from Allan Muir of Sports Illustrated,

Less than a month into the off-season and already the landscape has changed in the NHL. The draft, free agency and a couple of franchise-altering trades have shifted the balance of power, setting up some teams to take the next step in 2016-17... and others to drop into the abyss.

We'll take a look where each team stands, starting today with the Atlantic Division, home of a couple of big winners and some very clear losers.

FLORIDA PANTHERS

2015-16: 47-26-9

In: Keith Yandle, Jason Demers, Mark Pysyk, James Reimer, Jared McCann

Out: Eric Gudbranson, Dmitry Kulikov

Has any team been more active than the Panthers this summer? New GM Tom Rowe completely rebuilt his blue line, ditching size and physicality for puck-moving possession drivers. He wildly overpaid both Yandle and Demers in the process, but quickly realized his analytics-driven vision. He also went aggressive on Aaron Ekbad's new eight-year $60 million deal, skipping the bridge contract and going directly to the long-term contract befitting a franchise player. May as well give Ekblad the C now.

Handing five years to Reimer raised some eyebrows, but that's a savvy deal. Roberto Luongo is 37 and will slow sooner than later. Adding a reliable partner who can play 30-plus games extends the veteran's shelf life and ensures the Cats have a viable stop-gap in place as they nurture their next No. 1.

more teams...