Offseason report card: Lightning strikes could flip Southeast
Four years ago, the Lightning were Stanley Cup champions. Last season, Tampa Bay finished at the bottom of the Southeast. But new owners, and a new coach and plenty of player moves could change things, Wes Goldstein says. 

Offseason report cards: Northwest Division
In the tight Northwest, a youth movement fortified with some key imports could send Edmonton on the fast track as rivals Minnesota, Colorado, Calgary and Vancouver mostly tread water, Wes Goldstein says. 

Offseason report card: Canadiens should have enough to repeat
Last season's surprises could become next season's status quo in the Northeast, where the Canadiens have done enough to remain the division's top team and are still holding out hope of making one big move to make them Cup contenders, Wes Goldstein says. 

Offseason report card: Look out, Central, champs even stronger
What do you get when you add the most glittering free agent to the Detroit team that dominated the season? Wes Goldstein says you get a team that could score rare back-to-back Cup titles. 

Offseason report card: Atlantic rivals try to close on top two
The Atlantic Division had four playoff teams last season, but the Eastern finals displayed the clear top two: Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. In his offseason report card, Wes Goldstein assesses what the Penguins and Flyers did, and what division rivals tried to close the gap. 

Offseason makeover report cards: Sharks lead busy Pacific
San Jose, coming off another solid season that wound up not quite good enough in the playoffs, needed some offseason changes, and Wes Goldstein says the Sharks did it better than any team in the Pacific Division in his makeover report card. 

Under-the-radar signings are sweeter by the dozen
Transactions don't have to be as big as Hossa-to-Detroit to make an impact. Wes Goldstein touts the signing of Ty Conklin, Georges Laraque and 10 others you might have missed -- and not all of them involve players leaving Pittsburgh. 

Lightning owners take Tampa -- and NHL -- by storm
Tampa Bay's new owners promised to be 'shockingly aggressive.' Turns out they were being modest, Wes Goldstein says after the Lightning light up the transaction wires. 

Flames feel price is right for controversial Bertuzzi
The baggage is enormous and Flames fan are already adding fuel to the fire after the signing of Todd Bertuzzi. Calgary doesn't mind, though, because it feels the bruising Bertuzzi fits just fine for the money, Wes Goldstein says. 

As free-agent market winds down, ponder all this
It wasn't the most spectacular display of free-agent movement ever, but Wes Goldstein says last week still included some interesting developments -- and raised intriguing questions.  

No yelling, no crying -- Jagr's NHL end comes quietly
We saw this coming. With the Rangers grabbing Markus Naslund, there isn't room for Jaromir Jagr. So the perennial All Star and 17-year vet will play in Russia, a move Wes Goldstein says makes sense for both parties. 

Hossa trades security, maximum money for good shot at Stanley Cup
At 29, Marian Hossa could have signed a multiyear contract that would have left him set for his career. But Wes Goldstein says one year and $7.45 million suits Hossa just fine -- with the Red Wings and the best shot at a Stanley Cup. 

Blackhawks flex monetary muscle on opening day of free agency
So all these dollars don't make sense to you? That's OK with GM Dale Tallon, Wes Goldstein says, after the Blackhawks seem to exceed market value to sign Brian Campbell and Cristobal Huet. 

Free-agent outlook: Eastern Conference
With free agency set to begin at noon ET Tuesday, Wes Goldstein takes a team-by-team look at teams' needs in the Eastern Conference. 

Free-agent outlook: Western Conference
With free agency set to begin at noon ET Tuesday, Wes Goldstein takes a team by team look at teams' needs in the Western Conference.  

Free-agent history mixed, but these will draw lots of attention
Despite the salary cap, top NHL free agents are still subject to bidding wars that lead to huge salaries, even if the results of obtaining or keeping those players are mixed. Wes Goldstein expects that to be true again Tuesday when the market opens again. 

Notebook: One more Toronto assist left in Sundin's tank?
For long the face of the Maple Leafs franchise, Mats Sundin is all but out of Toronto. Holding some power over his long-time team, Sundin could get vindictive, and Wes Goldstein wouldn't blame him. 

Trade activity overshadows best draft class in years
The Tampa Bay Lightning made no secret it wanted top-notch center Steven Stamkos -- and they get him with the No. 1 pick. But the 13 trades make more news than the 2008 draft night itself, Wes Goldstein says. 

Penguins will not be same squad after this run for the Cup
A runner-up finish comes with a heavy price tag in Pittsburgh. With numerous free agents destined to seek higher fees, Wes Goldstein says the Penguins' success cost them a shot at being the next Edmonton. 

Penguins lose, but likely win in the long run
Sure, it's never easy to lose, but the Penguins are so young and talented, they have a lot to look forward to after coming up short in the Stanley Cup Finals to the powerful Red Wings, Wes Goldstein says. 

With 11th Cup, Red Wings setting blueprint for rest of NHL
There's no slip up in Game 6. Detroit hoists the 11th Stanley Cup in franchise history and its fourth in 11 years with a 3-2 win in Pittsburgh. This title was three years in the making for the Red Wings, a team able to fight off adversity when it had to, Wes Goldstein says. 

Building around core players is right formula in Detroit
The success for the Red Wings in the last decade is based on a simple formula of building the team around a group of expensive players. The rest is filling the gaps with veterans and players that fit the philosophy in Detroit, Wes Goldstein says. 

Fleury's brilliance has Pens still within striking distance
Marc-Andre Fleury's tenure with Pittsburgh started off rocky -- as an 18-year-old thrust into a starting role. But now, Fleury is playing his best yet and has become the Penguins' 'savior' as they refuse to quit, Wes Goldstein says. 

Penguins lift one from Red Wings, make it a serious series
No so fast, Detroit. The Pens' Maxime Talbot ties it late, Petr Sykora ends it and Marc-Andre Fleury stands on his head in a 4-3 triple-OT Game 5 win in the Stanley Cup Finals. Consider it a Pittsburgh steal, Wes Goldstein says.  

Experience? Red Wings need more than that to close out Cup
Yes, the Red Wings have 'experience.' But that didn't stop some 3-1 lead hitters in the conference finals. Will it repeat against the Penguins? Doesn't look like it, Wes Goldstein says. Detroit has shown tremendous poise against upstart Pittsburgh and is poised to hoist the Cup on its ice. 

Penguins will insist series not done, but reality indicates otherwise
Sure, the Penguins say all the right things about the Finals not being over yet, even after losing 2-1 in Game 4. Pittsburgh must face reality because Wes Goldstein says this series is over and done with. 

While Pens recount one shift, Wings would like to shorten theirs
In 'just one shift,' Brooks Orpik sparked the Pens to a Game 3 victory, keeping hope alive. Did he turn the tide, or was it a speed bump for the Red Wings? Energy in Game 4 will decide who is in control come Saturday night, Wes Goldstein says. 

Detroit's Babcock keeps veteran Wings level, proving doubters wrong
Critics clamored Mike Babcock had it too easy to be a COY candidate. But the Detroit coach has shown he knows when to push buttons and when to let off with a veteran team like the Red Wings, Wes Goldstein says. 

Penguins captain Sid the Kid lives up to expectation in Game 3
Pittsburgh can score after all. But it takes home ice for Sidney Crosby to hit the net twice as the Pens win 3-2 to trim the Wings' Finals lead to 2-1. Sidney & Co. barely hang on, but they're back in it, Wes Goldstein says.  

If Malkin doesn't get his groove back, Pens are finished
Evgeni Malkin had a monster regular season and added eight goals and nine assists in Pittsburgh's first 10 playoff games. But in the Stanley Cup Finals, Malkin has all but disappeared. For the Pens' sake, the real Malkin needs to get it going, Wes Goldstein says. 

No contest: Red Wings flat-out shutting down Pens
Hello, Penguins? Anyone home? The Wings are turning the Stanley Cup Finals into their own private party, winning 3-0 in Game 2 for a 2-0 lead. With back-to-back shutouts, Detroit is in total control, Wes Goldstein says. 

Osgood making up for lost time
Goalie Chris Osgood is no longer sitting and waiting. Wes Goldstein says after leading the Red Wings to the Cup, then losing his starter's role, Osgood is now an integral part in Detroit's current run. 

Seeking spark for Game 2, suddenly vulnerable Penguins shuffle lines
It's only a 1-0 series deficit, but it's also the first time the Penguins have had even a whiff of trouble since the postseason began. Wes Goldstein says coach Michel Therrien will seek a spark in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals in Detroit by tweaking his lines. 

Experienced Detroit puts on clinic in Stanley Cup opener
The Red Wings overcome a little adversity against the Penguins in Game 1 and demonstrate the importance of having veteran playoff experience by putting on a hockey clinic, Wes Goldstein says. 

Hollywood-scripted final is one NHL wanted to showcase since lockout
It's about as good of a matchup as the NHL could've got -- an Original Six team in the Red Wings and a young and speedy Penguins side. Wes Goldstein says it's what the NHL was looking for since the ugly lockout three years ago. 

Finals breakdown: Well-matched speed, skill, sizzle equals big show
The anticipation is mounting for one of the best Stanley Cup Finals in years, largely because both teams are similarly loaded. Wes Goldstein breaks down the contenders, position by position. 

Burning questions: The keys to a Cup conquest
Detroit and Pittsburgh are ready, you know home-ice advantage will play a part, but how much? Wes Goldstein says that's just one of the burning questions for a fantastic Finals matchup. 

MVP bound to come from this dream Stanley Cup Finals matchup
Argue all you want about which team will win this dream Stanley Cup Finals. But don't tell Wes Goldstein the eventual Conn Smythe winner isn't playing in it. Goldstein touts the Red Wings and Penguins who can capture the playoff MVP trophy. 

Dallas mantra: Just win one at a time, baby
The Stars taste blood. Down 3-0, Dallas climbs back in its series against Detroit and is one win from a tie. Wes Goldstein says if the Stars and goalie Marty Turco can keep reducing the Red Wings' speed, hello Game 7. 

Get used to it, Penguins are for real
The Penguins' 6-0 beating of the Flyers is more than a victory, it's a proclamation of their killer instinct. Whichever team advances to face the Pens in the Stanley Cup Finals better be prepared for a talented, hungry opponent, Wes Goldstein warns.