The wait is over \u2013 the start of the 2014-2015 NHL season<\/strong> is upon us. Who are the teams to beat this upcoming season? Which teams\u2019 free agency moves may have put them over the top? The NHL Power Rankings<\/strong> will try to break down the top dogs as the season wears along.<\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The defending champs are Numero Uno to start but there are a host of teams that will certainly push them as the season wears on. Who are these teams? <\/p>\n Let`s take a look.<\/p>\n 1. Los Angeles Kings<\/strong> – The Los Angeles Kings are #1 and rightfully so heading into the season. They are as deep and as talented as any team in the league \u2013 and Jonathan Quick is healthy. They may have some competition in a week\u2019s time \u2013 there are some good teams looking to knock them off.<\/p>\n 2. Chicago Blackhawks<\/strong> – The Chicago Blackhawks top to bottom are the best team in the NHL \u2013 Brad Richards adds an interesting element indeed \u2013 maybe one that can get them to the top of the mountain again.<\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=64160&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n 3. Anaheim Ducks<\/strong> \u2013 The Ducks look prime to take that next step. They were the best team in the NHL last season but faltered in the playoffs. The addition of Ryan Kesler, if he can stay healthy could loom large for this team.<\/p>\n 4. Boston Bruins <\/strong>\u2013 The best of the Eastern Conference teams is next. All Boston does is win games \u2013 the loss of Jarome Iginla is about the only question mark for this team going forward.<\/p>\n 5. St. Louis Blues<\/strong> \u2013 St. Louis was just one piece away from going a long way last year \u2013 that piece comes in the form of the biggest free agent fish \u2013 Paul Stastny. The Blues are as tough as they come in both ends of the rink and somehow are the fourth best Western Conference team \u2013 theoretically!<\/p>\n 6. Colorado Avalanche<\/strong> \u2013 The Avalanche lost Stastny but they weren\u2019t shy about bringing in some help \u2013 Jarome Iginla, Daniele Briere and Brad Stuart are nice pickups for this team. Nathan MacKinnon has a chance to be special this year as well.<\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=16&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n 7. Tampa Bay Lightning<\/strong> \u2013 If it wasn`t for injuries last year the Lightning could have done some damage \u2013 Steve Stamkos and Ben Bishop were banged up at the wrong time for this club. Anton Stralman, Brian Boyle and Jason Garrison were added to what looks like a good all around team \u2013 good for seventh on the Rankings.<\/p>\n 8. Pittsburgh Penguins<\/strong> – Gone are Jussi Jokinen and James Neal but in are Christian Ehrhoff, Blake Comeau, Steve Downie, Marcel Goc and Thomas Greiss – not a terrible tradeoff for a team that has Sidney Crosby on the roster. The Penguins will always compete – they can’t blame coaching anymore.<\/p>\n 9. Minnesota Wild<\/strong> – The Minnesota Wild added Thomas Vanek \u2013 not quite sure how that`s going to work out. Goaltending is the huge issue for the Wild \u2013 they absolutely have to get something figured out.<\/p>\n 10. New York Rangers<\/strong> – the Rangers lost Brad Richards, Brian Boyle and Anton Stralman – three key pieces to how this team operated last year. Last year’s Cup runner up deserves a place in the top 10 – just don’t know if it is gonna last.<\/p>\n 11. Dallas Stars<\/strong> \u2013 no team has improved itself like the Stars have the last couple of years \u2013 last year it was Tyler Seguin, this year it`s Jason Spezza and Alex Hemsky. Along with Jamie Benn the upside is big for the Stars if the goaltending can hold up.<\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=64161&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n 12. San Jose Sharks<\/strong> \u2013 I hate what the Sharks did in free agency \u2013 John Scott?????? We all know the Sharks do their best work during the regular season and that`s where we`re headed \u2013 they deserve a place in the dirty dozen.<\/p>\n 13. Montreal Canadiens<\/strong>\n
NFL Spreads & Matchup Insight<\/h3>\n
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NHL Power Rankings \u2013 Where does Each Team Stand Heading Into The Season<\/h3>\n
\n 14. Detroit Red Wings<\/strong>
\n 15. Washington Capitals<\/strong>
\n 16. Nashville Predators<\/strong>
\n 17. Columbus Blue Jackets<\/strong>
\n 18. New Jersey Devils<\/strong>
\n 19. Philadelphia Flyers<\/strong>
\n 20. Arizona Coyotes<\/strong>
\n 21. Vancouver Canucks<\/strong>
\n 22. New York Islanders<\/strong>
\n 23. Florida Panthers<\/strong>
\n 24. Toronto Maple Leafs<\/strong>
\n 25. Winnipeg Jets<\/strong>
\n 26. Calgary Flames<\/strong>
\n 27. Ottawa Senators<\/strong>
\n 28. Carolina Hurricanes<\/strong>
\n 29. Buffalo Sabres<\/strong>
\n 30. Edmonton Oilers<\/strong><\/p>\n