What the latest news, videos, photos and trending stories mean for 2017-18 season, and how to predict the winners and losers for each team

The 2018-19 season is here and it’s a bit of a wild ride.
Here are some of the key storylines to watch out for as the league gears up for the start of the 2019-20 season: 1.
What will the playoffs look like?
This is the biggest question of the year and it could determine whether a team like the Chicago Bulls, who will make the playoffs for the first time since 2012, can claim a deep playoff run or not.
A team like Detroit could be a good team for the most part, but there is a real possibility that they fall just short of a postseason berth.
The biggest question will be whether a playoff team is good enough to qualify for the playoffs.
2.
Who will win the Eastern Conference?
With the Chicago Blackhawks, the Minnesota Wild, Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins all vying for a playoff spot, the Eastern conference is a much more open field than the Western Conference.
The Detroit Red Wing and Pittsburgh Pirates have the best records in the league and are the two best teams in the Eastern division.
The Eastern conference standings look a bit better than last year, with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers all winning their division.
3.
How will the NHL trade its players?
While it’s not exactly clear what will happen to all of its current players, there are some obvious teams that could move on from their current contracts.
If a player like Kevin Hayes or Ryan McDonagh is traded, it could mean a lot for the Blackhawks and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The other teams that have contracts that could be up for grabs are the Colorado Avalanche and the Los Angeles Kings.
4.
Who should be the first overall pick in the NHL draft?
There is some talk about this year’s first overall draft being a lottery and that’s a real concern.
The top pick in next year’s draft will be determined by the NHL.
But that hasn’t stopped the teams from making bold moves and it is possible that a team could land a first-round pick this year.
It’s not a sure thing that the Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres could land the first-overall pick.
5.
Who are the best prospects in the Western Hockey League?
With a lot of young talent in the AHL, the Western League has a chance to be a top-three hockey league in North America.
There is also a chance that the top two teams in each division could be competing for the top overall pick.
6.
Will the Blackhawks or Capitals make the playoff picture?
The Chicago Blackhawks are the most likely team to make the postseason this year, but it will be up to the other teams to make a playoff run.
There are a lot more teams in this draft than there are spots to fill.
7.
Who is the best goalie in the West?
It is tough to pick who is the better goalie in this year