Power Rankings: Defending champions start No. 1 -- deservedly so

Updated Oct. 3

When you begin a new season as the reigning Stanley Cup champion, you are automatically entitled to be ranked as the No. 1 team in the league.

The Red Wings signed Ty Conklin (pictured) to back up Chris Osgood after Dominik Hasek retired. (Getty Images)

But for the Detroit Red Wings, the distinction is more than honorary. There is a credible argument to be made that Detroit is actually better now than when it methodically ran through the playoffs en route to a fourth title in 11 seasons. And that was after the Red Wings ran away from the rest of the pack in the regular season, winning their second Presidents' Trophy in three years by a margin of seven points.

That should be a scary thought for the rest of the league, but the reality is that winning has become synonymous with the league's model organization since the early '90s, and perhaps never more so than since the lockout ended. In those three seasons, the Red Wings have demonstrated a remarkable consistency, becoming the only team to win at least 50 games in each one while amassing a total of 352 points, 36 better than the No. 2 mark in the league.

Now Detroit is set to begin its title defense with a lineup that has retained all the key members of the championship run and added offensive star Marian Hossa and quality backup goaltender Ty Conklin.

There will be challenges, of course, beginning first in the Western Conference from traditional powerhouse rivals like San Jose, Dallas and Anaheim, and from some improving upstarts such as Chicago and Edmonton. Talented Eastern Conference teams like Montreal, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and a few others could have a say in things before it's all over.

But until someone proves otherwise, the Red Wings are the leaders of the pack.

Here then are the preseason Power Rankings:

Power Rankings
Current		Team	Previous
	1	Blackhawks · Trends	2
	Chicago had to have a letdown after that statement win in San Jose, just not enough to ruin a great 4-1-1 circus road trip.
	2	Sharks · Trends	1
	The Sharks are always among the best at home, but this season they already have 11 road wins to lead the league.
	3	Devils · Trends	3
	Marty's just being Marty. Devils goalie Brodeur has allowed two goals or less in 13 of his past 15 starts, and one or less in eight of those.
	4	Penguins · Trends	7
	Getting healthy and on a roll. The Pens are starting to fire on all cylinders and have won six of their past eight.
	5	Flames · Trends	5
	They are taking control of the Northwest Division mainly because of how well they are playing on the road.
	6	Capitals · Trends	6
	Semyon Varlamov has picked up where he left off in the playoffs, going 10-1-3 so far in his first full NHL season.
	7	Sabres · Trends	8
	Is there any doubt Ryan Miller has locked up the starting job for Team USA at the Olympics?
	8	Predators · Trends	9
	A very solid blue line and good work in goal from both Pekka Rinne and Dan Ellis have the Predators in the thick of the West race.
	9	Bruins · Trends	11
	Playing a lot of hockey these days, with OTs in five of their past six, but Boston is picking up points and back in the division race.
	10	Thrashers · Trends	21
	In Ilya Kovalchuk's shadow, Rich Peverley remains an impact guy with a league-leading five game-winners among his 10 goals.
	11	Senators · Trends	10
	Mike Fisher is having a big-time turnaround season for the Sens and putting up the best numbers of his career.
	12	Flyers · Trends	4
	With the Flyers still falling short of expectations, coach John Stevens' future is being called into question.
	13	Coyotes · Trends	17
	Tough team to play against when ahead. Phoenix is 11-2-1 this season when scoring first.
	14	Red Wings · Trends	13
	You know things are rough offensively when the home folks are yelling "Let's go Lions."
	15	Lightning · Trends	19
	Steven Stamkos continues his remarkable sophomore season and drive toward Canada's Olympic team. He's on pace to score more than 50 goals.
	16	Kings · Trends	14
	Anze Kopitar's shootout winner against Chicago is the only time he has scored since Ryan Smyth went down.
	17	Avalanche · Trends	18
	Things continue to go downhill for the Avalanche, who now have their top two goal scorers on the shelf.
	18	Canucks · Trends	16
	The Canucks are in the playoff picture because of their record at home and in spite of their penalty killing so far.
	19	Stars · Trends	20
	Dallas has actually lost more games than it has won, but the loser points are keeping the Stars in the hunt.
	20	Rangers · Trends	22
	Little is going right these days, making the great start seem more like an illusion with each passing game.
	21	Panthers · Trends	12
	If only games lasted 40 minutes. Florida triggered four losses in the third period last week, and has won only four of nine times it has led after two.
	22	Canadiens · Trends	25
	Montreal finishes the season's second month like the first, as a .500 team that doesn't look playoff bound.
	23	Islanders · Trends	23
	Josh Bailey responded to being a healthy scratch with a nice offensive surge for the scrappy Isles.
	24	Ducks · Trends	27
	No one is shutting down Perry and Getzlaf these days, but Anaheim's hole is still pretty deep.
	25	Maple Leafs · Trends	30
	A trip down south was just what the doctor ordered for the Leafs, who are getting big-time production from Niklas Hagman and Phil Kessel.
	26	Blue Jackets · Trends	15
	Hard to imagine team defense would be the problem on a Ken Hitchcock coached team.
	27	Blues · Trends	24
	One reason for the Blues' 4-8-2 record in their own building is their inability to score there. St. Louis has only 28 goals in 14 games at home.
	28	Wild · Trends	28
	Still a long way to go, but at least the Wild has picked up points in 10 of their past 13 games.
	29	Oilers · Trends	26
	They can't win on the road lately, or anywhere for that matter. Edmonton's five-game road losing streak is part of a 4-11-3 mark over the past 18 games.
	30	Hurricanes · Trends	29
	The 'Canes allowed five third-period goals twice over the weekend and still haven't won on the road.