2. VANCOUVER
COACH: Alain Vigneault (Sixth season with Canucks).
RECORD: 54-19-9, 117 points, 1st in West.
PLAYOFFS: Lost to Boston in Cup Final.
NOTABLE: Won Presidents’ Trophy for most points in regular season, then blew a tire or two against Bruins in Cup Final, where inseparable twins Henrik and Daniel Sedin were Brothers Invisible and a banged-up Ryan Kesler not his top-shelf self. Only minor roster turnover, save for D Christian Ehrhoff bolting for Buffalo. They need to be a little tougher (hence: Todd Fedoruk invited to training camp) and more focused, especially goalie Roberto Luongo. Beware the Cup runner-up’s hangover.
3. SAN JOSE
COACH: Todd McLellan (Fourth season with Sharks).
RECORD: 48-25-9, 105 points, 2d in West.
PLAYOFFS: Lost to Vancouver in Round 3.
NOTABLE: It’s even more about Jumbo Joe Thornton now that Dany Heatley has been dished to the Wild, along with Devin Setoguchi. For the second year in row, Sharks fell in the conference final, in large part because top forwards couldn’t deliver against the Canucks in vital moments. Task would seem harder now with Thornton and Patrick Marleau both 32 years old. Key additions: Michal Handzus and Martin Havlat up front, along with Brent Burns in back.
4. LOS ANGELES
COACH: Terry Murray (Fourth season with Kings).
RECORD: 46-30-6, 98 points, 7th in West.
PLAYOFFS: Lost to San Jose in Round 1.
NOTABLE: Impressive offseason footwork by GM Dean Lombardi, adding ex-Flyer Mike Richards and still productive Simon Gagne from the Bolts. Both forwards should bring needed scoring pop (Kings were held to paltry 219 goals last season). Provided defenseman Drew Doughty is in place (contract issues), it’s time for these guys to fly. Two forwards in Anze Kopitar and Richards, with Doughty and goalie Jonathan Quick, ex- of UMass, to form a fortress in back end.
5. CHICAGO
COACH: Joel Quenneville (Fourth season with Blackhawks).
RECORD: 44-22-9, 97 points, 8th in West.
PLAYOFFS: Lost to Vancouver in Round 1.
