iNHL Power rankings, start of 2024 EASTERN CONFERENCE
Jul 5, 2018 11:21:58 GMT -5
bjernagris (PHI), jon, and 3 more like this
Post by Ville (SJS) on Jul 5, 2018 11:21:58 GMT -5
EASTERN CONFERENCE POWER RANKINGS 2024/25
1. Carolina Hurricanes
Defense B+
Great young talent paired with the more experienced top pairing of Charlie McAvoy and Noah Hanifin. The talented duo of Jan Micak and Cameron Whynot have already established them as solid iNHL defensemen and both still have potential to get better. For a top notch contender, the Hurricanes defense is arguably lacking a top puckmoving quarteback. Ty Smith is probably closest to that if he can still improve on his game. Projected lineup:
Smith - Hanifin
McAvoy - Micak
Whynot - Koster
Offense A-
The Hurricanes dealt away a 40+ goal scorer in Eeli Tolvanen and still look as strong, if not even stronger than the team that was top of the league with 3.7 goals/game. The only problem one might have with the offense is the lack of good checkers in the bottom six, but that's really no problem as long as you have the puck, so.. Only making it to the finals and coming away with the cup will be good enough for this lineup:
Nichuskin - Crosby - Svechnikov
Benson - Veleno - Patrick
Guenther - Geekie - Khodorenko
Fuss - Denzhkin - Prueter
Goalies A-
Young goaltending duo of Henrik Tikkanen and Zach Paputsakis showed us last season they can do very well in the league, so that department looks sorted too.
2. New Jersey Devils
Defense B+
Dougie Hamilton and Hampus lindholm is still a top defensive pairing in this league and those guys will see big minutes with the Devils. Bode Wilde had his most productive year yet scoring an impressive 58 points. Projected lineup:
Lindholm - Hamilton
Hughes - Wilde
Galenuyk - Georgiev
Offense A-
The center position is the strength of this team, with Rubtsov, Krebs and Zibanejad each capable of handling big minutes in any situation. Surrounded with good talent and proven scorers on the wings, the New Jersey offense certainly looks good enough to be at the top of the division. Projected lineup:
Strome - Rubtsov - Zucker
Papp - Krebs - Safin
Hughes - Zibanejad - Moynihan
McClennon - Bordeleau - Tarasevich
Goalies B+
Jan Skorpik has put up good numbers for a few seasons now and will be the starter. Still only 23, he even has room to grow and be an elite goalie in this league.
3. Buffalo Sabres
Defense A
It's the best defense in the league. Marshall Warren was 3rd among Buffalo defensemen in points with 55. This is the key element (beside Eichel) that keeps the Sabres at the top of the league each year. They can most certainly move the puck, and they are good at defending too. Projected lineup:
Chychrun - Warren
Broberg - Argento
Brännström - Kneen
Offense B
The Buffalo offense doe some attacking too, it's not all up to the defense. Jack Eichel is just about the best forward in the game and he is good for at least 90points each season. Sasha Pastujov is on e to keep an eye on, as he will surely break out with at least 50-60 points this season if he avoid injuries. Projected lines:
Pastujov - Eichel - Denisenko
Coté - Giles - Melovsky
Robertson - Hurley - Thomas
Mutala - Giroux - Sevigny
Goalies B-
Aaron Randazzo and Taylor Gauthier look to be fighting for the starting job.
4. Philadelphia Flyers
Defense A-
Mark Friedman has been one of the most dominant defensemen in this league for many years and he is returning to the Flyers even though there was some talk of him possibly being traded in the offseason. The league is used to the Flyers having a strong defense and this year is no exception to that. Projected lineup:
Friedman - Aguanno
Despres - Leveille
Pettersson - Guyette
Offense B+
Very solid at the center department with Dudas, Couturier Bjugstad and Tschigerl. Olivier Mathieu, Jake DeBrusk and Brayden Schenn the proven goalscorers on the wings. Not quite the force we are used to, but the Flyers still have the talent to compete for the division. Hope lies on some of the younger wingers to chip in with some secondary scoring. Projected lineup:
Mathieu - Dudas - Ernst
DeBrusk - Couturier - Chiang
Schenn - Tschigerl - Bjugstad
Tabak - Cizas - Sadlocha
Goalies C+
The Flyers change direction at goalie, where they for years have relied on experienced starter, now have four goalies with a combined experience of 6 iNHL games.
5. Boston Bruins
Defense B-
John Klingberg had a career year last season with the Bruins with 67 points. He seems to have a good understanding with his more defensive minded partner, Josh Maniscalco. Sami Vatanen also still putting up decent point totals for Boston. Overall, it's a slightly thin defense corps for the Bruins, but then again, they have not really been about shutting the opposition down under the current management. Projected lineup:
Maniscalco - Klingberg
Bean - Vatanen
Farrow - Flade
Offense A-
Scoring goals, and as many as possible has been the m.o. for the Bruins lately. Matt Duchene had a brilliant year again with 41+41 on the season. The center department is very strong with Duchene, Barkov, Barzal and Hischier all on the roster, means somebody will play wing for sure. Projected lines:
Duchene - Barkov - Weissbach
Yamamoto - Barzal - Skager
Räty - Hischier - Morozov
Legien - Ferster - Jelsma
Goalies C+
Robin Lehner and Vasili Demchenko. Looking like something of a goalie situation in Boston, But maybe Lehner can keep enough pucks out for the Bruins offense to get things done.
6. Ottawa Senators
Defense B
Erik Karlsson shows no signs of slowing down at 34. He played all 82 games last season, scoring 63 points. Defensive specialist Andreas Englund is the only other left from the brilliant Ottawa defense that was, 5-6 seasons ago. Young talent in the likes of Ilencik and Samuelsson has taken over, but depth could be an issue for the Sens, especially when injuries occur. Projected lineup:
Englund - Karlsson
Ilencik - Allensen
Samuelsson - Daschke
Offense A-
The Senators are experiencing some cap trouble, and that resulted in star winger Taylor Hall being shipped out to the Islanders. That move made room for former Blues star Tarasenko to be traded to the Sens. Very good top-6 for the Sens and if they stay injury free, they should be right there fighting for the playoffs. Projected lineup:
Duclair - Johansen - Tarasenko
Morand - McLeod - Malykh
Rizzo - McCombs - Habala
Kurashev - Desnoyers - Hale
Goalies B
Evan Fitzpatrick is getting the starting job for the first time in his career after Minney was bought out for financial reasons. Felix Sandström is the backup
7. Montreal Canadiens
Defense B+
PK Subban has done a brilliant job since returning to the team a few seasons ago. He will be the leader on defense and no reason why he wouldn't put up 50-60 points again. Another veteran in John Carlson was signed this summer to shore up the blueline on this young team, will help the team for sure. Projected lineup:
Subban - Carlson
Lambos - Brodzinski
Platonov - Makar
Offense B+
Xavier Parent has completely recovered from the frightening eye injury that kept him out for the duration of last season. He will bring a big boost to the Habs offense and score a lot of points. As on the defense, the Habs have a veteran leader on the offense too. Jonathan Toews has continued to play on a high level and had 60 points last season. Loads of young talent waiting to spring loose and the playoffs are a realistic goal for the Canadiens. Projected lineup:
Parent - Toews - Marner
Poulin - Barlage - Simontaival
Kane - Wernblom - Campbell
Pettersen - Stranges - Ponomarev
Goalies B+
Whole new goaltending tandem for the Canadiens in Ivar Rönn and the experienced Frederik Andersen, who returns to the league from the KHL.
8. Columbus Blue Jackets
Defense B
Not really any movement on the Blue Jackets defense as everybody from last season is returning. Jakub Zboril leads the way with 50-60 points every season and paired with Jonas Brodin they form a fine first pairing for Columbus. Evan Bouchard had something of a breakout season with 46 points and the inexperienced duo of Cox and Rudy held their own just fine in their rookie seasons. Projected lineup:
Zboril - Brodin
Rudy - Bouchard
Lajoie - Cox
Offense B+
A strong center department is the core of the Jackets offense, with Sean Monahan, Colin White and Troy Terry on the top three lines. No notable changes on the offense either and that could be seen as something of a problem as the Blue Jackets were only 13th in goals scored last season, despite the 107 points. Projected lineup:
Fiala - Monahan - Grönhagen
Dal Colle - White - Ahl
Farabee - Terry - Nelson
Brazier - Nardecchia - Jona
Goalies B
Long time starter Mackenzie Blackwood was not extended, as Veini Vehviläinen took over halfway last season and had the best save pct in the league. Justus Annunen in his second stint with the organization will be the backup.
9. New York Rangers
Defense B-
Experinced Dmitriy Orlov probably is the biggest name on the Rangers defense and he had 36 points last season. Ryan Shea had the most points among the D with 51. Matt Spencer is a reliable veteran, who was signed to a rather team friendly contract in the offseason. Projected lineup:
Shea - Orlov
Dunn - Foskey
Andersson - Spencer
Offense B+
Tomas Hertl was not extended by the Rangers due to cap reasons. This still leaves the team with a top-6 that should be able to compete with just about anybody. Two 30+ goal scorers from last season return in Owen Tippett and Mark Stone. Former 1st rounder Timo Meier is probably in his last chance to really get his career going. Projected lineup:
Svechnikov - Ehlers - Stone
Meier - Anderson-dolan - Tippett
Kirkland - Mattson - Watson
Eisenmenger - Harper - Burzan
Goalies A-
Malcolm Subban had brilliant numbers playing in 72 games last season, so expect him to do well again. Hugo Alnefelt is the talented backup.
10. Detroit Red Wings
Defense B+
Very strong rookie of the year candidate here, if Ryan O'Rourke finally gets to play for the Red Wings. He had 68 points for the Wings AHL team and should be the #1 guy on this defense too. Bowey, Vaakanainen, Larsson and Fleury at least seem to be returning from last seasons roster. Projected lineup:
O'Rourke - Bowey
Mete - Vaakanainen
Larsson - Savenkov
Offense B-
Former #1 overall pick Ryan McLeod has yet not been quite the force that was expected of him at the time of the draft. He is slowly coming into his own with the pro game though, and had a career high with 59 points last season. Good goalscoring wingers to go with him in Carl Grundström and Patrik Laine. Projected lineup:
Grundström - McLeod - Laine
Abramov - Bellows - Jenkins
Niedermayer - Cassels - Vainio
Liska - Johnson - Gruden
Goalies A-
Former overall #5 pick Spencer Knight will probably be the starter, but the Wings also have other talented options.
11. Pittsburgh Penguins
Defense B-
Damon Severson and Joe Hicketts the biggest names on the Penguins defense. 22 year old Karel Klikorka looks like a player too and will be very good in Pittsburgh for years to come. Very thin on both defense and offense with only 27 players contracted. Projected lineup:
Klikorka - Hicketts
Felixson - Severson
Huber - Proskin
Offense B+
Star player Pavel Zacha leads the way for the Penguins offense and he will be surrounded by young talent in Lucas Raymond and possibly Tristan Zandee too. Alex Galchenyuk makes it a very respectable 1-2 punch at center. Projected lineup:
Zandee - Zacha - Raymond
Shinkaruk - Galchenyuk - Tkachyov
Niederreiter - Bradley - Balmas
Ahtonen - Riddle - Somoza
Goalies B+
Petr Mrazek is a reliable starter and Vitek Vanecek is as reliable as a backup, so no problem at goalie in PIT.
12. Washington Capitals
Defense B
Fairly offensive minded defense for the Caps With Provorov, Prapavessis, Gyorfi and Knyazev all good skaters and more comfortable with the puck on their sticks than without it. Young duo Pappalardo Gulbrandsen and Savchenko are the more defensive minded guys on the three pairings. Could be a risky approach, but awarding too, if you have enough skill all around to keep the puck away from the opposition. Projected lineup:
KPG - Provorov
Prapavessis - Savchenko
Knyazev - Gyorfi
Offense B-
Leon Draisaitl didn't quite reproduce his form from Vancouver with the Capitals, but did score 52 points in his first season. The Caps have found a great goalscorer in Benoit Groulx, who has a combined 53 goals in the past two seasons. Combined with Gabriel Gagne, that makes a very potent 1st line that should be able to compete against anybody. Overall depth could be an issue, unless some of the young players break out. Projected lineup:
Groulx - Draisaitl - Gagne
Gnetnev - Horvat - Pytlik
Brenne Halvorsen - Roberts - Moreau
Shabarin - Södergran - Lipanov
Goalies
Daccord and Brochu both played very well last season, so no problem for the Caps in that department. Good competition might even raise the level of play.
13. New York Islanders
Defense B
The Islanders basically swapped Victor Hedman for Alex Pietrangelo in the offseason. The team is not afraid to put their trust in seasoned veterans and also former 1st round pick, Timothy Liljegren gets a chance to play. Ryan Merkley represents the future on the Islanders defense and he is a fine young player to build future defenses around. Projected lineup:
Pietrangelo - Merkley
Rubin - Liljegren
Starosta - Niemeläinen
Offense B
Taylor Hall was aquired from the cap strapped Senators, and he is a great enforcement for the Islanders offense with 82 points last season. 36 year old Niklas Bäckström is the #2 center behind Tavares, so lack of experience won't be a problem for the Islanders. On the offense a great young talent is Alex Lafreniere, who might be in for a breakout year here. Projected lineup:
Hall - Tavares - Popugayev
Lafreniere - Bäckis - Scherbak
Ostrovsky - Kruse - Kazakov
Churyukanov - Hakanen - Vouras
Goalies B
Eric Comrie is a experienced starter, but didn't have the best of seasons last year. A bounceback season is required for the Islanders to have success.
14. Toronto Maple Leafs
Defense B
Derrick Pouliot had 56 points last season and forms the top pairing with another former Penguin, Olli Määttä. Oliver Kylington has also established himsel as a solid iNHL defenseman, but former playoff MVP Ryan Murphy played just in 12 games last season. Projected lineup:
Määttä - Pouliot
Murphy - Kylington
Hatkevich - Kvasnicka
Offense B-
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a fine bounce back season after the 37 points in 22/23 he returned with 68 this past season. Other positive performers were Ryan Strome, Stelio Mattheos and the 24 year old Jakes Wise had his first 20 goal season. No notable player movement by the Leafs front office. Projected lineup:
Bunnamman - Nugent-Hopkins - Strome
Elynuik - Wise - Mattheos
Hinz - Leipsic - Poppel
Borovinsky - Phillips - Beecher
Goalies B+
Good goaltending duo for the Leafs in Stuart Skinner and Tyler Parsons.
15. Tampa Bay Lightning
Defense B
Aaron Ekblad will make any defense look good, but the Lightning have some good Scandinavian talent also in Bouramman and Cederholm, who both seem to have found a good home in Tampa Bay. Defense is looking good enough provided everyone stays healthy this year and with one more top D, would look very good. Projected lineup:
Bouramman - Ekblad
Cederholm - Mironov
Komarov - Kumlin
Offense B-
The Lightning offense still looks a bit thin for us. Rasmus Asplund returned to very good form after something of a down year in 22/23 and is needed to do very well again if the Lightning are to have a chance. Shane Wright looks like he could also be in for a breakout year. Simoneau is emerging as a good goalscorer and maybe Logan Couture could stay healthy and find his old form, who knows..Projected lineup:
Simoneau - Asplund - Aubé-Kubel
Couture - Smilanic - Robidas
Johnson - Wright - Scheifele
Berg - Chmelevski - Hovsepyan
Goalies A-
Tuukka Rask was signed last season to compete with Vasilievsky and that really was a kick the Lightning goaltending needed. Both goalies posted very good numbers after that and the goalie position is not a problem.
16. Hartford Whalers
Defense C
The Whalers are a team in transition and looking for new leaders all over the ice. On the defense, Jared McIsaac looks like the guy to take things over. 24 years now and already entering his 6th season, he has 206 points on his career so far and the Whalers will surely look for him to play in every situation. Other than him there are places up for grabs for certain. Projected lineup:
McIsaac - Hronek
Styf - Guhle
Masin - Yelle
Offense C-
The 2024 first overall pick, Tomas Mrsic was signed to his ELC and it will be interesting to see if the Whalers already see him ready for action. Sam Steel had a great season last year with 30 goals on the season, but besides him, not many positive performers emerged. Rebuilds take time, and this one has just started. Projected lineup:
Milano - Weiss - Steel
Jaskin - Lammikko - Gettinger
Tortora - Zadvernyuk - Wilkie
Gignac - Poulin - Doudera
Goalies B
Montembault was pretty impressive last season and he will have to be here again. Kevin Mandolese is the backup.
1. Carolina Hurricanes
Defense B+
Great young talent paired with the more experienced top pairing of Charlie McAvoy and Noah Hanifin. The talented duo of Jan Micak and Cameron Whynot have already established them as solid iNHL defensemen and both still have potential to get better. For a top notch contender, the Hurricanes defense is arguably lacking a top puckmoving quarteback. Ty Smith is probably closest to that if he can still improve on his game. Projected lineup:
Smith - Hanifin
McAvoy - Micak
Whynot - Koster
Offense A-
The Hurricanes dealt away a 40+ goal scorer in Eeli Tolvanen and still look as strong, if not even stronger than the team that was top of the league with 3.7 goals/game. The only problem one might have with the offense is the lack of good checkers in the bottom six, but that's really no problem as long as you have the puck, so.. Only making it to the finals and coming away with the cup will be good enough for this lineup:
Nichuskin - Crosby - Svechnikov
Benson - Veleno - Patrick
Guenther - Geekie - Khodorenko
Fuss - Denzhkin - Prueter
Goalies A-
Young goaltending duo of Henrik Tikkanen and Zach Paputsakis showed us last season they can do very well in the league, so that department looks sorted too.
2. New Jersey Devils
Defense B+
Dougie Hamilton and Hampus lindholm is still a top defensive pairing in this league and those guys will see big minutes with the Devils. Bode Wilde had his most productive year yet scoring an impressive 58 points. Projected lineup:
Lindholm - Hamilton
Hughes - Wilde
Galenuyk - Georgiev
Offense A-
The center position is the strength of this team, with Rubtsov, Krebs and Zibanejad each capable of handling big minutes in any situation. Surrounded with good talent and proven scorers on the wings, the New Jersey offense certainly looks good enough to be at the top of the division. Projected lineup:
Strome - Rubtsov - Zucker
Papp - Krebs - Safin
Hughes - Zibanejad - Moynihan
McClennon - Bordeleau - Tarasevich
Goalies B+
Jan Skorpik has put up good numbers for a few seasons now and will be the starter. Still only 23, he even has room to grow and be an elite goalie in this league.
3. Buffalo Sabres
Defense A
It's the best defense in the league. Marshall Warren was 3rd among Buffalo defensemen in points with 55. This is the key element (beside Eichel) that keeps the Sabres at the top of the league each year. They can most certainly move the puck, and they are good at defending too. Projected lineup:
Chychrun - Warren
Broberg - Argento
Brännström - Kneen
Offense B
The Buffalo offense doe some attacking too, it's not all up to the defense. Jack Eichel is just about the best forward in the game and he is good for at least 90points each season. Sasha Pastujov is on e to keep an eye on, as he will surely break out with at least 50-60 points this season if he avoid injuries. Projected lines:
Pastujov - Eichel - Denisenko
Coté - Giles - Melovsky
Robertson - Hurley - Thomas
Mutala - Giroux - Sevigny
Goalies B-
Aaron Randazzo and Taylor Gauthier look to be fighting for the starting job.
4. Philadelphia Flyers
Defense A-
Mark Friedman has been one of the most dominant defensemen in this league for many years and he is returning to the Flyers even though there was some talk of him possibly being traded in the offseason. The league is used to the Flyers having a strong defense and this year is no exception to that. Projected lineup:
Friedman - Aguanno
Despres - Leveille
Pettersson - Guyette
Offense B+
Very solid at the center department with Dudas, Couturier Bjugstad and Tschigerl. Olivier Mathieu, Jake DeBrusk and Brayden Schenn the proven goalscorers on the wings. Not quite the force we are used to, but the Flyers still have the talent to compete for the division. Hope lies on some of the younger wingers to chip in with some secondary scoring. Projected lineup:
Mathieu - Dudas - Ernst
DeBrusk - Couturier - Chiang
Schenn - Tschigerl - Bjugstad
Tabak - Cizas - Sadlocha
Goalies C+
The Flyers change direction at goalie, where they for years have relied on experienced starter, now have four goalies with a combined experience of 6 iNHL games.
5. Boston Bruins
Defense B-
John Klingberg had a career year last season with the Bruins with 67 points. He seems to have a good understanding with his more defensive minded partner, Josh Maniscalco. Sami Vatanen also still putting up decent point totals for Boston. Overall, it's a slightly thin defense corps for the Bruins, but then again, they have not really been about shutting the opposition down under the current management. Projected lineup:
Maniscalco - Klingberg
Bean - Vatanen
Farrow - Flade
Offense A-
Scoring goals, and as many as possible has been the m.o. for the Bruins lately. Matt Duchene had a brilliant year again with 41+41 on the season. The center department is very strong with Duchene, Barkov, Barzal and Hischier all on the roster, means somebody will play wing for sure. Projected lines:
Duchene - Barkov - Weissbach
Yamamoto - Barzal - Skager
Räty - Hischier - Morozov
Legien - Ferster - Jelsma
Goalies C+
Robin Lehner and Vasili Demchenko. Looking like something of a goalie situation in Boston, But maybe Lehner can keep enough pucks out for the Bruins offense to get things done.
6. Ottawa Senators
Defense B
Erik Karlsson shows no signs of slowing down at 34. He played all 82 games last season, scoring 63 points. Defensive specialist Andreas Englund is the only other left from the brilliant Ottawa defense that was, 5-6 seasons ago. Young talent in the likes of Ilencik and Samuelsson has taken over, but depth could be an issue for the Sens, especially when injuries occur. Projected lineup:
Englund - Karlsson
Ilencik - Allensen
Samuelsson - Daschke
Offense A-
The Senators are experiencing some cap trouble, and that resulted in star winger Taylor Hall being shipped out to the Islanders. That move made room for former Blues star Tarasenko to be traded to the Sens. Very good top-6 for the Sens and if they stay injury free, they should be right there fighting for the playoffs. Projected lineup:
Duclair - Johansen - Tarasenko
Morand - McLeod - Malykh
Rizzo - McCombs - Habala
Kurashev - Desnoyers - Hale
Goalies B
Evan Fitzpatrick is getting the starting job for the first time in his career after Minney was bought out for financial reasons. Felix Sandström is the backup
7. Montreal Canadiens
Defense B+
PK Subban has done a brilliant job since returning to the team a few seasons ago. He will be the leader on defense and no reason why he wouldn't put up 50-60 points again. Another veteran in John Carlson was signed this summer to shore up the blueline on this young team, will help the team for sure. Projected lineup:
Subban - Carlson
Lambos - Brodzinski
Platonov - Makar
Offense B+
Xavier Parent has completely recovered from the frightening eye injury that kept him out for the duration of last season. He will bring a big boost to the Habs offense and score a lot of points. As on the defense, the Habs have a veteran leader on the offense too. Jonathan Toews has continued to play on a high level and had 60 points last season. Loads of young talent waiting to spring loose and the playoffs are a realistic goal for the Canadiens. Projected lineup:
Parent - Toews - Marner
Poulin - Barlage - Simontaival
Kane - Wernblom - Campbell
Pettersen - Stranges - Ponomarev
Goalies B+
Whole new goaltending tandem for the Canadiens in Ivar Rönn and the experienced Frederik Andersen, who returns to the league from the KHL.
8. Columbus Blue Jackets
Defense B
Not really any movement on the Blue Jackets defense as everybody from last season is returning. Jakub Zboril leads the way with 50-60 points every season and paired with Jonas Brodin they form a fine first pairing for Columbus. Evan Bouchard had something of a breakout season with 46 points and the inexperienced duo of Cox and Rudy held their own just fine in their rookie seasons. Projected lineup:
Zboril - Brodin
Rudy - Bouchard
Lajoie - Cox
Offense B+
A strong center department is the core of the Jackets offense, with Sean Monahan, Colin White and Troy Terry on the top three lines. No notable changes on the offense either and that could be seen as something of a problem as the Blue Jackets were only 13th in goals scored last season, despite the 107 points. Projected lineup:
Fiala - Monahan - Grönhagen
Dal Colle - White - Ahl
Farabee - Terry - Nelson
Brazier - Nardecchia - Jona
Goalies B
Long time starter Mackenzie Blackwood was not extended, as Veini Vehviläinen took over halfway last season and had the best save pct in the league. Justus Annunen in his second stint with the organization will be the backup.
9. New York Rangers
Defense B-
Experinced Dmitriy Orlov probably is the biggest name on the Rangers defense and he had 36 points last season. Ryan Shea had the most points among the D with 51. Matt Spencer is a reliable veteran, who was signed to a rather team friendly contract in the offseason. Projected lineup:
Shea - Orlov
Dunn - Foskey
Andersson - Spencer
Offense B+
Tomas Hertl was not extended by the Rangers due to cap reasons. This still leaves the team with a top-6 that should be able to compete with just about anybody. Two 30+ goal scorers from last season return in Owen Tippett and Mark Stone. Former 1st rounder Timo Meier is probably in his last chance to really get his career going. Projected lineup:
Svechnikov - Ehlers - Stone
Meier - Anderson-dolan - Tippett
Kirkland - Mattson - Watson
Eisenmenger - Harper - Burzan
Goalies A-
Malcolm Subban had brilliant numbers playing in 72 games last season, so expect him to do well again. Hugo Alnefelt is the talented backup.
10. Detroit Red Wings
Defense B+
Very strong rookie of the year candidate here, if Ryan O'Rourke finally gets to play for the Red Wings. He had 68 points for the Wings AHL team and should be the #1 guy on this defense too. Bowey, Vaakanainen, Larsson and Fleury at least seem to be returning from last seasons roster. Projected lineup:
O'Rourke - Bowey
Mete - Vaakanainen
Larsson - Savenkov
Offense B-
Former #1 overall pick Ryan McLeod has yet not been quite the force that was expected of him at the time of the draft. He is slowly coming into his own with the pro game though, and had a career high with 59 points last season. Good goalscoring wingers to go with him in Carl Grundström and Patrik Laine. Projected lineup:
Grundström - McLeod - Laine
Abramov - Bellows - Jenkins
Niedermayer - Cassels - Vainio
Liska - Johnson - Gruden
Goalies A-
Former overall #5 pick Spencer Knight will probably be the starter, but the Wings also have other talented options.
11. Pittsburgh Penguins
Defense B-
Damon Severson and Joe Hicketts the biggest names on the Penguins defense. 22 year old Karel Klikorka looks like a player too and will be very good in Pittsburgh for years to come. Very thin on both defense and offense with only 27 players contracted. Projected lineup:
Klikorka - Hicketts
Felixson - Severson
Huber - Proskin
Offense B+
Star player Pavel Zacha leads the way for the Penguins offense and he will be surrounded by young talent in Lucas Raymond and possibly Tristan Zandee too. Alex Galchenyuk makes it a very respectable 1-2 punch at center. Projected lineup:
Zandee - Zacha - Raymond
Shinkaruk - Galchenyuk - Tkachyov
Niederreiter - Bradley - Balmas
Ahtonen - Riddle - Somoza
Goalies B+
Petr Mrazek is a reliable starter and Vitek Vanecek is as reliable as a backup, so no problem at goalie in PIT.
12. Washington Capitals
Defense B
Fairly offensive minded defense for the Caps With Provorov, Prapavessis, Gyorfi and Knyazev all good skaters and more comfortable with the puck on their sticks than without it. Young duo Pappalardo Gulbrandsen and Savchenko are the more defensive minded guys on the three pairings. Could be a risky approach, but awarding too, if you have enough skill all around to keep the puck away from the opposition. Projected lineup:
KPG - Provorov
Prapavessis - Savchenko
Knyazev - Gyorfi
Offense B-
Leon Draisaitl didn't quite reproduce his form from Vancouver with the Capitals, but did score 52 points in his first season. The Caps have found a great goalscorer in Benoit Groulx, who has a combined 53 goals in the past two seasons. Combined with Gabriel Gagne, that makes a very potent 1st line that should be able to compete against anybody. Overall depth could be an issue, unless some of the young players break out. Projected lineup:
Groulx - Draisaitl - Gagne
Gnetnev - Horvat - Pytlik
Brenne Halvorsen - Roberts - Moreau
Shabarin - Södergran - Lipanov
Goalies
Daccord and Brochu both played very well last season, so no problem for the Caps in that department. Good competition might even raise the level of play.
13. New York Islanders
Defense B
The Islanders basically swapped Victor Hedman for Alex Pietrangelo in the offseason. The team is not afraid to put their trust in seasoned veterans and also former 1st round pick, Timothy Liljegren gets a chance to play. Ryan Merkley represents the future on the Islanders defense and he is a fine young player to build future defenses around. Projected lineup:
Pietrangelo - Merkley
Rubin - Liljegren
Starosta - Niemeläinen
Offense B
Taylor Hall was aquired from the cap strapped Senators, and he is a great enforcement for the Islanders offense with 82 points last season. 36 year old Niklas Bäckström is the #2 center behind Tavares, so lack of experience won't be a problem for the Islanders. On the offense a great young talent is Alex Lafreniere, who might be in for a breakout year here. Projected lineup:
Hall - Tavares - Popugayev
Lafreniere - Bäckis - Scherbak
Ostrovsky - Kruse - Kazakov
Churyukanov - Hakanen - Vouras
Goalies B
Eric Comrie is a experienced starter, but didn't have the best of seasons last year. A bounceback season is required for the Islanders to have success.
14. Toronto Maple Leafs
Defense B
Derrick Pouliot had 56 points last season and forms the top pairing with another former Penguin, Olli Määttä. Oliver Kylington has also established himsel as a solid iNHL defenseman, but former playoff MVP Ryan Murphy played just in 12 games last season. Projected lineup:
Määttä - Pouliot
Murphy - Kylington
Hatkevich - Kvasnicka
Offense B-
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a fine bounce back season after the 37 points in 22/23 he returned with 68 this past season. Other positive performers were Ryan Strome, Stelio Mattheos and the 24 year old Jakes Wise had his first 20 goal season. No notable player movement by the Leafs front office. Projected lineup:
Bunnamman - Nugent-Hopkins - Strome
Elynuik - Wise - Mattheos
Hinz - Leipsic - Poppel
Borovinsky - Phillips - Beecher
Goalies B+
Good goaltending duo for the Leafs in Stuart Skinner and Tyler Parsons.
15. Tampa Bay Lightning
Defense B
Aaron Ekblad will make any defense look good, but the Lightning have some good Scandinavian talent also in Bouramman and Cederholm, who both seem to have found a good home in Tampa Bay. Defense is looking good enough provided everyone stays healthy this year and with one more top D, would look very good. Projected lineup:
Bouramman - Ekblad
Cederholm - Mironov
Komarov - Kumlin
Offense B-
The Lightning offense still looks a bit thin for us. Rasmus Asplund returned to very good form after something of a down year in 22/23 and is needed to do very well again if the Lightning are to have a chance. Shane Wright looks like he could also be in for a breakout year. Simoneau is emerging as a good goalscorer and maybe Logan Couture could stay healthy and find his old form, who knows..Projected lineup:
Simoneau - Asplund - Aubé-Kubel
Couture - Smilanic - Robidas
Johnson - Wright - Scheifele
Berg - Chmelevski - Hovsepyan
Goalies A-
Tuukka Rask was signed last season to compete with Vasilievsky and that really was a kick the Lightning goaltending needed. Both goalies posted very good numbers after that and the goalie position is not a problem.
16. Hartford Whalers
Defense C
The Whalers are a team in transition and looking for new leaders all over the ice. On the defense, Jared McIsaac looks like the guy to take things over. 24 years now and already entering his 6th season, he has 206 points on his career so far and the Whalers will surely look for him to play in every situation. Other than him there are places up for grabs for certain. Projected lineup:
McIsaac - Hronek
Styf - Guhle
Masin - Yelle
Offense C-
The 2024 first overall pick, Tomas Mrsic was signed to his ELC and it will be interesting to see if the Whalers already see him ready for action. Sam Steel had a great season last year with 30 goals on the season, but besides him, not many positive performers emerged. Rebuilds take time, and this one has just started. Projected lineup:
Milano - Weiss - Steel
Jaskin - Lammikko - Gettinger
Tortora - Zadvernyuk - Wilkie
Gignac - Poulin - Doudera
Goalies B
Montembault was pretty impressive last season and he will have to be here again. Kevin Mandolese is the backup.