Friedman's 2015-16 NHL Eastern Conference Predictions

By Daniel Friedman
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Hockey season starts Wednesday night, and with that, here's how I think the NHL's Eastern Conference (and the local teams) will shake out:

(* denotes playoff team)

MORE: Friedman's Western Conference Predictions

METROPOLITAN DIVISION

1. WASHINGTON CAPITALS*

Balanced, well-coached, and bolstered by the acquisitions of wingers TJ Oshie and Justin Williams, the Caps are primed for a deep playoff run.

2. NEW YORK RANGERS*

The Blueshirts are still as deep as anyone in the league, and will challenge for the division crown. But there's more competition at the top and they'll be neck-and-neck with Washington from the get-go.

3. NEW YORK ISLANDERS*

Opening up the Brooklyn era, the Isles will be fun to watch and an improved hockey team. Playoffs are expected at this point. However, competing in the vastly talented Metro Division (and likely facing one of those opponents in the postseason), I think they'll struggle to finally win a series for the first time since 1993.

4. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS*

Pittsburgh's offense has improved by leaps and bounds with the addition of Phil Kessel and depth forwards. On defense, there's much to be desired beyond stalwarts Kris Letang and Olli Maata.

5. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Brandon Saad makes them a better team with the puck, but their blueline is filled with question marks. It'll be close, but I think the Jackets miss out on the playoffs.

6. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

The Flyers lack depth at virtually every position except goaltending, though they do have some fantastic forwards in Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek. Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier are breakout candidates as well. They're not a bad team, but they're not a good one, either.

7. NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Emerging star goaltender Cory Schneider will keep them in hockey games and the young defense corps should start to really bloom. But the Devils have a ways to go before they're moving up the division ladder.

8. CAROLINA HURRICANES

The Hurricanes are missing … well … just about everything. They've got a couple of forwards who can play, a couple of solid defensemen and a wild card in Cam Ward between the pipes. Ward will have to rekindle his old magic for this team to have a prayer.

ATLANTIC DIVISION

1. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING*

A trip to the Stanley Cup Final was just the first step. The Bolts are ready for more, and you're going to be seeing them in contention for years to come. If 2013 No. 3 overall pick Jonathan Drouin busts loose, they'll be even better.

2. MONTREAL CANADIENS*

Carey Price will do his job, PK Subban will do his. Can the somewhat top-heavy defense and lackluster offense do their jobs? The Habs will finish in a respectable spot, but the answer to this question will determine where they go from there.

3. DETROIT RED WINGS*

Everyone keeps waiting for this team to falter, but it never happens. It's not going to this season, either. New coach, same system, familiarity with many of the young faces on the roster and enough veteran talent to stay afloat. Detroit will be fine, just like it always is.

4. BOSTON BRUINS*

The Bruins are not what they used to be, but they're still a playoff team. There's just (barely) enough talent here to pull it off. For now.

5. OTTAWA SENATORS

There'll be no miracle in Ottawa this season. Andrew Hammond will come back down to earth, whether that means he's solid or terrible. Nobody can sustain what he did during that incredible stretch run. The Senators have firepower on the front lines, but their overall lack of depth will be exposed and they'll come up short.

6. FLORIDA PANTHERS

Right on the cusp of being a playoff team, I think it'll be one more year before Florida makes the jump. The focus this season is on the continued development of Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau and Aaron Ekblad, among others. The Panthers will be fun to watch and competitive, but they're not there yet.

7. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Under new head coach Mike Babcock, the Leafs will work harder than they have in years. They'll continue to identify which pieces in their system fit the puzzle and which ones don't. They've got a phenomenal group handling that sorting process, but it'll take time.

8. BUFFALO SABRES

Look out for Jack Eichel and a very capable top-six forward group. Beyond that, the Sabres are very much a work-in-progress.

CONFERENCE CHAMPION: WASHINGTON

Follow Daniel on Twitter at @DFriedmanOnNYI