We’ve already seen a few common season video games in Europe and the National Hockey League opens in earnest this week, with the Bruins’ kicking off their quest for yet one more Cup run on Wednesday in Washington.
That means it’s time for the inaugural Power Rankings for the 2022-23 season. Be positive to avoid wasting these. A few placements little question will present a very good chuckle in a month or two.
- Colorado Avalanche – Yes, the Nazem Kadri and Darcy Kuemper defections should not minor losses, however the Cale Makar-Nathan MacKinnon combo is the Orr-Esposito of our day. The straightforward decide is commonly the correct one.
- Calgary Flames – How do you lose Johnny Gaudreau for nothing and get higher? GM Brad Treliving managed it by getting Jonathan Huberdeau and Mackenzie Weegar again for Matthew Tkachuk after which touchdown Nazem Kadri.
- Toronto Maple Leafs – After the Blue Jays’ collapse, the strain is off the Leafs. Watch out!
- Tampa Bay Lightning – The intestine tells me the Bolts are going to really feel the losses of Ryan McDonagh and Ondrej Palat. But the intestine advised me the identical factor after they misplaced their whole third line, they usually nonetheless made it to the finals.
- Carolina Hurricanes – Swapping out Tony DeAngelo for Brent Burns is an improve for a group that ought to have taken the subsequent step final 12 months. But will Freddie Andersen ever excel when it issues?
- Edmonton Oilers – Defense and goaltending stay a difficulty and that may ultimately be their undoing. But the expertise up entrance is classy.
- St. Louis Blues – The Blues gave the Avs as a lot bother because the Lightning did. Still a really arduous group to play towards.
- New York Rangers – The Blueshirts have a punishing protection, explosive offense and the reigning Vezina Trophy winner. Still a bit inexperienced, however they’re coming.
- Minnesota Wild – Kirill Kaprizov is within the high tier of explosive offensive abilities and Minny performs with an edge. Matt Boldy is able to take off and, in Marc-Andre Fleury, the Wild have a goalie who can steal video games on off nights.
- Florida Panthers – The acquisition of Matthew Tkachuk will make the Panthers a much bigger ache within the tush, however the protection just isn’t a Cup-caliber group.
- Boston Bruins – The Dad automotive of the NHL – hardly the sexiest heap on the lot, however reliable. Provided they survive the early accidents, they need to be within the playoffs with a puncher’s probability as soon as they get there.
- Pittsburgh Penguins – Goaltending points have submarined the Pens the final couple of years. A sound, if growing old, group that might be within the playoffs once more.
- Los Angeles Kings – Already again on the rise, the Kings’ addition of Kevin Fiala ought to hold the trajectory going upward.
- Nashville Predators – The additions of McDonagh and Nino Niederreiter will enhance a group that was surprisingly aggressive final 12 months.
- Dallas Stars – With sufficient good younger gamers, Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn don’t need to be the perfect gamers, regardless of their huge salaries. Jake Oettinger could possibly be the true factor.
- Vegas Golden Knights – It’ll be as much as Bruce Cassidy to get the perfect out of Jack Eichel, however the goaltending is a big query mark.
- Detroit Red Wings – With Mo Seider establishing himself as a beast, Steve Yzerman went hog wild in free company with high quality depth items. If there’s a group to make a drastic transfer in these rankings within the season, it could possibly be the Wings. But let’s see the way it all comes collectively.
- New York Islanders – I’d really feel higher about by the Isles in the event that they caught with Barry Trotz after a nasty season that had some extenuating circumstances.
- Washington Capitals – The Caps have been exhibiting their age the final couple of seasons and might be beginning this season with out Tom Wilson.
- Columbus Blue Jackets – The Jackets are used to seeing big-name gamers going out the door, however they stunned the hockey world by touchdown Johnny Gaudreau. Elvis Merzlikins is sweet, however he may want some assist.
- Vancouver Canucks – Bruce Boudreau will get a full season with the ‘Nucks. That won’t get them into the post-season in a troublesome Western Conference.
- Ottawa Senators – GM Pierre Dorion is buying some very good items, together with Claude Giroux and, extra importantly for the long-term future, Alex DeBrincat. But the Sens are nonetheless a 12 months away from making their transfer.
- Winnipeg Jets – This group ought to have gone farther the final couple of years than it did. Rick Bowness is bringing a wanted tradition change, however it could be too late for this group.
- Anaheim Ducks – Trevor Zegras can have his share of spotlight present appearances, however they received’t have the ability to dangle within the west.
- New Jersey Devils – Some folks see an enormous soar for this group. I’m beginning to see what they’re seeing, however the protection has to point out me earlier than I soar on the bandwagon.
- Buffalo Sabres – The Sabres have good items up entrance they usually could lastly have their No. 1 defenseman in Owen Power, however he’s too younger to be relied upon to make a seismic shift in fortunes proper now.
- Seattle Kraken – It might be fascinating to see if possession can keep the endurance to construct the group correctly.
- San Jose Sharks – Mike Grier and David Quinn can have their work reduce out for them to show this ship round.
- Philadelphia Flyers – John Tortorella will make the Flyers a harder group. They’ll nonetheless lose plenty of video games. The uncertainty of Sean Couturier’s availability is big.
- Montreal Canadiens – Given the monitor file of Jeff Gorton, the Habs might be again. Their time is unquestionably not now.
- Chicago Blackhawks – The ‘Hawks’ googly eyes for Connor Bedard are clear with their offseason offloading.
- Arizona Coyotes – The ‘Yotes are a university group. Literally.
Source: www.bostonherald.com