Only when the free-agency period started and you began to see how teams were taking shape -- or, rather, reshaping -- did it become clear how different the landscape is going to look with the new four-division, two-conference format.

Specifically, will there be a more difficult division -- at least on paper -- than the one containing the old Northeast Division, plus the Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers thrown in for good measure?

If you assume the Red Wings and Boston Bruins are playoff-worthy, that leaves a mighty tight race for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators -- all three of which were playoff teams this past season and are much improved. And Tampa has to bounce back at some point.

We're also curious about the redrawing of the divisions along more geographic lines and whether that will give teams some breaks, not only in terms of travel but also in increased interest in markets such as Columbus and Dallas, where fans won't face as many out-of-time-zone games moving forward.

Will that result in a television ratings spike? Better attendance at home with more geographically friendly rivals? Will teams such as the Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues, whose home games against Detroit always packed a little different punch, miss the Red Wings?

He continues...