NHL POWER RATINGS
By Bob Grove

ATLANTIC DIVISION

1. Pittsburgh: If Sydor and Letang improve the defense as expected, there's no reason to believe Penguins won't be better.

2. NY Rangers: Gomez, Drury put Rangers among league's most prolific offensive teams, but average defense may wear down Lundqvist.

3. New Jersey: Sutter a fine hire as coach, but scoring depth will be an even bigger problem for Devils this season.

4. Philadelphia: Holmgren has done a good job rebuilding, and Flyers could challenge for playoff spot if Biron holds up.

5. NY Islanders: Off-season losses will make Islanders easier to play against, and still no No. 1 center.

NORTHEAST DIVISION

1. Ottawa: Probably last season together for Senators' core group, which is still good enough for another Cup run under new coach Paddock.

2. Buffalo: Off-season losses were painful, but Sabres won't sink too far with outstanding Miller in goal and a healthy and productive Connolly.

3. Toronto: Leafs banking on goaltender Toskala, but improvement will demand defensive commitment from entire team.

4. Montreal: Price may be ready to make impact in goal, but questions persist about Kovalev's production and the power play without Souray.

5. Boston: Goaltender Fernandez will help considerably, but new coach Julien needs better play from Chara and considerable improvement from essentially same team.

SOUTHEAST DIVISION

1. Carolina: Laviolette, Brind'Amour won't allow same banged-up team that disappointed as defending champs to spend another forgettable winter.

2. Tampa Bay: Top-end forwards still formidable, but fairly quiet summer means key to improvement is better goaltending from Holmqvist.

3. Atlanta: Need better depth and special teams and less reliance on individual brilliance of Lehtonen, Kovalchuk and Hossa.

4. Florida: Addition of Vokoun in goal and big things from Horton and Weiss will give Panthers outside shot at the playoffs.

5. Washington: Upgraded attack with Nylander and Kozlov, but defense still a work in progress and Kolzig needs more rest.

CENTRAL DIVISION

1. Detroit: Rafalski replaces Schneider, and the Wings just keep marching on.

2. St. Louis: Adding Kariya latest in string of good moves by GM Davidson, whose Blues might really roll if Tkachuk focuses.

3. Nashville: Quick playoff exit, off-season ownership turmoil, payroll reduction means much leaner times for Predators.

4. Chicago: Samsonov, Kane, Lang unlikely to breathe much life into league's most impotent offense, but Hawks should be better.

5. Columbus: GM Howson, coach Hitchcock need Nash to rebound and Zherdev to grow up while they change team culture.

NORTHWEST DIVISION

1. Colorado: Adding Hannan and Smyth to this high-scoring team could allow Avs to win league's best division - if goaltending cooperates.

2. Calgary: Kiprusoff, Regehr and Phaneuf are the defensive foundation, and with Keenan as coach, Flames will improve.

3. Vancouver: Elected to stand pat, so Luongo must be awesome again and Naslund has to rebound if Canucks are going anywhere.

4. Minnesota: A healthy, productive Gaborik and more offense from Bouchard will be essential if the defense-first Wild are to improve.

5. Edmonton: GM Lowe didn't sit around and sulk, adding Souray, Penner, Pitkanen and Tarnstrom. It still won't be enough.

PACIFIC DIVISION

1. Anaheim: Bertuzzi investment is questionable, but Ducks' young talent will make it tough to take the Cup away from them.

2. San Jose: Stayed the course this summer, so they're still a solid team - and still trying to shed label of playoff underachievers.

3. Dallas: Another team that simply has to score more goals to make more noise. That's up to Morrow and Modano.

4. Los Angeles: GM Lombardi got lots of new pieces, but until the Kings find a No. 1 goaltender, it won't matter much.

5. Phoenix: New GM Maloney inherited a mess, and cleaning it up will take some time.