I'm not sure if the delay with Subban's signing has anyone legitimately worried, but if it does, there are plenty of pundits out there to calm your nerves. At this stage, we know that if an offer sheet were tendered to Subban, the Canadiens would unquestionably match, so the possibility of it occurring is dramatically low.

I suppose that if one of Bergevin's cohorts wanted to put him in an incredibly uncomfortable position, he would send an offer sheet Subban's way for an obscene amount of money that would eat into the Canadiens cap for years to come.

One way or the other, the chances are that when the two sides finally do agree on a contract, it's going to be a long one.

I don't think the Canadiens have any interest in not having Subban signed by the onset of training camp, nor would that be beneficial to him. But he'll be much more willing to wait than the Canadiens will. And that gives him the edge in this negotiation, no matter how patient Bergevin's been.

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1) Asked this one Twitter yesterday, who's more likely to wash off last year's stink? The Habs or the Sabres?

2) Who are the Bruins without Tim Thomas? Who are they with Tuuka Rask and Anton Khudobin?

3) Is Ottawa as good as people seem to think they are?

4) Is Toronto as bad as people seem to think they are?

For another season, it seems that the NorthEast Division is completely up for grabs. Sure, there are favorites, but who can easily predict how the chips will fall for each of these teams?

If you believe--like I do--that the Habs are better than they showed last year, then you have to admit the playoffs are a possibility. I sincerely doubt that will have them in the race for the division, but I think the additions made give them the character to exceed what will be minimal expectations.

And I gotta believe that Sabres fans feel exactly the same about their team. Swap out Derek Roy for Steve Ott and replace some of what was lost with Gaustad moving on, then add in the emergence of Tyler Ennis, a year of maturity for Nate Gerbe, a full season for Hodgson, a real season for Leino as opposed to whatever that was last year, and health for Ryan Miller.

I don't think the Senators are as good as everyone's claimed after their impressive fight in the playoffs. Yes, Alfredsson is back for another year, which tells you that he certainly believes in his team. And Paul Maclean proved to be among the best coaches in the league last season. Turris' potential is large, as is that of Daugavins and Jakob Silfverberg. And yes, they got some size and skill in Guillaume Latendresse, but they also inherited his concussion and injury issues that have deprived him from building on what he did in his first season in Minnesota. Tell me you don't see major holes on the blue line? Also, Craig Anderson's a beauty, but can he continue to be one? Ben Bishop was a big pick up, but he's never faced the pressure of starting, and starting in a Canadian city.

Are the Leafs really that bad? I can't say for sure. But I can say that this team is under more pressure than any other to make the playoffs, and that will either motivate them to do exactly that or have them crumble under it.

And, if I'm being honest. The Bruins are a great team that will have just a bit of time to decide whether or not their goaltending can carry the load. And no matter how well Rask does, he'll be a question mark for them at various stages of the season.

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