Southeast Division:

With a budding young offense led by Olli Jokinen and Nathan Horton, the additions of Todd Bertuzzi and Ed Belfour and veteran leadership established, Florida will be the team to beat in the Southeast Conference. Ed Belfour will experience resurgence with the Panthers thanks to a better defense than the defense he left in Toronto. Following the Panthers will be Carolina, who although they will be without many free agent departures, will still have Cam Ward in net and an experienced blueline. Atlanta will follow Carolina simply because the Thrashers can flat out score on anyone, though goaltending may be a problem spot. Tampa Bay will be hurt by inconsistencies in net all year and will struggle to a 4th place finish, while Washington will be hurt by having nobody outside of Ovechkin that can score and an aging goaltender who is clearly on his last legs in Olaf Kolzig.

Division Outlook
Florida Panthers
Carolina Hurricanes
Atlanta Thrashers
Tampa Bay Lightning
Washington Capitals