5 Potential Surprise Teams for the 2013-14 NHL Season

Upon capturing their 2nd Stanley Cup in just four years, the Chicago Blackhawks currently hold the spot on top of the NHL.

Yet, every year, there seems to be a few teams that make some noise behind the scenes, and end up making a large impact come playoff time. Just two years ago, that team ended up being the Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings.

Going into next year, we've witnessed a very strong draft class, and a seemingly weak free agent class. While these may change slightly come free agency, these are 5 teams that can make a lot of noise in the NHL come next fall.

Toronto Maple Leafs

This is a team that has already gotten themselves back to the postseason, and barring a complete meltdown, would have at least made it to the Conference Semifinals. While the realignment will hurt the Leafs, who are now in a division that has added Detroit and potentially dangerous Tampa Bay, the Leafs will have enough strength to get back to the playoffs. With a young core of talent based around Phil Kessel, Nazem Kadri, and James vanRiemsdyk, an experienced defensive nucleus of Dion Phaneuf and John Michael Liles, along with the addition of Jonathan Bernier in net, it will be no surprise if the Leafs become very competitive next year.

Edmonton Oilers

A team that really should have already returned to the playoffs, the Oilers have the most high powered young core of offense in the league. Resting on   highly talented players such as Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Sam Gagner, and Nail Yakupov, Edmonton has a lot of firepower up front. Granted, their problem in goal has still not been fixed. If Devan Dubnyk can emerge to have a breakout season, and if their defense can tighten up and contribute more on special teams, the Oilers will be a team that not many will want to face.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Just three short seasons ago, the Lightning were one game away from a Stanley Cup Final appearance. Heartbroken over the 1-0 Game 7 loss to the Boston Bruins, the Bolts looked to have a great future. Yet things just seemed to go downhill from there. While the Lightning will be a much different team this year, promise remains in Central Florida for a return to the playoffs. Even after buying out former captain Vincent Lecavalier, the Bolts are still led by a very competent Martin St. Louis, who has been setting up Steven Stamkos, one of the league's top scorers, for a few seasons now. If draft pick Jonathan Drouin can make an immediate impact, and if Matt Carle and Victor Hedman strengthen up on Defense, the Bolts will be a force to be reckoned with this upcoming season.

New York Islanders

The young team that took the high powered Pittsburgh Penguins to six games in the opening round is looking for more success. Led by Hart Trophy finalist John Tavares, the Isles will continue to improve this next season. While there are holes left in defense after Mark Streit left for Philly, the extensive and talented farm system along with a still strong Evgeni Nabokov in net will ensure not only a return appearance to the playoffs, but perhaps much more.

Columbus Blue Jackets

If it wasn't for an unlucky tiebreaker, this surprise team would have already had a postseason appearance on their belt. But this upcoming year, the Jackets are much more than the cellar dweller they have been for most of their team history. After resigning Vezina winner Sergei Bobrovsky, the Jackets will finally have more offense to support a well rounded game, led by Marian Gaborik, Artem Anisimov, and Brandon Dubinsky, Columbus will have a driving team that will not be the easy W for opponents as they have been in the past, and despite their tough division, may go for a run to the postseason.