from Frank Seravalli of TSN,

Yes, the 114 days bookending hockey's off-season brought meaningful change all around - even for the Stanley Cup champions. Here are 10 questions to ponder heading into the NHL's 98th season:

1. Who will be this year's breakout stars?

Vladimir Tarasenko, Tyler Johnson and Victor Hedman catapulted into the "star" conversation with 2014-15 serving as their coming out party. Three early candidates to launch their career to another level this year are Valeri Nichushkin, Kevin Hayes and David Pastrnak. Nichushkin, 20, is flying under the radar a bit after an injury-riddled campaign of just eight games last year. He is 6-foot-4, he can skate, and he can pile up points no matter if he is on a line with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin or Jason Spezza. Hayes, 22, racked up 45 points in his rookie season with the Rangers but there is no shortage of opportunity to grab the scoring reins in New York. Pastrnak, just 19, turned heads with 27 points in 46 games last year, but could explode out of the game this fall on a line with a healthy David Krejci.

2. What will come first: a repeat Stanley Cup champion or the end of Canada's Cup drought?

No team has repeated as Stanley Cup champions since the Red Wings in 1997 and 1998, but that may happen sooner than Canada's 23-year drought ending. There have been repeats in all three other major sports since then (Patriots 04-05, Yankees 99-00, Lakers 09-10). The Blackhawks and Kings have traded Stanley Cups in the last four years - and the Eastern Conference may be due for a winner. Overall, Canada is likely to see fewer than the five teams ticketed for the big dance next spring. Vancouver and Winnipeg could take a step back. Ottawa broke through on the season's final weekend after a furious comeback. That leaves only Montreal and maybe Calgary as reasonably firm playoff bets. The Canadiens took Tampa Bay to Game 6 in the Atlantic division final last season. If they were to get past the Lightning this year, a stiff test may be waiting in Washington or the Islanders. Stay tuned.

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