Chicago - much improved, I believe they added the most free agents out of any team in the League. Active 22-man roster I put together is valued at 78M, so this is not a bottom dweller anymore. But I feel like up front there's either skill players who don't like playing defense or old grinders who won't score much. Coming up with line combinations that are effective both ways is a challenge I think. I'd say the team has the potential to be a bubble team, but on the wrong end of it, and making the playoffs is very difficult.
Colorado - when Nuke comes back it's still one of the top teams in the League. Start of the season is the biggest challenge, and will have an affect on their end-season record. But if they ice the team that they're supposed to have for most of the year (and I don't count Landeskog in that - he's a total wild card), they're in good shape.
Dallas - Pavelski retired, but it doesn't feel like a whole lot has changed. The last couple of years they've been a team that gets the job done and I have no reason to believe they wouldn't this season. Heck, you could probably expect a better year out of some of their best players. Minus Heiskanen it felt like Hintz, Robertson and Oettinger could've all been better last year.
Minnesota - bounce-back season. I think they will be in the playoff mix. Last year they battled a lot of adversity and were still one of the better teams not to make the playoffs. Group is much of the same that made it for consecutive years, and Rossi can realistically hit another level this year. Kaprizov is still something many teams don't have, and their top 3 D is very good.
Nashville - obviously exciting moves in the summer. I like the teams identity under Brunette. I don't know if the new shiny toys help them quite reach a top contender level, but they 100% should be a playoff team.
St. Louis - one of the better bubble teams in the League I think, but it feels like they're stuck at that level. They spent way too much time defending last season and I don't know how they can drastically change that. They did add some players with younger legs, but even if they improve somewhat, statistically their 5-on-5 game will likely be mediocre still.
Utah - I see them as a bubble team as well. I think Utah is one of the best budget teams in the League (their active roster value is close to the cap floor). Relocation is exciting and they have some new players, but they need Cooley to take a couple of steps and be a legit 1C to challenge for a playoff spot. Possible, but a lot to ask from a 20 year old.
Winnipeg - I predicted them to be a strong team last season and they were, but for some reason I'm not that excited about them this year. I mean, they were very consistent, and not a whole lot changed, but after getting stomped by the Avs and only losing players in the off-season (Monahan + Dillon), I don't know. Does the team believe? They're defensive minded with mediocre at best d-core. That doesn't quite add up. It's like they're built to hide their weaknesses until they get exposed in the playoffs. Scott Arniel has been a head coach once in his entire NHL career and he didn't get to 2 full years before he was fired. Is he the right guy? Maybe they're good in the regular season again, maybe not. I don't know, but I do feel like they will take a step back from finishing 4th. Either way, their forwards, Hellebuyck and Morrissey should still keep them in the mix.
TL;DR Central doesn't have a real dogshit team, so it's a very competitive division. All 8 teams could and honestly in a perfect world probably should finish the season above Bettman .500. There's a chance 5 teams make it, but Dallas, Colorado and Nashville in my eyes are the 3 best teams. Jets might regress closer to what they were 2 years ago, and I like the Wilds chances of rebounding.