Columbus and Minnesota will have roster changes between now and opening night, but most of the pieces are in place for these two NHL expansion clubs. ESPN.com analyzes each position and determines which team has the edge right now.

LEFT WING

EDGE

This is one of Minnesota's stronger areas, with six players at the position who played at least 30 games in the NHL last season, whereas Columbus has just two. Geoff Sanderson, however, might have the most talent of the bunch, and he's a Blue Jacket. Scott Pellerin might not be the most talented left wing, but his leadership adds a lot -- he might even be team captain -- and he did score 20 goals two years ago. In addition to guys like Aaron Gavey, Cam Stewart, and Darby Hendrickson -- all rather average pros -- Minnesota has top pick Marian Gaborik, although don't forget, he's only 18 and a mere 183 pounds. If Krzystof Oliwa is your second most senior left wing, as he is on Columbus, that's a weak spot. (Just don't tell that to the 6-foot-5 behemoth.)

RIGHT WING

EDGE

Both teams have a veteran presence at this position. But Columbus has the most experienced player in Kevin Dineen. At 36, Dinneen cannot produce like he did in his prime, but he'll help. Bruce Gardiner won't generate much offense, but if Steve Heinze, who tallied 26 goals in '97-98, can play consistent hockey, the Blue Jackets will have more depth. Despite that, however, Minnesota's Sergei Krivokrasov might be the most talented of the right wings.

CENTER

EDGE

Although it's a decidedly gritty group, Columbus has more centers to offer at the NHL level. On the roster, there are five guys who played a lot of games last season. Unfortunately, the five only scored a combined 35 goals. A bunch of checking-line centers won't help make a playoff run, but what they will do is keep Columbus in a lot of games. Minnesota has just three centers who were in the NHL last season, and one of them was Pavel Patera, who only lasted 12 games with Dallas. Stacy Roest, via Detroit, is undersized but has good skills, and perhaps former Hobey Baker winner Brian Bonin can find the magic touch in his hometown.

DEFENSE

EDGE

In case you haven't noticed, the pattern continues on the blue line, where the Wild are younger and less experienced. Both clubs will have good size, with Minnesota's Andy Sutton, who comes over from the Sharks, the biggest at 6-foot-6, 245 pounds. It's doubtful the Wild can match a top six of Jamie Pushor, Lyle Odelein, Deron Quint, Jamie Heward, Mattias Timander and Jean-Luc Grand Pierre, although it's doubtful that's exactly the six who will finish the season for Columbus.

GOALTENDING

EDGE

Manny Fernandez (Minnesota) and Marc Denis (Columbus) are excellent young talents. Both learned from the best the NHL has to offer in terms of winners -- Patrick Roy and Ed Belfour. Fernandez, 26, gets an edge because he has been around a little longer. But when looking at the other projected NHL-level netminder, Columbus, which has Ron Tugnutt -- a goalie with 22 wins last season and a great reputation in the locker room -- gets the nod. Jamie McLennan, coming over from St. Louis, is solid but has never started more than 30 games in an NHL season.

OVERALL

EDGE

In the short term, Columbus should win more games, despite playing in a division with Detroit and St. Louis. Minnesota is going with young talent and hoping the kids develop. That's where the risk is -- the young players might not pan out. If they do, the Wild will be better in a year's time. But Columbus also has the advantage of having a few players who might be attractive at the trade deadline, and that is always a good way to bolster the franchise with young and promising players.