1. Colorado Avalanche - The top 6 is lethal, the D core has a perfect balance of defensive and offensive ability, and Bryce has the best goalie tandem in the league. This is the team to beat in my eyes. I rank Colorado # 1 not just for that reason, but knowing Bryce will make some nice moves to improve this already dynamite squad.

2. Los Angeles Kings - Definitely the best offensive team in the league. He's got arguably the top goalie as well. If the Aves aren't the team to beat right now, LA is.

3. New York Islanders - For my money - this is the best team in the Eastern Conference. This team, much like Rumpy's, is absolutely loaded with fire power. Joe could stand to add a defenseman, but the goaltending is there to back them up. Should be a great year for New York (both of them).

4. Detroit Red Wings - Nolan's wings are right up there with the Isles. A great top 6, great defense core, great goalie. Would like to see a middle 6 guy or two added to the mix, but overall a really good squad and probably a cup contender.

5. Ottawa Senators - I love what Steph has done, adding some true top tier talent. I actually originally had the Sens as a fringe playoff team prior to Steph's arrival, so this is quite the jump. He needs to add some depth, and a goalie, but the big guns are there and this team will be tough to beat.

6. Boston Bruins - This team is pretty fantastic. Another great balance of offensive and defensive ability throughout the lineup. I liked the Bergeron signing a lot. I'd like to see a top tier two way defenseman added before the deadline passes, and if Greg can do that (which may be tough as Greg has stated he wants to keep his picks), he'll be a cup contender. He might be one anyways.

7. Calgary Flames - Kevin has a bit of work to do if he wants to be a cup contender again this year. He's got the goaltending, and some nice pieces locked in up front. He does need to add a couple middle 6 forwards, as well as a top pairing defenseman. With that said, Kevin has all the pieces he could ever need (and way, way more) to turn this team into a true threat. Right now, the Pacific belongs to Rumpy - it's up to Kevin whether or not he wants to try and change that.

8. Dallas Stars - Junya has taken a lot of heat the past few months, even some from me. The funny thing is, he's actually had a fantastic offseason. He got a fantastic one year contract for O'Reilly (great call letting him go to RFA), added a capable starter in Ryan Miller, signed a top line LW in Daniel Sedin (though he's better suited for 2nd line, top PP minutes), traded for a really solid 2nd line RW in Spooner, signed 2/3 of his 3rd line in UFA, etc. Junya loves to troll, but he deserves some credit here. There was a chance for him to make a solid playoff run this year, and he took it. The D core is really good, his 3rd line C is Mark Scheifele, and he's got a decent goalie. If this team stays healthy and/or Junya adds to it, the Stars will be really good this year.

9. New York Rangers - I'd probably consider ranking this team higher, but I really don't trust the GM. From Rich to Ryan, this team does not get the attention it deserves. I think a lot of people are under the impression that I dislike Ryan, which is not the case at all. When he's on, he's a good guy to deal with and talk to. The problem is, he's never on. This team really needs their GM this year. They're only a couple tweaks away from being a cup contender. Honestly though, it's tough to see it happening.

10. New Jersey Devils - Tim's squad is sneaky good again this year. There's nothing exceptionally flashy about it, but he's really deep up front, and the D core is really solid defensively. Tim doesn't have many pieces to use as bait to improve his roster, but it's really good as it stands. I'm interested to see how this team starts the season off.

11. Tampa Bay Lightning - Finally Tampa GM Eric will get some of the respect he deserves. He's quietly built a really nice squad, and could legitimately do some damage this year. Like most teams, he could use a tweak or two, but that's it. Eric is an active GM and I know he'll do whatever it takes to make the Lightning a top tier team in the East.

12. Vegas Golden Knights - I love what Joe has done with his team. He's continuously made moves that will greatly benefit him in the future, while maintaining a really good team in the present. If he doesn't see himself as a true competitor, he's shown the willingness in the past to pull the chute. I personally think this team is only a top line RW away from being a top team in the West. With that said, McDonagh is a UFA at years end, and Vegas is always reluctant to lose assets for nothing. It'll be interesting to see how Vegas starts the year, and if GM Bast tries and make a run.

13. Columbus Blue Jackets - Maybe I should take notes from Jesse on how to rebuild. He's built a fantastic core, added veteran players where needed, and just has a great team overall moving forward. I'd rank the Jackets higher, but I want to see them take this big step forward first. The Columbus GM knows what kind of squad he has on his hands here, and has already shown willingness to do whatever it takes to improve it. Should be a fantastic year for the Jackets and a giant step forward, which should excite the fan base.

14. Chicago Blackhawks - Dave has done a spectacular job at keeping his Blackhawks near the top of the league every year. They're a really good team again this year. With that said, Dave doesn't have many pieces to use as bait to add to this squad, and it's not a top contender as of now. I think the time has come for Dave to stop trying to retain his guys in UFA, keep his picks, and start retooling. This team is still good, but it's trending in the wrong direction.

15. Pittsburgh Penguins - This is a pretty balanced team overall, with some lethal weapons up front. With McDavid, Getzlaf, Benn, Tarasenko, Vanek, Mantha, this is one of the best top 6s in the league. The goalie is there, the D is pretty good as well. I like what Ty has done since taking over. He could stand to add a middle 6 guy and a top 4 D, but I've seen worse teams make a lot of noise.

16. Carolina Hurricanes - Like most GMs in the league, I'd like to see GM Rich keep his picks and create some sort of a development system. That aside, this team is pretty good again this year, and always seems to 'over-achieve'. I like retaining Staal as a UFA, I like the add of Fleury, as he's one of the best goalies in the sim. This team has potential to make a lot of noise this year, I just hope the 2020 picks aren't shipped off to make that happen.