Dietz's NHL predictions

(Last season's record in parentheses)

* - Wild-card team

WESTERN CONFERENCECentral Division

1. Nashville Predators (47-25-10, 104 points)

The Predators have it all and shouldn't fade down the stretch like they did last season. Led by Filip Forsberg (26 goals last season) and an impressive defense spearheaded by Shea Weber, watch for the Predators to win the Central.

2. Blackhawks (48-28-6, 102 points)

This prediction comes with the caveat that Patrick Kane plays the entire season for the Hawks. If he's traded or suspended, all bets are off. Otherwise, there's no reason to think a Jonathan Toews-led Hawks team won't have another impressive season, even as they get used to a few new faces.

3. St. Louis Blues (51-24-7, 109 points)

Regular-season darlings. Playoff patsies. That's been the story for the Blues the last four seasons as they've finished first or second in the division yet only advanced out of the first round once during that span. The team traded T.J. Oshie for former Blackhawk Troy Brouwer in hopes of adding a bit more tenacity to the lineup. They'll be right there at the end, and maybe Brouwer can be the X-factor come playoff time.

* 4. Minnesota Wild (46-28-8, 100 points)

A veteran group led by Zach Parise, Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville, Ryan Suter and Devan Dubnyk has what it takes to make it back to postseason. Whether they have the grit and determination to make a serious run remains a nagging question.

5. Dallas Stars (41-31-10, 92 points)

Originially wanted to put this team in the playoffs, but there are still too many questions on the back end. Patrick Sharp, Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin will be entertaining to watch, but until this defense improves the postseason will remain a mirage.

6. Winnipeg Jets (43-26-13, 99 points)

The Jets shocked everyone last season behind the amazing play of goaltender Ondrej Pavelec. Former Hawks Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien are also big parts of this team, but it says here Winnipeg falls short in the insanely tough Central.

7. Colorado Avalanche (39-31-12, 90 points)

Don't write off the Avs, who are just a year removed from a 112-point season. The key is for 24-year-old Matt Duchene and 20-year-old Nathan MacKinnon to play more consistently. Adding former Duck Francois Beauchemin on the back end should help as well.

Pacific Division1. Anaheim Ducks (51-24-7, 109 points)

After the Ducks were eliminated by the Hawks in the West finals last season, GM Bob Murray hardly stood pat in the off-season, adding all sorts of new faces. Ryan Kesler insisted the Ducks would take care of unfinished business in 2015-16. This team's on a mission and will go deep again.

2. Los Angeles Kings (40-27-15, 95 points)

Refreshed Kings will right the ship after a year of turmoil. Jeff Carter, Anze Kopitar, Jonathan Quick and Drew Doughty will spearhead the team's charge back into the postseason.

3. Vancouver Canucks (48-29-5, 101 points)

Sedin twins always dangerous, but off-season changes weakened team's depth, especially on defense.

* 4. San Jose Sharks (40-33-9, 89 points)

Untested Martin Jones takes over for Antti Niemi in net. If he's ready for a full load, Sharks could surprise.

5. Calgary Flames (45-30-7, 97 points)

The Flames added Dougie Hamilton and Michael Frolik to an already talented squad. This team is solid, but I think comes up just short.

6. Edmonton Oilers (24-44-14, 62 points)

Big off-season for Oilers, getting game-changing phenom Connor McDavid with No. 1 overall pick. They'll still finish sixth, but a 75-point season seems in reach.

7. Arizona Coyotes (24-50-8, 56 points)

Antoine Vermette went back to team that traded him to Blackhawks. Another cellar-dwelling season awaits him in the desert.

EASTERN CONFERENCEAtlantic Division

1. Tampa Bay Lightning (50-24-8, 108 points)

NHL Final run shouldn't affect this team stacked with young talent.

2. Montreal Canadiens (50-22-10, 110 points)

Team is poised for another huge season and hopes to end 22-year title drought.

3. Boston Bruins (41-27-14, 96 points)

Injuries to blue-liners Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg weaken an already suspect defense. If they can get - and stay - healthy, Bruins will improve on last year's fifth-place finish.

* 4. Detroit Red Wings (43-25-14, 100 points)

Wings will reach playoffs for 25th straight season. Big question is who will win goalie battle between Jimmy Howard and Petr Mrazek.

5. Ottawa Senators (43-26-13, 99 points)

Amazing 23-4-4 finish to 2014-15 season won't carry over.

6. Florida Panthers (38-29-15, 91 points)

There's plenty of talent here, but can goalie Roberto Luongo, now 36, help get this team over the hump? Unlikely.

7. Toronto Maple Leafs (30-44-8, 68 points)

It's going to take more than one season for coach Mike Babcock to solve all that's wrong in Toronto.

8. Buffalo Sabres (23-51-8, 54 points)

Getting phenom Jack Eichel with the second overall pick should help … just not this season.

Metropolitan Division

1. Pittsburgh Penguins (43-27-12, 98 points)

Adding Phil Kessel, who has averaged 33 goals over last six full seasons, vaults Penguins to top of tough division.

2. New York Islanders (47-28-7, 101 points)

John Tavares-led Isles tough to beat.

3. New York Rangers (53-22-7, 113 points)

Viktor Stalberg comes over from Nashville, but a down regular season is coming for the Rangers.

* 4. Columbus Blue Jackets (42-35-5, 87 points)

Team surged down the stretch last season - and that was before they added Brandon Saad.

5. Washington Capitals (45-26-11, 101 points)

The shocker in the East: Caps miss the playoffs.

6. New Jersey Devils (32-36-14, 78 points)

Goalie Cory Schneider has to improve last year's already impressive .925 save percentage to bail out a team that can't score (2.15 goals per game).

7. Philadelphia Flyers (33-31-18, 84 points)

In the East, only Toronto, Buffalo and Columbus allowed more goals than the Flyers (234) last season.

8. Carolina Hurricanes (30-41-11, 71 points)

Kris Versteeg needs to score 20-plus goals and stay healthy to help goal-starved squad.

Western Conference finals:

Ducks over Predators

Eastern Conference finals:

Canadiens over Rangers

Stanley Cup Final:

Canadiens over Ducks