Getty Images and Icon SMI

Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger lead the best D in the league.

Duck Season

There's a full season ahead of us, but who will be left standing in June? ESPN.com's NHL experts give their picks for the 2006-07 season, and many of them are going back to Cali. 2006-07 Picks

• Your picks for 2006-07? | Hradek: 10 Players to Watch | Blog

• Melrose's Picks ESPN Video

| Chat wraps: Burnside

| Kings' Cloutier

MORE FROM ESPN.COM

Chumps Or Champs?
As Alex Rodriguez begins his quest for that elusive World Series ring, Damien Cox takes a look at some NHLers who are in the same boat -- veteran experience, big salaries, no championships. Story

• Chat wrap: Canes goalie Cam Ward

| Your picks for 2006-07?

A Team Can Dream
Carolina. Edmonton. Not your likely Cup finals matchup. So, who will be this season's surprise story? In our season-long series, A Team Can Dream, Scott Burnside says it's the Coyotes. Part I

• Burnside: Fresh starts for Nolan, Roenick | Other dreamers, duds
• Coyotes team preview | Your take: Coyotes | NHL season

Tough Call
If John Buccigross had to choose between Ken the Otter and Phil Kessel, he'd take Kessel. But who would he rank as the best team in the West? His answer to that question was harder to come by. Story

• Buccigross: Eastern Conference outlook | Your take on season?
• Pacific previews: Coyotes | Ducks | Kings | Sharks | Stars

Times Are Changing
Goalies used to park in front of the net like robots. Skaters needed size to be considered for the big leagues. Now, durability and speed are what matter most, writes Scott Burnside. Goalies | Skaters

• What now for ... GMs | The league | On-ice officials | Coaches
• Cohn: A rise, fall in wacky West | Your picks for season?

End text -------------------------

More Features

Team-by-Team Preview

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs didn't reach the playoffs last season. Will history repeat itself in 2006-07? Even with Michael Peca and Andrew Raycroft, the Leafs will have too much ground to gain, writes Scott Burnside.
Preview | Your take? | Clubhouse

Experts' Picks

Melrose	Burnside	Buccigross	Hradek	Cohn

More experts' picks

Highlighted Stories

Whether you're in a big market, a small market or somewhere in between, ESPN The Magazine's E.J. Hradek has a hockey roster that will fit nicely within your budget. Story

Some are in new places. Some are fresh faces. But all share the common goal of trying to win a Cup. E.J. Hradek gives us his Top 10 Players to Watch in 2006-07. Launch

If you're looking for Cup contenders in the West, there are many choices. But Linda Cohn shows how success and failure come in pairs. Story

This ain't no disco, this ain't no fooling around. This is the return of John Buccigross' column, and he's got his East predictions. Story

Terry Frei is weary of making predictions -- so much can change between now and June! But, in the spirit of pucks, he takes a crack at it. Story

Who should you pick for your ultimate fantasy team? Our gurus give you their Top 200 players in fantasy. Story

Highlight Of The Night

Devils Take Series Lead

NFLPA Files Federal Lawsuit