Welcome to Puck Drop Preview 2015-16, where our hockey department gives you a detailed look at each team from around the NHL leading to the start of this hockey season and offers our insight and analysis. So far in the series we’ve looked at each of the 30 NHL teams, as well as predicted where each team would finish in their conference. You can check out all our articles on our Puck Drop Page.

That leaves us with just one last piece of business to attend to: your 2015-16 Stanley Cup champion.

It’s never easy predicting a Stanley Cup champion this early in the season. There is more parity in the league than ever, and there are a number of teams with rosters capable of making deep playoff runs. Not to mention how much of an impact an injury or a trade could have, as well as getting the right bounces.

Will the Chicago Blackhawks repeat as champions, continue alternating with the Los Angeles Kings, or will there be a new winner this year? We asked members of our hockey department who they think will win and why. Here are the results.

Los Angeles Kings – 3 votes

Bringing in Milan Lucic bolsters the top line. Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson should take strides forward, making the second line better. Losing Jarret Stoll and Mike Richards hinders the bottom six, but there’s enough depth in the system to replace them. The defence took a hit with Andrej Sekera leaving, Robyn Regehr retiring, and of course with Slava Voynov’s situation. The addition of Christian Ehrhoff, as well as a bigger role for Brayden McNabb, should help remedy those losses. Jonathan Quick always gives them a chance in net, and Jhonas Enroth is a more than capable backup. Not exactly the recipe of a championship team, but they should be good enough to make the playoffs, which might be all they need. We’ve seen in the past what they’re capable of doing in the post season, and this time they’ve had an entire summer off to rest. With Anze Kopitar’s contract up at season’s end, GM Dean Lombardi knows his best chance to win is now, before Kopitar’s extension eats up more of their cap space. There’s a good chance they go all in this year, and if they do, they’ll be tough to beat.

Washington Capitals – 1 vote

Anaheim Ducks – 1 vote

Tyler Shea (@TylerLWOS):

Tampa Bay Lightning – 1 vote

Our consensus predicts that the Los Angeles Kings will be your 2015-16 Stanley Cup champions. Considering recent history, and their playoff performances, the Kings could very well win again this year. All of the teams mentioned here have a legitimate chance, as do others that didn’t receive votes such as the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, and Montreal Canadiens.

Who’s YOUR Stanley Cup pick? Will the Cup stay in the West again, or will it finally go to the East? Feel free to let us know in the comments below, or tweet to any of our writers. We’d love to hear what you have to say!