The National Hockey League finally returned back on Sept. 29, as the long road towards Lord Stanley begins anew once again. Only one of the 32 clubs will stand atop the mountain come June. Now two weeks into the season, here’s a quick look at where I think every team stands, grouped into five tiers.
Tier #1: Tank For DuPont
University of Michigan defenseman Landon DuPont is the projected #1 overall pick in the 2027 NHL draft, and is coming off a dominant WHL campaign with the Everett Silvertips. These two clubs should do all they can to acquire his services via the draft lottery.
Calgary Flames
The Flames finally gave in and sold off many core pieces at last year’s deadline, finally 100% committing to a rebuild after several playoff disappointments. Promising young pieces like Zayne Parekh and Matvei Gridin will need time and support to develop.
Projection: 8th in Pacific, no playoffs
Vancouver Canucks
A drastic locker room collapse has seen the 2024 Pacific division champions take a nosedive into a full rebuild. More roster pieces could be on their way out near the trade deadline, potentially including Elias Pettersson after his resurgent start to the season.
Projection: 7th in Pacific, no playoffs
Tier #2: Not This Year
Philadelphia Flyers
I both love and hate being a Flyers fan. Last season’s round one win against our hated rivals in Pittsburgh is already one of my favorite memories as a hockey fan. But head coach Rick Tocchet’s systems have been exposed over time during his tenures in both Arizona and Vancouver, and I fear the same is already starting to occur in Philly. As the trend would have it, the Flyers have started 26-27 with their worst season opening losing streak in franchise history, sitting at 0-5-3. Ten goals scored and 31 against through eight games is flat out unacceptable. With a roster loaded with young talent begging to be properly utilized, the Flyers cannot afford to give Tocchet too long of a leash.
Projection: 8th in Metropolitan, no playoffs
Seattle Kraken
After making the playoffs and upsetting the defending champion Avalanche in their first season of existence, the Kraken have been stuck firmly in no man’s land ever since. The roster is balanced, but lacks true high-end, game breaking talent.
Projection: 6th in Pacific, no playoffs
Chicago Blackhawks
Newly minted captain Connor Bedard returned early from an injury that had originally been projected to keep him out for over a month, but the Hawks have still struggled mightily to open the season. General manager Kyle Davidson could feel his seat getting hotter beneath him if the young core’s development starts to stall. Patty Kane back in a Hawks tarp makes it all better though.
Projection: 8th in Central, no playoffs
Detroit Red Wings
The drama surrounding former captain Dylan Larkin’s trade request during the summer has sapped the Wings morale, and this was made even worse when contract negotiations with talented young defenseman Simon Edvinsson recently stalled out. It was reported that Simon “is more comfortable” if Detroit trades him. The Wings are also handcuffed without a permanent general manager, with Shawn Horcoff serving as interim, after Steve Yzerman was “fired upward” during the summer. It seems as if the longest playoff drought in the league will continue, with no clear end in sight.
Projection: 8th in Atlantic, no playoffs
Winnipeg Jets
Star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request and continuing holdout will make the task a lot harder for a Jets team only two seasons removed from winning the President’s Trophy. A fast start to the season will need to be kept up the rest of the way in a tightly contested Central.
Projection: 7th in Central, no playoffs
Nashville Predators
A team that defines the term “no man’s land”. They missed the playoffs by only four points last year, largely due to a weak Western conference. In a juggernaut of a division, I could see them selling at the deadline and committing to a retool.
Projection: 6th in Central, no playoffs
Los Angeles Kings
LA has qualified for the playoffs the last five seasons in a row, being dumped out in the first round all five times. After longtime captain Anže Kopitar’s retirement, the Kings aging roster and lack of center depth could be fatally exposed.
Projection: 5th in Pacific, no playoffs
New York Islanders
A 3-7-0 record in their final ten games sank the Isles playoff hopes last season. Expect 19 year old phenom Matthew Schaefer to continue his frighteningly quick development, but the team around him to struggle in a tough division.
Projection: 7th in Metropolitan, no playoffs
Columbus Blue Jackets
Simply put, the Jackets need to win to keep their stars. Franchise defenseman Zach Werenski rejected a trade to the Stars late last season in order to stay in Columbus, and young center Adam Fantilli was just re-signed. Playoffs are a must, but I don’t think they have the firepower to keep up in a tough division, especially after sending disgruntled winger Kirill Marchenko to Toronto after he made it clear he had no intention of extending in Columbus.
Projection: 6th in Metropolitan, no playoffs
Tier #3: In The Hunt
Pittsburgh Penguins
As long as the longtime trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang are on the team, the Penguins will never commit to a rebuild. General manager Kyle Dubas has done a solid job of setting his squad up for the post-Crosby era, while still keeping them competitive in a tough division.
Projection: 5th in Metropolitan, no playoffs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs are another squad operating in crunch time. New general manager John Chayka used a bunch of offseason moves to improve his squad on paper, but so many new pieces always takes time to gel. The start to the season has been promising overall, as has rookie first-overall pick Gavin McKenna, but consistency will be key. Captain Auston Matthews needs a new contract soon, making success even more crucial.
Projection: 7th in Atlantic, no playoffs
Anaheim Ducks
After winning a round in last year’s playoffs, the Ducks lost a large amount of depth this offseason, along with having their cap structure significantly squeezed after the Leo Carlsson offer sheet and signing Cutter Gauthier. The success of up and coming youngsters will be crucial if Anaheim hopes to return to the playoffs.
Projection: 4th in Pacific, no playoffs
New York Rangers
The Rangers fell off hard to finish bottom of the east last season, but have started this year off strong with a 6-2-0 start. But losing star goaltender Igor Shesterkin yet again to another long term injury is a brutal blow. Dylan Garand has been solid so far as the new starter, but should he struggle, a drastic move may need to be made.
Projection: 4th in Metropolitan, no playoffs
Ottawa Senators
I would maybe argue that the Sens actually got better this offseason after trading captain Brady Tkachuk to Florida and acquiring William Eklund from San Jose the next day, but the Atlantic is such a division of death. A 5-2-0 start to the season is promising, but solid goaltending and more scoring are essential if the Sens want to make the playoffs for the third straight season.
Projection: 6th in Atlantic, no playoffs
San Jose Sharks
New captain phenom Macklin Celebrini may already be a top three player in the league at age 20, and his 115 point sophomore season nearly dragged the Sharks into the playoffs last year. The young core around him will need to take a step to get them over the line, along with potentially a defensive addition at the deadline.
Projection: 3rd in Pacific, makes the playoffs
Boston Bruins
Jeremy Swayman has established himself as a top 5-7 goalie in the league, but the squad in front of him often has bouts of struggling to score. Strong defensive play and goaltending got them into the dance last year, but can they repeat it?
Projection: 5th in Atlantic, makes the playoffs
New Jersey Devils
Goaltending and health are the Devils two biggest issues. If their top guys stay healthy, I think they are comfortably the third best team in the division. Maybe luck will finally be on their side this year. Or maybe a trade for a goaltender will be made mid season.
Projection: 3rd in Metropolitan, makes the playoffs
St. Louis Blues
Most underrated squad in the league. Joel Hofer has quietly established himself as a top 10-15 goalie, and a balanced forward core of young and veteran players could cause some serious damage. Jimmy Snuggerud could easily be a 35+ goal scorer this season. Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael both look like solid additions already. If they get into the dance, they could be a very tough out.
Projection: 5th in Central, makes the playoffs
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning’s window is closing with their aging roster, but when they’re clicking they’re one of the hardest units to stop in the league. New backup goaltender Dennis Hildeby could also be a key, taking more of the load off of star Andrei Vasilevskiy to keep him more fresh for playoff time. After winning back to back cups and making three straight finals, the Bolts have been eliminated in round one in each of the last four seasons.
Projection: 4th in Atlantic, makes the playoffs
Tier #4: Playoff Lock
Buffalo Sabres
After breaking their playoff drought of over a decade last season, the Sabres were an overtime away from making it to the eastern conference final. Despite losing Alex Tuch and trading Bowen Byram to Chicago, the Sabres core remains largely intact. Two goalies split time for the Sabres in the playoffs last season, so some more stability could improve their chances of getting farther this time around.
Projection: 3rd in Atlantic, makes the playoffs
Minnesota Wild
The Wild have issues with forward depth, particularly at center. But with one of the best defense cores and goalie tandems in the league, Minnesota still has a solid base to work with. Not having a true #1 center could be a fatal flaw against the deeper squads in their division.
Projection: 4th in Central, makes the playoffs
Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas’ season last year was largely inconsistent, until the gutsy move to fire head coach Bruce Cassidy with eight games remaining and hire veteran John Tortorella. This move changed the entire complexion of the team. A 7-0-1 finish powered the Knights into the dance, eventually culminating in a Stanley Cup Final appearance. A 2-1 series lead would fall apart against Carolina, but the Knights should be encouraged. However goaltending remains a question, and the forward core took a cap casualty losing Pavel Dorofeyev to the Rangers in free agency.
Projection: 2nd in Pacific, makes the playoffs
Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid is the best player in hockey. Leon Draisaitl is a top 3-5 player in hockey. Both these guys are entirely focused on winning. This year is the first of two on McDavid’s current contract, and the Oilers are desperate for results to keep their elite talent around. This is easily the deepest team the Oil have had in the McDavid era, but as it’s been his entire tenure, goaltending remains a question. One of the trio of goaltenders will have to cement himself as a solid starter if the Oil hope to make another deep run after back to back cup final defeats in 2024 and 2025. A torrid start to the season offensively and solid numbers in net from Devon Levi has been exactly what Edmonton needs so far.
Projection: 1st in Pacific, makes the playoffs
Dallas Stars
After a cup final appearance in the COVID bubble back in 2020, the Stars have made three conference finals, losing all three. Their cap structure has put them in a tough spot. Star winger Jason Robertson was signed to a one year deal this offseason after lengthy negotiations, but this merely seems like kicking the can down the road. Success is crucial this season for keeping the core together in Dallas.
Projection: 3rd in Central, makes the playoffs
Utah Mammoth
The roster that formerly belonged to the Arizona Coyotes is finally reaching its potential in their new home. Goaltending remains a question, but Karel Vejmelka had solid numbers last season even with a heavy workload. The additions of Vincent Trocheck and Anders Lee strengthen an already loaded young forward core, as the Mammoth are officially entering their contention window.
Projection: 2nd in Central, makes the playoffs
Washington Capitals
One last run for the greatest goal scorer in the sports’ history. Alex Ovechkin signed a one year deal this offseason, and general manager Chris Patrick went all out to surround his captain with the best possible squad. Jordan Kyrou and Alex Tuch bolster an already elite forward core. Jakob Chychrun takes over the #1 defenseman role, and Logan Thompson is firmly established as a top five goalie. The time is now.
Projection: 2nd in Metropolitan, makes the playoffs
Montréal Canadiens
Probably the scariest young core in the entire league. A run to the eastern conference final last season may have been a bit premature, but the Habs are still one of the better teams in the conference already. As the core continues to develop, Montréal could soon be on their way to a first Stanley Cup since 1994.
Projection: 2nd in Atlantic, makes the playoffs
Florida Panthers
Despite losing captain Aleksander Barkov to a long term injury yet again just two games into the season, it isn’t season-ending this time around. Brad Marchand also going down with injury hurts the forward group even more, but if the Panthers can stay afloat and maintain a solid record, their top nine is one of the best in hockey at full strength. Their playoff experience from their recent back to back Stanley Cup runs could be a tremendous advantage. Offseason addition Brady Tkachuk has settled well into his new home alongside his brother Matthew, and the pair combined for nine points on Oct. 13 against Columbus.
Projection: 1st in Atlantic, makes the playoffs
Tier #5: Cup Or Bust
Colorado Avalanche
Although injuries to several star players had a big impact on the series, Presidents Trophy winning Colorado suffered a tremendous embarrassment at the end of last season, when they were swept aside in just four games by Vegas in the western conference final. The Avs core remains largely intact for this year, with a reshaped bottom six. Nathan MacKinnon is the reigning Rocket Richard trophy winner and a top three player in the league, and is also an absolute psychopath in the best way possible. Cale Makar is arguably the best defenseman in the league. Both the forward and defense cores are talented and deep, with two solid options in net. Firmly a cup or bust season for the Avalanche, as arguably every season with two generational players on the roster should be. No real playoff success since winning the cup in 2022 adds even more pressure.
Projection: 1st in Central, makes the playoffs
Carolina Hurricanes
The Canes finally climbed all the way to the top of the mountain last season, winning their first Stanley Cup since 2006. Due to phenomenal roster management and cap structuring from general manager Eric Tulsky, pretty much the exact same squad returns for the 26-27 season. Losing captain Jordan Staal for the next 1-2 months will certainly be a tough blow, but the Canes have shown no signs of slowing down with a 6-1-1 start. Go and win another one while the roster is this loaded and financially well-structured.
Projection: 1st in Metropolitan, makes the playoffs