NHL.com continues its preview of the 2015-16 season, which will include in-depth looks at all 30 teams throughout August.

ST. LOUIS -- When the St. Louis Blues were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the first round for the third consecutive season, there wasn't a doubt there would be change. The question was, when would it happen?

Blues fans were expecting a massive overhaul after losing to the Minnesota Wild in six games, with questions about the core leadership group and how many of them would return. Coach Ken Hitchcock's contract expired June 30, and there was question whether he would return for a fifth season.

The reigning Central Division champions shuffled the deck to an extent, with the most notable offseason move coming in a trade. The Blues traded popular forward T.J. Oshie to the Washington Capitals for a package that included right wing Troy Brouwer.

ST. LOUIS -- Despite Stanley Cup Playoff failure in each of the past four seasons, the St. Louis Blues don't feel they've taken steps backward.

It likely will be more difficult to qualify from the Western Conference this season, so getting off to a quick start will be pivotal to remaining at or near the top of the standings. St. Louis started last season 9-3-1, including a seven-game winning streak.

After opening at home Oct. 8 against the Edmonton Oilers, the Blues head out for their longest road trip of the season: six games, including five to Canadian cities.

"The players themselves feel like we underperformed in the playoffs from what we did in the regular season," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "There's real disappointment, and I think we're going to see a higher level of focus than we've ever seen here before from the people that this really, really matters to. I think you're going to see a whole other gear get performed by some people who don't want this to ever happen again."

Here are four reasons for the Blues to be optimistic:

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues are looking for Stanley Cup Playoff success, and will look to a familiar source.

Citing the styles of the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks and Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning, Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said that playing with pace and speed is the way games are won in the NHL.

"What's happened here in quick order, this League has sped up," Hitchcock said. "This League has pace like never before. ... I think internally, we can really quicken our team and make our pace a lot higher, and we're going to have to, to keep up to where the League's at right now."

Here are three questions facing the Blues entering this season:

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues have built themselves into a perennial top-echelon NHL team based on their ability to develop from within while allowing their prospects to grow without rushing them.

They waited patiently for Alex Pietrangelo, David Backes, Jaden Schwartz and Dmitrij Jaskin to get acclimated in the American Hockey League before bringing them to the NHL. Vladimir Tarasenko and Jori Lehtera got their experience playing in the Kontinental Hockey League.

Here is a look at the Blues' top five prospects, according to NHL.com:

NHL.com continues its preview of the 2015-16 season, which will include in-depth looks at all 30 teams throughout August.

NASHVILLE -- The Nashville Predators are prepared to stay the course that helped them reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs after a two-season hiatus.

Nashville re-signed center Mike Ribeiro to a two-year, $7 million contract July 1. Keeping Ribeiro was the Predators' No. 1 priority because it ensured their top six forwards would remain intact.

"Mike had a strong season for us last year," Predators general manager David Poile said. "I'm very confident that he'll be an integral part of our organization going forward."

NASHVILLE -- A prospect pool that wasn't very deep three years ago has become a luxury for the Nashville Predators.

Long known for talent on defense, the Predators changed their approach in recent years and stockpiled prospects at forward. Some of that young talent, led by forward Kevin Fiala, might get a chance to make an impact in the NHL as soon as this season.

Here is a look at the Predators' top five prospects, according to NHL.com:

NASHVILLE -- The Nashville Predators returned to the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season after missing out the previous two, and their young talent has them optimistic about the future.

Even though the Predators play in the Central Division, arguably the toughest in the NHL, they proved last season they can compete with the League's best teams.

Here are four reasons the Predators are optimistic:

NASHVILLE -- The Nashville Predators appear to be on an upward trajectory after finishing second in the Central Division last season and with talented prospects in the pipeline.

The Predators expect to take the next step this season and become one of the top teams in the Western Conference.

Here are three questions facing the Predators this season:

NHL.com continues its preview of the 2015-16 season, which will include in-depth looks at all 30 teams throughout August.

VANCOUVER -- After entering the offseason vowing to get younger, the Vancouver Canucks confused many of their fans this summer with some unpopular trades that left them older at several positions.

General manager Jim Benning said the moves will open spots for young players and address shortcomings identified in a six-game loss to the Calgary Flames in the Western Conference First Round.

The Canucks traded two popular players, goalie Eddie Lack and defenseman Kevin Bieksa; cost-effective center Nick Bonino; promising but inconsistent power forward Zack Kassian; and defense prospect Adam Clendening. Coming to Vancouver are center Brandon Sutter, forward Brandon Prust and draft picks.

VANCOUVER – After a quick exit from the Stanley Cup Playoffs and an offseason of hand-wringing after two popular players were traded, Vancouver Canucks fans could use some good news.

Look no further than 20-year-old center Bo Horvat and several promising prospects set to soon follow him into the NHL. Of course, there's also Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin.

Here are four reasons to be optimistic about the Canucks: