Jarome Iginla and the Flames came within one game of carrying the Cup in 2004, but have struggled mightily in the post-lockout NHL. Will new coach Mike Keenan be the spark that leads them to the promised land? Here's a look at the Northwest...

1. Calgary Flames: Adrian Aucoin struggled mightily in Chicago, but should rebound nicely playing in front of Miikka Kiprusoff on a very deep and dependable defense corps. Up front, the Flames will again lean heavily upon captain Jarome Iginla, who remains one of the NHL’s top performers. Perhaps the most interesting storyline in Calgary will be how new coach Mike Keenan gets along with winger Kristian Huselius. The pair was in constant conflict during their time together in Florida, but the liberated Huselius emerged as one of the Flames’ most reliable offensive performers last season. Will “Iron Mike” put aside his differences with the slick Swede?
Key Additions: Adrian Aucoin, Cory Sarich, Owen Nolan, Anders Eriksson
Key Subtractions: Andrei Zyuzin, Roman Hamrlik, Brad Stuart, Byron Ritchie

2. Vancouver Canucks: By the strictest definition of the phrase, no player is more valuable than Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo. Perhaps with that in mind, GM Dave Nonis made the wise decision to import Curtis Sanford, who should prove to be a more reliable backup than the departed Dany Sabourin. The biggest question mark for the Canucks is captain Markus Näslund, who faded into the woodwork last season. If he doesn’t start shooting the puck with greater frequency and accuracy, it’s difficult to imagine the Canucks winning this tough division for a second consecutive season… and it’s quite possible that they’ll miss the postseason altogether.
Key Additions: Ryan Shannon, Byron Ritchie, Brad Isbister, Curtis Sanford, Aaron Miller
Key Subtractions: Dany Sabourin, Bryan Smolinski

3. Minnesota Wild: The Wild caught fire in the second half of last season, propelled by the return of oft-injured winger Marian Gaborik. But as the supporting cast continues to improve, the dependency on Gaborik inevitably reduces. 2003 draftee Brent Burns has emerged as the Wild’s most reliable rearguard, while Minnesota’s goaltending tandem of Niklas Backström and Josh Harding should be quite solid indeed. Look for free agent signee Eric Belanger to enjoy a fine first season in Minnesota, ably replacing the departed Todd White.
Key Additions: Petr Kalus, Eric Belanger, Sean Hill
Key Subtractions: Manny Fernandez, Todd White

4. Colorado Avalanche: Joe Sakic isn’t getting any younger, and so the Avs did the right thing by surrounding him with some much-needed veteran talent. Ryan Smyth should be a nice fit riding shotgun for Sakic on the top line, while the hard-hitting Hannan will give the Avs’ defense some serious bite. But questions abound in goal. Peter Budaj was excellent in his first full season with the Avs, but his track record isn’t long enough to call him the certain starter. And José Théodore, a former Hart Trophy winner, is without question the NHL’s most overpaid—and overrated—player now that Yashin has departed for Russia.
Key Additions: Scott Hannan, Ryan Smyth, Dale Purinton
Key Subtractions: Brett McLean, Ken Klee, Patrice Brisebois, Pierre Turgeon (retired)

5. Edmonton Oilers: GM Kevin Lowe made a huge splash with his aggressive signings of defenseman Sheldon Souray and forward Dustin Penner, but neither maneuver is likely to work out particularly well. The Oilers play an up-tempo game on the NHL’s fastest ice surface, and Souray and Penner’s plodding skating styles won’t mesh particularly well. But by extracting Joni Pitkanen from Philadelphia, Lowe might have made up for it; a scenery change may be all that’s needed for the talented rearguard to get back on track towards stardom.
Key Additions: Dick Tarnstrom, Denis Grebeskhov, Mathieu Garon, Joni Pitkanen, Geoff Sanderson, Sheldon Souray, Dustin Penner
Key Subtractions: Petr Sykora, Jason Smith, Joffrey Lupul