First of all, I can't even name 2 teams from the Western Conference, so fuhged aboud id (Mickey Blue Eyes? No one?). So while I'm going to join up and predict what 15 teams are going to do over the course of an 82 game schedule even though I got fired from guessing people's weight at Six Flags because I was just that bad at guessing things (Do you know that creepy guy that looks like Uncle Junior who dances around in those giant glasses actually works there? Let's just say that it don't get no lower than being fired by him while he does high kicks around his desk and pokes you with his cane), it's going to have to be just for the East and just for the regular season.
I'm going to go out on a tree limb and guess that not too much is going to change from what it looks like today, adjusted for division winners:
1. Atlanta Thrashers
2. Boston Bruins
3. New Jersey Devils
4. Buffalo Sabres
5. Carolina Hurricanes
6. Florida Panthers
7. Montreal Canadiens
8. New York Islanders
9. New York Rangers
10. Ottawa Senators
11. Philadelphia Flyers
12. Pittsburgh Penguins
13. Tampa Bay Lightning
14. Toronto Maple Leafs
15. Washington Capitals
Pretty amazing, right? Who knew the addition of Maxim Afinogenov was going to bolster the Thrasher's offense so much? And the Penguins and Flyers, their fan bases aren't going to be to happy. How about that John Tavares! I imagine the biggest surprise would have to be for the Caps though. Going from division winners to worst in the Conference - pretty surprising.
I think when the season ends, or possibly along the way, a lot of coaches are going to be losing their jobs over this. So if you're reading this from a Starbucks because you're still adjusting to your lifestyle as a RIF then maybe get into coaching? Here's a good place to start: 1-2-2.