Tampa Bay deserves credit for trying to keep its contending window open as long as possible but begins the season with many question marks.

The Tampa Bay Lightning will have a new look, but the same expections of contending for championship this season. Long-time captain Steven Stamkos left in free agency.

The Carolina Hurricanes are inching closer and closer to the end of the pre-season with the penultimate game on the horizon tonight. The Canes will be icing a veteran-heavy lineup against the Lightning with virtually everyone but the projected fourth line slated to go.

Add that to a strong core group, and the Hurricanes aren’t going anywhere. Carolina is still going to be a force. Carolina is an annual threat for 110 points and that was true before Guentzel was acquired.

Over the last couple of seasons, the Calgary Flames have entered a new era. The Flames captured the Pacific Division title during the 2021-22 season. However, departures followed, with the team losing a chunk of its core after that point.