Music: {allcanada} Southeast's Capitals have look of a champion

Washington Capitals

2010-11 record: 48-23-11.

Story line: Are the Capitals ready to win their first title in 37 seasons of existence?

Arrivals: RWs Troy Brouwer and Joel Ward, D Roman Hamrlik, C Jeff Halpern, G Tomas Vokoun.

Departures: G Semyon Varlamov, RWs Eric Fehr and Matt Bradley, Cs Jason Arnott and Boyd Gordon, D Tyler Sloan.

Goaltending: Vokoun's signing gives the Capitals the proven goalie they need for a playoff run. Stunned to find no market for a veteran unrestricted goalie, he offered to play for a bargain $1.5 million. Before that, the Capitals were content to stick with young Michal Neuvirth.

What's happening: The offseason acquisitions have the look of GM George McPhee finding the final pieces to a championship puzzle. Brouwer and Ward upgrade the right side. The most important piece might be Hamrlik, who could pull together the defense. He is a two-way defenseman who never has to guess where to be on the ice. That level of consistency could be what the Capitals need to put them over the top.

Player to watch: RW Alexander Semin is the NHL's enigma. No one has figured out why he doesn't dominate the league. He scored 28 goals, and it seems as if he had a poor season. During the summer, Semin's former teammate, Bradley, told Ottawa Team 1200 Radio show, "Semin could easily be the best player in the league but, for whatever reason, just doesn't care."

Key question: Is Alex Ovechkin a 50-goal or a 30-goal scorer? He scored 32 goals last season, and fans came just short of calling for a congressional investigation. The decline partly reflected his buy-in of coach Bruce Boudreau's new defensive system. But at some point, Ovechkin should have been comfortable enough with his new role to regain his scoring touch. The 233-pound power forward doesn't have to cheat defensively to score. He should be close to 50 goals this season.

Outlook: With this summer's moves, the puzzle seems complete in Washington. The Capitals should be the East's best team.

Tampa Bay Lightning

2010-11 record: 46-25-11.

Story line: Lightning seek more substance to go with flash.

Arrivals: G Mathieu Garon, Ds Bruno Gervais and Matt Gilroy, W-C Ryan Shannon

Departures: LWs Sean Bergenheim and Simon Gagne, G Mike Smith.

Goaltending: When GM Steve Yzerman acquired Dwayne Roloson (18-12-4, 2.56, .912) from the New York Islanders last season, the move stabilized the defense. The team's save percentage was below .900 before he arrived. The only concern is that Roloson is 41.

What's happening: The Lightning's mandate this season will be to clean up their defensive end in the name of making themselves a more complete team. With Steven Stamkos, Martin St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier, the Lightning have an offense that can compete with any team's. But last season, Tampa Bay gave up more goals (240) than any other Eastern playoff team. Having Roloson and D Eric Brewer for a full season will bring down that number. Plus, energetic coach Guy Boucher presumably will be looking to have his team breathing fire in the defensive zone this season.

Player to watch: This will be an ultra-important season for 6-6 D Victor Hedman, 20, who will be a restricted free agent. Hedman's improvement was noticeable in the playoffs, and it's expected he will improve on last season's three goals and 26 points.

Key question: Can Tampa Bay replace the contributions of Gagne and Bergenheim? They combined for 31 goals, and Bergenheim was the team's leading playoff scorer. The Lightning could make up the goals if Ryan Malone plays better, Lecavalier can play a full season and they get increased production out of youngsters such as Steve Downie. Bergenheim was crucial on the checking line, but linemates Dominic Moore and Downie are returning.

Outlook: The Lightning have enough offensive thunder to be Stanley Cup contenders. They will challenge Washington for the Southeast title but are likely to fall short.

Carolina Hurricanes

2010-11 record: 40-31-11.

Story line: The Staal game is Carolina's plan of attack.

Arrivals: D Tomas Kaberle, RW Alexei Ponikarovsky, G Brian Boucher.

Departures: LW Erik Cole, D Joe Corvo, LW Cory Stillman.

Goaltending: Cam Ward (37-26-10, 2.56, .923) never receives much fanfare, and yet he remains one of the NHL's steadiest performers in net. His save percentage last season was the best of his career. Veteran Boucher's signing suggests the Hurricanes would like to lighten Ward's load.

What's happening: Since winning the Stanley Cup in 2006, the Hurricanes have missed the playoffs four of the last five seasons. GM Jim Rutherford seems to be able to keep the team competitive on a tight budget, but it has seemed to be a player or two short in recent years. The good news is Eric Staal is under contract for four more seasons. With Sidney Crosby injured last season, Staal was probably the East's best all-around center when you factor in experience, defensive play and leadership. Kaberle, known for his passing ability, was added to improve the team's transition game.

Player to watch: At 22, Brandon Sutter might be ready to take his offensive game to another level. He had 14 goals and 15 assists last season, and the 'Canes probably would like to see him closer to 50 points. He's a member of the famed Sutter family, so working hard to improve is in his DNA.

Key question: Is Carolina's defensive corps strong enough to push this team into the playoffs? It's too early to tell. Kaberle is not known for his defensive play, and he does not play physical. Joni Pitkanen is not a hitter either, but both move the puck effectively. Underrated Tim Gleason hits, blocks shots and keeps his mind focused on defensive play. Jamie McBain, 23, is another offensive-minded defenseman whose best years are in front of him. Rutherford added size last season when he acquired 6-4 Bryan Allen. Keep an eye on rookie Justin Faulk to show up this season.

Outlook: At best, the Hurricanes will battle for a playoff spot. At worst, they will be two to six points short of qualifying.

Florida Panthers

2010-11 record: 30-40-12.

Story line: Panthers try to end 11-year playoff drought.

Arrivals: Coach Kevin Dineen, D Brian Campbell, C-W Kris Versteeg, G Jose Theodore, RW Tomas Fleischmann, LW Scott Upshall, C Matt Bradley, LW Sean Bergenheim, D Ed Jovanovski.

Departures: G Tomas Vokoun, RW Niclas Bergfors, LW Rostislav Olesz (traded to Chicago).

Goaltending: Theodore played well as Niklas Backstrom's backup in Minnesota last season, and he seems motivated to prove he's still a viable No. 1 goalie. At $1.5 million a season, he buys time for Jacob Markstrom, 21, to develop.

What's happening: GM Dale Tallon had to spend more than $29million to reach the salary cap floor. That was more than enough cash for him to improve his team. His top six forwards should measure up well in the Eastern Conference. Campbell and Jovanovski change the defensive look. But Tallon's best work is probably at the draft table. C Jonathan Huberdeau, this year's first-rounder, could make the team. LW Quinton Howden, a 2010 pick, will get a chance to claim a forward spot. Much like he did in Chicago, Tallon plans to build the team around young talent.

Player to watch: D Dmitry Kulikov, who turns 21 in October, is one of Florida's most important players. He quickly has developed into one of the NHL's best young defensemen. When you add Kulikov to Keaton Ellerby, plus all of Tallon's draft picks, the Panthers suddenly have a hearty collection of young talent.

Key question: Did the Panthers overpay for their free agents? Certainly they paid above market value, but history shows teams without winning traditions must overpay to persuade free agents to come to their cities. Even after an expensive summer of shopping, the Panthers' payroll is just above the salary cap floor.

Outlook: The Panthers' roster is a chemistry experiment. Given the many changes, it's impossible to know how this team will perform. It should improve but probably not enough to qualify for the playoffs.

Winnipeg Jets

2010-11 record: 34-36-12.

Story line: Winnipeg back in the NHL after 15-year absence.

Arrivals: GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, coach Claude Noel, LWs Eric Fehr and Tanner Glass, D Randy Jones.

Departures: GM Rick Dudley, coach Craig Ramsay, RW Radek Dvorak, RW Anthony Stewart.

Goaltending: With a new coaching staff in place, there could be a battle for the No.1 job between Ondrej Pavelec (21-23-9, 3.10, .914) and Chris Mason (13-13-3, 3.39, .892). Pavelec, 24, offers the greater potential long term, but he hasn't shown the consistency a coach desires. Mason, 35, has been a starter in Nashville and St.Louis.

What's happening: When no new local owners could be found in Atlanta, it created an opening for the NHL to return to Winnipeg. The Thashers made the playoffs once in 11 seasons but were improving, thanks to trades that brought in Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler. The Jets boast scoring depth, and Wheeler, Evander Kane and Bryan Little are improving. The objective is to be better defensively because last season they gave up the most goals in the Eastern Conference.

Player to watch: As a rookie, Russian C Alexander Burmistrov impressed coaches with the maturity of his game. An impressively sound defensive player, he could be a dazzling scorer as his career progresses, a Pavel Datysuk-style player who could win games with offensive and defensive abilities.

Key question: Where will Byfuglien's game be? He's facing charges of boating while intoxicated. Plus, in Atlanta and Chicago, he allowed himself to gain too much weight at times. He has proved he can be a mammoth force on the ice, a puck-moving defenseman who can carry 250-plus pounds and be effective. If he is in his best shape, he is a difference-maker. If he plays too heavy, he is less effective.

Outlook: The Jets are back, but there is no Bobby Hull, Anders Hedberg or Ulf Nilsson. Winnipeg probably will have to wait a bit longer for playoff hockey.