Hey everyone,
Happy Friday, hope you all had a great weekend. We are only a few weeks away from the start of the pre-season with players starting to practice, and returning to their clubs as both veterans and rookies showcase their skills and try to find a role for the upcoming NHL season. With that in mind and with there being 32 teams in the league, I wanted to take a quick look at all 32 teams and see what the expectation is this year, their aspirations and what may transpire. Ready? Okay, let’s go (in no particular order) but we start in the Atlantic Division.
Atlantic Division
- Boston Bruins – After a bit of a fall off last season and trading away their captain Brad Marchand who went off to Florida to win a cup, they still have elite structure and no distractions with their goaltending, to be competitive. But they do have a new group of leaders (Pastranak, McAvoy, Swayman) to be competitive. But given the deep and tough decision, but essentially I see them as a playoff hopeful (though they would need a few breaks to go their way like a healthy roster) but they may be on the outside looking in.
- Buffalo Sabres – The longest playoff drought isn’t something you can easily shake off but the organization is taking a playoff hopeful approach. They have a young core trending up with another full season for Ryan McLeod, Tage Thompson and Josh Norris (barring injury). They are solid on the back end with Dahlin and added Kesselring, but they need consistency.
- Detroit Red Wings – Another Playoff hopeful team, who have offense, but the question mark is the blue line and goaltending (after acquiring John Gibson from Anaheim). Some in the market are wondering about Yzerman’s Plan and if it is good enough, but they also need Dylan Larkin to have an outstanding year. Also being consistent all through the year will be key rather than all the highs and lows.
- Florida Panthers – Still a Cup Contender and can be seen as doing a 3-peat, something not done since the New York Islanders. They are deep, very hard to play against, have proven playoff gear and brought the band all back together (miraculously). The question is, who will be the David this year to potentially knock off Goliath.
- Montréal Canadiens – A young and scrapy team, with a lot to prove after making it to the post-season last year and giving the Capitals their money’s worth. They should be done rebuilding with their young core mostly locked up (Suzuki, Caufield, Dobson), but do they have enough to get back to the post season provided they play the same. I see them as a Playoff hopeful team, provided they continue to produce and have veterans around them to support them. I don’t believe last year was a one and done.
- Ottawa Senators – I liked watching the Ottawa Senators play this year, and they made it a fun series versus Toronto (a great battle of Ontario). The talent and skill is there, and they have the chops to do it again (on top of a new arean being approved). Do they make it back? I think that falls on Travis Green who has to tighten up details and improve special teams. But Ottawa can be a thorn in any team’s side (so watch out).
- Tampa Bay Lightning – Don’t discount the other Florida team and Vasilevsky or Kucherov. Those guys have a big chip on their shoulders and are going to do whatever it takes to get back to the post-season. They played unreal last year and showed everyone why you can’t take them lightly. The one question or concern I have is the management of the health and age of their veterans as they have played a lot of hockey. They will make the post-season but how deep can they go?
- Toronto Maple Leafs – The Marner Saga is over (somewhat) but Treliving did his best to fill in with what he could around the edges. We know that Auston Matthew and William Nylander are elite talent, and that Tavares can still perform, and they should be considered cup contenders, but the real test is the springtime mental resilience they will have to face and overcome in order to have a deep run.
Metropolitan Division
- Carolina Hurricanes – They are a cup contender and got a big fish this off-season (Ehlers). But they need to be able to consistently score and have elite goaltending if they want to make it back to the SCF since 2006. But I trust Rod Brind’Amour and his coaching staff to get the job done. A player to watch for: Taylor Hall.
- Columbus Blue Jackets – A heavy and challenging year last year with the passing of Johnny Hockey, something that can heavily impact any team and organization. But they persevered and almost made it in, and it was due to the buy-in to the culture that Dean Evason. They have some talent, some skill and scoring prowess, but they need to focus on growth and identity and get solid goaltending if they are to be a Playoff Bubble team.
- New Jersey Devils – The Devils should be a lock for the Playoffs, as they have an explosive top six group and some good defensive pairing. But their goaltending needs to be consistent. They have 4 PTOs (a lot) but also to resign Luke Hughes (their young defensive prospect). Can Sheldon Keefe push this team to go on a deep run? Time will tell.
- New York Islanders – I rarely assign winners and losers for any off-season but the Islander really won this year. Apart from picking the #1 Matthew Schaefer and signing KHL star Maxim Tsyplakov, this team looks fun and fast and all of a sudden they may be able to score more. I see them being a playoff bubble team, but I also see this being a fun year for Islander fans. Don’t write them off just yet, if Patrick Roy has anything to say about it.
- New York Rangers – Reset, the Rangers needed a reset. I can see them being a Cup Contender because it’s the big apple, they have the star power plus elite goaltending and no further distractions with Kreider and Trouba gone. But what they need to focus on is the 5-on-5 play. Also don’t look now but Panarin’s contract is up after this season. Does he get moved by the deadline or does he resign?
- Philadelphia Flyers – The City of Brotherly Love. They are a competitive, scrappy and Flyers type of team and their scoring/goaltending will determine their ceiling this season. I want to see them make the Playoffs, but they may just be a bubble team one more year. But with Zegras joining the young group of Michkov and bringing in Dvorak will definitely help this team make a push.
- Pittsburgh Penguins – The only team who is in a rebuild and willing to sell off, but at the same time has some of great HOF’s on it (Crosby, Letang, Malkin). I don’t see them making the playoffs, but what other moves does Kyle Dubas have in store for the team? Would Sid actually be moved? (Naw).
- Washington Capitals – Ovi did the impossible. He beat the record, and they made the playoffs, got in a fight on the bench with the Canadiens, and got knocked out in the second round But they are still an elite team, and with Spencer Carbury coming off a Jack Adams award win, they can still be lethal. Do the Capitals end on a high with Ovi or will this be it for the Great 8?
Central Division
- Utah Mammoth – Year 2 for the bubble playoff team, who had a great year, lots of good for it and no bad news. They have a name, a logo, new look and are building their new arena, but the goal is to get head coach André Tourigny who will need a step from their young stars to stick in the race. I am pumped to see how this team fares.
- Chicago Blackhawks – This is still another rebuilding year for the team where Kyle Davidson will continue to build around the franchise piece Connor Bedard. They did resign Frank Nazar, which will help but is there enough around the team to help them take the step in the right direction?
- Colorado Avalanche – We know this team is a Cup contender with an elite core and have some elite talent with Makar and MacKinnon, but the depth health is the only real question for this team. Can it hold up for a full season in order for the team to get back to the SCF and will Brent Burns finally get his cup ring? Also, there is optimism about top defensive talent like Mikhail Gulyayev, though his NHL debut remains pending right now.
- Dallas Stars – The Stars are also Cup Contenders as they are deep, balanced, and fast. But what do they do to get over the hump and get back to the SCF and what more can Mikko Rantanen do, after signing there. Will Robertson stay or be moved and what happens with Seguin and Benn?
- Minnesota Wild – The Wild are a playoff hopeful because they have a sturdy team game and need their Powerplay to pop. The only issue is the new contract for Kaprizov (sounds like the Wild are willing to give him 16 million for 8 years) but will that be enough to get the team over the hump? They did get Brett Leason for a PTO but is it enough to move the needle?
- Nashville Predators – Nashville had a hard year last year. On paper they looked good and they have the defense/goaltending foundation. But it wasn’t enough. Can they push for a playoff spot? One would hope but their newly acquired guys like Stamkos need to find their scoring touch and Forsberg needs to continue to be dominant. I remember how much fun playoffs were in 2017 and the atmosphere in the building. Let’s get that again.
- St. Louis Blues – The Blues are another team that is hard to get a pulse on. They have some good pieces, Binnington, who may be the starter for Team Canada at the Olympics, and some depth, but will it be enough to get them back to where they were in 2019? It seems like they are playoff hopefuls, but a decision on Jordan Kyrou needs to happen and let Robert Thomas really become a star in the NHL, because he is underrated.
- Winnipeg Jets – They seem like a playoff lock in as they are heavy, structured and have transition offense. They even have Toews joining them again which will be a great storyline for the season. My only question for Winnipeg is the post-season ghosts they have to face. They beat St. Louis, but can they try to finally put together a good deep run and go into the SCF as a contender with Hellebuyck, Lowry and Scheifele as the leaders?
Pacific Division
- Anaheim Ducks – This is a young rebuilding team with lots of talented youth and a good mix of veterans. They have some good players and their goaltender Lukas Dostal locked up, so can they be competitive this season and make the post season? Time will tell, but I like what the Ducks are and how they are building into a contender. The big question mark is Mason McTavish and his future with the club (as he can be an elite centre).
- Calgary Flames – The Flames are a tricky team to pin down. What is their true identity year? Because I believe that if their top six clicks, a WC is possible and this comes after resigning Connor Zary. Also you have a full year with Dustin Wolf who might be a goalie to watch this year, after last year’s spectacular performance. I like the Flames and am happy they got a new arena deal (as that settles a lot of business on their end off the ice).
- Edmonton Oilers – They are a Cup Contender with elite stars like Connor and Leon and a deadly Powerplay. Can they return and complete the job this year finally? And will Connor resign and for how long? Also what happens in net and does Stuart Skinner remain the starter? Lots of questions remain for Stan Bowman.
- Los Angeles Kings – The Kings have a new look and should be a playoff lock as they have some talent up and down the lineup. But the question will be, can they get past Edmonton if they face off in the post-season? Also will this be Kopitar’s last year and then what will Kempe command in terms of a contract? Lots for Ken Holland to do. But never sleep on the Kings.
- San Jose Sharks – This team is rebuilding, stockpiling prospects and focusing on development and culture. But you love to see the youth having fun and enjoying themselves with Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini and what does another season look like for them? Also, now that they have acquired the Carey Price contract, does Mike Grier have other moves up his sleeve?
- Seattle Kraken – The Kraken are going into their 5th year and hope to be a Playoff team in a challenging Pacific division. They do have depth and can be hard to play against, but scoring can be an area that they can improve in. I do like their glow in the dark jerseys, but you cannot turn the lights on in the barn against your opponent and will Mason Marchmant and Ryan Ryan Lindgren make a big impact?
- Vancouver Canucks – Vancouver can be loud, specifically the market. But the team is good and should be a playoff lock provided that there is no noise, and that EP40 has a great season and can continue to produce. The other is having Thacher Demko having a healthy season and getting back to his Vezina caliber season. I like this team and they have a lot to offer and I see them making a push. Also expect Quinn Hughes to have a stellar year.
- Vegas Golden Knights – Finally, the Golden Knights should be a Playoff lock. They got the big fish (Marner) , have veteran leadership and have built a playoff-built roster. They were surprised by being eliminated by Edmonton in the post-season, but they will be tough and competitive, and will make life a living hell for all of their opponents. The one question is what will Jack Eichel’s future contract be. Can they return back to the SCF and win their second Stanley Cup? Only time will tell.
That’s a lot and you can let me know if you agree, disagree or if I am way off my rocker. But any thoughts? Questions? Suggestions? Then remember to tune in each week to get all the latest news in the world of hockey as we start up Season 7 of the Podcast each Wednesday night, where we dive into some of these great topics, interview many in the game and so much more. For more hockey news, different takes or if you want to chat about anything hockey give me a follow @hockey_two & @revinev on X and give us a follow (subscription) on YouTube, and check out our website for articles that we share regularly at https://twoguysandhockeytalk.com/.
- Pawel ‘The Cat’
