pittsburgh: The young guns should still be firing.
6. Washington: Alex Ovechkin only gets better.
7. Dallas: The Stars are always contenders.
8. Philadelphia: Set up for a strong future.
9. N.Y. Rangers: They’ve made positive changes.
10. Ottawa: Still plenty of offensive power up front.
11. New Jersey: Martin Brodeur can go a long way.
12. Minnesota: Not exciting, but consistent.
13. Chicago: Might surprise with a playoff berth.
14. Calgary: Jarome Iginla is the key.
15. Carolina: Will find a way to bounce back.
16. Boston: Claude Julien has a hard-working team.
17. Phoenix: They’ll push for a playoff spot again.
18. Tampa Bay: Will changes bring success?
19. Nashville: This ranking will get better.
20. Edmonton: Oilers have a lot to prove.
21. Buffalo: Not sure they will succeed this year.
22. Colorado: This team could take a shocking fall.
23. Florida: Are Jacques Martin’s changes enough?
24. St. Louis: Paul Kariya has to be dominant again.
25. Islanders: Coach Scott Gordon has a big task.
26. Atlanta: Thrashers didn’t do a lot to improve.
27. Toronto: The Leafs are going to fall fast.
28. Los Angeles: GM Dean Lombardi deserves better.
29. Vancouver: Mike Gillis is all talk, no action.
30. Columbus: Haven’t made necessary improvements.