Edmonton and Vegas are the Pacific Division’s leading Stanley Cup contenders, while San Jose and Anaheim are emerging as teams to watch, according to a preview of the coming NHL season. The division was difficult for its teams last year, when Vegas finished first with fewer points than the top three clubs in every other division, then advanced to the Stanley Cup Final. Three Pacific teams are in rebuilding phases, but young talent and offseason moves could make the standings more competitive.

“It was a hard-knock life in the Pacific Division last season. Those playing in it knew it all too well,” Vegas centre Jack Eichel said. “At times last year, it was a bit like every night that a Pacific team lost, every Pacific team lost. Just one of those years.” Eichel’s Golden Knights topped the division before making their run to the final.

Eichel said he does not discount the other clubs. “I don’t discredit any of the teams in our division,” he said. “Anaheim had a really good team last year, and they’re on the (way) up. San Jose made some moves in the offseason. You have to presume they’re going to be better this year. Edmonton is Edmonton. LA is competitive.”

San Jose’s rebuilding effort has added high-profile talent and defensive depth. Macklin Celebrini is expected to join Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Eichel among the league’s top players, and the Sharks are viewed as a team that could be dangerous for years. Celebrini said he believes the club can make a jump similar to Anaheim’s last season, when the Ducks improved.

“I think we can do a similar kind of jump,” Celebrini said. “Everyone’s just going to take a step. I think that everyone’s had that goal in mind all summer. That’s something that we were talking about last year. If we made the playoffs last year, that would have been a huge accomplishment - but now it’s kind of more of an expectation.” San Jose strengthened its defence by acquiring Darnell Nurse and Michael Kesselring and signing Jacob Trouba. It also used the second pick in the draft to select winger Ivar Stenberg, a rookie-of-the-year candidate.

Anaheim could continue its upward trend after agreeing to keep Leo Carlsson long term by matching a five-year, $90-million offer sheet he signed with Philadelphia. Cutter Gauthier also received a new deal. The Ducks’ young core can build on playoff experience that included winning a series before losing to Vegas in the second round.

Edmonton hopes new coach Mike Babcock can help deliver a Stanley Cup to McDavid and Draisaitl, who have been pursuing one for more than a decade. Los Angeles has hired Peter Laviolette, a coach who has led three teams to the final, following a run of first-round playoff exits. Laviolette is the Kings’ fourth coach in five seasons, a stretch that included five first-round exits. Anze Kopitar is gone, Drew Doughty remains and has succeeded him as captain, and questions remain about the team’s direction.

Seattle tried to acquire scoring winger Jason Robertson from Dallas, but Robertson declined to go and sign long term. The outcome could motivate the Kraken, who have reached the playoffs once in their first five seasons. “If you don’t want to be here, we don’t want you anyway,” top centre Matty Beniers said. “Every team, you want guys that want to be there. You don’t want to bring someone in that doesn’t want to be there. It just won’t work out.”

Lane Lambert is entering his second season as Seattle’s coach. The Kraken have already hired and fired two other coaches over a lack of success, and the team is still seeking wins in the Pacific Northwest. Vancouver is rebuilding from the bottom of the league under new coach Manny Malhotra.

Calgary has been mired in mediocrity, though young forward Matt Coronato sees reason for optimism after the Flames finished 8-5-2 last spring. “The more time that goes by, the better we’re going to continue to get,” he said. “We have a lot young guys that are going to take a step and keep developing, so I think it’s an exciting time for us.”

The predicted order of finish is Edmonton, Vegas, San Jose, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Calgary, Seattle and Vancouver. The preview was reported by Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press.

Based on reporting by CTV News Edmonton.