Movers and shakers

IN THE EAST ...

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

No team made more changes. From brash new ownership to new front-office head honcho Brian Lawton to the pin-striped suits and mullet of Barry Melrose's return to an NHL bench, the Lightning is bound to make headlines. Check out these additions: Ryan Malone, Andrej Meszaros, Radim Vrbata, Vinny Prospal, Gary Roberts, Mark Recchi, Matt Carle, Lukas Krajicek and Olaf Kolzig. Oh, and some guy named Wes Walz was hired as assistant coach.

NEW YORK RANGERS

OK, sure, Jaromir Jagr's gone and Martin Straka's gone and so far Brendan Shanahan hasn't been re-signed. But the Rangers made significant moves. Markus Naslund should rebound in the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, and the supremely talented Nikolai Zherdev should break out on Broadway. Wade Redden is looking for a bounceback on the New York blue line, while Aaron Voros and his 55 games with the Wild earned him a three-year, $3 million contract.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Devils GM Lou Lamoriello took a stroll back into memory lane and brought back two Devils from yesteryear, the Wild's Brian Rolston and Atlanta's Bobby Holik. Holik was an intimidating power center for 10 years, while Rolston spent five years with the Devils and won a Stanley Cup with them as a rookie in 1995.

FLORIDA PANTHERS

After not making the playoffs since 2000, the Panthers looked for the one common denominator in an attempt to determine the reason why. Well, Olli Jokinen was acquired at the 2000 draft. Sure, it's harsh to blame Jokinen for everything, but the Panthers decided both parties needed a change. Florida's captain was traded to Phoenix for Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton. The Panthers also signed Cory Stillman and traded for Bryan McCabe.

MONTREAL CANADIENS

This fast young team could be aided by a couple of veterans. At the draft, Montreal acquired creative winger Alex Tanguay and last month traded for longtime center Robert Lang. Both will play integral roles on the Canadiens' top two lines this season.

OTHER NOTABLE Additions

Atlanta Thrashers: Silent for most of the summer after losing out to Chicago for Brian Campbell, the Thrashers traded for Anaheim's Mathieu Schneider last month. They also brought in Jason Williams, Ron Hainsey and Marty Reasoner.

Boston Bruins: Added Montreal's Michael Ryder, who scored at least 25 goals his first three seasons. It also signed Blake Wheeler, who skipped his senior season with the Gophers, and signed veteran center Stephane Yelle.

Buffalo Sabres: San Jose's Craig Rivet, who used to play in Montreal, returns to the Northeast Division and should add grit and points from the blue line.

Carolina Hurricanes: Dealt Erik Cole to Edmonton for offensive defenseman Joni Pitkanen, who's been an underachiever since being taken fourth overall in 2002.

New York Islanders: Veteran playmaking center Doug Weight comes to Long Island, while defenseman Mark Streit, who scored 34 of his 62 points on Montreal's top-ranked power play last season, hopes to improve the Islanders' 29th-ranked power play.

Pittsburgh Penguins: You can probably put anybody with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and they'll probably score, so Ruslan Fedotenko and Miroslav Satan likely will do the same. Oh, and they acquired agitator Matt Cooke.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Overpaid for Niklas Hagman, who broke out with 27 goals with Dallas last season, while somehow defenseman Jeff Finger's 19 points in 72 games for Colorado last year was worth $14 million over four years.

Washington Capitals: If goalie Jose Theodore could replicate 2007-08 for Colorado, Washington could be downright terrifying.

IN THE WEST ...

CALGARY FLAMES

The most significant move the Flames made was the trade that brought Los Angeles' Michael Cammalleri, the speedy winger who scored 34 goals two seasons ago and will have plenty of motivation to reproduce that year due to his pending free agency. More under the radar was the signing of Todd Bertuzzi, who will be reunited with Mike Keenan for the third time. As GM in Vancouver and Florida, Keenan traded for Bertuzzi twice. The Flames also added Rene Bourque and Curtis Glencross.

COLORADO AVALANCHE

The Avs made the fewest changes in the division. They lost goalie Jose Theodore, winger Andrew Brunette and defenseman Jeff Finger, with their only major addition being one of the NHL's biggest pains in the rear, Darcy Tucker. The Avs also signed goalie Andrew Raycroft to compete with Peter Budaj between the pipes.

EDMONTON OILERS

The Oilers made the two biggest moves in the Northwest, acquiring Carolina power forward Erik Cole and Los Angeles sharp-shooting defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky. Cole scored a career-high 30 goals in 2005-06 and has 280 points in 418 career games. Visnovsky led Kings defensemen in scoring the past three years. The Oilers also welcome back stud offensive blue-liner Sheldon Souray, who missed most of last season because of a shoulder injury.

MINNESOTA WILD

Nobody made more moves in the West than the Wild, adding six players plus two rookies. Gone are Brian Rolston, Jacques Lemaire's most trusted player, Pavol Demitra and Mark Parrish. The Wild traded for offensive defensemen Marek Zidlicky and Marc-Andre Bergeron and signed Owen Nolan, Andrew Brunette, Antti Miettinen and Craig Weller.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

After two seasons in Minnesota, Pavol Demitra was reunited with his former agent, Mike Gillies, who's the Canucks new general manager. The Canucks also traded for San Jose's Steve Bernier and defenseman Shane O'Brien, and signed hard-hitting, shot-blocking center Ryan Johnson.

OTHER NOTABLE Additions

Anaheim Ducks: After trading center Andy McDonald last season, the Ducks had a need for center and Vancouver's Brendan Morrison opted to sign in the O.C. rather than the Twin Cities.

Chicago Blackhawks: The resurrection of this Original Six market could be in large part due to the eight-year, $57 million signing of dynamic defenseman Brian Campbell. The Hawks also stunned everybody by signing Washington goalie Cristobal Huet, who had a poor preseason.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Their biggest move was convincing super-skilled winger Kristian Huselius to sign there instead of Minnesota. Columbus, which has never made the postseason, also traded for R.J. Umberger (Philly) and Fedor Tyutin (Rangers) and signed defenseman Mike Commodore and gritty winger Raffi Torres, who's already hurt.

Dallas Stars: Brought in the act that is Sean Avery, so things should be interesting on and off the ice. But highly touted rookie Fabian Brunnstrom is the real player to watch.

Detroit Red Wings: The rich get richer, eh? After winning a Stanley Cup, Detroit adds star Marian Hossa for a year at a fiscally responsible $7.5 million.

Los Angeles Kings: Edmonton's Jarret Stoll will be looking to resurrect his career, while the Kings also brought in defensemen Denis Gauthier and Matt Greene. The biggest addition could be 18-year-old rookie defenseman Drew Doughty.

Phoenix Coyotes: Won the Olli Jokinen sweepstakes by trading for the Florida Panthers' all-time leading scorer at the draft. They also added tough guys Todd Fedoruk and Brian McGrattan, and Minnesotan Kurt Sauer to the blue line.

San Jose Sharks: Always willing to execute a blockbuster, San Jose traded for Tampa Bay Lightning star defenseman Dan Boyle. It also signed veteran defenseman Rob Blake.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Year after year, we hockey 'experts' prognosticate. We pick offseason winners and losers based on who picked up the best players or spent the most money. And usually, we're dead wrong because hockey isn't played on paper. If it were, the New York Rangers would have won Cup after Cup back when they were gobbling up player after player in the pre-salary cap world. Regardless, here's a look at the changing East:

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

No team made more changes. From brash new ownership to new front-office head honcho Brian Lawton to the pin-striped suits and mullet of Barry Melrose's return to an NHL bench, the Lightning is bound to make headlines. Check out these additions: Ryan Malone, Andrej Meszaros, Radim Vrbata, Vinny Prospal, Gary Roberts, Mark Recchi, Matt Carle, Lukas Krajicek and Olaf Kolzig. Oh, and some guy named Wes Walz was hired as assistant coach.

NEW YORK RANGERS

OK, sure, Jaromir Jagr's gone and Martin Straka's gone and so far Brendan Shanahan hasn't been re-signed. But the Rangers made significant moves. Markus Naslund should rebound in the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, and the supremely talented Nikolai Zherdev should break out on Broadway. Wade Redden is looking for a bounceback on the New York blue line, while Aaron Voros and his 55 games with the Wild earned him a three-year, $3 million contract.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Devils GM Lou Lamoriello took a stroll back into memory lane and brought back two Devils from yesteryear, the Wild's Brian Rolston and Atlanta's Bobby Holik. Holik was an intimidating power center for 10 years, while Rolston spent five years with the Devils and won a Stanley Cup with them as a rookie in 1995. However, the Devils are hoping Rolston will continue the 30-goal seasons he brought to Minnesota.

FLORIDA PANTHERS

After not making the playoffs since 2000, the Panthers looked for the one common denominator in an attempt to determine the reason why. Well, Olli Jokinen was acquired at the 2000 Draft. Sure, it's harsh to blame Jokinen for everything, but the Panthers decided both parties needed a change. Florida's captain was traded to Phoenix for Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton. The Panthers also signed Cory Stillman and traded for Bryan McCabe.

MONTREAL CANADIENS

This fast young team could be aided by a couple veterans. At the Draft, Montreal acquired creative winger Alex Tanguay and last month traded for longtime center Robert Lang. Both will play integral roles on the Canadiens' top two lines this season, a year in which all in Montreal is banking on Lord Stanley's return.

OTHER NOTABLE ADDITIONS

Atlanta Thrashers: Silent for most of the summer after losing out to Chicago for Brian Campbell, the Thrashers traded for Anaheim's Mathieu Schneider last month. They also brought in Jason Williams, Ron Hainsey and Marty Reasoner.

Boston Bruins: Added Montreal's Michael Ryder, who scored at least 25 goals his first three seasons. It also inked Blake Wheeler, forgoing his senior season at the University of Minnesota, and signed veteran center Stephane Yelle.

Buffalo Sabres: San Jose's Craig Rivet, who used to play in Montreal, returns to the Northeast Division and should add grit and points from the blue line.

Carolina Hurricanes: Dealt Erik Cole to Edmonton for offensive defenseman Joni Pitkanen, who's been an underachiever since being taken fourth overall in 2002.

New York Islanders: Veteran playmaking center Doug Weight comes to Long Island, while defenseman Mark Streit, who scored 34 of his 62 points on Montreal's top-ranked power play last season, hopes to improve the Islanders' 29th-ranked power play.

Pittsburgh Penguins: You can probably put anybody with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and they'll probably score, so Ruslan Fedotenko and Miroslav Satan will likely do the same. Oh, and they acquired agitator Matt Cooke.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Overpaid for Niklas Hagman, who broke out with 27 goals with Dallas last season, while somehow defenseman Jeff Finger's 19 points in 72 games for Colorado last year was worth $14 million over four years.

Washington Capitals: If goalie Jose Theodore could replicate in 2007-08 for Colorado, Washington could be downright terrifying.

in the west ...

The Northwest Division is widely regarded year after year as the most cutthroat in the NHL, but there's a lot of uncertainty this year because the teams look so different. For example, Colorado lost its goalie and the Wild lost its Mr. Everything. Here's a look at the changing Northwest:

CALGARY FLAMES

The most significant move the Flames made was the trade that brought Los Angeles' Michael Cammalleri, the speedy winger who scored 34 goals two seasons ago and will have plenty of motivation to reproduce that year due to his pending free agency. More under the radar was the signing of Todd Bertuzzi, who will be reunited with Mike Keenan for the third time. As GM in Vancouver and Florida, Keenan traded for Bertuzzi twice. The Flames also added Rene Bourque and Curtis Glencross. Departing are Alex Tanguay, Kristian Huselius and Owen Nolan.

COLORADO AVALANCHE

The Avs made the least amount of changes in the division. They lost goalie Jose Theodore, winger Andrew Brunette and defenseman Jeff Finger, with their only major addition being one of the NHL's biggest pains in the rear, Darcy Tucker. Tucker is Matt Cooke, only he can score, so Wild fans should really learn to loathe Tucker. The Avs also signed goalie Andrew Raycroft to compete with Peter Budaj between the pipes.

EDMONTON OILERS

The Oilers made the two biggest moves in the Northwest, acquiring Carolina Hurricanes power forward Erik Cole and Los Angeles Kings sharp-shooting defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky in separate trades. Cole scored a career-high 30 goals in 2005-06 and has 280 points in 418 career games. Visnovsky led the Kings' defensemen in scoring the past three years. The Oilers also have stud offensive blue-liner Sheldon Souray, who missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, so that could be like an acquisition.

MINNESOTA WILD

Nobody made more moves in the West than the Wild, adding six new players plus two rookies. Gone are Brian Rolston, Jacques Lemaire's most trusted player, Pavol Demitra and Mark Parrish. The Wild traded for offensive defensemen Marek Zidlicky and Marc-Andre Bergeron and signed Owen Nolan, Andrew Brunette, Antti Miettinen and Craig Weller. Rookies Benoit Pouliot, 22, and Colton Gillies, 19, also will be injected into the lineup.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

After two seasons in Minnesota, Pavol Demitra was reunited with his former agent, Mike Gillies, who's the Canucks new general manager. It was evident Demitra, who has hit the 50-point mark nine times in 10 seasons, will be joining Vancouver when days after the Wild season he was touring Vancouver. The Canucks also traded for San Jose's Steve Bernier and defenseman Shane O'Brien, and signed hard-hitting, shot-blocking center Ryan Johnson.

OTHER NOTABLE ACQUISITIONS

Anaheim Ducks: After trading center Andy McDonald last season, the Ducks had a need for center and Vancouver's Brendan Morrison opted to sign in the O.C. rather than the Twin Cities.

Chicago Blackhawks: The resurrection of this Original Six market could be in large part to the eight-year, $57 million signing of dynamic defenseman Brian Campbell. The Hawks also stunned everybody by signing Washington goalie Cristobal Huet, who had a poor preseason.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Their biggest move was convincing super-skilled winger Kristian Huselius to sign there instead of Minnesota. Columbus, which has never made the postseason, also traded for R.J. Umberger (Philly) and Fedor Tyutin (Rangers) and signed defenseman Mike Commodore and gritty winger Raffi Torres, who's already hurt.

Dallas Stars: Brought in the act that is Sean Avery, so things should be interesting on and off the ice. But highly-touted rookie Fabian Brunnstrom is the real player who warrants watching.

Detroit Red Wings: The rich get richer, eh? After winning a Stanley Cup, Detroit adds star Marian Hossa for a fiscally-responsible tab of $7.5 million for one year.

Los Angeles Kings: Edmonton's Jarret Stoll will be looking to resurrect his career, while the Kings also brought in defensemen Denis Gauthier and Matt Greene. The biggest impact addition could be 18-year-old rookie defenseman Drew Doughty.

Phoenix Coyotes: Won the Olli Jokinen sweepstakes by trading for the Florida Panthers' all-time leading scorer at the Draft. They also added tough-guys Todd Fedoruk and Brian McGrattan, and Minnesota's own Kurt Sauer to the blue line.

San Jose Sharks: Always willing to execute a blockbuster, San Jose traded for Tampa Bay Lightning star defenseman Dan Boyle. It also signed veteran defenseman Rob Blake.