What is the sum of each NHL team's parts? We decided to find out.

We broke teams into conferences and ranked each position -- forwards, defensemen and goalies -- 1-15, in quality and depth to come up with each team's position index. We then combined each team's position index to arrive at an overall index (below). The best possible score is 1.00, the worst is 15.00.

Example:

Phoenix Coyotes        Q   D    Index
Forwards               9   6     7.50
Defensemen            10   6     8.00
Goalies                2   5     3.50
Overall                          6.33

These are strictly personnel rankings. We didn't take into account coaching, chemistry or scheduling. We also didn't go back and fix our "mistakes" after doing the math -- the Carolina Hurricanes are tied for third in the Eastern Conference because they have talent and depth at each position. Sure, there are teams that are better in certain areas, but those teams are also weaker in others. Plus, the Hurricanes have to stick to their system -- just like the Rangers need to kill penalties and the Flyers need to score on the power play -- to finish where they're ranked.

Joe Sakic, Colorado Western Conference Rk Team Index 1. Colorado Avalanche 2.33 2. Detroit Red Wings 2.50 3. San Jose Sharks 3.00 4. Dallas Stars 4.00 5. Phoenix Coyotes 6.33 6. Los Angeles Kings 6.83 7. Edmonton Oilers 7.83 8. Vancouver Canucks 8.17   St. Louis Blues 8.17 10. Calgary Flames 9.33 11. Anaheim Mighty Ducks 10.83 12. Chicago Blackhawks 11.00 13. Nashville Predators 11.50 14. Columbus Blue Jackets 14.00 15. Minnesota Wild 14.17

Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Eastern Conference Rk Team Index 1. New Jersey Devils 3.33 2. Ottawa Senators 4.33 3. Carolina Hurricanes 5.33   New York Rangers 5.33 5. Philadephia Flyers 5.67 6. Washington Capitals 6.50 7. Montreal Canadiens 7.00   Toronto Maple Leafs 7.00 9. New York Islanders 7.17 10. Buffalo Sabres 8.67 11. Boston Bruins 10.33 12. Tampa Bay Lightning 11.00 13. Florida Panthers 11.33 14. Pittsburgh Penguins 13.00 15. Atlanta Thrashers 14.00