On today's episode of Locked on NHL, Seth Toupal and JD Young analyze the Western Conference's contenders, bubble teams, and basement teams after free agency and the draft. We start with why the Nashville Predators have joined the Western Conference elite with their massive offseason and if the Vancouver Canucks can prove that last year was not a fluke. Next, we look at teams who will probably contend for the playoffs but are a tier below the contenders and if the Seattle Kraken and Utah Hockey Club can enter the fray this season. Finally, which teams are expected to have a long season, and why do the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues feel directionless compared to the rest of the basement teams?

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