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ESPN.coms reporters explain what to expect from each NHL team this season, including best new faces, biggest unknowns, sure things and more.Metropolitan Division?| Atlantic Division?|?Central Division | Pacific DivisionMetropolitan DivisionCarolina HurricanesThe Hurricanes hit rock bottom last year -- and then they got younger ... and better. Can?Justin Faulk?use his World Cup snub as motivation to push callow Carolina into the playoffs this season?Columbus Blue JacketsThe Blue Jackets have fallen off the NHL map the past couple of years, but Columbus still has offensive depth, a young, mobile blue line?and a former Vezina Trophy winner in goal.New Jersey DevilsThe Devils deal for former No. 1 draft pick?Taylor Hall?could prove to be the offseasons most impactful move, especially if the wing jump-starts New Jerseys offense in front of Cory Schneider.New York IslandersThe Islanders shed key players from the squad that won the franchises first playoff series since 1993 -- but they still have stalwart John Tavares, one of the leagues premier two-way centers.New York RangersThe retooled Rangers dont carry the Cup expectations theyve had in recent years, but -- as usual -- how far theyll advance next spring all comes down to The King, goalie?Henrik Lundqvist.Philadelphia FlyersWas last seasons playoff berth an aberration or a sign of upward movement within the Metropolitan Division? Coach Dave Hakstol will be doing his best to ensure its the latter.Pittsburgh PenguinsNo team has won back-to-back Stanley Cups since 1998, so the Penguins are feeling the heat to repeat. Can?Sidney Crosby?& Co. defy history and go all the way again this season?Washington CapitalsThe window is closing for the Caps to capitalize on perennial scoring champ Alex Ovechkin and Vezina winner Braden Holtby. Can this talented Washington team avoid yet another playoff washout?Atlantic DivisionBoston BruinsThe Bruins have missed the playoffs the past two seasons, but?Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron are energized by their World Cup heroics, and veteran David Backes?will add depth and leadership.Buffalo SabresCan superstar-in-waiting Jack Eichel avoid a sophomore jinx and end the Sabres playoff drought? Hell have help from veteran forward Kyle Okposo and talented young defenseman Dmitry Kulikov.Detroit Red WingsProvided?Dylan Larkin builds on his stellar rookie season -- and new addition Frans Nielsen?flashes the two-way form he did at the World Cup -- the Red Wings will be playoff-bound once again.Florida PanthersTheres no doubt the Florida Panthers are young, talented and rich. But can their grizzled vet, the ageless?Jaromir Jagr, help them match last seasons surprising 103-point pinnacle?Montreal CanadiensLast season was devastating for Montreal. But the chemistry between a healthy?Carey Price and blockbuster blue-line addition Shea Weber?struck up at the World Cup bodes well for the Canadiens.Ottawa SenatorsThe Senators have veteran?Dion Phaneuf for a full season and Erik Karlsson, one of the best two-way blueliners in the NHL, leading the D. Can they keep Ottawa from stumbling down the stretch?Tampa Bay LightningWith star?Steven Stamkos returning and former No. 1 pick Jonathan Drouin?back in the teams good graces, the Lightning are fully charged and poised for another Stanley Cup run.Toronto Maple LeafsTheres more to like about Toronto than just No. 1 draft pick?Auston Matthews, although hes a superstar in the making. The future looks bright for the Leafs heading into their centennial season.Central DivisionChicago BlackhawksWas last years first-round playoff exit a sign the Blackhawks are mortal? Hardly. Chicago is deeper than ever on defense?and still has the 1-2 punch of?Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews?up front.?Colorado AvalancheThe biggest change for the Avalanche came behind the bench, which could lead to a completely different style of play. But will it be enough in the tough Central??Dallas StarsThe dark injury cloud that settled over the Stars in the offseason wont prevent them from?keeping the Central Division title within their sights.?Minnesota WildThe Wild have had big expectations for years, so its essential they make some noise this season?or face the prospect of big changes.?Nashville PredatorsThe big changes the Predators have undergone in less than a year -- bringing in a dynamic defenseman and a potential franchise center -- will pay off in the tough Central.?St. Louis BluesTheyve got a new captain, a veteran coach in his final season and questions about the future of their best puck-moving defenseman -- what is up with the St. Louis Blues?Winnipeg JetsBeing loaded with talent -- led by flashy Finn?Patrik Laine?-- puts the Jets in a good position. A black cloud hanging over the defense could limit the teams potential.Pacific DivisionAnaheim DucksThe Ducks will have a familiar face behind the bench this season in Randy Carlyle. The coach who led Anaheim to its only Cup wants veterans?Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry?to pick up the pace.?Arizona CoyotesMax Domi?sees no reason the rebuilding Coyotes and their roster of young talent cant win night in and night out?-- especially with superstar-in-waiting?Dylan Strome?in the fold.?Calgary FlamesBringing in?Brian Elliott?to hold down the fort in goal could be a potential game-changer for the Flames, who have plenty of young talent but were hampered by inconsistent goaltending last year.Edmonton OilersThis could be the season the long-awaited Oilers turnaround comes to fruition -- provided a more confident?Connor McDavid takes charge on offense and new addition Adam Larsson?shores up the D.?Los Angeles KingsCan the Kings return to glory? Theyre older and slower, but any team with a world-class No. 1 defenseman such as?Drew Doughty and a top-notch No. 1 center in Anze Kopitar?cant be counted out.?San Jose SharksNHL history hasnt been kind to the Stanley Cup runner-up, but the stacked Sharks are primed for another deep run.?Will this be the season that Jumbo?Joe Thornton?finally hoists the Cup??Vancouver CanucksAs he proved during the World Cup,?Loui Eriksson?is a perfect fit with the Sedins. But the rest of Vancouvers lineup remains a concern -- and the Canucks look like a team stuck in transition. Charlie Coyle Jersey . In what the team had called a retirement, Ryan said Thursday that he is resigning as chief executive of the Rangers in a move effective at the end of this month. Jacques Plante Jersey . Barcelona also left injured defenders Carles Puyol, Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba out of its squad for the trip to Glasgow. That means that Marc Bartra will probably start again in the centre of the defence alongside Gerard Pique. https://www.cheapbruins.com/1642m-lionel-hitchman-jersey-bruins.html . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play. Harry Oliver Jersey . Peter Gammons, an analyst for Major League Baseballs network and website, drew the ire of hockey fans on Sunday when he criticized the two NHL teams on Twitter for their physical game the night before. Charlie McAvoy Jersey . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges. Aviva Premiership club Exeter have announced contract extensions for No. 8 Thomas Waldrom and prop Harry Williams.The deals follow fresh terms recently agreed by a number of other Exeter players, including Waldroms fellow England internationals Jack Nowell, Henry Slade and Luke Cowan-Dickie.Waldrom, one of the Premierships most prolific try-scorers, and Williams will remain at Sandy Park until at least 2018.Exeter head coach Rob Baxter said: What we have done is moved quickly to extend the deals for both lads.They were both under contract for thiis season, but weve extended them by a year and got things done nice and early.dddddddddddd.Its a reward for both of them for doing so well, but it also keeps that solidity within the squad that we like to have.Waldrom has scored 36 tries in 54 appearances for the Chiefs, while Williams also made a strong impression last season when Exeter reached the Premiership final and were European Champions Cup quarterfinalists. ' ' '