According to rotoresource.com, we have compiled the number of new faces playing for each team at the start of this season.  While we have not yet finished calculating our final AB scores, we loosely surmise that the number of new players on NHL clubs will be inversely correlated to our predicted order of conference finish.  This is because the majority of these new entrants have limited NHL experience and that, by definition, the more replacement slots, the greater the need for team reconstruction.  Note – PIT, STL, WSH and MIN do not have any new defensemen this year)

ANA – 7 (1 D)

ARI – 10 (4 D, wow)

BOS – 8 (1 D)

BUF – 4 (1 D)

CAL – 6 (1 D)

CAR – 7 (1 D)

CBJ – 7 (3 D)

CHI – 8 (3 D)

COL – 7 (2 D)

DAL – 9 (3 D)

DET – 5 (1 D)

EDM – 8 (3 D)

FLA – 11 (4 D, wow) – look for FLA to drop significantly this year

LAK – 7 (3 D)

MIN – 5 (0 D) – interesting.  We have MIN up there again – stay healthy Zach Parise!

MTL – 7 (3 D)

NJD – 7 (3 D)

NSH – 4 (2 D)

NYI – 8 (3 D)

NYR – 9 (2 D)

OTT – 7 (1 D)

PHI – 5 (1 D)

PIT – 1 (0 D)

SJ – 4 (1 D)

STL – 3 (0 D)

TB – 3 (1 D)

TOR 9 (2 D) – 3 counting Roman Polak

VAN – 5 (1 D) – too few in our opinion

WPG – 5 (1 D) – ditto

WSH – 3 (0 D)