NHL Power Rankings: Week 1

With the start of the NHL season now underway, what better way to get the party started than with some POWER RANKINGS!

1. Tampa Bay Lightning
   – Tampa lost key depth players during the offseason but all of their top skill players return.
2. Colorado Avalanche
   – Not crazy about their offseason but I’m not betting against Mackinnon and Rantanen.
3. Toronto Maple Leafs
   – This is the year…this is the year the Leafs make it passed the first round of the playoffs… lol jk.
4. Florida Panthers
   – Florida will be one of the most exciting teams to watch in the NHL.
5. Carolina Hurricanes
   – Still can’t believe they let Nedeljkovic go. Dreadful off-season for Carolina.
6. New York Islanders
   – OK they’ll probably be good but are we sure they’re going to make the playoffs?
7. Washington Capitals
   – Two of the most exciting players in the league play for the Caps in Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson.
8. Boston Bruins
   – The perfection line will once again carry this team.
9. Vegas Golden Knights
   – The key to VGK’s success sits solely upon Nolan Patrick’s head…and shoulders…he’s got great hair.
10. Winnipeg Jets
    – Winnipeg shored up their defense. Is it enough to make a run to the Stanley Cup Finals? I think so.
11. Edmonton Oilers
    – Edmonton traded for Duncan Keith and his entire salary. Also McDavid and Draisaitl are good.
12. St. Louis Blues
    – Soo Tarasenko is still around. Cooooolll cool cool cool.
13. Calgary Flames
    – The Flames beefed up over the summer. I expect them to be a lot tougher to play against.
14. Dallas Stars
    – Dallas added more aging veterans to their collection over the summer.
15. Minnesota Wild
    – Kirillllllll the Thrill is back baby!
    
16. Philadelphia Flyers
    – Flyers made a lot of moves. Were they the right ones? 16 feels like a good starting point for we’ll see.
17. Montreal Canadiens
    – Montreal’s not finishing above Tampa, Florida, Toronto, or Boston.
18. Vancouver Canucks 
    – The Canucks are still soft on the back end. I like Vancouver, just not higher than 17 other teams.
19. New York Rangers
    – Rangers will be fun most nights and infuriating during others. Trade for Eichel already cowards.
20. Los Angeles Kings
    – I love what the Kings have cooking in LA. Also trade for Eichel cowards.
21. Chicago Blackhawks
    – Chicago reloaded in an attempt to win another cup with Kane & Toews. They won’t but at least they’ll be fun.
22. Nashville Predators
    – Nashville got younger during the offseason after making a push for the playoffs last season.
23. Pittsburgh Penguins
    – I’m going to get shit for this one. Yes, I saw them beat the Lightning.
24. New Jersey Devils
    – I feel like I have NJ too low. Will their offseason moves translate to more wins?
25. Columbus Blue Jackets
    – Fans get to watch Voracek and Laine completely neglect playing defense for 82 games.
26. Detroit Red Wings
    – I like the Vrana and Nedeljkovic trades. Detroit is one of those teams I just can’t get excited about.
27. Seattle Kraken
    – I think Seattle contends for their division and makes the playoffs. But since they’re new they start at 27.
28. San Jose Sharks
    – San Jose is old and overpaid. Trade Hertl to the Flyers already.
29. Ottawa Senators
    – Why the hell isn’t Brady Tkachuk signed yet.
30. Arizona Coyotes
    – I’m glad they brought back the Kachina jersey’s.
31. Buffalo Sabres
    – Buffalo is going to be good in 2-3 years.No, I’m not bsing. Trade Eichel though.
32. Anaheim Ducks
    – Trevor Zegras will contend for the Calder, but man, is there a more vanilla franchise in the NHL right now?

Let me know what you think in the comments or on social media!

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