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The 2014-15 NHL season is just a few weeks away, and as we inch closer to puck drop I'll continue to preview the upcoming campaign.

So far I've predicted a couple surprise teams, as well as a couple teams I think will fail to repeat last season's success.

In this edition of the hotstove, I'll be predicting regular season winners for both Conferences.

Western Conference winner: Los Angeles Kings

The Kings finished 6th in the Western Conference last season, so they have some work to do to reach the top, but I think they'll convert last year's playoff success into the regular season this year.

Los Angeles retained all of their regulars aside from Willie Mitchell, and will have the luxury of full seasons from budding young stars Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli. The Kings will also have Marian Gaborik, who was stellar for them last year, for a full season.

They should have no problems filling the net with regularity, which has been a problem in years past, and with Drew Doughty, Jake Muzzin, Slava Voynov and co. leading the way on defense, they won't have problems keeping the puck out, either.

I think Jonathan Quick is a little overrated, but he's certainly a quality goaltender. He and Martin Jones will be a more than formidable goaltending tandem, especially with all the talent playing in front of them.

They have the depth and star power to win a lot of games even if they're hit with some injuries, and I think from top-to-bottom they're the best team in hockey.

It really wouldn't surprise me to see them go on another deep playoff run in 2014-15. I see them as legitimate Stanley Cup contenders once again.

Eastern Conference winner: Tampa Bay Lightning

This pick may be a little off the board, but I really like the team Steve Yzerman is assembling in Tampa.

Coming off a successful regular season that eventually led to being swept from the playoffs by Montreal, I think they'll bounce back in a big way.

The Lightning are loaded with young talent like no other in the East. Alex Killorn, Richard Panik, Ondrej Palat, Nikita Kucherov, Tyler Johnson and co. should all continue to improve, and Jonathan Drouin seems poised for a big rookie campaign.

They also added retained Ryan Callahan, and added Brian Boyle and Brendan Morrow to fill out their bottom-6 and bring some sandpaper up front.

Steven Stamkos, who I think is the best goal scorer in hockey, is healthy and ready to lead the offense, while Victor Hedman, who I believe is well on his way to contending for a Norris Trophy, will anchor the defense.

Their defense was the downfall for their team last season, and they added the vastly underrated Anton Stralman to help solidify their top-4, as well as Jason Garrison, who will help provide offense from the backend; especially on the power play.

Matt Carle, Hedman, Stralman, and Garrison should make a solid top-4, and they have Eric Brewer, Radko Gudas, Andrej Sustr and Mark Barbeiro to round out their blue line.

If Ben Bishop plays close to as well as he did last season, I think the Lightning will finish atop the East when the regular season concludes.

Do you agree with my picks? If not, who do you see winning each conference? Feel free to share your thoughts, as well as an ideas you'd like to see covered in future hotstoves.

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