s the offensive co-ordinator, as widely reported for weeks, and George E

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The gangs almost entirely back for the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins and Presidents Trophy-winning Washington Capitals, Steven Stamkos re-upped with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the retooled Florida Panthers look ready for their close up.Get ready for a competitive race among those four teams in the Eastern Conference. Throw a healthy Carey Price back in net for the Montreal Canadiens and they could challenge, too, especially if defenseman Shea Weber fits well after a stunning summer trade from Nashville for P.K. Subban.Of course, it starts and ends with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the Penguins.Theyre the Stanley Cup champs, theyre the No. 1, Capitals right winger Justin Williams said. Theyre the team to beat until somebody knocks them off.Pittsburgh was the best team in the playoffs last spring, going through the New York Rangers, Capitals, Lightning and San Jose Sharks to win the fourth Cup in franchise history. Washington was the best team in the regular season, 11 points ahead of the next-closest team, and is again the Metropolitan Division favorite.Here are some things to watch in the East:SUNSHINE STATE HOCKEYDont look now but two of the best young defensemen in hockey are playing in Florida: Aaron Ekblad for the Panthers and Victor Hedman for the Lightning. The Panthers have Finnish standout Aleksander Barkov and a real chance to win the Atlantic Division. Florida also added defensemen Keith Yandle and Jason Demers as part of its makeover and could take the next step after a surprise playoff appearance.Some of the guys we signed in the offseason gave us some more speed, a little more offense, president of hockey operations Dale Tallon said. Weve had two winning seasons in a row and weve made the playoffs and I think the fact that we got beat in the first round will be a motivating factor.OVECHKIN WATCHAlex Ovechkin led the NHL with 50 goals last season and isnt showing any signs of slowing down at age 31. He and the Capitals still havent won the Cup, and with several key players set to be free agents, this could be their best and last chance.Washington isnt just Ovechkin, as Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender Braden Holtby and all-star centers Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nicklas Backstrom are all at the top of their games. More regular-season dominance should follow, but the playoffs are always the question.PRICE IS RIGHTAfter missing most of last season with a knee injury, a healthy Price is a welcome sight for the Canadiens. Price looked back to his old self winning the World Cup of Hockey with Canada, which general manager Marc Bergevin said puts everyones mind at ease, even our fans. The 2015 Hart, Vezina and Pearson winner is good enough to carry the Canadiens to the playoffs on his shoulders.NEW YORK, NEW YORKThe Islanders got deeper by adding wingers Andrew Ladd, Jason Chimera and P.A. Parenteau and defenseman Dennis Seidenberg. The Rangers got younger by signing college free agent Jimmy Vesey and trading for Mika Zibanejad. John Tavares and the Islanders are looking to build off their longest playoff run in 23 years in their second season in Brooklyn. Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers are trying to stay at the top because the elite goalie isnt getting any younger.MATTHEWS MANIATop pick Auston Matthews is immediately the face of the Toronto Maple Leafs under coach Mike Babcock. Itll be a while before Toronto is a playoff contender, but Matthews at 18 was a man among men playing professionally in Switzerland and looked comfortable against elite competition at the World Cup at 19.Hes shown that hes going to be responsible on both sides of the puck, has a great sense of how to use his body on the ice, said Edmonton Oilers coach Todd McLellan, who had Matthews for Team North America at the World Cup. Hes a big man that protects pucks well. Hes able to use speed when he needs it.---Follow Stephen Whyno on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SWhyno Dalton Risner Youth Jersey . -- Timbers coach Caleb Porter didnt stray from his business-like approach to the season even after Portland downed the two-time defending league champion Los Angeles Galaxy to gain crucial playoff position. Terrell Davis Youth Jersey . Howard Ganz, an MLB lawyer, said in a letter to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos that Rodriguezs claims do not come "remotely close" to what is needed to overturn an arbitration decision in federal court. http://www.broncosrookiestore.com/Broncos-Von-Miller-Jersey/ . The deal is pending a physical, assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. Traded from Seattle to Baltimore on Aug. 30, Morse also can play first base and right field to give manager Bruce Bochy some flexibility in writing his lineup. Denver Broncos Jerseys . Ouellette, from Montreal, already has three Olympic gold medals since joining the team in 1999. Terrell Davis Jersey . The Vikings announced Thursday that Priefer will be one of seven holdovers from the previous staff, along with offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, wide receivers coach George Stewart and others. Norv Turner will mark his 30th year of coaching in the NFL as the offensive co-ordinator, as widely reported for weeks, and George Edwards will be the defensive co-ordinator. GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Former Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd has been arrested after authorities say he pushed a bouncer who told him he couldnt enter a crowded bar in Greenville.Greenville Police said in a news release that Boyd turned himself in Tuesday to face an assault and battery charge.The police report says Boyd was trying to get in the On the Roxx bar around 11:30 p.m. July 14 when the bouncer told him to wait because the club was at capacity.Investigators say Boyd then shoved the bouncer who as he fell, knocked a woman to the ground.dddddddddddd.Boyd told The Post and Courier of Charleston he pushed the bouncer to get him out of his personal space and he felt the incident was blown out of proportion because of who he is. Boyd said he shouldnt have put himself in that situation.Boyd was Clemsons starting quarterback from 2011 to 2013. ' ' '