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I know, it's a little early to do this but heck..., I am bored! Here's the Eastern Conference playoff seedings, in my opinion anyway.

1) - Boston Bruins - this team should've beat out Carolina last season but, whatever. This is still a talented team, lead by Savard and Chara and with Thomas in net..., they are still the 'beasts in the East'. With the addition of Morris on the back end and Bergeron hopefully healthy again, as well as the possibility of Rask backing up Thomas..., this is the team to beat in the East. Maybe this year..., Lord Stanley will be in Boston. One can only hope.

2) Pittsburgh Penguins - Last years SC champs return with a chance at repeat..., possibly be the first team in years to do so but they have some work to do. They lost two of their better D men in Gill and Scuderi, Guerin probably won't last the year in Pitts. But if Crosby and Malkin continue to lead this team and they get on a roll around the All Star Break..., they will seriously contend with the Bruins for first overall.

3) Washington Capitals - The best thing this team in the off season was snagging Knuble from the Flyers..., I have always liked the way Knuble played and if he's paired with #8, he'll do well. The thing that really worries me about this team is their goaltending..., Varlamov should start the season but if Theodore begins to play like he did a few years ago, they'll be fine. Remember..., they're in the SE division..., not exactly the best in the land.

4) Philadelphia Flyers - They'll hang with the Pens all season..., Pronger gives them added toughness on the blue line, Emery a new look in goal. If they remain relatively healthy all season (Briere, Gagne) and if Carter continues to score at will, Philadelphia should be closer than people really expect. The wild card though is Emery..., is he the 'king of attitude' from Ottawa or a newly rejuvenated tender wanting to be the best. Time will tell.

5) Carolina Hurricanes - I admire the strengths of this team..., Ward was awesome during the playoffs and end of the regular season, Staal's one of the best centers and if the core players come to play, Carolina will a tough team to contend with (just ask Boston). The interesting thing is..., are Ward and Walker going to get along after what happened in the playoffs or, forget about it and play. I am betting on the second point..., as well as Carolina making the post season.

6) New Jersey Devils - The Devils lost a few players in the off season..., Gionta won't really be missed but Madden will. Madden was one of the best at faceoffs during the season and Jersey didn't do anything to replace him. Brodeur's 37 and he may be losing steam playing 60-70 games when healthy and with Denis and Franzee as possible backups..., Jersey is in trouble. 

7) New York Rangers - Gaborik, Prospal, Higgins, Arnason, Kotalik and Brashear. The new faces in MSG this season and it is with these players that the Rangers will obtain the #7 seed..., they already had a decent core of players and adding Gaborik (injury prone), Prospal (rebound year) and Higgins (stolen from MTL), should put this team back into the post season. Lundqvist is still one of the best goalies out there and if he's healthy and plays well, the Rangers are in. 

8) Buffalo Sabres - I really like the way this team plays..., fast, tough and have a lot of scoring options up front. If Miller is healthy and on his game, Buffalo will eke out Montreal and Toronto for #8..., Vanek and Roy are great players on a decent team and oughta carry Buffalo back to the playoffs. 

Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Tampa, Atlanta, NYI and Florida will all miss the postseason but MTL and TO will make it a race. With all the moves made by both teams and more to probably come, Buffalo will make it a 3 team race and make it in. Ottawa has the 'Heatley' situation hanging over its head, Tampa didn't do enough, nor did Florida and Atlanta just sat there. And the only reason to watch the Islanders is Tavares..., and I am not even a fan of the Islanders! Later.