Possible contenders in 2014

I am in no way the most informed or best judge of a team. But I have my opinions and thoughts so that's whats this is for.
I was thinking about what teams in the NHL would have a legit shot at running for the cup this year and some of them may make you scratch your head and think I'm just being dumb.
Some of the East teams are a little harder to try and figure out how they will do this year.  Because like every year, it will depend on injuries, how the team works together or in some cases how the new management or coaching staff can get the team to play.
I could go into some detail as to why I picked the teams I did, but I won't, at least not for all of them.
So for my top teams this year here they are. (In alphabetical order)

In the West:

1. Anaheim: They have a strong core group who is aging but can still play and produce. Now they have added Ryan Kesler into the mix they just got a little harder to play against. I think that the big issue here may be in the crease. Andersen is a good goalie and has proven he can play in tandem with Hiller, but now that Hiller is gone can he carry a young goalie in John Gibson?

2. Chicago: Everyone loves the Blackhawks. They have speed, strength, scoring and toughness. And who doesn't want Toews and Kane in their lineup?  There is depth in this lineup any coach would love to have. And they have added Brad Richards in the mix now hoping he can produce a little more with this offense.  Defense is just as good as the offense. Your big two, Keith and Seabrook lead the way for this group. Goaltending was always a touchy topic in Chicago, but with Crawford and Raanta pushing each other, they should do just fine.

3. Dallas: This team just got better for the third straight year. They already had a good mix of older vets leading the young players. And now they have added a couple more into the pot with Hemsky and Spezza.  Two players that needed a bit more change.  Hemsky played well in Ottawa after leaving Edmonton and Spezza needed a change from the Senators and a fresh start. Not to mention they already have players by the names of Benn, Seguin and Nichushkin who we know can play and play well.
Their defense may not quite be there yet, but it isn't that bad to begin with. Age is the only factor there.
Also you have to monsters in net with Lehtonen at 6'4" and Lindback at 6'6" and both have proven they can play.

4. Los Angeles: The returning Champs. They have a roster that works and works well. That has been proven with their second cup win recently.  There are the names we all know, Kopitar, Doughty, Richards, Quick and I can go on, but it's the names you don't know a lot about that will help out this season especially after a long tiring run to the Stanley Cup. Keep an eye on the young players coming up to help out.

In the East:

1. Montreal: With the upsetting exit and injury to Carey Price at the end of the Canadians playoffs last year, you have to wonder if that will play into how the team does this season. Can they stay healthy?  They have a lot of young players who like to get into the mix and get the hard to get goals (Gallagher for instance) but playing that way causes pain and that isn't something you want or need.  The defense is led but P.K. Subban who has a huge new contract to sit back on but can he continue his Norris performance from season to season? It always seems with this team that injuries lead to injuries. For them to make it they have to stay healthy and play how they know they can. Only then will they get to where they want to be.

2. New York Rangers: This team has very little (in my opinion) to offer up front in the way of depth. They have guys who can score and are willing to play but can that will translate into points through the season.  We all know when you think of the Rangers you see one player standing out in particular. Henrik Lundqvist. He has been the backstop for this team for a few years now and that isn't going to change. But he can't do it all on his own. That was proven in the Stanley Cup finals. This team needs a little more depth and "King Henrik" to stand on his head.

3. Tampa Bay: Speaking of teams that have a face you see when they are mentioned. Tampa Bay has Steven Stamkos, the wonder boy who keeps pulling this team through.  Now when Stamkos was injured last year, the team did quite well with him gone. But that can't happen all the time.  They need his point production and leadership. They have an alright lineup with a bit of depth on the front end, and the back end is lead by Victor Hedman who is only 23 years old. So this team has two young leaders to show the way but will that be enough?  The goaltending situation in Tampa is a huge question mark. Will someone finally rise up and be able to backstop this team for a long playoff run?

4. Washington: The Capitals have a team that could be good but seems to find some kind of fault every season. Maybe this year with some new management and a coach (Barry Trotz) this team will be able to show how good they can be. Ovi is the one piece of this puzzle that has to change his ways.  He can't do everything himself and has to share the workload and play more defensively to help this team.  They have a fast skating and high scoring forward lineup if they can all play the right way, and the defense got better this off season with the addition of Brooks Orpik. Goaltending will be an issue here I think, with multiple goalies looking for a starting role. Maybe the coaching style of Mr. Trotz will help this team get to where everyone either wants or fears it can be.

So there you go. Those are 4 teams from each Conference I think have a (long?) shot at a long run to the cup this year.  I also think that Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Boston, Colorado and St. Louis all have decent chances of making the big push this year. Only time will be able to tell. Lets get this season underway so we can see what happens!