NHL 2024-2025

[von Rantala]

Nashville

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 7,5

Defence: 8

Goalies: 8,5

Special Teams: 4PP 3PK

GM/Coach: 3GM 3Coach

Total: 37

 

Worst Contract: Brady Skjei (D)

Best Contract: Thomas Novak ( C )

Most underrated: Colton Sissons (C/RW)

MVP: Roman Josi (D)

Biggest talent: Joakim Kemell (RW)

 

Project Line-ups

 

Forsberg - Stamkos - Marchessault

Novak - O’Reilly - Evangelista

Nyquist - Sissons - Kemell

Smith - Jankowski - McCarron

 

Josi - Carrier

Skjei - Lauzon

Stasney - Schenn

 

Saros

Wedgewood

 

Key Words:

 

It wasn't surprising that Nashville re-signed Saros for a long contract. Nashville is one of the most loyal teams in the NHL. Players love to play in Nashville, because there is loud and loyal fans. Fans who do not throw players under the bus. City and weather is nice and Nashville is a safe place to live. Those and many other reasons players like to play in Nashville. Players also have left money on the table to re-sign with Nashville. Askarov asked to be traded after he saw Saros got a long contract and the team did bring Wedgewood as back up. First I was a bit surprised that Nashville wanted to bring Wedgewood to the team and didn't want to give the back up role to Askarov. Askarov stats from AHL is good, but not great. Rinne did spend 3 full seasons in the AHL. In Calgary Wolf did spend three full seasons in the AHL. Nashville is always known as a team who is patient with their youngsters. Not with everyone, but most had to spend time in the AHL first. No matter if you were a first or seventh round pick, you were treated equally. The Predators do not want to rush players to the NHL. Saros was spending time in the NHL and AHL in his first three seasons, but he was behind Rinne who was a good mentor for Saros. Askarov had all the rights to ask to be traded. Players' careers are short, when you see your team is blocked, you have to think about yourself. Cory Scheinder had to be back up / rotation goalie first to Luongo and then to Brodeur. It takes him about 8 years to be a clear starter, most of the goalies careers do not last even 3 years. I know it hurts to see your players asking for a trade, but I hope people would understand players more. Nashville did bring Conn Smyth winner to the team (Marchessault). Skjei might be a minor overpayment and it's always a bit worrying to see a player having 8M+ till he is 38 years. There is a saying in the NHL “you can't build a Cup winning team from Free agent markets” and “Free agent markets every player gets overpaid” Now if Preds make a long run or win the Cup this or next year. Does that change the NHL teams approach to FA markets? Bigger winners would be players. NHL teams copy what successful teams do. I still have doubts towards coach Brunette. I saw him a lot when he was an assistant coach in the Wild and did run PP unit. Brunette do not do a lot of changes to lines or tactics. He is not able to switch over tactics when opposite teams find weakness from his game tactics. He keeps pushing with the same tactics and line-ups. It can work in the regular season. That was the reason why he wasn't re-signed to Florida. There is a thin line on stubbornness and patience. Best coaches recognise when you need to be patient and when to do changes to tactics and line-ups.

 

Interesting player: Filip Forsberg

 

I could have chosen Alexandre Carrier who is one of my favorite players. I could also choose Evangelista or Novak, which I see huge potential and they might come up point per player this year and then it would be interesting to see how everyone will get under salary cap when the team is a contender. I do like Forsberg gaming, he made a team friendly contract. He was regular alternate captain four seasons, but he hasn't been regular alternate in past three seasons. First he did see McDonagh coming to the team and not playing a single game in predators, but was chosen to Alternate, then O’Reilly came to the team and without playing Preds he got A too. Now do they name Stammer and Marchessault as Alternate? Forsberg was loyal to the team and played very well. He is a solid scorer, twice he scored over 40 goals. Last season was his first full 82 game season since 2016-2017. Last season was his best in goals, assists and points. He is all-time Preds leader in all goals. He also had the greatest mustaches of the NHL last couple seasons. 

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

Team should be a lot stronger this year. If the team can stay healthy they might battle for victory in the Central division. They have a wide d-group and f-group. They have the top starter of the NHL, but the back up position is their biggest weakness. Team also should do a much better job on ice time management to their goalies. They were overplaying Saros heavily last season. In the last three seasons Saros played 194 games, which is the most by any goalkeeper. Saros looked tired in the playoffs and he never won a playoff series yet, and it was not showing promising when Preds traded Askarov and did not re-sign Lankinen, who both are a lot better options than Wedgewood and Chorna. Might win the division, but probably drops out in the first round.

[von Rantala]

New Jersey

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 9

Defence: 10

Goalies: 7,5

Special Teams: 4,5PP 4PK

GM/Coach: 4GM 3,5Coach

Total:

 

Worst Contract: Ondrej Palat (LW)

Best Contract: Jack Hughes (C/LW)

Most underrated: Erik Haula (LW/C)

MVP: Jack Hughes (C/LW)

Biggest talent: Lenni Hämeenaho (RW)

 

Project Line-ups

 

Bratt - Hughes - Meier

Haula - Hischier - Mercer

Palat - Cotter - Noesen

Tatar - Lazar - Bastian

 

Hughes - Hamilton

Seigenthaler - Nemec

Pesce - Dillon

 

Markström

Allen

 

Key Words:

 

I am excited about NJ's future. Now they finally have the right coach behind the bench too. World change and sometimes older coaches do not fully understand younger players. Sometimes younger players were a bit lost with Ruff. What I did hear was that Ruff wasn't the best communicator and players didn't always know why they were scratched or where they needed to do a better job. I was glad NJ hired Keefe, because he is the perfect choice for the team. In Toronto he was often scapegoated, but fact is that in Toronto he had hands tied because of poor salary cap management. NJ is like the mirror of Toronto. NJ has the best young d-group in the NHL. Great salary management. NJ has the widest group of NHL and still some younger players are just coming to the team. NJ had all the tools to be the next Dynastia team for the next 2-5 years or even longer. It feels a bit strange to put Pesce to third d-pair, but that's how wide the d-group is. Colton White, Hatakka, Kovacevic and MacDermid can all play d-role and all have to put in the waivers before being sent to AHL. So the team probably starts the season with 8-dman and could lose someone on waivers. Contract to Meier was a big mistake from GM Fitzgerald and in the salary era, even one mistake can push you out of the Cup race for several seasons. Fitz got Hughes, Hischier and Bratt to team friendly contracts, but he has paid (RFA) players more than his own players. So it's now understandable that Mercer dont want to give a discount. Luke Hughes and Nemec might want to get big salaries too. So there is a risk that the window of a possible dynasty closes before it even gets open. If Luke Hughes and Nemecs continue their great game, they can easily ask the same as what Hamilton gets now. Hamilton was given a big contract before any games in NJ. L. Hughes and Nemec also have higher potential and can push Hamilton to third d-man role and then a 9M contract might be problematic for NJ. Markström is a good goalie, but doesn't have a lot of experience in the playoffs. Four seasons in Calgary he only got once .910+ save percent. He has got under 2,5GA only once in his NHL career. NJ had goalie problems last season and it still is their biggest question mark, can Markström stay healthy and can NJ find a replacement in the future if needed. Dillon might look like a strange signing, but he brings an important veteran touch on the d-group. Team also has Cup winning experience on Palat, who need to get a bounceback season. Palat and Haula are valuable parts of PK and winning teams need players who can play in all the situations from PK to PP and wings to center, product in offensive zone and zone.

 

Interesting player: Simon Nemec (D) and Luke Hughes (D)

 

Nemec has very high potential. He was second overall pick in the 2022 draft. L. Hughes is the fourth overall pick of the 2021 draft. L. Hughes and Nemec are probably the best d-man prospects in the Devils since Niedermayer, Rafalski and Stevens. Hughes is left and Nemec right shooting, so they might be future dynasty d-pair for the team. Luke had good chemistry with his brother Jack in the PP last year. So they might be the best brother duos in the NHL since the Sedin brothers. So it will be interesting to follow L. Hughes and Nemec development.

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

NJ is my biggest Cup favorite from the east. They should get a boost from a new coach and young players are a year older.  If Markström can stay healthy and play solid hockey, NJ is my favorite to win the Cup from the east.

[von Rantala]

New York Islanders

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 5,5

Defence: 7

Goalies: 9

Special Teams: 2,5PP 3PK (Total 5,5)

GM/Coach: 2,5GM 3Coach (Total 5,5)

Total: 32,5

 

Worst Contract: Adam Pelech (D)

Best Contract: Anthony Duclair (W/C)

Most underrated: Noah Dobson (D)

MVP: Noah Dobson (D)

Biggest talent: Cole Eiserman (LW)

 

Project Line-ups

 

Tsyplakov - Horvat - Barzal

Lee - Nelson - Palmieri

Duclair - Pageau - Wahlström

Engvall - Cizikas - Fasching

 

Pelech - Dobson

Romanov - Pulock

Reilly - Mayfield

 

Sorokin

Varlamov

 

Key Words:

 

Islanders have probably the NHL worst prospect pool. This year the Islanders drafted Eiserman in the first round. It is the Islanders first, first round pick in the last five years. From 2020 to 2023 drafts Islanders drafted a total of 21 players and only two players played in Islanders and only Räty played more than one game. Who will remember players on which Islanders traded their first round picks? Horvat, Pageau and Palmieri are those players which the Islanders did use their picks on. Because the Islanders have been drafting badly, using first round picks in trades isn't such a bad plan. The Islanders are a bit odorless and tasteless team. Lamoriello is 81 years old. I do have huge respect towards the elders, but his style of running the team looks old. His last Cup was from the 1994-1995 season. No matter if you are a player, coach or GM, you have to be able to change your habits and methods to stay competitive in sports. Sport is developing all the time and everyone needs to develop himself too. Asking players to shave their beards and use low numbers is outdated. Sorokin had a difficult season. Varlamov was their starter in the playoffs. Especially Sorokin gave a lot of goals from the glove side. It was too down. Same issue as Mikko Koskinen had. Roy also said that Sorokin had back problems, maybe those did affect his gaming. I do give the Islanders very high goalie rating, because Roy gets goalies to play a bit better, the system should favor goalies and Sorokin was Vezina finalist 2023. Varlamov was in Colorado at the same time with Roy and played his career best hockey and was Vezina finalist in Colorado 2014. Islanders fired Lane Lambert mid season. He was in a difficult spot, he was the successor of Barry Trotz. Lambert had an aging group who didn't have a lot of offensive potential. Team has 13 players who have no-trade or no-movement clauses. That's very bad contract management. It makes rebuilding long and difficult, if needed.

 

Interesting player: Anthony Duclair (W/C)

 

Duclair was playing well in the SJ and even better in TBL. Islanders is Duclair ninth team. His longest time in one team is three seasons. Why is Duclair traded so often? His new caphit is his highest so far, but I think it can be a steal for NYI. Duclair probably left money on the table to get NTC clauses for the first two years and modified 16 team no-trade clauses for the last two seasons. Duclair has been irregular and playoff records aren't great, but he can play any forward position and has potential for 50+ point player.

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

Islanders have always been a minor mystery for me. They do not use the same tactics as most NHL teams. They always had their own path. When most teams try to copy Cup teams, Islanders try to win with their own tactic which was a bit more popular in early 2000. It will be very difficult for them to get top 3 in Metropolitan so they are in the race on the last Wild cards. I see them going ahead of a long rebuild rather than being a Cup contender. Roy is a great coach and could drag Islanders to playoffs, but that would need other teams failures or injury problems. No playoffs in this season.

[von Rantala]

New York R

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 9

Defence: 9

Goalies: 10

Special Teams: 4PP, 4PK (Total 8 )

GM/Coach: 4GM 4,5Coach (Total 8,5)

Total: 44,5

 

Worst Contract: Jacob Trouba (D)

Best Contract: Vincent Trocheck ( C )

Most underrated: Chris Kreider (LW)

MVP: Igor Shestyorkin (G)

Biggest talent: Gabe Perreault (RW)

 

Project Line-ups

 

Panarin - Trochek - Lafreniére

Kreider - Zibanejad - Smith

Othmann - Chytil - Kakko

Cuylle - Carrick - Vesey

 

Lindgren - Fox

Miller - Trouba

Jones - Schneider

 

Shesterkin

Quick

 

Key Words:

 

Laviolette has always been one of my favorite coaches. Kakko and/or Trouba might get traded before the season starts. Kakko's development hasn’t been on the level that Rangers waited for the second overall pick. Kakkos’ first two seasons were plagued by Covid. Covid was the first time in NHL modern history that two season players didn't get a lot of chances to practice or play normal amounts of games. Kakko is not the only player whose development got slower than projected.  Kakko is fifth in goals and seventh in points from the 2019 draft class. I still believe he has potential to be a solid 50-70 pointman in the NHL.  Shesterkin was awesome in the last playoffs and Quick was one of the best backup goalies last season. This will be Shesterkin's contract last season and Rangers were not able to re-sign in the summer. It's been rumored that he wants to get 11M+ and be the highest paid goalie. Not long ago Rangers were in the same situation with Lundqvist. Henrik did sign a new contract with them and left money on the table. How did Rangers thank Henrik? By trading him to Washington so he couldn't retire as Rangers. That has to be the mind of Shesterkin and for sure would be in my mind in his shoes. So seeking max value from Rangers is understandable. Since Shesterkin rookie season (2019-2020) He is firth in victories, behind Vasilevskiy, Hellebuyck, Saros and Bobrovsky who all played at least 30 games more. He is second behind Ullmark in save%, third in GAA behind Swayman and Ullmark (min 100 games) and tenth in shutouts. Playoff stats are even stronger. Third in wins and first in Sv%. So for me he is worth 11M and even more. Othmann might surprise and get Calder votes. Team contract management is very good. Rangers have been a difficult place for young players lately.

 

Interesting player: Vincent Trocheck  ( C )

 

The Trocheck contract is one of the NHL's best contracts. He is one of those many Carolina players who left the team without any compensation and been successful elsewhere. Carolina chose to be childish and make stupid offer sheet to Kotkaniemi and then re-sign him to an expensive contract, which left Trocheck without a contract. Trocheck was MVP against Carolina in last season's playoffs. Trocheck is always a guy who is good, but not good enough for a first line center role. He was behind Barkov in Florida and behind Aho in Carolina. There isn't any shame in being a second line center. Especially if you are one of the NHL best second liners. I am waiting for a strong season again from Trocheck.

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

Top three of the Metropolitan are tough. NJ will be a hard opponent. Because of the experience of long playoff runs, Rangers should be stronger in the playoffs this season. If you want to find weakness from a team, it's their d-group who could need one more offensive minded defender, but Schneider development can be the answer to that problem. Will fight their chance to play in conference finals against NJ after that everything is possible.

Edited September 26 by von Rantala

[von Rantala]

Ottawa

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 8

Defence: 5

Goalies: 8

Special Teams: 3,5PP 1,5PK (Total 5)

GM/Coach: 1GM 2Coach (Total 3)

Total: 29

 

Worst Contract: Joshua Norris ( C )

Best Contract: Shane Pinto ( C )

Most underrated: Michael Amadio (W/C)

MVP: Brady Tkachuk (LW)

Biggest talent: Carter Yakemchuk (D)

 

Project Line-ups

 

Tkachuk - Stützle - Batherson

Pinto - Norris - Giroux

Perron - Greig - Amadio

Cousins - Gregor - Bourgault

 

Sanderson - Jensen

Chabot - Zub

Kleven - Bernard Docker

 

Ullmark

Forsberg

 

Key Words:

 

Team hasn't done so great job on drafting. They probably give Bourgault some time in NHL this season. Two first units are very solid ones. Ottawa doesn't have wideness on the bottom lines. It's possible that Sogaard will get some games too. Sogaard has played well in the AHL, but struggled in the NHL. Senators have fully nordic goalie foursome, they might sign Tokarski too who is PTO now. Since Craig Anderson left the team after 2019-2020 Senators used 12 goalies which 4 had more than 35 games. Forsberg leads in starts, wins and Sv% (.906%) is second in GA (3,06) and leads in shutouts (5). Stanley Conterder cant give 3 goal against per game. Senators traded Gustavsson to Wild in exchange for Talbot. If you give 12 goalies a chance and non work, you can't blame goalies, then the issue has to be somewhere else. Team defensive game has to improve. Goalies' self confidence is key, it's difficult to find self confidence if every game you give up 3-5 goals when the team does not defend well enough. Team d-group is young but thin. Coach choice was a bit surprising and strange. Travis Green is former coach of Vancouver and New Jersey. 2017-2021 Vancouver points per game and Goal against per game were sixth worst (3,14) I doubt he is the right man to solve defense problems and get the team to playoffs. He coached Vancouver once to the playoffs. Only time will tell who won the Ullmark trade. Worst scenario for Ottawa is that Korpisalo has a strong season in Boston and Ullmark doesn't re-sign with the Senators. Then Senators gave first round pick (25th overall) and retained 1.000M Korpisalo salary to only save 3M next four seasons. It's part of “new NHL” to give young first round picks a big long paycheck before the last season of their contracts. Stützel, Tkachuk, Norris, Sanderson and Chabot all have about 8M caphit each. So far they kept the core intact. So far Sanderson and Chabot haven't been able to be players what salary demands. Norris had a lot of injury problems. Reason why teams make these long big contracts is that everyone believes salaries are raising and then it should not be hard to trade guys who have 7-9M salary and high potential, but everytime when Caphit go higher so goes players salaries. Many teams don't have room to take 7-9M contracts to their rosters especially when there has been injury problems or players have not reached his potential and their star is falling.

 

Interesting player: Linus Ullmark (G)

 

There is a lot of hope on Sens fans that Ullmark can be that long awaited savior in the goal. Last year they did the same on Korpisalo. Goalie is the spot where team play affects most on personal stats too. Behind a great defensive team you can look like a super goalie and behind a weak team you can look like an overpaid AHL goalie. In Boston Ullmark had slightly better overall stats in regular season, but in playoffs his stats was far away from Swayman. Having .887% and 3.59GA behind a team like Boston is worrying. Can Ullmark be the starting goalie that Ottawa has been searching for a long time and can he be the goalie who leads the team to the Cup? Will Ullmark re-sign with Ottawa or will he be a trade deadline asset if the team isn't in the playoff race? He is a Vezina winner, so he should get a raise in next contract.

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

On paper Ottawa should be a playoff team. Start of the season is key. Team can not be dropped too far behind in the first half of the season.  On paper Ottawa goalies and forwards are good for the playoff race, special teams are solid too, but GM and coach can make a huge difference. Team shouldn't be re-tool or rebuilding team anymore, so anything other than a playoff spot is a disappointment.

 

 

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[von Rantala]

Philadelphia

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 5,5

Defence: 7

Goalies: 4,5

Special Teams: 1,5PP 4,5PK

GM/Coach: 2GM 4Coach

Total:

 

Worst Contract: Rasmus Ristolainen (D)

Best Contract: Morgan Frost ( C )

Most underrated: Scott Laughton (C/LW)

MVP: Travis Konecny (RW/LW)

Biggest talent: Oliver Bonk (D)

 

Project Line-ups

 

Tippett - Frost - Konecny

Farabee - Couturier Michkov

Foerster - Laughton - Brink

Cates - Poehling - Hathaway

 

Sanheim - York

Zamula - Drystale

Seeler - Ristolainen

 

Ersson

Fedotov

 

Key Words:

 

I think it's safe to say that the Flyers were a positive surprise to all NHL fans. Maybe even Flyers fans didn’t wait for the team to have such a strong season, when the Flyers should have been in the middle of rebuilding. Flyers had a crazy season, they were in third place of Metropolitan till the last weeks of the regular season. They pulled out goalie and Washington scored in the empty net and took the last playoff spot in the last game of the regular season. “Thank you Flyers” was one of the quotes of the season. I do respect that they fight till the last seconds of the regular season. They had Gauthier “saga”. with impartial eyes it looks that both sides handled that badly. Gauthier wasn't the first prospect who asked for a trade. The way he did it, got all the flyers fans and organization upset. Briére (GM) and Keith Jones (President) didn't need to make it worse in the media by repeating the mantra “we don't want players who don't want to play for flyers” Gauthier is a Pittsburgh fan, is young guy who is still under influence of parents and managers. Last season the Flyers finally got Ivan Fedotov (G) from the KHL to NHL. There had to be some kind agreement to not talk about the trip to Siberia and the army. They probably also agreed that the next salary would be over 3M when they did bring him to the NHL. Team defense group isn't actually bad. There are guys who fit the game style that Flyers use under Tortorella. After the season Tortorella expressed his desire to change role to GM. So far Briére has done a solid job, so if Tortorella wants to change office roles, he has to look for a job elsewhere. What causes question marks? How long Tortorella will be Flyers coach? Will Flyers let Tortorella change team if someone needs a new GM? Flyers have good goalie prospects on Ersson, last season was Ersson first as starter. Fedotov was struggling, but he didn't get any practice games in North America. It's not easy to adapt and change EU game style  to NHL game style. Especially for goalies it's more difficult. In the EU, the rink is different in size. So you have to make adjustments to your game and timings. For players it's a bit easier, but for goalies very difficult. Harri Säteri was in samekind situation a couple years ago, when he was put on the Arizona goal. That destroyed Säteri's NHL career. Outside of the NHL there are good goalies too, who could be 1A or 1B opinion for many teams. The Flyers got Michkov from the KHL. The Flyers made small riks when drafting him. There has been news that he is a bit of a difficult person and can cause problems off the ice. He will get into the Tortorella school. He does not take any bullshit from anyone. He keeps you accountable all the time. 

 

Interesting player: Sean Couturier ( C )

 

Couturier has always been one of my favorite players. Last season was difficult for him. It's not everyday to see Captain being healthy from scratch in his prime years. He basically lost one and a half seasons because of injuries. It's not easy to come back after long injuries. This year the former Selke winner will bounce back. I do think he will be high in Selke votes this season. 

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

Will Brink and Foerster take the next step in their development? Can they play top 6 min regularly? Can Ersson be more regular? How Fedotov plays? Those are key questions heading to the season and if or not Flyers taking the playoff spot. They weren't so active in the FA markets, because they didn't need to be. Very difficult team to predict, the team might take third place in Metro or drop out of the playoffs. Will be thigh. So I say, they will take the playoff spot, but drop out in the first round.

 

 

 

 

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[von Rantala]

Pittsburgh

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 7

Defence: 8,5

Goalies: 5

Special Teams: 3,5PP 3PK (Total 6,5)

GM/Coach: 2GM 4Coach (Total 6)

Total: 33

 

Worst Contract: Erik Karlsson (D) 

Best Contract: Sidney Crosby ( C )

Most underrated: Michael Bunding (LW/RW)

MVP: Sidney Crosby ( C )

Biggest talent: Joel Blomqvist (G)

 

Project Line-ups

 

Bunding - Crosby - Rust

McGroarty - Malkin - O´Connor

Rakell - Hayes - Puustinen

Glass - Eller - Puljujärvi

 

Pettersson - Karlsson

Graves - Letang

Grzelcyk - Pickering

 

Key Words:

 

Team offense group is wide, and better than people think. Pittsburgh might try to trade Rakell, but there might be guys like Acciari, Beauvillier, Bemström, Lizotte and Nieto in the waivers, of course Pittsburgh might also go with more veteran team and send younger player McGroarty to AHL, but i dont think team put Puustinen or Glass to waivers.  It was a bit of a mystery why Pittsburgh PP didn't work last year. I do believe this year it starts to work better, they might jump to top 5 on PP%. I am not a Puljujärvi fan(yet), but I do think he will bounce back and will be an important player for the team at the end of the season. Puustinen has done a solid job in the AHL and was good in his first season in the NHL. McGroarty might be a wild card and if he takes a spot in the line ups, he might fight in the Calder Trophy for the best rookie. My wild card for the d-group is Pickering, it will not be easy to take spot on the line ups, but Pittsburgh might try a mix of veterans and youngsters this season. Karlsson's trade looks bad now. Karlsson has played his best hockey, when has freedom to attack and be offensive d-man and be the engine of PP. In San Jose he was struggling with his game when San Jose had Burns in the team. Once Burns was traded and Karlsson got more freedoms from defense duties, he made 100 points in one season, which is an amazing amount for a defender. I truly admire what Pittsburgh is doing. I like that team is loyal to the core players. Players who have brought 3 Cups to the team. Chicago, who also won 3 Cups with their core, chose a different route and they traded and did not re-sign their core players and started full rebuild and got first overall pick and Bedard. Only time will tell who made the right choice. Being loyal to players makes the team look better and more desirable for the players. Crosby re-signed to a team friendly contract again and is still team MVP at age of 37.

 

Interesting player: Joel Blomqvist (G)

 

Once Finland was known for their goalies. They were known as land where everyone should draft goalie to their team. Finland was a forerunner on how to teach goalies, goalie training and goalie coaches. Then many Finnish goalie coaches were hired to the KHL and now we can see many Russian goalies in the NHL. Then NHL teams started to hire Finnish coaches. Now seven NHL teams have Finnish goalie coaches. Joel Blomqvist might be the first Finnish goalie who has potential to be NHL starter and future Vezina winner since Juuse Saros. Blomqvist is a Kärpät prospect. He had the same coach as Rinne and Bäckström had in Kärpät (Finland) Ari Hilli is a great goalie coach. Blomqvist will likely start the season in AHL, but will get time in NHL too. He likely will be a future starter in Pittsburgh. He has very high potential. Lately NHL teams have been more patient with their goalie prospects. Wolf had to play 3 seasons in the AHL. Nashville's plan was to give Askarov a third season in the AHL too. The NHL is so fast nowadays, that goalies get more and more injuries and less games. So teams want to be careful when bringing young goalies to the league.

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

Can Jarry be the starter that teams need? Can the team get powerplay working? There shouldn't be problems on scoring, but can they keep puck out of their own net is the biggest question mark. I hope that Pittsburgh takes the playoff spot, but if the start is difficult, it might cost Sullivan his job. I predict that this year Pittsburgh will be back in the playoffs.

[von Rantala]

San Jose

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 5,5

Defence: 4,5

Goalies: 4

Special Teams: 3PP 4,5PK (Total 7,5)

GM/Coach: 2,5GM 2Coach (Total 4,5)

Total: 26

 

Worst Contract: Marc-Edouard Vlasic

Best Contract: Fabian Zetterlund (LW)

Most underrated: Mikael Granlund (C/RW)

MVP: Mikael Granlund (C/RW)

Biggest talent: Macklin Celebrini ( C )

 

Project Line-ups

 

Eklund - Celebrini - Granlund

Toffoli - Smith - Zetterlund

Bordeleau - Wennberg - Kunin

Dellandrea - Goodrow - Graf

 

Ferraro - Walman

Thrun - Ceci

Mukhamadullin - Benning

 

Blackwood

Askarov

 

Key Words:

 

Sharks have NHL best prospect poll. They have big prospect names on every role and spot. Their future will be bright. Grier has done a great job, but there are some bad trades too. Hertl trade got a lot of criticism at first, but might be Griers best trade. Hertl has never been point per player, his record 74 points in 77 games are from the 2018-2019 season. SJ wouldn't have been able to get Askarov without Hertl trade. I doubt SJ would have sent their first round pick, which might be in the top 5 next summer. So when they got a first round pick from Vegas on Hertl trade. They were able to acquire Askarov from Nashville. Also Endström, who was part of Hertl trade, was sent to Nashville. So basically you could say Hertl was traded to Askarov and there is risk Hertl game sees dip and his contract would have been a “problem” contract when SJ window to playoffs opens again. Grier has made a very fast re-build. I hope Granlund and Kunin can have big roles in the team when San Jose is back to the playoffs. Granlund and Kunin are my biggest idols and favorite players atm. I was so lucky to be able to follow them play first in Wild, then in Nashville and now in San Jose. When they got Alternate Captains roles last season, I was very very happy. Giving ratings for the offense group was difficult. Because i am so big fan of Granlund and Kunin, i give them a lot value and its difficult to rate Celebrini, Smith and Eklund who all could play great seasons, but rating potential is hard, because you can't give too much value for potential, because there is many variables on the long season time. Last year's news I was saying that the Sharks might be the only team who doesn't have any 30 or 20 point D-man and I was asking who will start all the attacks from their own zone. That problem is the same this year too. They put a lot of weight on Thrun, but still it might be difficult to get out of their own zone in this season too. San Jose got Walman “free” from Detroit. He is 28 years old, but still has not reach full potential. If he stays healthy, can he get close to 50 points this season? Team PK might surprise all. Team has a lot of great PK specialists in the forwards group. Rangers put Barcley Goodrow to waivers this summer and SJ did pick him. It was reported that Goodrow was unhappy and he had San Jose into his No-Trade list. I fully understand why Goodrow was unhappy. He didn't want to go play in San Jose, which is not a Cup contender. I fully understand why Rangers did it, he had too big a salary for his role in the contender team and Goodrow can blame only himself for that. I also understand why San Jose did pick him from waivers. They had to get over the salary floor. What I don't understand is, why did San Jose make him Alternate Captain, if he didn't want to come play for the Sharks? That gives a bit of mixed up signals. Is he given an Alternate Captain role to make him happy and that he will join the team? What signals do the Sharks give to Sharks young players? In next contract negotiations, do they ask Alternate A or Captain C? Only time will tell. Maybe Goodrow was just shocked at first.

 

Interesting player: Luke Kunin (C/W)

 

Yes I could have put Celebrini or Will Smith to this, but there are a lot of articles on those two. I could have put Granlund too, who is a big idol to me. I chose Kunin this time, because I love his gaming and he became my idol too when he was playing in the Wild. He is doing charity work. In 2021 he launched the Luke Kunin T1D fund. Luke Kunin was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age of 12. He gives hope to everyone who has diabetes, that you can make it to the NHL and you can make a career in sports with Type 1 diabetes. I love his game style. He reminds me of Mikko Koivu on some areas. Kunin gives his everything on the ice and off the ice. He is ready to fight and make big hits. He is a great two-way player. Is a great penalty killer and excellent in the defense zone. He maybe did not come as high scorer as was expected, but he is still young (26). Now he might get a chance to play with Celebrini and/or Will Smith, and rookies can get huge benefits playing with Kunin. When Kunin takes care of defensive responsibilities and takes care of your health too, when he is ready to fight, if someone tries to play dirty games with you. I really hope that both Granlund and Kunin can stay in San Jose long and bring the Cup to San Jose someday and hopefully in the near future. 

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

It will be a difficult task. There are too many question marks. What I do know is that San Jose should be back in the playoffs soon. There are several teams in the NHL who have made their rebuilding several years with having first overall pick or couple. Is Warsofsky the right coach for the team? This season gives indications on that. SJ should take a couple positions up and should not be the last team of West anymore and as a fan (team or players) you always believe in your team or players.

[von Rantala]

Seattle

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 6,5

Defence: 6

Goalies: 6

Special Teams: 3,5PP 4PK (Total 7,5)

GM/Coach: 1,5GM 2Coach (Total 3,5)

Total: 29,5

 

Worst Contract: Philipp Grubauer (G)

Best Contract: Jared McCann (C/W)

Most underrated: Jared McCann (C/W)

MVP: Joe Daccord (G)

Biggest talent: Shane Wright ( C )

 

Project Line-ups

 

McCann - Beniers - Bjorkstrand

Burakovsky - Stephenson - Tolvanen

Schwartz - Wright - Eberle

Tanev - Gourde - Winterton

 

Dunn - Larsson

Oleksiak - Montour

Evans - Borgen

 

Daccord

Grubauer

 

Key Words:

 

Logan Morrison could take a spot from training camp. Team has a couple NHL ready prospects, so signing Stephenson was a bit of a strange move, they could have given that role to Wright or Winterton and give more NHL time to Morrison too. Firkus also could surprise and play 9 games at the start of the season. Burakovsky has to bounce back, the team probably would like to trade his contract, but it's not easy now. Seattle has four good lines, every line could be a solid second or third line in Stanley contender. Seattle just miss superstars from the roster, McCann has potential to be superstars for the team under the right tactic. Seattle also wishes that Beniers bounce back and if Seattle is in the playoff run, Beniers might get Selke votes. He has potential to be a Selke finalist. Team did pay too much to Montour. Stephenson and Montour contracts can look very bad after this season. Grubauer also is the most expensive back up. He has three seasons under .900 save% Daccord almost played Krakens to the playoffs last season. Last three seasons Seattle wanted to force Grubauer to the starter role. Daccord was third back up for Grubauer and when Grubauer got injury problems, Seattle was forced to use back up more, which opened up a chance for Daccord. It's key for Seattle's success that Daccord can continue on the same level as last season. I do acknowledge that there might be some better players than Daccord after one year as starter, but for the Seattle potential playoff chances, he has the biggest role. Ron Francis contract management has been very poor. He gives way too big salaries to players. This is Seattle's fourth season, it's time that there is more than just one own draft pick playing a regular NHL role. When do we see Seattle first drafted defender or goalie in a regular NHL role? Bylma has been doing a good job in AHL. He has led his teams twice to AHL finals.

 

Interesting player: Chandler Stephenson (C/LW)

 

I have to admit, Seattle is a team who I have not seen playing a lot. Stephenson got a big paycheck, he earned that now. In his last contract he was underpaid and a lot. Last caphit was 2,75M. He played three over  50 point seasons and had 20 points in 22 games in Vegas' run to the Cup. I think most and I included, are worried that prior to joining Vegas his best season was 2017-2018 when he had 18 points in 67 games. He didn't play a regular role in Washington. So what version of Stephenson do we get? Expansion teams Vegas and Seattle have shown that there are more star level players, but they just haven't got a chance to play in top 6 and PP roles in their old teams. So how much icetime Stephenson gets, will be the biggest factor on how he will produce in Seattle. As I say, the contract might look bad very fast, but it also might be a good one too. Before judging players and contracts, let's give them an honest chance first.

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

In my papers, I see Seattle as a playoff team this season. Last season news, I did not believe their playoff chances, but now after adding Stephenson and Montour, having Daccord as a solid starter and having a new coach,  I do believe in their playoff chances. Some prospects also are ready for the NHL. I believe they will take third or second place in the Pacific, but will drop out in the first round.

[von Rantala]

 

St. Louis

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 7

Defence: 5

Goalies: 5,5

Special Teams: 2PP 2PK (Total 4)

GM/Coach: 3,5GM 2Coach (Total 5,5)

Total: 27

 

Worst Contract: Radek Faksa ( C )

Best Contract: Joel Hofer (G) 

Most underrated: Robert Thomas (C/RW)

MVP: Robert Thomas (C/RW)

Biggest talent: Jimmy Snuggerud (RW)

 

Project Line-ups

 

Buchnevich - Thomas - Kyrou

Texier - Schenn - Holloway

Neighbours - Bolduc - Saad

M. Joseph - Sundqvist - Toropcehko

 

Leddy - Parayko

Broberg - Faulk

Perunovich - PO. Joseph

 

Binnington

Hofer

 

Key Words:

 

One of summer's biggest stories was GM Amstrong two offer sheets to the Edmonton restricted free agents Holloway and Broberg. I like it and it's good for the fans and players. Hopefully in the future, we can see more offersheets.There is rumored to be a so called “gentlemen's agreement”, that other GM’s not make  offersheets to RFA players. This will be Amstrong second last season as GM. So he didn't have anything to lose. He is also one of NHL most respected GM’s. He did send an extra third round pick to Edmonton. In my mind, the rules of the offer sheet should be changed. Either teams are not allowed to make public offer sheets or players' decisions should be private till the last day. I do believe St. Louis gives Holloway a real chance to play top 6 minutes and if he stays healthy, he should play career year this season. Broberg has high potential and might be their future dynasty defender. So let's hope he can stay healthy, head can take heat and he gets a real chance to prove his skills. Forward group is wide and I left players like Faksa and Kapanen  outside of my roster. Faksa could go on waivers. Last season I predicted that Hofer would take the starter role from Binnington, maybe I was a year too early on my prediction. Binnington has not been great since the Stanley Cup run. Last season was a lot stronger than the last two prior. He is a bit of a mystery, probably to his teammates too. He might get long hot streaks and cold streaks. He might lose his nerves, which cost St. Louis important points. You can win a Cup with a goalie who has his hot streak at the right time. So it's worth keeping him on the roster. To be in the Vezina race, he should find more regularity to his game. Hofer is an interesting name. He is St. Louis fourth round pick and every year he has improved his game. Can he continue his improvement and take the starting role this year? Drew Bannister was named as head coach mid-season. I don't know him, so it will be interesting to see where he leads the team on his first full season as NHL head coach. Neighbours might be the St. Louis youngest player at age of 22. 

 

Interesting player: Alexandre Texier (C/LW)

 

Texier is one of my favorite players and he has potential to be a top 6 forward. He can play any forward position, PP and PK also. He could start as a third line center or second line wing. St. Louis is his second NHL team. He already had a regular role in Columbus, but did spend the 2022-2023 season in the Swiss league. He wanted to be close to his family. He is a regular face in the France national team. He is fifth in NHL France players list and this year he might become the third France player to reach 100 points. Hockey is a small market in France, but players like Texier can increase the popularity of sports in France. Every country starts as a small market, so it will be interesting to follow Texier's journey and impact what he might have for France hockey markets.

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

Central is a difficult division to predict and to play. St. Louis should be 4-6 best team in the division. St. Louis might take the playoff spot. Bannister came to coach mid-season and the sample size for me is too small to get a clear picture on what direction he can lead the team. On paper St. Louis should be a playoff team. Even though that prospect poll is not their advantage, there are young players who can improve. There are 3-6 players who in the right environment can play their career best years, what would push St. Louis over the playoff line and maybe even to top 3 in the division. So I am a bit bold and put St. Louis as a sleeper from Central, who will take top 3 in division and go to the second round.

[von Rantala]

Tampa Bay

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 8,5

Defence: 8

Goalies: 8,5

Special Teams: 4PP 4PK

GM/Coach: 4,5GM 5Coach

Total: 42,5

 

Worst Contract: Erik Cernak (D)

Best Contract: Nikita Kucherov (RW)

Most underrated: Brandon Hagel (LW)

MVP: Andrei Vasilevskiy (G)

Biggest talent: Conor Geekie ( C )

 

Project Line-ups

 

Guentzel - Point - Kucherov

Hagel - Geekie - Paul

Goncalves - Cirelli - Atkinson

Girgensons - Glendening - Sheary

 

Hedman - Moser

McDonagh - Raddysh

Cernak - Perbix

 

Vasilevskiy

Johansson

 

Key Words:

 

Tampa was mean and disrespectful towards Stamkos. Captain who led them to two Stanley Cups (Yes had injuries in first Cup run). They chose four year younger Guentel. Tampa has been example on team who make new contracts one season prior contract is ending. Some have worked well, but some do not like the Cerna contract, what is in my mind overpayment. Team also did bring McDonagh back to team. I believe that Stamkos would have signed with same caphit what McDonagh have (6,75M) BriseBois was ruthless and if its work, some GM’s and teams follow that example. Did Kucherov cast a curse when he was disrespectful towards Montréal? He didn't need to use Salary Cap jersey. Atkinson is good player and wild card i wait him to bounce back. Can he even take a key role? Or will he be more as back up guy in fourth line? When it was asked from players, who would they take at the goal if they need to win one game. Vasilevsky had most votes my large margin. He got 47% of votes when second most (Shesterkin) got 6,5%. Vasilevsky has won Vezina once, Hellebuyck and Bobrovsky twice. Still Vasilevsky is seen as best goalie of the world by players. Vasilevsky is two time Cup winner, and one time Conn Smyth winner, so ofc thats increase his value. He prove that with him, team can win. Vasilevsky last two season has been difficult. Injuries had big role on those, but last two playoffs he posted 3-8 3.41GA and .885%, those all are second worst from goalies who played at least 10 games. In every stats only Hellebuyck having worse stats. If Tampa bay wants to get in the playoffs this year. They need Vasilevsky return to his own level as top goalies of the league. Team hopes that bringing McDonagh and adding Moser to the defense group should help to reduce the goal against. It can´t be so high anymore. Moser is underrated defender who i believe will make big break through this year. How does Stamkos leaving factor on powerplay? Can Point or Guentzel take his role as shooter? Geekie might take a regular role on the team rightway, but with him or without him the team offense group looks lighter than those three Stanley Cup finals run. I underrated Johansson last year. If he can improve even more from last season, it would help the whole team.

 

Interesting player: Conor Geekie ( C )

 

I did put Geekie as second line center, when I type this, he is still part of the NHL roster and has not been sent to Juniors or AHL. Geekie came to Tampa Bay in trade with Utah. Utah got Mikhail Sergachev. In my papers this is a huge win for Tampa Bay. Moser and picks would be even trade, in my papers, but adding Geekie to it, was a huge win. Geekie might be the jackpot for Tampa Bay. He has potential to be a dynasty center for Tampa Bay. Conor comes from a hockey family. His father and two brothers have also played hockey and Morgan Geekie is playing in Boston this upcoming season. No matter if Geekie takes a spot from training camp or not, he will be an interesting player to follow when his potential is so high.

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

Atlantic division is difficult to predict. There are several young teams like Ottawa and Buffalo who are just waiting to burst. It's just a matter of time, when they are in the top 3 of the Atlantic division. Then there are teams like Toronto and Florida who should be powerhouses in the regular season. Then there are teams like Boston, Detroit and Tampa Bay who are a bit tricky to predict, because on paper, they are clear playoff teams, but all don't have room to take playoff spots and all teams are some kind of intersection. What is their direction? Is it flat? Is it going up or down? In overall rating (42,5) Tampa Bay is even with NJ. NJ who is my favorite to win the Cup from the east. Ratings I just do what teams look like on the paper, but everyone can clearly see that NJ is a future team and their future looks more promising than Tampa Bay. They are going in different directions in many people's papers. I would like to be bold and say Tampa Bay will drop out, but they are hungry and they know what it needs to win and Vasilievky is healthy. So my heart/intuition says they are out, but sense says they take the playoff spot, but drop out in the first round.

[von Rantala]

 

Toronto

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 9

Defence: 8

Goalies: 6,5

Special Teams: 4PP 4,5PK (Total 8,5)

GM/Coach: 2,5GM 3,5Coach (Total 6)

Total: 38

 

Worst Contract: Timothy Liljegren (D)

Best Contract: Anthony Stolarz (G)

Most underrated: Mitch Marner (RW)

MVP: Auston Matthews ( C )

Biggest talent: Easton Cowan (C/W)

 

Project Line-ups

 

Knies- Matthews - Marner

Cowan - Tavares - Nylander

Robertson - Domi - McMann

Järnkrok - Dewar - Kämpf

 

Reilly - Tanev

Ekman Larsson - McCabe

Benoit - Hakanpää (Liljegren)

 

Stolarz

Woll

 

Key Words:

 

Team yet again starts the season with the same core. They tried all except the breaking core. They have signed a new goalie(s), they hired a new GM and new coach. If the team does not win the first round this year, is it Shanahan's turn next? Every savings that comes when the salary cap goes up, goes to the same core four. Now we should say core five, when Nylander got a salary raise. Toronto created culture, when they gave big contracts after the rookie contract ended. Everyone earned those contracts and you can’t never blame players for taking money. It's the GM's job to keep the team competitive and have good cap control. Now if Knies plays a very strong season, he might get an 8-10M+ salary too. Toronto is probably the hardest place to play hockey. When you play well, you are the king of the city. Everyone loves you, but when you struggle, you can't fly under the radar, like in some smaller hockey markets. Toronto media can be ruthless. I admire that Toronto is staying loyal to their players. If i give criticism on giving big salaries, i do admire them for being patient and believing in their system and players. Organization do not throw players under the bus, like some other organizations have done. Do Maple Leafs let Marner walk free next summer? Stolarz is an underrated goalie. I am glad that he finally will get a chance to take the starter role. Woll is good too, but sample size is a bit too small. Goalies should not be a problem this year and if you pay goalies 4.1M (Murray included) you can't ask them to fight on Vezina Trophies. Toronto has a couple young promising players coming, but they will probably start the season in the AHL because of a two-way contract. I put Hakanpää on the roster, I believe he will surprise us all and is able to play. Dont underestimate (Finnish)Sisu. Hakanpää is one of the NHL best PK guys. I did see a Finnish interview once, where he says he takes great pride in playing in the penaltykill and he enjoys teaching and helping younger guys on secrets of the penaltykill. Tanev and Hakanpää might play 80% of PK times. Tanev might not play full contract time, but he is a great puck blocker. One of the best defensive defenders. If Hakanpää is able to play, Hakanpää and Tanev can be difference makers that have been missing. We know that Toronto can score, now they should be stronger in the d-zone too. Tanev and Hakanpää also bring a lot of leadership to the locker room too. Reilly still needs help, the team is still missing a second offensive/playmaking defender. Is Ekman Larsson answer to that? 

 

Interesting player: Auston Matthews ( C )

 

Matthews was named as Captain this summer. I have never been a Matthews fan, because I never had a player like Matthews as my idol or in teams which I followed. He almost made 70 goals last season. In the last game Toronto tried everything to get him the seventieth goal. After the game ended you were able to see him and the whole team disappointed. No matter who or what team, everyone would have tried to get a 70th goal to their teammate. I admit, I was blind to Matthews overall gaming. He is not just a great shooter and scorer, he works on both ends. He is not just an offensive force who is a liability in own zone. You could use him in the PK too. He is also the first NHL player who truly takes advantage of rising salary cap. When many star players sign big and long contracts. He signed big, but shorter contracts. There is nothing wrong with betting yourself. He believes he can continue strong gaming and earn a salary bump on next contract when the salary cap is rising. There isn't anything wrong with that, but sametime he left himself open to criticism. If you earn  top money, you have to be top every night, especially in the playoffs. So it's a two way road, you give something to get something back. He had success in the regular season, but he needs to earn his paycheck in the playoffs too. Raise to the same level as Draisaitl, McKinnon, McDavid and Rantane. Players who play over point per game in the playoffs. If he is able to win the Cup and play over point per game in the playoffs. Then no one (me included) can't complain about his salary.

 

Playoff prediction:

 

I am bold and I put Toronto Conference finals against NJ. If they can win NJ they can win Cup finals too. On paper this is the best Toronto team that I have seen. Is Berube the right coach for the team is the biggest question mark. Only  thing where Toronto got weaker was in coaching. I do believe that Sheldon Keefe is a better coach than Berube, even though Berube has a Cup. In that run St. Louis Blues had momentum and a hot goalie. If players are able to turn that heat and negativity that they had to deal with the last couple years and turn that as strength, use that as a shield they can win all.

[von Rantala]

Wasnt able to post team yesterday. So today i will try to post two. Here is the first one.

 

 

Utah

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 6

Defence: 6

Goalies: 4,5

Special Teams: 3PP 2PK (Total 5)

GM/Coach: 2GM 3Coach (Total 5)

Total: 26,5

 

Worst Contract: John Marino ( D)

Best Contract: Matias Maccelli (LW/RW)

Most underrated: Nick Schmaltz (C/R)

MVP: Clayton Keller (RW/LW)

Biggest talent: Tij Iginla (LW)

 

Project Line-ups

 

Keller - Cooley - Guenther

Maccelli - Schmaltz - Crouse

Hayton - Bjugstad - Doan

Stenlund - Carcone - Kerfood

 

Sergachev - Durzi

Välimäki - Marino

Cole - Kesselring

 

Ingram

Vejmelka

 

Key Words:

 

Utah made trade with Tampa on Sergachev and gave up on the Geekie and Moser exchange. In my papers that was a big win for Tampa, it was strange how Utah gave Geekie in exchange. Geekie can be a future franchise center. Cooley can be a great center, but Geekie might be better and if you want to win the Cup, you need to have two strong centers. Sergachev just had big injuries and he has been able to play only one season with his full potential. This trade might look bad in a couple years, but it might be a win & win trade too. Last season was Ingram's best and he was clearly better than Vejmelka. Ingram was a waiver pick from Nashville. Ingram, Tolvanen and Forsling are all great waiver picks. Can Ingram continue his strong play might ultimately decide if Utah takes the playoff spot or not. Vejmelka never been able to keep GA under 3.35. His career SV% is just under .900 Andre Tourigny has done a solid job. End of December team was in the last Wild Card and had a 3 points bumper to Edmonton (last non playoff team). The 14 game losing streak from 24.Jan to 29 Feb did kill their playoff hopes. Before that, they were still in the playoff hunt. It was a common trend in Arizona that they did go through long losing streaks. Utah did also bring Marino to the team. Defense group looks stronger this year and we should see fewer goals against and more goals for. Durzi is still young and can improve, now he gets help and he is not so alone on starting offenses. Utah dont have any bad contracts. Their contract management has been good. Bill Armstrong has done a better job on drafting lately. If Utah will not start well or not take steps forward in the division, it will probably cost Tourigny his job, even though I believe he is a good coach.

 

Interesting player: Josh Doan (RW/C)

 

Utah starts fresh, it doesn't bring old Winnipeg and Arizona/Phoenix records or retired numbers. It's a fresh start, but it was great to see Josh Doan playing a couple games for the Coyotes. Team where his dad played whole career. Shane Doan is a legend in Arizona. He could have joined some other team and trying to win the Cup, but he was loyal to the team, which most players didn't even want to come play. So Coyote's last games in Arizona was something special and Josh Doan got the best possible start for his career in the NHL. He made 5 goals and 9 points in his 11 games with the Coyotes. He played College hockey in Arizona. Can he become the same kind of legend in Utah as he dad is in Arizona, only time will tell, but Arizona fans got memorable last games.

 

Playoff prediction:

 

West and especially Central is a difficult division to predict. Might take the last Wild card, but it would need some of the stronger teams struggling. Arizona was seventh in the Central last season. Now I see them fifth or sixth. Team future looks bright and promising. Should be in the playoffs in a couple years.

[von Rantala]

Vancouver

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 8

Defence: 7

Goalies: 9,5

Special Teams: 3,5PP 4PK (Total 7,5)

GM/Coach: 3GM 4Coach (Total 7)

Total: 39

 

Worst Contract: Elias Pettersson (C/W)

Best Contract: Quinn Hughes (D)

Most underrated: Teddy Bluegers ( C )

MVP: Quinn Hughes (D)

Biggest talent: Arturs Silovs (G)

 

Project Line-ups

 

DeBrusk - Miller - Boeser

Sprong - Pettersson - Garland

Joshua - Bluegers - Höglander

Heinen - Suter - Sherwood

 

Hughes - Hronek

Soycy - Myers

Juulsen - Desharnais

 

Demko

Silovs

 

Key Words:

 

Vancouver lost a couple big pieces. Losing Lindholm and Zadorov hurt. Especially Zadorov who was great in the playoffs, but sametime Vancouver avoided overpaying them. They did use money to DeBrusk in the forward group and they did bring Forbot and re-signed. Hronek and Myers. Somehow Myers always plays his best hockey when contract is expiring. He is playing what looks like overpayment for two or three seasons, but in that one year, you can get a solid return on the money. Hronek has been underrated. He has always been a guy who has hot streaks and then long cold streaks in the same season and this time he did disappear in the playoff time. That can't happen again, if Vancouver wants to go to the playoffs and make a long run there. Even though I do think Hronek is underrated, he got a little bit too high of a salary cap.  I think Soucy is underrated, but last season was a bit difficult. Just one season over 100 points and two season points per game pace was enough and Vancouver offered a massive 11,6x8 contract to Pettersson, which already looked bad when Pettersson struggled in the playoffs. Apart from Hughes' contract, Vancouver does pay a little bit too much salary to their players. Miller played a great season last year, but before that, his contract did look untradable. Can Joshua continue his progress? Can he elevate his game to the same level with Hyman? Joshua could play in the third line too. D-group leaves a lot of question marks. Team lives in the fact that Hughes can stay healthy. What is the goalie´s health situation before the start of the season? Latest updates indicate that Silovs and Lankinen will be starting goalies. It's not known yet how long Demko has to be out. Lets remember Vancouver was able to win without Demko too. They didn't lose to Edmonton because they didn't have Demko on goal. Silovs did a good job and is an underrated goalie prospect. In a couple years he can challenge Demko for a full time starting role. Lankinen is upgrade to DeSmith. Lankinen wanted to sign with Vancouver, because Vancouver have his old goalie coach from Finland (Marko Torenius). Last season I predicted Vancouver taking third place in the division. Vegas and Edmonton struggles open them a chance to win division, but they did it by themself anyway. This season is probably one step backwards, but the 2025-2026 team should be dangerous. It depends on how Pettersson will play and how the team will continue to progress their talents. But the cores look good. It looks like President Jim Rutherford decides on trades and signings and GM Patrik Allvin runs daily responsibilities and jobs. It's common now in the NHL that Presidents have a bigger role and call on trades and signings.

 

Interesting player: Conor Garland (RW/LW)

 

Garland was one of the best Vancouver players in the playoffs. He had eight most points, but his skating and overall game was at a high level. The Joshua-Bluegers-Garland line was the best line in many games and I think it was the best line in game seven against Edmonton. Garland had legs and he was skating when other players were struggling with skating. Will be interesting to see if Garland continues in the third line with Joshua and Bluegers, or if he takes a regular role in the top 6. If he can take the next step and become a 60-70+ point man, it would help Vancouver a lot. Can he do what Miller did last year? Surprise everyone and play career year?

 

Playoff prediction:

 

Even though I think the team takes one step backwards, I do believe they will be in the top three in the Pacific division. I believe we will see a re-match with Edmonton in this season's playoffs. When these two battle, everything is possible. It is possible that one team will win 4-0 or it might go to game seven overtime. In Vancouver I see a brighter future than many others. They have promising prospects coming to the team. Will go to the second round in the playoffs.

Edited October 7 by von Rantala

[von Rantala]

Vegas

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 7,5

Defence: 9

Goalies: 7

Special Teams: 3,5PP 4PK (Total 7,5)

GM/Coach: 4GM 4Coach (Total 😎

Total: 39,5

 

Worst Contract: Tomas Hertl (C/LW)

Best Contract: William Karlsson ( C )

Most underrated: Nicolas Roy (C/RW)

MVP: Jack Eichel ( C )

Biggest talent: Trever Connolly (LW)

 

Project Line-ups

 

Hertl - Eichel - Stone

Barbashev - Karlsson - Holtz

Dorofeyev - Roy - Olofsson

Kolesar - Howden - Brisson

 

Hanifin - Pietrangelo

McNabb - Theodore

Hague - Whitecloud

 

Hill

Samsonov

 

Key Words:

 

Vegas is a team who isn't known for being loyal to the players. Vegas has been ruthless. Who remembers Vegas trading Fleury for a seventh round pick. They are able to lure players to the team with big paychecks, but in the future players might start to avoid signing with Vegas. Team has used LTIR wisely, it's not against rules, so you have to give them credit for using that. Personally I think that some of LTIR money should be taken into account on the Salary cap, or if you are in the LTIR when the playoffs starts, you aren't allowed to play in playoffs, but because it is now allowed, you can't complain. I did put Eichel as MVP, but Vegas needs Adin Hill to be MVP if they want to make a long playoff run. Goalies are a minor question mark. Is Hill the true number one goalie, or did he just have a hot streak in the Vegas Cup run in the 2023. Last season's start was strong, but Hill had injury problems and wasn't a Vegas starter against Dallas. Hill did play the last three games and did take one win when he played shutout in game six. Vegas wasn't able to keep the Conn Smyth winner Marchessault. They chose to sign Hanifin. Their d-group was already stacked. I have to ask, wouldn't trading Theodore be better than losing the fan favorite and team first and only Conn Smyth winner? Vegas has used a very different approach to building a team. Usually teams build their teams around their own draft picks. Vegas has shown you can keep your team competitive by trades. Vegas doesn't have a first round pick in the coming two drafts. This summer they drafted Trevor Connelly in the first round. How long does his rights stay in Vegas? Will Vegas be active at the next trade deadline? Samsonov will join his third NHL team. Akira Schmid might get some games also. Hertl trade might be bad, last season Hertl had struggles to get used to Vegas gaming tactics. He also played only one over point per game season. Trading Logan Thompson was a very bad trade. His contract is one of the NHL best contracts. Why pay Samsonov more? Thompson has higher potential. Vegas should have got a lot more on Thompson. It reminds me of the Fleury trade. It seems like McCrimmon is lazy and just accepts the first offer that he gets. Fleury and Thompson's return should have been a lot higher. Even first round, prospect and second round pick could have been possible. At some point this careless roster management might bite them.

 

Interesting player: Nicolas Roy (C/RW)

 

Roy came to Vegas on Erik Haula trade. Just like Haula, Roy is an underrated player. Player who can play PK, PP, center and wingers roles. He has a 3,0M contract, which is one of the best contracts in the NHL. He plays around 15.00 min every game. From Roy you always know what you get. Usually Vegas uses him in a shutout role, but he has potential to make more points. Now Marchessault and Stephenson left the team. So this year he should get a more offensive role. If he is able to stay healthy, I expect a career best season from Roy.

 

Playoff prediction:

 

On paper they should be a clear cut playoff team. Last season they were struggling and barely made it to the playoffs. Why? Reasons were Cup hangover and injuries. Now they shouldn't have Cup hungover anymore. If you look at the Vegas roster more closely. You can see that the winger group is thin, a lot more thin than Edmonton or Dallas. Goalie is a minor question mark. Is the team full of stars, or is the team united and playing for the team? There are a lot of question marks and a lot can go wrong. Vegas is a scary team, because when they are hot they are a difficult team to beat. They are also ruthless, so you can never count them out. I make a little bit of a bold prediction and say they will be out of the playoffs.