Here we go again as another NHL season is upon us, yet this time around it will be looking quite a bit different then we are used to as fans.
A new divisional system separates teams in one of four regions: North, West, Central and East. Each team will play a 56 game schedule against only the teams in their divisions, perhaps playing the same opposing side TEN TIMES in one season. The top four teams in each division will then move on to the Stanley Cup Playoffs where it is business as usual. The battles will come early and often this season as every game comes as part of a mini series to limit travel for the squads. The hockey will be highly competitive and there most likely will not be a clear cut favourite for the Stanley Cup until it is being carried onto the ice and handed to the Captain of the winning team.
In this articles, I am going to do my very best to provide a clear outlook on the best of the best. The top ten teams in the NHL right now, their strengths and their weaknesses and what they will need to do to be successful and remain a contender. I will also provide my predictions for the NHL Awards and the Stanley Cup Finals.
Let’s do this.
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#1) Colorado Avalanche – The only thing there is NOT to like about this hockey team is how they played last night in their season opener. The Avs come into this campaign off a disheartening Game 7 OT loss to the Dallas Stars in the Second Round of last season’s playoffs. They’re a hungry team who found ways to improve in the offseason. GM Burnaby Joe Sakic added some depth to his lineup with forward Brandon Saad and defenceman Devon Toews. Their offence is led by superstar Nathan Mackinnon and the D-core has the ability to get faster and younger by possibly adding rookie Bowen Byram. Colorado finished with an NHL record low in points just a few seasons ago, and now they top my power rankings at number 1.
#2) Tampa Bay Lightning – The defending cup champions deserve to be 1, and they most likely are on most lists that you will see. I just have seen how this movie goes one too many times. The Lightning won their franchises second cup in the bubble without their captain Steven Stamkos, so they have already proved they can get the job done without key pieces in the lineup. That will get tested yet again as their leading scorer Nikita Kucherov is expected to miss the entire season. For that reason only, I have to list the Lightning at number two on my rankings.
#3) Vegas Golden Knights – This team is one to keep your eye on. In my opinion, Vegas is the best bet to win the Stanley Cup as of now. The front office for the Golden Knights has done a tremendous job building from what they were given from the rest of the league and it is starting to come alive now. Recently naming Mark Stone their captain, signing the biggest fish in free agency Alex Pietrangelo and locking in Goaltender Robin Lehner to an extension, this team is poised for a big year. The only weakness I may see is the lack of home ice advantage when playing at T-Mobile Arena this year, as Vegas is known to put teams away heavily complimented by the effect their crowd has on opposing teams, a lead is a little less safe in Vegas these days..
LET’S
ABSOLUTELY
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) January 15, 2021
#4) Philadelphia Flyers – On paper, this team screams DEPTH. All four lines have the size, speed and experience that you need to compete in the NHL on a nightly basis, especially in a short, compact schedule like this one. Goalie Carter Hart is poised to content for the Vezina at just 22 years old, and head coach Alain Vigneault is a coach who knows what he is doing when he is handling a talented roster. Expect Philadelphia’s power play to be on fire this year, and for them to be amongst the league leaders in goals.
#5) St. Louis Blues – The Blues are an interesting team this year, this may be a little too high for them as we sit right now, but by the end of the year could very well have been too low. They lost their captain and best player in free agency, but that shouldn’t effect them too badly if they can make up the minutes with young studs like Vince Dunn and Colton Parayko. The defensive additions from the last two offseason, Justin Faulk and Torey Krug will be called upon to bounce back tremendously this year and carry the Blues on the back end in offensive production.
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#6) New York Islanders – One of the best pure defensive teams we have seen in the NHL in a long time, Barry Trotz brought the Islanders all the way to the East finals in the playoffs, and I believe they have a system in place that will shine in the short schedule. Matt Barzal signed a preseason extension with NYI to focus on the season, and that’s usually a good sign when your best player is buying in and setting the standard.
#7) Boston Bruins – This is a team who was hit harder than usual in the offseason. The Bruins recent success was eventually due to show up on their roster and with the loss of long-time Captain Zdeno Chara, as well as offensive defence man Torey Krug, their back end has more questions then answers right now. To go along with it, leading goal scorer David Pastrnak is set to miss an extended period of time to start the year. Tuukka Rask will have to be a brick wall for this team if they want a shot at winning the division this time around.
Honourable mentions:
- Capitals – New coach needs to find a way to utilize Ovechkin, who is in a contract year.
- Oilers – 97 and 29 are the two best players in the world, that defence is shaky though.
- Canucks – A young team with a tough division. Special teams will be everything for Vancouver.
- Stars – No Seguin Hurts, but Dallas has an up and coming core and the ability to defend very effectively which can make them a threat any given night.
- Hurricanes – This team is a wildcard to me still. No real answer in net until it is proven + can Aho and Teraveinen continue to supply 80% of the offence?