Eastern Division Preview

Americans
The Americans have sat on their existing team from last season making only two minor trades this off season.
They have depth throughout their line-up with a number of players that could be on many teams in the league, although as 3rd or 4th liners. The first line could be quite effective, but after that the production will probably drop off.
The biggest problem with this team is their lack of impact players.
Without any trades made there are no real significant players coming in or leaving.

Barons
Cleveland has a few good players, but much like the Americans they do not have enough top players. This team has the depth up front, and should be able to roll 3 good forward lines, but the defensive part of their game needs a lot of work. Other than Eric Lundberg and perhaps Michal Sersen they do not have much else on the blueline. Marty Turco will need to stand on his head in goal for this team to go anywhere.
Without any trades made there are no real significant players coming in or leaving.

Tigers
The Tigers were extremely busy this offseason making a number of moves. They basically rebuilt the entire team with only 9 or 10 players returning from last seasons disappointing season.
The Tigers are definitely the favourite to win the division title with a solid core upfront and defense. The biggest question that this team has is the 3rd line scoring and how this will affect them in a playoff run.
Key Players Leaving: Tkachuk, Streit, Pokulok, Yachmenev
Key Players Returning: Sjostrom, Taffe, Blake, Cowan, Pietila, Andersen, Neidermeyer

Senators
The Senators biggest off season move involved shipping Jeff Cowan to divisional rival Hamilton in exchange for prospects and picks, causing the team to be weaker up front compared to last season. With a top line that may consist of Khasanshin (C), Veilleux (LW), Piispanen (RW), McCabe (D), Redden (D) the Senators are going to have difficulty doing much outside of this top line. Their goaltending looks to be extremely strong, perhaps the strongest in the division.
Key Players Leaving: Jack Johnson, Jeff Cowan
Key Players Returning: Nik Antropov

Capitals
The Capitals didn’t make any offseason moves which means they did lose any key players, however they didn’t gain any either. With forwards like Ovechkin, Paquette, Suglabov, Marleau, Kane the Capitals should be able to puck in the net on a regular basis. However, the defence is extremely weak so they will probably be letting pucks in on a regular basis too. Dan Boyle and Scott Lehman are the best two blueliners and after that there is not much to write about. The goaltenders Butler and Rask make a fairly formidable duo.