I assume mikkola would play more nights then Scandella
Also idk if Krug plays a full season I think he’s out for like the first moth could be wrong tho

NSH improved quite a bit, I think its COL, NSH, STL (not necessarily in order) as the top 3 in the central.

Saros is already the best goalie among the top teams, then they added McDonagh on D and Niederreiter up front. Also did some addition by subtraction with Kunin and Myers

STL and COL both got worse from last year, COL to a greater extent losing Kuemper, Kadri, and Burakovsky, and STL losing Perron and Husso

MIN is a tier below those 3 imo after losing Fiala and Talbot

Overall the Blues could challenge for the division.

Avs: they tool a serious hit offensively. I question if Newhook fills the 2C roll this season (certainly will at some point), and Compher isn't the answer. Goaltending is as big a question mark as Toronto's. Very risky, but could pay off big. Defensively this team.will be nasty.

Minny: see these guys as status quo. Boldy gets Fiala's minutes and the team marches on. Not any better, not signicanyltly worse. Even moving to Fleury over Talbot could prove to be a fairly lateral move.

Stars: Very much in transition. Core is as old as mud, but hope with Hintz and Roberston up front. Goaltending is top notch. Defensively sound. Not world beaters, not division winners. Wild card material Very much so.

Nashville: Defensively improvement landing McDonough. A team that with that move gets back to is foundational identity: D first. Adding Neideritter was solid, but I don't see it moving a big needle for them either. So many question marks with the forwards after seasons out of Granlund, Duschene and Johnson what we haven't seen in 3-4 years. Can Jeannott take another step. If all remains the same, this team is good. But questions make me trepidatious about how they finish. But the Saros factor is real.

Jets: if Chevy finds 3rd line pieces that can produce some goals they could be wild cards. Frankly I think they miss. Not sold on Bowness as the answer.

Then there are the Blues.

Kyrou has arrived. Thomas has arrived. What you get out of Schenn and O'Reilly is a known as well. Onky question I would have uo front is can Barbashev repeat that career year? And even if he doesn't, still a helluva 3rd line player. Tank is tank, and is playing for a contract. The blueline is excellent, mobile with enough size. Billington needs to be stable (which is a question), but Greiss as a back up can handle 25-30 games. Loosing Perron hurts, but I see enough in this line up to offset that. Husso came out of no where (like how long were the Blues waiting him out?), so if he repeats ouch, if not, great move. Same questions around him as Billington really.

Blues, imo my humble Leafs fan opinion, just maybe the most balanced team in the Central, so them winning it isn't out of the question.

Well said.