Training camps open this week, so it’s time to take stock of where everyone in the NHL is with the offseason behind us.
We will revisit these rankings a few times throughout the season once more data is available. For now, it looks like a lot of familiar names at the top … and at the bottom.
No-doubt contenders
1. Edmonton Oilers (104 points, lost Stanley Cup Final)
Big adds: Jeff Skinner, Viktor Arvidsson
Big losses: Ryan McLeod, Philip Broberg
Maybe not a 2022 Avalanche-level Terminator, but the deserved preseason favorites even after losing two young depth guys to St. Louis.
2. Dallas Stars (113 points, lost in conference finals)
Big adds: Matthew Dumba
Big losses: Joe Pavelski, Chris Tanev
Don’t love the downgrades on defense, but this is still the best Central team on paper right now if we’re only including healthy/available players.
3. Florida Panthers (110 points, won Stanley Cup)
Big adds: Nate Schmidt
Big losses: Brandon Montour, Vladimir Tarasenko
Similar to Dallas, the defense corps looks worse, but all the stars are still here.
4. New York Rangers (114 points, lost in conference finals)
Big adds: Reilly Smith
Big losses: Erik Gustafsson
Probably the last dance for this core as we know it, given all the key guys who need new contracts for next season.
Probably contenders
5. Vegas Golden Knights (98 points, lost in first round)
Big adds: Victor Olofsson, Alexander Holtz
Big losses: Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson
Added a couple of intriguing buy-low forwards and still have one of the best defense corps in the league.
6. Tampa Bay Lightning (98 points, lost in first round)
Big adds: Jake Guentzel, Ryan McDonagh
Big losses: Steven Stamkos, Mikhail Sergachev
Fascinating offseason as the Lightning try to re-configure for at least one more run — a healthy Andrei Vasilevskiy to start the year would be a big deal.
7. Vancouver Canucks (109 points, lost in second round)
Big adds: Jake DeBrusk
Big losses: Nikita Zadorov
What’s with all the best teams in the West getting worse, at least on paper, on the blue line this offseason?
8. Boston Bruins (109 points, lost in second round)
Big adds: Elias Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov
Big losses: Linus Ullmark, Jake DeBrusk
Feels like a team that could slide a little more, but the core and coach Jim Montgomery might be fade-proof, at least for another year.
9. Toronto Maple Leafs (102 points, lost in first round)
Big adds: Chis Tanev, Anthony Stolarz
Big losses: Tyler Bertuzzi, Illya Samsonov
Could be a delightful year for narratives and hot takes with a new coach, a new captain (and the old captain) plus two of the “core four” playing for new contracts.
The Avalanche
10. Colorado Avalanche (107 points, lost in second round)
Big adds: Gabe Landeskog (?)
Big losses: Sean Walker
Could they be in the first group? One or two groups below this? Yes.
Maybe contenders
11. Carolina Hurricanes (111 points, lost in second round)
Big adds: Sean Walker, Shayne Gostisbehere
Big losses: Jake Guentzel, Brett Pesce
Went all-in at the trade deadline, but this roster looks worse than last year even before they lost Guentzel.
12. New Jersey Devils (81 points)
Big adds: Jacob Markstrom, Brett Pesce
Big losses: John Marino
Could yo-yo right back toward the top of the East after kind of …read more
Source:: The Denver Post – Sports
