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Predictions

EAST

1. WAS
2. BOS
3. PHI
4. PIT
5. CAR
6. MTL
7. NJD
8. TBL
9. TOR
10. BUF
11. NYR
12. FLA
13. ATL
14. OTT
15. NYI

WEST

1. CHI
2. VAN
3. ANA
4. DET
5. SJS
6. CGY
7. CBJ
8. LAK
9. MNW
10. STL
11. DAL
12. EDM
13. NSH
14. PHX
15. COL

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EASTERN CONFERENCE

2. Boston Bruins

Phil Kessel is gone. As far as team news, that tops all offseason news.

Kessel, drafted by the Bruins fifth overall in 2006 on the heels of a strong showing as a member of the US National Development Program, scored 36 goals last season, and at the end of his entry-level contract, he wanted many millions. He was loved in Boston, and won the Masterton trophy in 2006-07 after beating testicular cancer.

Some in Boston have questioned whether the move to trade Kessel to Toronto was borne of frugality. Truth be told, Kessel wanted a trade. Coach Claude Julien evidently raised Kessel’s ire with his taskmaster ways. Kessel evidently didn’t like Julien.

“He had his best season under this coach. Enough said on that,’’ GM Peter Chiarelli said to the Boston Globe. “We stress defense first. We stress competitiveness. Having said all that, what were we, first or second in the league in goals scored? And he had 36 goals? Got him a nice raise.’’

Could Phil Kessel’s youngish stance yield him not a Stanley Cup but an audition for Marian Hossa, The Sequel? We saw that movie. Will Kessel’s dumping Boston be a tonic or a devastating blow? It says here that despite the loss of a true blue-chip talent, not to mention a natural offensive threat, the Boston Bruins are sitting pretty in the Eastern Conference, and will represent the East for the Cup.

The rest of the team? Just fine, thanks.

Zdeno Chara wrestled the Norris trophy from Nick Lidstrom’s iron grip. The Bruins had seven 20-goal scorers. Tim Thomas won the Vezina. The club’s offense finished second overall, its defense, first. The Bruins disappointed by losing to Carolina in the second round, but it was a great season overall.

Derek Morris will join Chara and crew on a defensive crew that lost Steve Montador, Aaron Ward and Shane Hnidy, but should stay tough despite the departures. On the prospect front, Johnny Boychuk (in possession of one of the niftiest names in hockey) won the Eddie Shore Award (AHL) after scoring 20 goals with Providence. The club is hoping to slate Boychuk as sixth or seventh defenseman.

Offensively, David Krejci scored 22 goals in his second season, but will miss the start of the season due to hip surgery. There is more than enough firepower to go around, however. Michael Ryder (27 goals) followed former coach Julien to Boston last year and rejuvenated his career. No reason to believe that he can’t crack 30. Marc Savard is in the last year of his deal, and should be good for another 90 or even 100 points. Also on the rebound list is Marco Sturm, who was limited to just 19 games to injury. RW Blake Wheeler enters his sophomore season on the upswing, having scored 21 goals. Vets Chuck Kobasew and Mark Recchi also return, each of whom cracked 20 goals as well.

All around, the Bruins look good at even strength or on special teams.

In goal, they actually might be a bit better, if that’s possible. Thomas will now be backed up by 22-year-old Tukka Rask, who won 33 of 57 games played with AHL Providence, and recorded a 2.50GAA; .915SV%.

Julien can coach defense. He can, as evidenced by the B’s output last season, change it up and unleash the offense, too, a fact which, a year ago, critics questioned. They don’t question it any more. Can Julien lift the Stanley Cup over his head, too?

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