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Wow it's been a while since I've posted. Lot's has happened. The Penguins won the cup (woooooo), Dany Heatley is in San Jose, Hossa is in Chicago, Pat Kane got arrested and in Sid vs. Ovie part 1, the kid came out on top.

But all of that is in the past now. None of it matters. The regular season starts in one week and everyone's slate is wiped clean. My predictions are bold, and you might think I'm losing my mind. There's a huge chance I could be very wrong, and that's fine, because not knowing what's going to happen is the fun of predicting things. Here's we go.

Eastern Conference

1. Boston Bruins

They may have lost Kessel and Thomas is a year older, but I still feel like Boston is the class of the east. Can they do damage in the playoffs? That remains to be seen, but the Bruins will dominate in the regular season.

2. Philadelphia Flyers

This is one tough team. Not only that, but they have tons of skill. Will Ray Emery hold the fort in net? We'll find out very soon, but he may only have to be a Chris Osgood with the likes of Pronger, Coburn and Timonen in front of him.

3. Washington Capitals

I really hate puting them here, but with a southeast division that didn't get much stronger, they will still get a top 3 spot. How will the goaltending hold up? It will be very interesting to watch. A weak defence better step up their game though.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins

The defending champs could win the Atlantic, but with the Olympics and tons of hockey played over the past 2 years, they will just fall short. Don't count Crosby, Malkin and Fleury out, they're too good, despite a terrible pre-season.

5. Montreal Canadiens

Yes, I am putting them this high. With all the distraction of last year behind them, this team can focus on the future. Are they too small up front? For the playoffs, yes. For the regular season, no. However they will only go as far as Carey Price will take them.

6. New Jersey Devils

Do I think they'll be really good this year? No, but Zach Parise and Martin Brodeur make this team a playoff contender. Let's see how they do with Lemaire back behind the bench.

7. Tampa Bay Lightning

No this isn't a typo. Vincent Lecavilier, Martin St. Louis, Alex Tanguay, Mattias Ohlund and Victor Hedman spells playoff team to me. They should be soild in net too, and hopefully the circus of last season is over.

8. Toronto Maple Leafs

Nope, still not another typo. They have a little bit of scoring now, and watch Brian Burke add another scorer at the deadline to push them over the hump. The defence is solid and goaltending should improve.

9. Carolina Hurricanes

Eric Staal and Cam Ward will not be able to carry this team again. Hopefully once the season is over, the GM will realise this truth, and get Staal some help.

10. New York Rangers

The Blueshirts have two world class players in Marian Gaborik and Henrik Lundquist. But healthy or not, Gaborik can't carry the whole offense. This team is just too messy, even with Torts behind the bench.

11. Ottawa Senators

Many pundits have the Sens much higher. But after Spezza, Alfie and maybe Kovalev, there isn't much. An good, yet injury prone goalie just doesn't seem to be enough.

12. Buffalo Sabres

Not enough scoring, not solid enough defence. Thomas Vanek is a pretty good sniper, but comon. Give me more than that please.

13. Florida Panthers

I like the goaltending, and perhaps there might be something here in the future, but right now, I see nothing that says playoff team in a very closely matched eastern conference.

14. Atlanta Thrashers

They have some great prospects, but if they want to keep Ilya Kovalchuk something big has got to happen. It won't, because they don't have the money and no one is available.

15. New York Islanders

John Tavares or not, this team won't go anywhere but to Taylor Hall's house this year. Imagine how good they could be in a few years though. Wow.