So after deadline day here's how I rank the teams:
Elite - Main Cup contenders
1. Red Wings
2. Flyers
3. Canucks
4. Bruins
2nd Tier - Could do some damage in the playoffs
5. Sharks
6. Penguins
7. Capitals
8. Blackhawks
9. Lightning
10. Kings
Pretenders - Most likely 1st or 2nd round exit if they make it in
11. Coyotes
12. Canadiens
13. Flames
14. Rangers
15. Stars
16. Predators
17. Ducks
18. Sabres
19. Hurricanes
20. Wild
The Rest
21. Devils
22. Blue Jackets
23. Blues
24. Leafs
25. Thrashers
26. Panthers
27. Avalanche
28. Islanders
29. Senators
30. Oilers
The Penguins and Devils are the toughest ones to place. If the Penguins are healthy (ie. Crosby comes back healthy), they become an elite team. If the Devils are able to make it into the playoff picture, they could jump up to the second tier.
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