Coach: John Tortorella (fifth season).

Record: 51-24-7, 109 points, first in East.

Playoffs: Lost to New Jersey in conference finals.

Notable: GM Glen Sather made the move of the summer by acquiring Rick Nash from Columbus for a package that included Brandon Dubinsky. Nash, Marian Gaborik, and Brad Richards have the makings of a dynamite No. 1 line. Core of team is Henrik Lundqvist, Dan Girardi, and Ryan Callahan.

2. Boston Bruins

Coach: Claude Julien (sixth season).

Record: 49-29-4, 102 points, second in East.

Playoffs: Lost to Washington in first round.

Notable: Bruins hopeful that stability and familiarity give them advantage in shortened season. Tuukka Rask should be ready to replace Tim Thomas as No. 1 goalie. Tyler Seguin in line for breakout year.

3. Pittsburgh Penguins

Coach: Dan Bylsma (fifth season).

Record: 51-25-6, 108 points, fourth in East.

Playoffs: Lost to Philadelphia in first round.

Notable: After Jordan Staal declined to sign a 10-year extension, GM Ray Shero traded the No. 3 center to Carolina. Brandon Sutter should be perfect third-line pivot behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Tomas Vokoun will push Marc-Andre Fleury in goal. Excellent complementary players in Kris Letang and James Neal.

4. Philadelphia Flyers

Coach: Peter Laviolette (fourth season).

Record: 47-26-9, 103 points, fifth in East.

Playoffs: Lost to New Jersey in second round.

Notable: GM Paul Holmgren brought together the Brothers Schenn with a June trade. The Flyers shipped out former University of New Hampshire star James van Riemsdyk to Toronto for Luke Schenn. Younger brother Brayden Schenn might ride with top-line center Claude Giroux. As always in Philly, the key is in goal. Anybody trust Ilya Bryzgalov?

5. Carolina Hurricanes

Coach: Kirk Muller (second season).

Record: 33-33-16, 82 points, 12th in East.

Playoffs: Did not qualify.

Notable: Carolina now has the best 1-2 brother punch up the middle. Eric Staal will be backed by younger brother Jordan, acquired from Pittsburgh in a package that sent Brandon Sutter to the Penguins. The Staal boys could even play on the same line if Muller wants to power up. Justin Faulk is one of the league’s sharpest young defensemen.

6. Tampa Bay Lightning

Coach: Guy Boucher (third season).

Record: 38-36-8, 84 points, 10th in East.

Playoffs: Did not qualify.

Notable: GM Steve Yzerman made a major upgrade in goal. Anders Lindback, buried in Nashville behind Pekka Rinne, is ready to become a No. 1 puck-stopper. Matt Carle will be an offensive threat on defense. Martin St. Louis is ageless. Steven Stamkos is the NHL’s most dangerous sharpshooter.

7. Ottawa Senators

Coach: Paul MacLean (second season).

Record: 41-31-10, 92 points, eighth in East.

Playoffs: Lost to Rangers in first round.

Notable: Erik Karlsson might be league’s most important player to his team. Karlsson is involved in every layer of offense. He makes Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson better. Ottawa has depth in goal with Craig Anderson, Robin Lehner, and Ben Bishop. GM Bryan Murray could trade Bishop to upgrade roster.

8. Washington Capitals

Coach: Adam Oates (first season).

Record: 42-32-8, 92 points, seventh in East.

Playoffs: Lost to Rangers in second round.

Notable: The Capitals will look to Oates to lead a system that blends Bruce Boudreau’s go-go ways and Dale Hunter’s stifling defense. When clicking, there aren’t many offensive duos better than Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. Braden Holtby looked like he had No. 1 stuff against the Bruins.

9. New Jersey Devils

Coach: Peter DeBoer (second season).

Record: 48-28-6, 102 points, sixth in East.

Playoffs: Lost to Los Angeles in Stanley Cup Final.

Notable: No way to replace Zach Parise, captain and 31-goal scorer from last season. Ilya Kovalchuk will need to take on more responsibility. Martin Brodeur surprises everyone each season. But even future Hall of Fame goalies can’t make up for Parise’s departure.

10. Buffalo Sabres

Coach: Lindy Ruff (15th season).

Record: 39-32-11, 89 points, ninth in East.

Playoffs: Did not qualify.

Notable: GM Darcy Regier added muscle in the offseason. The Sabres signed heavyweight John Scott, then traded Derek Roy to acquire supreme pest Steve Ott. Buffalo will play with more of an edge. Ryan Miller will keep the Sabres in games. But still without a top-line center. Tyler Myers needs a bounceback season.

11. New York Islanders

Coach: Jack Capuano (third season).

Record: 34-37-11, 79 points, 14th in East.