It’s that time of week again! The time of week where we look at every team on the roster and see where their hard work has ranked them. The time of week where we get to reflect on how every team is performing plus any other aspects around their current ranking such as coaching, injuries, etc. Let’s hop right in and see how each team is looking this last week.
32. Chicago Blackhawks (Previous rank: Unchanged)
Connor Bedard is still being Connor Bedard, but outside of that? There’s nothing really to talk about with this team. Maybe they can use the massive amount of cap space they have to start making some deals and bolstering that roster around the young man.
31. San Jose Sharks (Previous rank: Unchanged)
Unlike the Blackhawks, the Sharks don’t have that much cap space. Two million isn’t the worst position to be in, but it definitely leaves them a lot less wiggle room in order to make some serious changes. Which means some of their big contracts are most likely going to have to go.
30. Anaheim Ducks (Previous rank: Unchanged)
Unlike the teams before them, the Ducks appear to have at least a bit of direction in their rebuild. They’ve shown glimpses of what they can be this season, and hopefully will show even more as time progresses. It certainly wouldn’t hurt them to strike some deals and get a good draft this year though.
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29. Columbus Blue Jackets (Previous rank: Unchanged)
Columbus has no general manager. Most of the contracts they have are not going to be appealing to other teams, or have a no trade clause. They have no escape from the trap they’ve put themselves in and most likely have no choice, but to sit and suffer for the next couple of years. We can only hope not every year is as painful as this one has been.
28. Arizona Coyotes (Previous rank: 25)
What a depressing way to go out for such a hopeful team. After months of competing for a playoff spot, Arizona has now completely fallen apart and their playoff hopes have most likely gone with them. The good news is, they have a lot of high draft picks, and they’re very much still an exciting team to look forward to. This season may end up being a loss, but the future’s still bright.
27. Montreal Canadiens (Previous rank: Unchanged)
If the Habs want to continue on the right path, they’re most likely going to have to make some moves and switch some things up. They’ve proven they can’t take the next step with the roster they currently have. They need more firepower and a solid goalie in net.
26. Ottawa Senators (Previous rank: 28)
The Sens’ hope that they finally had all the pieces may not have panned out, but there’s still cause for hope. They can afford to move certain pieces out without completely ripping apart what they’ve built. They can also afford to bring some more pieces in if they play their cards right.
25. Buffalo Sabres (Previous rank: 26)
Buffalo to their credit is finally showing improvements in their play. To their discredit, it’s far too late and it’ll do absolutely nothing to help them make the playoffs. Buffalo is now in a weird position of trying to decide whether they’re struggles have just been bad luck, or if their roster actually needs more improvements. The wrong decision could end up delaying their playoff return for yet another year or more.
24. Washington Capitals (Previous rank: 21)
While it’s been nice to see Ovechkin heat up and get back to scoring, it’s done little to propel Washington back to playoff hopes. It’s also done little to eliminate the lingering shadow of an impending rebuild. If they’re smart, they’ll begin tearing it down at the deadline.
23. Pittsburgh Penguins (Previous rank: 20)
While Crosby has continued to be one of the best players in the world, and the goaltenders have certainly strutted their stuff, Pittsburgh is still slipping. They don’t have the depth or the youth to keep up with other teams and it’s only going to get worse. With the Jake Guentzel trade rumors heating up, it seems Pittsburgh knows that pretty well.
22. Calgary Flames (Previous rank: 18)
Calgary has already made some big moves in trading Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan and it seems they’re not anywhere close to done. With some top notch players to trade, plenty of cap space, and some high up draft picks to work with it seems Calgary is all in on being a seller and getting back to where they need to be as quickly as possible.
21. Seattle Kraken (Previous rank: 23)
The Kraken are in limbo and trying to figure out just what they can do to push them over the edge. The goaltending is there, the defense is there, but they’re lacking that umph. They need more firepower, more depth up front.
20. Minnesota Wild (Previous rank: 24)
Despite shaky goaltending and defense, as well as an atrocious penalty kill, Minnesota has still found ways to win and stay relevant in the playoff race. They are far from where they need to be though, and unless they fix their issues in net and on the blue line they’re never going to get there. Trade rumors are currently circling around Marc-Andre Fleury, but who would be willing to take him?
19. New York Islanders (Previous rank: 22)
The Islanders appear adamant they don’t need a rebuild, but they certainly need something in order to push them to the next step. Right now they just simply don’t have enough to consider them a true playoff contender.
18. New Jersey Devils (Previous rank: 17)
Many questions have come to the Devils on how they can fix the hole they’ve dug themselves in. Despite a stacked roster they still find themselves outside of a playoff spot and struggling to gain ground and one reason has shined brighter than others. Goaltending. Vitek Vanecek has not been the goalie he was promised to be and while Nico Daws has shown flashes of brilliance, he’s far from the answer.
17. Nashville Predators (Previous rank: 19)
Finally, the Preds appear to have righted the ship and started moving towards a playoff spot again. The trade rumors around Saros have dimmed slightly, but it’s still anyone’s guess what Nashville will plan to do around the deadline.
16. St Louis Blues (Previous rank: 15)
While the Predators have heated up, it appears the Blues have started to cool down. It’s the absolute worst time to do so as well, with the wild card race as tight as it is. They’ve already been passed up by Nashville this last week, and that gap will only continue to grow wider unless they can put it back together.
15. Tampa Bay Lightning (Previous rank: 13)
The Bolts are in between a rock and a hard place. On one hand they still have a roster that’s capable of winning, but is clearly slowly starting to lose its steam. On the other, they have very little cap space, very little trade pieces, and very little prospects. So the burning question becomes, what can Tampa even do to save themselves at this point?
14. Philadelphia Flyers (Previous rank: Unchanged)
This team will never fail to bring a smile to the face. Despite the Flyers making it aware they were in rebuild mode heading into the season, this rag tag group of youngsters has performed valiantly, keeping Philly in a playoff spot all season long. Even the loss of Carter Hart has not stopped this team from believing in themselves, and while Cal Petersen has been shaky, Samuel Ersson has been a lovely surprise.
13. Detroit Red Wings (Previous rank: 16)
Patrick Kane has officially arrived in Detroit. Since coming back from injury the man has been on fire. His sudden burst in offense has helped propel the already red hot Detroit to looking like even more of a contender. You can feel the excitement pouring back into the city as this team approaches its first playoff berth in seven years.
12. Vegas Golden Knights (Previous rank: 9)
The Golden Knights will most likely make the playoffs. But how far are they going to defend their title is still a lingering question. They’ve shown multiple times this year that they have the ability to be a force, but have also shown that they can lose steam very quickly. Which Vegas will show up in the latter half of the season?
11. Los Angeles Kings (Previous rank: 12)
Viktor Arvidsson is once again out with injury. This is painful to the Kings who were very much enjoying having his presence in the lineup. Blake Lizotte has returned however, and David Rittich continues to be a force in net. The Kings are in a much better place than they were in January.
10. Carolina Hurricanes (Previous rank: Unchanged)
The Canes are chugging along, but there’s still a burning weak point that has yet to be answered and that’s their goaltending. Antti Raanta has been atrocious all season long. Frederik Andersen can’t stay healthy. Pyotr Kochetkov has been decent, but is he truly the answer they need? Unless Carolina can get this figured out and fast they could be in trouble come playoff time.
9. Winnipeg Jets (Previous rank: 7)
Despite a Vezina form goaltender in Hellebuyck, and an absolutely stacked roster, Winnipeg still finds themselves losing some steam. While it does appear they’re being out coached a little bit, I don’t think there’s too much cause for concern. Sean Monahan has fit in nicely, and the team is picking up wins again.
8. Colorado Avalanche (Previous rank: Unchanged)
It’s been a rough month for Colorado. The depth they once had doesn’t appear to be there anymore, so they’re completely relying on the big guns to carry them through. And while their big guns are perfectly capable of doing that, it’s unlikely that they can carry them anywhere close to another championship.
7. Toronto Maple Leafs (Previous rank: 11)
With Auston Matthews becoming the fastest American born player to hit 50 goals in a season, Toronto has become one of the hottest teams in the league. While goaltending and defense is still very much a concern, Toronto is a team that knows where they excel and make it very hard for other teams to stop them in those areas.
6. Edmonton Oilers (Previous rank: Unchanged)
Since their winning streak, the Oilers have been much more tame. Because of that the Kings have managed to catch up to them. They could still get hot again and pull away from the pack, but for now they seem to be struggling to find that heat. The season isn’t going to get any easier for them though.
5. Dallas Stars (Previous rank: 4)
The Stars have everything they need to make a deep run. If Jake Oettinger could find some of that previous form of his, they would be a tough out for absolutely anyone in the playoffs. It helps them that the other two top three Central teams are currently struggling while they pull away.
4. Boston Bruins (Previous rank: 3)
The Bruins still have the best goalie tandem in the league and that alone has the potential to carry them far. Right now, they need to get some pep back in their step though, especially if they want to stop Florida from running away with the division. That being said, with no draft picks to speak of and a weak prospect pool, Boston could be all in this season.
3. New York Rangers (Previous rank: 5)
The Rangers have completely turned it around. They’ve gotten red hot and shown that they have the talent to be one of the best teams in the league. With a little bit of salary cap to work with they could easily strengthen that roster even more. Things are currently on the uphill swing for the Rangers and it’s very likely they will continue as such.
2. Vancouver Canucks (Previous rank: 1)
Finally, after being predicted all season long, the Canucks have finally started to slow down. Granted, they haven’t slowed down to a worrying amount, but still. I doubt it’ll do much to stop this team from winning the Pacific, or even the West though. It wouldn’t hurt Vancouver to try and strengthen their blue line before playoffs though.
1. Florida Panthers (Previous rank: 2)
The Panthers continue to impress at every turn. After a lackluster start to the season, this team has slowly and surely become a powerhouse. They make every single game a nightmare to play for whoever they’re facing, with their high pressure forecheck and physical play. Their high pressure works because every single player is doing exactly what the team needs at this moment in time. It’s been absolutely beautiful to watch.
