1. Halifax Mooseheads

Head coach: Cam Russell (2nd year)

Last season: 32-31-2-4 (6th)

Players to watch: RW Jakub Voracek (23-63-86), D Andrew Bodnarchuk (16-41-57), C Colby Pridham (23-36-59), LW Logan MacMillan (20-35-55), RW Bryce Swan (35-19-54), LW Ryan Hillier (32-27-59).

What to expect: The Mooseheads welcome back their top six scorers – all NHL draft picks. Like Lewiston, Halifax might not hit full steam until if and when each of those players return. If there’s a question, it’s defense. Bodnarchuk and Guillaume Monast lead a solid blue line corps, but the goaltending platoon of Mark Yetman (11-8, 3.58 GAA) and Roger Kennedy (9-15, 4.35) must make a quantum leap in order for explosive Halifax to fulfill its promise.

2. Lewiston Maineiacs

Head coach: Ed Harding (1st year)

Last season: 50-14-2-4, 1st, President’s Cup champions)

Players to watch: C David Perron (39-44-83), LW Stefano Giliati (24-33-57), LW Chris Tutalo (20-26-46), Stefan Chaput (17-29-46), RW Marc-Andre Daneau (21-15-36), D Kevin Marshall (5-27-32), G Jonathan Bernier (26-10, 2.58), G Peter Delmas (23-10, 2.81).

What to expect: Harding’s new regime gets off to a tough start, with up to six players missing due to injury, NHL training camps and international competitions. Perron will spark the offense if he doesn’t stick with the St. Louis Blues. Daneau and Giliati provide experience and grit up front, and Marshall captains a young defensive corps. Bernier’s absence would handicap most teams, but Delmas proved last year that he’s a backstop of the present and future. There’s more than enough talent for a title defense.

3. PEI Rocket

Head coach: Yanick Jean (3rd year)

Last season: 36-26-2-6 (4th)

Players to watch: C Brett Morrison (35-55-90), D Pierre-Luc Lessard (12-22-34), LW Martin Latal (18-28-46), RW Geoff Walker (30-50-80), D Benoit Gervais (4-20-24), C Chris Doyle (18-18-36), G Antoine Lafleur (27-19, 2.47).

What to expect: Prince Edward Island has been building to this season for a while. Morrison and Walker are two of the elite forwards in the QMJHL. Lessard is the defensive standout in front of Lafleur. What’s to stop them from ascending to the top of the division? The East is loaded this season, and many of last year’s middle-of-the-pack teams are on the upswing, too.

4. Acadie-Bathurst Titan

Head coach: Denis Francoeur (1st year)

Last season: 35-28-2-5 (5th)

Players to watch: C Mathieu Perreault (41-78-119), LW Dany Masse (26-30-56), C Charles-Antoine Messier (27-21-48), C Jordan Clendenning (16-35-51), D Mathieu Labrie (8-40-48), LW Tomy Joly (15-17-32), G Antoine Tardif (14-13, 3.56).

What to expect: Perreault is one of the most explosive players in the league. Masse and Clendenning add their veteran presence to a potent offense. And if that weren’t enough, the Titan added Messier in a deal at the draft. They have enough firepower, but defense is a question mark. It also remains to be seen if Tardif will emerge as a legitimate No. 1 net minder.

5. Saint John Sea Dogs

Head coach: Jacques Beaulieu (2nd year)

Last season: 20-47-1-2 (8th)

Players to watch: C Christoper DiDomenico (25-50-75), D Alex Grant (12-20-32), C Ryan Sparling (18-35-53), RW Francis Gauthier (16-24-40), LW Keven Guerette-Charland (18-15-34), D David Stich (4-15-19), G Travis Fullerton (8-20, 4.25).

What to expect: Upward mobility is a tough chore in the East, but Saint John might have the muscle to accomplish it. Defense should be a strength with Grant, Sauve and Fullerton (the former Maineiac) leading the way. DiDomenico and Sparling center two legitimate lines. Two preseason wins over Lewiston make the Sea Dogs worth watching in 2007-08.

6. Moncton Wildcats

Head coach: Fabian Joseph (1st year)

Last season: 39-25-4-2 (3rd)

Players to watch: LW Matt Marquardt (41-29-70), C Randy Cameron (17-22-39), C Phil Mangan (25-32-57), RW Maxime Lincourt (22-32-54), RW Marc-Andre Labelle (12-23-35), C Matt Eagles (18-11-29), D Mark Barberio (3-14-17), G Nicola Riopel (17-12, 3.35).

What to expect: Last year was supposed to be a rebuilding season, and Moncton still managed to stay in the hunt. Marquardt is a threat to score whenever he’s on the ice. Defense is a work in progress. Riopel made a strong impression while sharing the job in goal last winter. Moncton also gets a boost from Zack Sill, who was on the roster briefly at Maine.

7. Cape Breton Screaming Eagles

Head coach: Pascal Vincent (8th year)

Last season: 46-22-2-0 (2nd)

Players to watch: C James Sheppard (33-63-96), LW Dean Ouellet (40-45-85), C Chris Culligan (30-38-68), C Jonathan Laberge (19-20-39), LW Robert Slaney (13-12-25), D Beau Prokopetz (1-4-5), D Alex Lamontagne (1-3-4).

What to expect: Cape Breton is in the same position as Lewiston in September, not knowing if its top returning scorer, Sheppard, will return from NHL camp. If he doesn’t, the Screaming Eagles could be due for a serious dip. There is some depth up front with Culligan and Ouellet. Cape is breaking in a slew of new defensemen and two new goalies. The acquisition of Alex Lamontagne from Baie-Comeau should help.

8. St. John’s Fog Devils

Head coach: Real Paiement (3rd year)

Last season: 28-36-2-4 (7th)

Players to watch: C Wesley Welcher (37-37-74), C Jean-Simon Allard (12-38-50), LW Ryan Graham (37-37-74), RW Mario Kempe (23-19-42), D T.J. Brennan (16-25-41), LW Matt Fillier (18-18-36), RW Nick Layton (21-19-40), D Pat O’Keefe (1-21-22).

What to expect: The Fog Devils have struggled to gain respect and failed to get over the hump to become an upper echelon club. Hence, the low expectations, despite the return of the team’s top five scorers from a year ago. St. John’s doesn’t get many goals from its defensemen, but O’Keefe and Maxime Dubuc provide some toughness. And new goaltender Timo Pielmeier, a third-round pick of the San Jose Sharks in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, won’t hurt, either. This is the wait-and-see team of the East.

Telus Division

1. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies

Head coach: Andre Tourigny (5th year)

Last season: 36-27-3-4 (6th)

Players to watch: LW Michael Dubuc (39-34-73), RW Yannick Riendeau (32-40-72), C Jeff Desjardins (26-29-55), C Hugo Carpentier (17-37-54), D Ivan Vishnevskiy (14-37-51), C Maxime Macenauer (1-3-4), G Guillaume Blouin (3-3, 2.95).

What to expect: The Huskies enjoyed a surprising season two years ago before taking a few steps back in 2006-07. Then came a solid playoff run, fueling higher expectations for this season. Rouyn-Noranda is balanced with Carpentier, Dubuc and Riendeau capable of lighting the lamp, and Vishnevskiy contributing at both ends of the ice. His presence is crucial in support of Blouin, who has only limited experience in goal.

2. Victoriaville Tigres

Head coach: Martin Bernard (2nd year)

Last season: 38-25-3-4 (2nd)

Players to watch: C Toby Lafrance (40-30-70), C Keven Veilleux (20-35-55), LW Jan Kolarik (14-19-33), D Kyell Henegan (5-13-18), LW Dave Nolin (11-17-28), LW Alexandre Monahan (8-19-27), G Kevin Poulin (10-6, 3.34).

What to expect: Pretty good supporting cast is back from a team that jumped from one spot out of the cellar to three wins out of first place last season. Lafrance, Veilleux and Kolarik must continue to make gains while a young defense rounds into shape. Henegan will help that transition in front of a new No. 1 goalie. The Tigres need to get off to a strong start in order to meet the heightened expectations.

3. Baie-Comeau Drakkar

Head coach: Eric Dubois (3rd year)

Last season: 35-26-1-8 (7th)

Players to watch: RW Francois Bouchard (45-80-125), C Benjamin Breault (40-40-80), D Jean-Philippe Paquet (13-41-54), D Marc-Andre Dorion (8-46-54), C Mathieu Tousignant (8-25-33), LW Marc-Andre Laroche (10-14-24), G Michael Dupont (31-23, 3.68).

What to expect: The Drakkar will need to adjust to the loss of Alexandre Picard-Hooper, who expressed his desire to be elsewhere and is not on the 24-man roster. Bouchard is primed to pick up the slack along with Breault. Baie-Comeau gets great production from defensemen Paquet and Dorion, and it also has a luxury Victoriaville and Rouyn-Noranda don’t. That is, a proven net minder in Dupont.

4. Quebec Remparts

Head coach: Patrick Roy (3rd year)

Last season: 37-28-2-3 (5th)

Players to watch: C Felix Petit (29-64-93), C Angelo Esposito (27-52-79), LW Maxime Lacroix (22-31-53), C Kelsey Tessier (23-27-50), RW Marc-Olivier Vallerand (6-11-17), D Pierre Bergeron (4-5-9), G Kevin Desfosses (30-19, 3.52)

What to expect: The 2005-06 Canadian Hockey League champions fell shy of the hype in their encore season. Esposito is an enigmatic star, but with Petit and Tessier in the mix, he doesn’t have to be the entire show. Bergeron is the top returning defender. Desfosses should continue to improve in goal. Maybe the Remparts will benefit from being a covert contender again instead of the unquestioned favorite.

5. Rimouski Oceanic

Head coach: Clement Jodoin (1st year)

Last season: 22-39-7-2 (10th)

Players to watch: LW Maxime Gratchev (35-42-77), LW Michael Frolik (31-42-73), C David Skohan (14-21-35), C Olivier Fortier (28-36-64), C Jordan Caron (18-22-40), C Maxime Tanguay (24-36-60), D Philippe Garbier (3-22-25), D Emmanuel Boudreau (1-20-21), G Ben MacFarlane (19-24, 3.68).

What to expect: The Clem Factor is good for a few more wins, to start with. Now give the championship coach the six top returning scorers, five of whom have been drafted by NHL teams, and throw in an experienced cadre of defenders and a solid goalie. You can count on the Oceanic’s two-year run in the basement to end. The question is, how high will Rimouski climb? This year might be the calm before the storm.

6. Gatineau Olympiques

Head coach: Benoit Groulx (6th year)

Last season: 39-27-2-2 (3rd)

Players to watch: RW Mathieu Pistilli (35-42-77), LW Jean-Philip Chabot (24-26-50), C Darryl Smith (25-14-39), D Maxime Mallette (8-26-34), D Steven Delisle (1-11-12), G Ryan Mior (23-20, 3.44).

What to expect: Gatineau was right on the cusp last season, and there’s enough young talent in the fold to pull the trigger on some beneficial deals if the team is in contention. Some of the teams ranked above Gatineau covet a proven backstop with Mior’s potential, and it’s a solid, defensive-minded group in front of him. With 40 and 39 wins the past two years, a drop-off is unlikely.

7. Chicoutimi Sagueneens

Head coach: Richard Martel (4th year)

Last season: 34-28-7-1 (8th)

Players to watch: D Mathieu Bolduc (4-16-20), D Kirill Tulupov (8-20-28), D Maxime Provencher (3-18-21), RW Francis Verreault-Paul (22-22-44), LW Derek Famulare (11-14-25), RW Marc-Andre Julien (9-15-24), C Joel Champagne (6-16-22), G Bobby Nadeau (27-26, 3.06)

What to expect: Defense will be a focal point for the Sagueneens, and with good reason. They lost their top five scorers from last season. Goalies Nadeau and Francois Levesque both return, and top-notch defensemen Bolduc, Provencher and Tulupov are back in the fold. Champagne must increase his output and lead the still-developing offense. Plan on a bunch of 2-1 and 3-2 games in Year No. 2 of a significant rebuild after 51 wins in 2005-06.

8. Drummondville Voltigeurs

Head coach: Guy Boucher (2nd year)

Last season: 37-26-1-6 (4th)

Players to watch: C Etienne Bellavance-Martin (24-38-62), D Drew Paris (11-42-53), LW Steven Cacciotti (27-22-49), LW Scott Howes (25-17-42), D Maxime Frechette (0-2-2), D Stephen Valente (2-15-17), G Maxim Gougeon (5-7, 4.05).

What to expect: Injuries and pro signings held back a team that hoped to challenge for the Cup last season, and now the Voltigeurs need to replace a ton of departed scoring punch up front. Bellevance-Martin, Howes and Cacciotti could produce big numbers, and Paris will continue to be an all-purpose defenseman. Goalkeeping is a big question. Drummondville is due for a step back.

9. Val-d’Or Foreurs

Head coach: Eric Lavigne (3rd year)

Last season: 41-23-4-2 (1st)

Players to watch: C Brad Marchand (33-47-80), C Martin Thibeault (25-36-61), LW Julius Sinkovic (16-34-50), RW Marc-Andre Cote (17-24-41), D Louis-Etienne Leblanc (3-23-26), D Shawn Morton-Boutin (0-11-11), G Raffaele D’Orso (20-9, 3.17).

What to expect: The Foreurs made their run at the title and fell short, thanks to Lewiston. After putting most of its eggs in that basket, Val-d’Or begins looking to the future. Marchand, Thibeault and Sinkovic are the most notable holdovers. D’Orso had a solid year but hasn’t experienced of the pressure of being the No. 1 guy in goal for a full season. Don’t be surprised if the Foreurs deal away many of their stars by Christmas.

10. Shawinigan Cataractes

Head coach: Eric Veilleux (3rd year)

Last season: 25-29-2-4 (9th)

Players to watch: D Simon Lacroix (11-27-38), C Cedric Lalonde-McNicoll (16-30-46), LW Sean Smyth (19-19-38), LW Pierre-Alexandre Vandall (15-16-31), D Patrik Prokop (3-21-24), D Guillaume Durand (4-15-19), D Sebastien Piche (with Lewiston), G Marc-Andre Perron (12-21, 4.10).

What to expect: Piche got his wish to be traded from the Maineiacs, but he landed with a team in disarray. Fans and management await the building of a new arena, but even that project has struggled to get off the ground. With nobody on the roster who even scored 20 goals a year ago, scoring punch is sorely lacking, and the defense and goaltending aren’t much better.