The Eastern Conference is known for its high paced games, in which speed and stick skills are a must. This season has proven to be a battle, as successful teams from last season look to keep their stronghold on the conference and developing teams attempt to squirm their way into a playoff spot. This conference has it tougher with 16 teams battling compared to 14 in the Western Conference. Let's look at how this seasons standings could play out.

Atlantic Division

Boston Bruins:

Missing the playoffs for the second straight year is an abnormal outcome for a top-dog hockey organization. The Bruins are at a turning point—do they begin a rebuild and forfeit the season, or try and make do until they have to rebuild? The choice was made clear at free agency as the team moved out veterans and signed David Backes, Anton Khudobin and Riley Nash, to name a few. Don't count this Bruins team out, but I wouldn't expect a division winning team either.

Buffalo Sabres:

Nearing the end of a rebuild, this team is close to being a young powerhouse in the Eastern Conference. They have a near perfect balance of veteran players and sound prospects. If a playoff run isn't in the cards for this postseason, Sabres fans can expect success soon enough. I predict a healthy Buffalo team will finish right outside of a playoff spot, a massive improvement from last year.

Detroit Red Wings:

The Wings showed solid improvement in the first round. They fell in a hard fought battle in the first round. Currently in a small rebuilding period, I do not believe they have all the pieces to make a true run for the cup and will be on the cusp of even getting the chance at a postseason. This season could mark the end 25 consecutive years of playoff appearances for Detroit.

Florida Panthers:

Florida may be a team on the rise, but it is hard to say if it's too soon for them to be a force to reckon with. The offseason additions of James Reimer, Reilly Smith and Keith Yandle are sure to prove beneficial, in addition to the resigning of key Panthers, such as Vincent Trocheck and Aaron Ekblad. Could it be enough to push this team over the edge?

Ottawa Senators:

Ottawa is another team that lacks depth on the defensive end. The team did, however, pursue a blockbuster trade in February for Dion Phaneuf, and fire its entire coaching staff. In addition, the general manager resigned in early April. It is hard to say what the outcome will be, but I do not expect them to be in contention for a Stanley Cup this season.

Montreal Canadiens:

After a great start to the 2015-2016 season, Montreal fell out of contention, plagued with injuries, and finished sixth in the Atlantic. Carey Price, back healthy in net, is a huge factor for the Habs success. Massive roster improvements were made this summer with signings such as Shea Weber, Andrew Shaw and Alexander Radulov. With a strategic mix of veterans and new comers, there is no reason this Canadiens team should fall out of playoff contention.

Tampa Bay Lightning:

Losing a tough-fought battle against Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference Final will not slow this team down. The style of play possessed by the Lightning proves successful in a fast paced game. With the healthy return of Steven Stamkos and low turnover at free agency, they may be one of the only few teams to give Pittsburgh a run for its money. Not to mention the resigning of key players such as Victor Hedman, Steven Stamos, Vladislav Namestnikov and Alex Killorn to multi-year contracts. The Tampa Bay Lightning will be a tough matchup this season.

Toronto Maple Leafs:

A young team with great potential is among the management of Toronto, but a few more years of rebuild is imminent. On the upside, the Maple Leafs have found a solid young goaltender capable of shutting down the net in tight games, and potential rookie of the year, in Auston Matthews. On the downside, the team lacks leadership for their prospects and obvious goal production, winning just 29 games last season. It is not their time yet, but in 3 years time, this team will be atop the conference.

Metropolitan Division

Carolina Hurricanes:

The Hurricanes look to turn around a series of poor performance seasons in 2016-2017. Unfortunately, I do not think they have the resources as of yet to obtain this goal. Last season they were twenty-seventh in goals for, twenty-fourth in power play percentage and eighteenth in goals against. The defensive is old and the offensive is filled with players too inexperienced to make an impact. At least they're a good candidate to win the draft lottery.

Columbus Blue Jackets:

If any team is prone to the injury bug, its the Columbus Blue Jackets. After rebuilding into a skillful team for multiple years, Columbus was set to take a run for the cup the past two seasons... except they have experienced a plague of team members on IR both seasons. This year, a healthy Jackets team could sit atop the standings and earn a much awaited playoff berth.

Pittsburgh Penguins:

Last season's Stanley Cup Champions, there is extreme reason to think the Penguins have the components to be the first back to back champions in nearly two decades. Pittsburgh was fairly quiet during free agency and the offseason to follow, aside from enjoying the cup. The team did not lose many major components to its lineup that cannot be filled by rising players within the system. In addition, the Eastern Conference has fewer challenging match-ups for teams of size and strength, which leads me to believe the Penguins will stay at the top.

New Jersey Devils:

Perhaps the busiest team in the east in summer 2016, the Devils look to enter the playoff picture they've been outsiders to since losing the Stanley Cup Finals in 2012. Ray Shero snagged Taylor Hall from the Oilers and two former Penguins, Beau Bennett and Ben Lovejoy, which will undoubtedly improve this team. Hey, wait, this team is shaping up to look like Pittsburgh's winning team of 2009...

New York Islanders:

Could the Islanders have missed a chance at the cup and start to deteriorate? In my opinion, yes. Losing Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen will for sure affect a now aging NY team. John Tavares does not posses the power to lead this team on his own. It's hard to say how newcomers such as Andrew Ladd and PA Parenteau will fit into the Islanders style of play. Unfortunately, I think the Isles are on a slow, but sure decline.

New York Rangers:

The demise of the Rangers is among us. Veteran players such as Rick Nash, Henrik Lundqvist and Dan Girardi to name a few, are no longer in their prime. NYR also has few prospects due to some poor drafting over the past five or six years. Mistakes in drafting players and regenerating the roster are about to bite the Rangers where the sun don't shine.

Philadelphia Flyers:

The Flyers have a roster plagued with overpaid, underperforming players. With their backs up against the salary cap, there isn't much Ron Hextall can do to turn the team around. I am also not convinced either of Philadelphia's tandem goalies, Neuwirth or Mason, can make a case as a starting goalie. As other teams across the league, particularly the Metropolitan Division start to become stronger, the Flyers will fall to the bottom of the standings after having a good start to their year.

Washington Capitals:

A great regular season led to another disappointing loss in the second round of the playoffs. Once again, this Washington team will be a force to reckon with, at least in the regular season. Braden Holtby is one of the best shut down goalies in the league, and the Capitals special teams are top of the league. Last season they ranked second in goals for and against, and in penalty kill percentage. With little roster movement over the summer, this years expectations are higher than ever.

Here are my Power Rankings for the 2016-2017 season:

Atlantic:

1. Tampa Bay Lightning

2. Montreal Canadiens

3. Florida Panthers

4. Buffalo Sabres

5. Boston Bruins

6. Detroit Red Wings

7. Ottawa Senators

8. Toronto Maple Leafs

Metropolitan:

1. Pittsburgh Penguins

2. Washington Capitals

3. New Jersey Devils

4. Columbus Blue Jackets

5. New York Islanders

6. New York Rangers

7. Philadelphia Flyers

8. Carolina Hurricanes

Looks like another depressing season is ahead for the country of Canada...