Power rankings! Get your your energy rankings!
The 2023-24 NHL season opens on Tuesday and we make our annual record of Stanley Cup contenders, also-rans and everybody in between. The tweeners characterize a big group, and that’s the place you’ll discover your Bruins. Hockey being hockey, anybody can escape of that third class. Here’s our first providing for this season:
Carolina – With Dmitry Orlov within the fold, the Canes have a Stanley Cup-worthy protection corps. They caught a troublesome break once they misplaced Andrei Svechnikov after the commerce deadline final yr. The Canes are attending to the purpose of their program the place you’re simply to ask, if not now, when? There needs to be some desperation in Raleigh and it might work for the Canes in the event that they channel it properly.
Colorado – The Avs know they’ve already misplaced Gabriel Landeskog for the season and, as robust as it is going to be to overlook his expert edge, they need to be higher geared up to deal with it this yr. After profitable the Cup, the Avs suffered the hangover impact that afflicts most defending champions, however they need to be proper again within the combine. Ryan Johansen might not be the lead canine he was as soon as regarded as, however he doesn’t should be with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen up entrance. Cale Makar leads a stellar again finish.
Vegas – There are potholes on the street to repeating (see Avalanche), particularly with Mark Stone’s ongoing well being considerations. And they did lose underrated ahead Reilly Smith as a result of they needed to resign Ivan Barbashev. But the lineup continues to be formidable. Bruce Cassidy pushed all the best buttons, particularly with star Jack Eichel. The finish consequence he received ought to permit him to persevering with using his hard-driving type.
New Jersey – It’s laborious to not be impressed by the job GM Tom Fitzgerald has achieved. Adding Tyler Toffoli ought to increase their already potent assault. The protection continues to be a bit skinny, although Luke Hughes might mitigate that, relying on the speed of his improvement. And Tomas Nosek will assist enhance the group protection. Nico Hichier needs to be the following perennial Selke candidate. If Akira Schmid seems to be the true deal in internet, the Devils can be an precise contender.
Toronto – The Leafs lastly gained a playoff sequence, exhaled as a result of they didn’t should face the Bruins and received whacked by Florida. Very Leafy. So they stored including items up entrance in Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi and difficult man Ryan Reaves. Again, very Leafy. The protection and goaltending in all probability isn’t sufficient to win a Cup, however they’ll win loads of video games within the common season.
Dallas – Always working beneath the radar, the Stars ought to once more be thought-about a professional contender within the West with power from from the online (Jake Oettinger) on out. With younger weapons like Jason Robertson, Miro Heiskanen and Roope Hintz and vets like Joe Pavelski, they’ve an excellent mixture of gamers coming into their prime and skilled gamers. Dallas can be nightly robust out.
Florida – The Cats can be with out Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour till December and a few have downgraded their probabilities due to that. I’m guessing the accidents assist focus the Panthers very similar to early accidents did for the Bruins final yr. And I can’t see Matthew Tkachuk permitting the Panthers to simply scuffle alongside till they get wholesome.
Edmonton – If not for the nonetheless muddy goaltending image – it’s nonetheless a battle between Stuart Skinner and Jack Campbell – the Oilers could be increased. The acquisition of Mattias Ekholm was an enormous addition to bolster the forever-suspect again finish whereas the dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl did their spectacular factor.
Los Angeles – Strength down the center is the important thing to sustaining success and the Kings have it with Anze Kopitar, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Philip Danault. Dubois is beginning an eight-year, $68 million deal and presumably he’s lastly the place he desires to be. The goaltending continues to be questionable with Cam Talbot and Pheonix Copley manning the nets.
Buffalo – Their time has lastly come. They have an actual goalie in Devon Levi and oodles of expertise simply coming into its prime in Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens and Casey Mittelstadt up entrance and, on the blue line, Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. Missing the playoffs once more shouldn’t be an choice for this group. They simply should keep away from these season-sinking dropping streaks early on.
Pittsburgh – The Big Three of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang received a serious booster shot with the acquisition of Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson and Reilly Smith. The injury-riddle Tristan Jarry is succesful goalie, however he should keep wholesome. On most nights, the Pens ought to be capable of outscore their defensive deficiencies.
Boston – The excellent news is that they lastly have some children who could make the membership. The dangerous information is the variety of openings that allowed that to occur. The power within the internet ought to cowl up some deficiencies however it might be a battle for a playoff spot proper right down to the ultimate week of the season.
Tampa Bay – The lack of Andrei Vasilevskiy for the primary two months of the season might spell doom for the perennial contenders who had been already coping with the lack of Alex Killorn and character man Maroon, in addition to an apparently disgruntled Steven Stamkos. But, sure, it does really feel very bizarre placing the Bolts on this slot. There’s nonetheless expertise right here.
New York Rangers – It can be attention-grabbing to see if the Blueshirts reply to Peter Laviolette’s type any greater than the Capitals did. He’s been to the Finals with Carolina, Philadelphia and Nashville (profitable all of it with the Hurricanes), so it’s not like he doesn’t have a observe report of success. His problem can be discovering the best match for a few of the younger items like Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko. Judging from the preseason, this can be a piece in progress.
Seattle – The Cinderellas who knocked off the Avs final yr had been everybody’s darlings, however they gained’t be sneaking up anybody this yr. It’s nonetheless a stable group, although. Matty Beniers established himself as a terrific high six centerman. We’ll see if Shane Wright can now assume his place with the Kraken. Seattle must get higher goaltending in the event that they need to take one other step.
Minnesota – Bill Guerin’s boys can have a troublesome time breaking out of the good-not-great standing they’ve been confined to. They’ve added confirmed winner Pat Maroon to the underside six. Filip Gustavsson, 25, wants to have the ability to take over the majority of the work load from soon-to-be 39-year-old Marc-Andre Fleury.
Ottawa – The Sens could also be a step behind the Sabres of their resurgence, however they’re coming. Tim Stutzle is a star on the journey and the trio of D-men in Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot and Jakub Chychrun makes for a stable again finish. They’re banking on Joonas Korpisalo to be the reply in internet, however I’ve my doubts on that.
Detroit – Steve Yzerman’s spending spree final season didn’t translate right into a playoff spot. They added Alex DeBrincat for this yr, a much bigger add than something they did final yr. But it’s going to be robust to get out of the extraordinarily deep Atlantic Division.
Washington – It looks like the group is extra centered on getting Alex Ovechkin the goalscoring report, however there are causes for optimism that the Caps could make the DNQ a one-off. The greatest cause is well being of Tom Wilson, John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom. First-year coach Spencer Carberry ought to give them a lift.
New York Islanders – Part of the huge group of almost-in, almost-out groups, the Isles will a minimum of be in each recreation that Ilya Sorokin performs. A full yr with Bo Horvat might/ought to transfer the needle a bit.
Winnipeg – There’s expertise right here, however Rick Bowness’ tirade after the Jets had been eradicated from the playoffs was eye-opening, particularly after Paul Maurice gave up on the group the earlier yr.
Calgary – Through all their turmoil and turnover, the Flames practically made it into the playoffs. We’ll see if the group responds any higher now that Darryl Sutter is out and Ryan Huska is in behind the bench. It looks like they nonetheless have necessary gamers – Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifan and Nikita Zadorov – who are usually not offered on staying in Calgary long-term. Not splendid.
Philadelphia – Sean Couturier, if wholesome, would assist the Flyers take a step ahead. And John Tortorella’s imprint needs to be a bit extra outlined in his second yr. But it nonetheless gained’t be sufficient to get them into the playoffs.
Arizona – Logan Cooley and Matias Maccelli will make the ‘Yotes fun to watch and goalie Karel Vejmelka will keep them in most games. There’s simply not sufficient right here.
St. Louis – It looks like the Blues are at all times one dangerous loss away from experiencing a Jordan Binnington meltdown. The group is a far cry from the 2019 champs.
Nashville – They added 32-year-old Ryan O’Reilly, however the Preds will nonetheless be too reliant on their nice goalie Juuse Saros.
Columbus – After the Mike Babcock debacle, there can be loads of warmth on GM Jarmo Kekalainen, who continued so as to add within the offseason with Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson. We’ll should see how a lot fallout there’s within the dressing room after some leaders initially supported Babcock. Adam Fantilli is Calder candidate to look at whereas the Patrik Laine transfer to middle is attention-grabbing.
Vancouver – Thatcher Demko has the power to raise this group into a special station however I can’t see this group enjoying a lot into April.
Montreal – It can be attention-grabbing to see how lengthy the Habs followers will stay affected person. They’ve been fairly understanding up to now.
Anaheim – Greg Cronin is not going to let the Ducks end final, however he’s received loads of work to do.
San Jose – The rebuild has not even begun.
Chicago – Connor Bedard can have enjoyable enjoying with Taylor Hall. Nick Foligno will give the child some sage recommendation. Otherwise, they’ll be ready for Mack Celebrini to come back aboard.
Source: www.bostonherald.com