This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
Around the Rink
We're back! It was but a few months ago that the Chicago Blackhawks were hoisting the Stanley Cup once more, but now their defense begins in earnest, as a new NHL season, and new fantasy hockey season, begins. Since I'm up first this year, and since I get to write an article before any games are played, I can use this space to provide my preseason predictions for how the NHL standings are going to shake out, and for which team will end up taking the Cup for a spin this upcoming summer. Let's get to the good stuff…
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. Washington Capitals
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Tampa Bay Lightning
4. New York Rangers
5. Montreal Canadiens
6. Detroit Red Wings
7. New York Islanders
8. Boston Bruins
9. Columbus Blue Jackets
10. Florida Panthers
11. Ottawa Senators
12. Buffalo Sabres
13. Philadelphia Flyers
14. Toronto Maple Leafs
15. New Jersey Devils
16. Carolina Hurricanes
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. Anaheim Ducks
2. Chicago Blackhawks
3. St. Louis Blues
4. Los Angeles Kings
5. Minnesota Wild
6. Calgary Flames
7. Dallas Stars
8. Nashville Predators
9. Edmonton Oilers
10. Vancouver Canucks
11. Colorado Avalanche
12. Winnipeg Jets
13. San Jose Sharks
14. Arizona Coyotes
As for the Stanley Cup Final, I'll take the Chicago Blackhawks to return, but they will not win, as Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals will emerge victorious. Now, it's time for 30 NHL teams to try and prove me right and/or wrong.
Projected Goalie Starters (all times Eastern)
Canadiens (Carey Price) at Maple Leafs (Jonathan Bernier*), 7:00
Rangers (Henrik Lundqvist) at Blackhawks (Corey Crawford), 7:30
Canucks (Ryan Miller) at Flames (Karri Ramo*), 10:00
Sharks (Martin Jones) at Kings (Jonathan Quick), 10:00
*Confirmed Starters
For updates on the projected goalies later in the day, check out our Projected Goalies Grid.
Injury News For Teams Playing Wednesday
Canadiens
Michael Bournival, C (concussion) – Skated Monday, status unknown
Zack Kassian, RW (suspension) – Suspended indefinitely
Maple Leafs
Stephane Robidas, D (undisclosed) – Expected to go on IR
Rangers
Derick Brassard, C (wrist) – Day-to-day
Dan Girardi, D (ankle) – Day-to-day, expected to play
Blackhawks
Phillip Danault, C (labrum) – Out roughly four months
Artem Panarin, LW (upper-body) – Day-to-day
Michal Rozsival, D (ankle) – Expected to start season on IR
Canucks
Chris Higgins, LW (foot) – Out a couple weeks
Flames
T.J. Brodie, D (hand) – Out 3-6 weeks
Paul Byron, C (undisclosed) – Day-to-day
Joe Colborne, C (thumb) – Week-to-week
Jon Gillies, G (concussion) – Day-to-day
Jiri Hudler, RW (lower-body) – Day-to-day
Mason Raymond, LW (undisclosed) – Day-to-day
Ladislav Smid, D (neck) – Day-to-day
Sharks
Melker Karlsson, C (undisclosed) – Not expected to play in opener
Raffi Torres, LW (suspension) – Suspended 41 games
Kings
Jeff Carter, C (undisclosed) – Expected to play
Matt Greene, D (upper-body) – Doubtful
Dwight King, LW (undisclosed) – Out an extended period of time
Jake Muzzin, D (upper-body) – Doubtful
Jordan Nolan, RW (ankle) – Day-to-day
Hot
Since the season hasn't begun, nobody is yet "hot." Sure, we could look at preseason, but we all know at this point that preseason is not necessarily predictive.
Cold
See the "Hot" section.
Recommended Pickup
Mike Cammalleri, LW, NJD – Cammalleri isn't a fun guy to own, because he's old and a proven commodity and played for the Devils. He doesn't have a high ceiling. What he does have, though, is the opportunity to play real minutes on a team that is bereft of offensive talent. He scored 27 goals last year, even though he only played in 68 games. Granted, he often has trouble staying healthy, but he's healthy now, so if you find yourself needing a pickup early, Cammalleri is a guy you shouldn't overlook for the hotshot young player with the high ceiling.
