1. UND - defense and the return of Duncan and Oshie are their strong points. Lammy should be solid, as will the new recruits. Just need a few more forwards to step it up from last year, and this team will be dominant.
2. UMN - yes they lose lots of dmen, but they also return all their forwards. They will win some shootouts, and will get better as the season progresses and their young dmen get used to the WCHA.
3. DU - they have lost alot of players as well, but they also return a very formidable offense. I'm really not sure what to expect from this team.
4. UW - I could honestly see UW finishing 2-3 places lower than this because of losing Elliott and a strong group of seniors, but I will put them here because of their great incoming class.
5. MTU - they could be higher or lower, but I see them right in the middle somewhere. They return a lot, and gain some good recruits, but they certainly won't surprise any teams this year after their finish last year.
6. CC - they lost Zaba, but bring back alot from the rest of their starters last year.
7. SCSU - they will battle with CC and MTU for home ice, but they lost their team MVP from the past 2 years in Goepfert. They'll need more than just Lasch and Nodl if they want to move up higher.
8. UAA - could be switched with Duluth.
9. UMD - could be switched with Anchorage.
10. MSUM - I don't see them being very good this year.