Maybe the NHL postseason did not end the way that I had in mind, but that is besides the point. Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Penguins for winning their fourth Stanley Cup. Now that every team has entered the offseason, it is time to reveal which teams are in the best shape heading in the summer months. Here is the first NHL Power Rankings of the offseason.
1. Pittsburgh Penguins
They might not have been the best team during the regular season, but they took off after the All-Star break and snatched Lord Stanley away from everyone else. They should be able to keep most of their star players heading into next season, but there are still questions about whether Matt Murray should start over Marc-Andre Fleury and what kind of role Bryan Rust should play after his outstanding postseason. Meanwhile, I will sit here wondering how the Penguins won when sharks are much higher on the food chain. Biology problems…
2. Washington Capitals
This was supposed to be a season for the ages, but Washington once again faltered in the postseason. This time, they fell to the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. Words cannot explain how crucial it is for Washington to win the Stanley Cup next season. It may affect whether Alex Ovechkin is still on the team.
3. Dallas Stars
If there is any reason to be happy following their Game 7 meltdown against St. Louis, it is the fact that their objective during the offseason is crystal clear. First, they need someone besides Antti Niemi or Kari Lehtonen in goal (Ben Bishop?). Second, they need a better defense to go with it. Whatever they do, they better not touch the offense. Their hands probably would be burned, anyway.
4. Florida Panthers
Florida just jumped to the top of the NHL this past season, and they might only get better. They already pulled off a trade with Vancouver that gave them Jared McCann, which added to they lengthy list of young scorers on the team. Unless Roberto Luongo can duplicate Jaromir Jagr’s durability, Florida may have to consider finding a replacement soon.
5. Tampa Bay Lightning
Washington has the championship pressure, but Tampa Bay has all of the offseason pressure. Not only does Steven Stamkos need a contract, but Andrei Vasilevskiy is putting pressure on Ben Bishop. With both goalies’ contracts expiring next season, Steve Yzerman has a crucial decision to make. Check http://isportsweb.com/2016/06/13/tampa-bay-lightning-keeping-vasilevskiy-better-bishop/ for my opinion on it. Did I forget to mention that Nikita Kucherov is a RFA?
6. San Jose Sharks
They may have been two wins away from the Stanley Cup, but that does not mean they are the second-best team in the NHL. Logan Couture is probably going full speed ahead next season, along with Joe Pavelski and Brent Burns. Unfortunately, Joe Thornton is getting old, and he may have a decline next season. Also, we will know for sure if Martin Jones is here to stay a year from now. This team went from afterthought to Western Conference champions in one season, and now the Sharks have to prove that they are for real starting in October.
7. St. Louis Blues
The Blues are the opposite of Dallas. They have no problems with their defense, but their offense, even with Vladimir Tarasenko and Robby Fabbri, could use some help. It does not help that David Backes might not return to St. Louis next season. Perhaps trading Kevin Shattenkirk for a heavy load of offense is the best strategy.
8. Los Angeles Kings
After a tumultuous 2014-2015, the Kings got their act together. Then they fell flat to their arch rivals in the playoffs. As expected, Darryl Sutter got a contract extension. Meanwhile, Dustin Brown is no longer LA’s captain, so this may be Anze Kopitar’s team for a while.
9. Chicago Blackhawks
After what seemed like an eternity of playoff success was abruptly stunted, the Hawks had nowhere to go but down. It is a mystery what this team will look like after all the trades they pulled at the deadline, and Patrick Kane has the pressure of pulling an encore after what was hands down the best performance for any player this season. Considering the competitiveness of the Central Division, the Blackhawks are not as great as they were in February.
10. Anaheim Ducks
For a team that was destined for the 20’s after October, the Ducks should be very proud of how they concluded the regular season. After Nashville ended their season, however, someone needs to replace Bruce Boudreau behind the bench. Tampa Bay assistant Rick Bowness is getting consideration, and maybe he can bring some of the playoff success that the Lightning exhibited over the past two seasons. Oh, and maybe a couple of Lightning players as well.
11. New York Islanders
It took 23 years, but the Isles finally won another playoff series. As long as John Tavares is leading this team, they should only get better, especially since there are so few championship contenders in the Eastern Conference. Keep a close eye on Swedish goalie Linus Soderstrom in the years to come. He could be a serious threat as the team’s starter by 2020.
12. Nashville Predators
The Preds were isolated from the rest of the Central Division after finishing fourth, and that certainly helped. They took care of Anaheim in seven games and made the Sharks sweat in another seven games. Ryan Johansen was a great addition for a team in desperate need of more offense, but Nashville should find some more help. Perhaps Jordan Eberle would be a good fit.
13. Minnesota Wild
Would it be crazy for the Wild to be considered Stanley Cup favorites? Probably, especially since Bruce Boudreau has not been known as a playoff guru. If there is hope, however, it is because the Pittsburgh Penguins were a second wild card last season, made minimal noise, and responded with a championship run this season. Minnesota was in the same situation in 2016: unimpressive, yet a playoff team. Let the fans of the State of Hockey rejoice?
14. New York Rangers
They are basically going in the opposite direction as Pittsburgh. After all, they were the first team that hit the runaway train in this year’s playoffs. Henrik Lundqvist may be declining, and their current core is not enough for this team to remain competitive. Fortunately, they play in Manhattan, which is a hot spot for free agents like, *gasp*, Steven Stamkos. Also, J.T. Miller should have a lot to look forward to after busting out this season.
15. Philadelphia Flyers
After surging to the playoffs this season, one thing is very certain. Michal Neuvirth deserves to be the starting goaltender next season, and the front office should start treating him like it. Few goaltenders were as good as Neuvirth was in his abbreviated time in the playoffs.
16. Buffalo Sabres
This may be my surprise pick, but there is a valid reason behind it. No team has a future as bright as Buffalo. In their first season after picking up Jack Eichel, the Sabres went from the worst team in hockey to a team that was actually as close to the playoffs as they were to the Leafs. It is time for NHL fans to learn about their somewhat unknown roster because it will likely be the most envious one as soon as next season.
17. Ottawa Senators
This team charged into the playoffs in 2015, but whatever got them there was left behind. They have plenty of young scorers that could go to the next level, and Zach Smith went on a goal attack of his own. Also, Erik Karlsson finally found a defenseman that can somewhat keep up with him (Cody Ceci). It would not be surprising to see the Sens make some noise in the offseason and turn themselves into a consistent playoff threat.
18. Detroit Red Wings
You have to feel bad for Detroit. Not only has Gordie Howe, the legend above all other legends, passed away, but Pavel Datsyuk may be done with the NHL. Even if he returns, however, things look bleak for the Wings. They BARELY kept their playoff streak alive, but their leadership is aging fast and Dylan Larkin/Tomas Tatar might not be enough to extend it any further. The Wings are generally lucky with their draft picks, but it may be time to look for a higher pick. To make matters worse, the Joe Louis Arena is being put to rest next year, and it will be hard to find similar championship magic in the recklessly-named Little Caesars Arena.
19. Montreal Canadiens
Carey Price will return next season, but he may not be as automatic as he was in 2014-2015 with his stretch of injuries. It will be hard for Price to regain his comfort in goal considering how ripped up the rest of the team looks. Besides Max Pacioretty, PK Subban, Brendan Gallagher, and Alex Galchenyuk, none of the other players have proven to be game changers. If Price is as good as he was a couple years ago, however, then it may not matter, as the Habs may have the best chance of returning the playoffs out of all the eliminated teams.
20. Winnipeg Jets
This team underachieved this season. Their potential was clearly shown in the final stretches of the season, when they won four straight to finish their schedule. This included all three games in the playoff-crazy state of California. Mark Scheifele, Dustin Byfuglien, Nikolaj Ehlers and Blake Wheeler are outstanding players to build a team around. Also, Connor Hellebuyck may be in for an even bigger year, and I am still bitter that he finished the season in the AHL. Oh, and the Jets have the second pick in the draft. This team may be very dangerous next season.
21. Boston Bruins
If Detroit wants some comfort for their dim future, they can look to Clam Chowderville. No team has been as embarrassing as the Bruins; not because they are a bad team, but because they do not know how to clinch a playoff spot. Zdeno Chara is running out of time in the NHL, and Boston can only hope that Brad Marchand, David Krejci, Patrice Bergeron, and Torey Krug can keep this team afloat. Unfortunately, the bottom might be falling out during the offseason.
22. Carolina Hurricanes
While the young Canes are getting close to relevancy, the front office is one gigantic mess. Peter Karmanos Jr’s own children are suing him, and Ron Francis is doing all he can to refute the claim that the Hurricanes are moving out. The expansion could change things up if it occurs. If it does not, however, Carolina could be in serious trouble. The Eastern Conference has two more teams than the Western Conference, and relocating the Hurricanes, which currently share a college’s arena and is last in attendance, to a western market could even things out. As a student of the University of South Carolina, it pains me to say that the one Carolina hockey team is in danger.
23. Calgary Flames
The Flames are basically the poor man’s version of the Dallas Stars. They have a young of offensive players that know how to score, but the defense is a travesty. While Dallas may go all out with a big name free agent, the Flames may have something brewing in their own system. Joni Ortio is the best option for the starting goalie right now, but Calgary needs to find a better backup. Karri Ramo is hurt, and Jonas Hiller is the main reason why the Flames fizzled out. The way Matt Murray broke out, he or Marc-Andre Fleury may be expendable to the benefit of Calgary. Also, can someone please end the havoc involving Dennis Wideman? It is turning into the NHL’s version of Deflategate!
24. Columbus Blue Jackets
The rest of the teams made little noise this season and probably will not next season. There is one Jacket that is making noise, however. Oliver Bjorkstrand’s unexpected legacy is rising by the minute. He scored in overtime on Sunday to give the Lake Erie Monsters their first ever Calder Cup. In translation, CLEVELAND WON SOMETHING!!!! Considering the fact that the Blue Jackets’ AHL affiliate was previously in Springfield, I am a little bitter about it. On the other hand, Bjorkstrand busted out in his first 12 games, and he may be the main player to watch next season.
25. Edmonton Oilers
Maybe 2017 is the year Edmonton does something productive? At least they have a new arena to work with. Edmonton might be making a lot of moves this season, not only so that they can try to build a more competitive team around Connor McDavid, but also to give good players, like Jordan Eberle, the opportunity to play on a guaranteed playoff contender. If no improvements are made, then the Edmonton carousel shall continue.
26. Colorado Avalanche
Tyson Barrie may be on the move, but Patrick Roy is not. Unfortunately, his teams have done nothing since his first season as head coach. The current core of Matt Duchene, Nathan McKinnon, and Gabriel Landeskog has not made this team any better. If there is one team not in rebuilding mode that needs it, then that team resides in Denver.
27. New Jersey Devils
Corey Schneider had a big part of helping the Devils into becoming one of the better defenses in the league. Unfortunately, he did not have the luxury of having a successful offense. In fact, the Devils were dead last in scoring. Clearly Kyle Palmeiri and Adam Henrique need some help, and it is likely that some of New Jersey’s targets (Valeri Nichushkin and Tanner Pearson) may not solve those problems. Things are not looking optimistic in Jersey.
28. Toronto Maple Leafs
They may be considered the worst team in the NHL, but they do have the first pick. That may be enough to get them out of the cellar, for what it is worth. William Nylander is also a sure bet to make the Leafs a contender following next season. Leafs fans can rejoice, somewhat, because Phil Kessel went to Pittsburgh and won himself a giant trophy. Can he come back, now?
29. Arizona Coyotes
I hate to have my doubts about “Moneypuck”, especially since Billy Beane had so much success with it. Last time I checked, however, that strategy is beginning to fade and the Athletics are floundering. Arizona hired 26-year-old John Chayka to be their GM, and he will likely following Beane’s logistics. I have a better idea. Get a better goaltender (assuming someone actually wants to play hockey in the desert) and ride Max Domi and Anthony Duclair to glory. If a shakeup follows the hiring process, then maybe a dust devil will carry this team to the middle of nowhere. I mean, that is what has happened to the nearby Suns and Diamondbacks.
30. Vancouver Canucks
I would not call this team a disaster by any stretch. It is just that their mostly brilliant runs from the previous ten years have come and gone, and the Canucks are inevitably entering the rebuilding process. Ryan Miller will likely give way to Jakob Markstrom, and the Sedins have done as much as they could do for the BC franchise. They recently traded for Erik Gudbranson, but this offseason, and the ones to come, will be more about shaving the top and starting over. Hopefully. This plan will likely make them better off than the vastly shady Bruins, the team that took away their coveted Stanley Cup.