The addition of Marian Hossa made a strong Red Wings team even stronger.

Central Division

Chicago Blackhawks

Much of the team’s success will depend on the performances of two second-year forwards. New captain Jonathan Toews led all rookies with 24 goals last season. He added 30 assists and showed his versatility as a two-way center with a plus-11 in 64 games played. Last season’s Calder trophy winner Patrick Kane (21-51-72) has proven he can put up huge numbers. During the two months Toews was out of the lineup, Kane’s output dropped significantly. If they can both remain healthy, expect Toews to score 30 goals and add 45 assists. Kane could also reach 30 goals and contribute close to 60 assists. Chicago brought in offensive defenseman Brian Campbell (8-54-62, plus-8) in the offseason. He will quarterback the power play alongside Duncan Keith (12-20-32, plus-30). Expect Campbell to inject some life into a power play that finished near the bottom of the league last season. Toews and Kane scored 7 goals each on the man-advantage. Expect both to improve that number to between 10 and 15.

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets scored the second fewest goals in the NHL last season. Columbus added some offense by trading for R.J. Umberger (13-37-50 in 74 games). In 17 playoff games for the Flyers in ’07-‘08, the fourth-year center scored 10 goals and added 5 assists. With all-star winger Rick Nash (38-31-69) playing on his left, Umberger should reach 20 goals for the first time in his career. Goaltender Pascal Leclaire is coming off his best season, going 24-17-2 with a 2.25 goals-against-average and .919 save percentage in 54 games. He also recorded nine shutouts, good enough for second most in the league. Leclaire could play in 60 games this season and has a talented, proven defense in front of him. Expect similar numbers.

Detroit Red Wings

It is amazing to think that an offense spearheaded by Henrik Zetterberg (43-49-92, plus-30) and Pavel Datsyuk (31-66-97, plus-41) could get any better. But with the addition of Marian Hossa(29-37-66 in 72 games), Detroit did just that. It took some time for Hossa to get comfortable with his new linemates in Pittsburgh after the Pens brought him in at last season’s trade deadline. Once the chemistry developed, Hossa exploded. In 20 playoff games, Hossa totaled 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points. With all the talent surrounding him in Detroit, the winger will once again be a point-per-game performer. The deadly finisher could reach his numbers from two seasons ago when he tallied 43 goals and added 57 assists for 100 points. Brian Rafalski and Nicklas Lidstrom are the best 1-2 punch from the blue line in the league. Rafalski (13-42-55, plus-27) scored 10 of his goals on the man-advantage. Lidstrom (10-60-70, plus-40) led all defensemen in assists, points and plus/minus and finished second in power play points. Not only does this pair play sound defense, both contribute points to a power play that finished third in the league last season.

Nashville Predators

The upcoming season will give the Predators’ young defensive core a chance to find their identity. Nashville did not add much in the offseason because the front office believes the team already has the parts to be a contender. Ryan Suter (7-24-31, plus-3) and Dan Hamhuis (4-23-27, minus-4) return. Youngsters Shea Weber (6-14-20, minus-6 in 54 games played) and Ville Koistinen (4-13-17, plus-13 in 48 games played) are both expected to produce big numbers from the blue line. The coaching staff is especially high on Koistinen who totaled 11 points on the power play. Playing in Nashville, goaltender Dan Ellis flew under the radar last season while proving himself to be a solid fantasy netminder. Ellis finished the season with a 2.34 goals-against-average and led the league with a .924 save percentage. If Nashville’s young defense can play to their potential, expect similar numbers from Ellis.

St. Louis Blues

St. Louis paid Paul Kariya big money before last season and the diminutive winger did not live up to expectations. Just two seasons ago, Kariya totaled 24 goals and 52 assists for 76 points. In the final 41 games of the ’07-’08 season, he scored only four goals. Speedy Andy McDonald (18-34-52, minus-21) is back centering the top line. Kariya should get back to the 20-goal plateau. Young defenseman Erik Johnson (5-28-33, minus-9) was expected to play a lot of minutes on the blue line this season. But Johnson may miss the entire season with a torn ACL. Defensemen Eric Brewer (1-21-22) and Barret Jackman (2-14-16) can chip in some offense but were a combined minus-30 last season.