NHL 2025-2026

[von Rantala]

I was able to do NHL news for this season and as always i post them in alphabetically. I made it little bit smaller this time to save my time and energy. Some teams i know better and i was able to write longer text on them. Some teams i dont know so well so text is bit smaller. I hope you enjoy reading NHL news and NHL season start soon. Enjoy!

 

Anaheim

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 6,5

Defence: 5

Goalies: 7

Special Teams: PP 3 / PK 1,5

GM/Coach: GM 1,5 / Coach 3,5

Total: 28

 

Worst Contract: Jacob Trouba (D)

Best Contract: Frank Vatrano (W/C)

Most underrated: Mikael Granlund (C/W)

MVP: Leo Carlsson (C/LW)

Biggest talent: Roger McQueen (C/RW)

 

Project Line-ups

 

Terry - Carlsson - Granlund

Gauthier - McTavish - Kreider

Vatrano - Strome - Killorn

Johnston - Poehling - Colangelo

 

LaCombe - Zellweger

Mintyukov - Trouba

Luneau - Gudas

 

Dostal

Husso / Mrazek

 

Key Words:

 

Very high potential. When you do ratings it is difficult to rate potential. Even though that offence is 6,5 and defence 5 both can easily be 8 at the end of the season. Anaheim signed Joel Quenneville as coach. He is a very good coach, but is it the right time for him to return? Anaheim has three NHL goalies. Dostal is a clear starter. Mrazek and Husso share that backup role. It's starting to be more normal for teams to play three goalies. At the trade deadline either Husso or Mrazek could be used as trade assets. My favorite player, Granlund, signed a three year contract with Anaheim. So now Anaheim will be my number one team to follow. I did put Granlund, Anaheim's most underrated player, even though he now gets 7M per year. I think overall he is underrated and does not get acknowledgement from the public and media. Wherever he played, he always has been coach favorite players. Player who has high game TOI and plays both PP and PK. Granlund can be a very good mentor for Anaheim young players. I expect this season to be a breakthrough season for Carlsson and I expect him to be a point per game player. The Anaheim d-group is young and there is LaCombe, Zellweger and Mintyukov who could all make 50 points per season. Is this the season when some of those make breakthrough seasons?  

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

Under Quenneville Anaheim is a playoff contender. The long rebuild should end and the team should take the playoff spot, but the defense might be too thin for the playoffs and the team could give too many goals against.

 

[von Rantala]

Boston

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 5,5

Defence: 6

Goalies: 8

Special Teams: PP 2 / PK 2

GM/Coach: GM 2 / Coach 1,5

Total: 27

 

Worst Contract: Elias Lindholm (C/RW)

Best Contract: Pavel Zacha (C/LW)

Most underrated: Hampus Lindholm (D)

MVP: David Pastrnak (RW/LW)

Biggest talent: James Hagens (C/LW)

 

Project Line-ups

 

Zacha - Lindholm - Pastrnak

Minten - Mittelstadt - Geekie

Jeannot - Beecher - Arvidsson

Eyssimont - Kuraly - Khusnutdinov

 

Lindholm - McAvoy

Zadorov - Jokiharju

Lohrei - Peeke

 

Swayman

Korpisalo / DiPietro

 

Key Words:

 

Boston should start a rebuild, but GM Sweeney doesn't want to admit that re-build is needed. He might be the next GM who gets fired. Lindholm's first season in Boston was a big disappointment. Swayman season was also difficult. The season already started before Swayman signed a new contract and it made his season difficult. Korpisalo didn't get a bounce back season as I waited. There have been rumors that Korpisalo might get traded before the season starts. Same with Mittelstadt, he might get traded before the season starts. DiPietro might get some games and Boston might use three goalie tactics if Korpisalo is not traded. Boston got a small win in the drafts when they were able to draft James Hagens. Before last season, Hagens was listed number one draft pick, but as the season progressed he lost some ground in draft rankings. Still Hagens is a good draft pick from Boston. Boston signed Jeannot to a 5 year 3,4M contract, which many see as overpayment. Boston has a couple other expensive contracts. Lindholm, Mittelstadt, Arvidsson and Korpisalo all have a bit expensive cap hit. Contracts are tradeable, so if a team decides to rebuild they can trade those contracts.

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

Starting a long rebuild. Miss the playoffs.

 

[von Rantala]

Buffalo

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 6,5

Defence: 8

Goalies: 6,5

Special Teams: PP 3 / PK 2,5

GM/Coach: GM 1 / Coach 1,5

Total: 29

 

Worst Contract: Jordan Greenway (LW/C)

Best Contract: Alex Tuch (RW/C)

Most underrated: Alex Tuch (RW/C)

MVP: Rasmus Dahlin (D)

Biggest talent: Radim Mrtka (D)

 

Project Line-ups

 

Benson - Thompson - Tuch

Zucker - McLeod - Quinn

Kulich - Norris - Danforth

Doan - Krebs - Greenway

 

Power - Dahlin

Byram - Kesselring

Samuelsson - Timmins

 

Luukkonen

Levi / Lyon

 

Key Words:

 

Devon Levi was once rated the most talented goalie outside of the NHL, but his NHL career hasn't gotten off to a flying start. Last two seasons he spent mostly in AHL and this season Buffalo brings Lyon to back up Luukkonen. Buffalo might be one of the teams who use three goalie tactics. It's the last year of Alex Tuch's contract. Contract which has been NHL bests contracts for a couple last seasons. His next contract could go close to 10M, maybe even more if goes to free agent markets. Buffalo has missed the playoffs now 14 times, which is a record. I was surprised when Buffalo signed Lindy Ruff as they head coach last season. It's Ruff's second stint in Buffalo. I was also surprised that they didn't fire Ruff after season. The Buffalo season was poor and difficult. On paper they have a very strong d-group, but in reality it was very leaky and it allowed way too many goals. GM Kevyn Adams might be the next GM who gets fired, if the season starts poorly. Buffalo did bring Columbus former GM Jarmo Kekäläinen as senior advisor role.

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

 If Buffalo is able to fix their defence problems, they might be in the playoff race, but will miss the playoffs 15th time.

[von Rantala]

Calgary

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 7

Defence: 5,5

Goalies: 7

Special Teams: PP 3 / PK 3,5

GM/Coach: GM 2 / Coach 2,5

Total: 30,5

 

Worst Contract: Jonathan Huberdeau (LW/RW)

Best Contract: Dustin Wolf (G)

Most underrated: Mikael Backlund (C/LW)

MVP: Dustin Wolf (F)

Biggest talent: Zayne Parekh (D)

 

Project Line-ups

 

Huberdeau - Kadri - Zary

Farabee - Frost - Coronato

Coleman - Backlund - Sharangovich

Lomberg - Kerins - Pospisil

 

Weegar - Andersson

Bahl - Parekh

Bean - Pachal

 

Wolf

Prosvetov

 

Key Words:

 

Calgary is on the verge of  rebuilding, but decided to re-tool. Calgary has lost some big names in the last couple years. Including Tkachuk, Monahan and Hanifin. Only Parekh might be a big draft talent from recent drafts. Parekh might take a spot on the roster after training camp. He is a promising d-man who should either play in the NHL or AHL. There is nothing left to prove at junior level. If Parekh plays well it could make Andersson trade easier. The Wolf contract 850 000 is not an entry-level (rookie) contract. It's his second contract which he signed in summer 2024. The Wolf contract is one of the best contracts in the NHL. Wolf is a small goalie, but extremely talented. He is the first Calgary goalie since Kiprusoff who has the talent to win Vezina and hold the team up when it struggles. Calgary did bring Provetov from the KHL back to the NHL. His last stint was not easy. He played 24 games and posted a poor 3.70GA and .881sv% record in Arizona and Colorado.

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

Re-tool might turn into a full rebuild this season. Will miss the playoffs.

[von Rantala]

Carolina

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 8,5

Defence: 7,5

Goalies: 6,5

Special Teams: PP 3,5 / PK 4,5

GM/Coach: GM 3 / Coach 4,5

Total: 38

 

Worst Contract: Jesperi Kotkaniemi (C/LW)

Best Contract: Eric Robinson (LW)

Most underrated: Sebastian Aho (C/W)

MVP: Sebastian Aho (C/W)

Biggest talent: Alexander Nikishin (D)

 

Project Line-ups

 

Ehlers - Aho - Jarvis

Svechnikov - Stankoven - Blake

Martinook - Staal - Hall

Carrier - Kotkaniemi - Robinson

 

Nikishin - Slavin

Miller - Chatfield

Gostisbhere - Walker

 

Key Words:

 

Goalies big questionmark and been difference on conference finals when Carolina lost those. From the last 13 conference finals games, Carolina has won only once. Sebastian Aho is in my mind one of the NHL most underrated players. He left money on the table when he signed his long 8 year 9,75M contract. He wanted to think about what is best for the team. Last season Carolina first made a big mistake when trading Rantanen before making sure he wanted to re-sign a contract with the team. Aho, Rantanen's good friend, tried to talk to Rantanen, but Rantanen wanted to go elsewhere. Carolina game style is a style which many players don't want to play. In Carolina game style you just dump the puck and then try to win it back. It eats a lot of energy and individual points. Some other teams Aho might be a 100 point player and would get more acknowledgement. Star players just don't like the Carolina gamestyle. Rantanen was struggling in Carolina, but shining in Dallas and Colorado. Stankoven, returning from the Rantanen trade, might have a breakthrough season this year and become a point per game player. Stankoven also signed a very team friendly 6 million contract which starts the 2026 season. Nikishin is a very interesting talent. He has potential to be rookie of the season. Aho and Jarvis have good chemistry, so I would keep them together. Carolina wins more games when they play in the same line. K’Andre Miller, who came from Rangers, his salary looks like a small overpayment.

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

Is Cup contender, but New Jersey and Rangers are stronger this season. Is third in division and in the playoffs will drop in the second round.

[von Rantala]

Chicago

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 6

Defence: 4

Goalies: 5,5

Special Teams: PP 2 / PK 2

GM/Coach: GM 2 / Coach 2

Total: 23,5

 

Worst Contract: André Burakovsky (LW/RW)

Best Contract: Teuvo Teräväinen (C/W)

Most underrated: Connor Murphy (D)

MVP: Connor Bedard (C/LW)

Biggest talent: Anton Frondell ( C )

 

Project Line-ups

 

Teräväinen - Bedard - Donato

Bertuzzi - Moore - Nazar

Burakovsky - Dickinson - Mikheyev

Foligno - Lafferty -  Reichel

 

Vlasic - Rinzel

Kaiser - Levshunov

Korchinski - Murphy

 

Knight

Brossoit/Söderblom

 

Key Words:

 

Connor Bedard has been a minor disappointment. He has not been able to be a league top star player yet, but he doesn't have star power to help him to success on a higher level. Defensive play has been a huge minus on his game. Looks like other teams have scouted his dangerous shot. Donato was one of the season biggest surprise players, he played career year, can he continue that, before he was third/fourth liner. The Chicago defence group is probably the NHL youngest. Only Murphy has played more than 200 games. It's risky to use this inexperienced d-group. Chicago probably gives more goals against because that and goalies have many difficult nights ahead. Chicago signed Jeff Blashill as new coach. It's an interesting signing. Blashill is a highly rated coach, but some assistant coaches never shine in the head coach role. It would be fair to give him a couple years as coach before making too big conclusions. When writing this Nazar just signed a 7 year 6,6M contract. He only played 56 games when signing the contract, but it might be a very good contract in a couple years, but there is risk it might be a bad contract too. Chicago drafted Anton Frondell in the last summer draft. He is a very highly rated prospect who can be the next Barkov. He is very good in two-way hockey and if Chicago won the draft lottery next summer, I wouldn't be surprised if they trade Bedard.

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

Waiting another difficult season, rebuilding is still underway. Could be the last team and get the best chance to draft McKenna.

[von Rantala]

Colorado

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 8,5

Defence: 10

Goalies: 8

Special Teams: PP 4,5 / PK 3

GM/Coach: GM 4 / Coach 4,5

Total: 42,5

 

Worst Contract: Josh Manson (D)

Best Contract: Cale Makar (D)

Most underrated: Artturi Lehkonen (LW)

MVP: Cale Makar (D)

Biggest talent: Ilya Nabokov (G)

 

Project Line-ups

 

Lehkonen - MacKinnon - Necas

Landeskog - Nelson - Nichushkin

Olofsson - Drury - Colton

Kelly - Bardakov - Kiviranta

 

Toews - Makar

Girard - Manson

Malinski - Burns

 

Blackwood

Wedgewood

 

Key Words:

 

When writing this Necas dont have a contract yet. Do they sign him or trade him before the season starts? Or do we see the same thing happening with him as we did see on Rantanen. It was a huge failure from Colorado to trade Rantanen to Carolina before making sure he will re-sign there. It was the worst nightmare to see Rantanen in the same division. Colorado was a better team in last year's first round series against Dallas, but Rantanen single handedly dropped Colorado. I think Makar is the best player in the world atm, but McDavid gets all the headlines. Makar's next contract will be massive. Giving up Calum Ritchie on the Brock Nelson trade could be a massive mistake. It could be same caliber as Filip Forsberg -> Martin Erat trade. Nelson also signed a new 3 years 7,5M contract. Is he answer on the second line center problem, what the team had since losing Kadri. Ironman Brent Burns signed a one year contract with Colorado to win the Cup. It's probably his last contract. Can he play all 82 games at the age of 40 years? Landeskog returned to lineups in last year's playoffs. After being out of hockey the last three regular seasons, he did look good. How strong will he be when playing a full 82 regular season? Is Mackenzie Blackwood Cup contender number one goalie, is he able to lead the team to victories in difficult games?

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

With Dallas Stars my biggest favorite to win the Cup from the west.

[Shaun Reynolds]

Really appreciate this effort Von as I am a big NHL and NFl fan.

 

[von Rantala]

16 hours ago, Shaun Reynolds said:

Really appreciate this effort Von as I am a big NHL and NFl fan.

 

 

I am happy to hear you like it

 

 

Columbus

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 7,5

Defence: 8

Goalies: 6

Special Teams: PP 3 / PK 4

GM/Coach: GM 2,5 / Coach 4

Total: 35

 

Worst Contract: Elvis Merzlikins (G)

Best Contract: Kirill Marchenko (RW/LW)

Most underrated: Boone Jenner (C/LW)

MVP: Kirill Marchenko (RW/LW)

Biggest talent: Cayden Lindstrom ( C )

 

Project Line-ups

 

Johnson - Monahan - Marchenko

Voronkov - Fantilli - Jenner 

Sillinger - Coyle - Chinakhov

Olivier - Lundeström - Wood

 

Werenski - Fabbro

Mateychuk - Provorov

Severson - Gudbranson

 

Greaves

Merzlikins

 

Key Words:

 

Columbus should be a playoff team, question mark is can Greaves be goalie what lead them to playoffs. Greaves' last season stats was very good (7-2-2 93,8 1,91GA), but he only played 11 games. If Greaves would have got more games, Columbus probably would have been a playoff team last season. Coach Dean Evason is a very underrated coach. He is a very good coach, who gets the team to play united hockey. He is one of the top coaches of the NHL, but his playoff stats from NHL and AHL are very poor. Not any single first round win. Last season was emotional, and Columbus was almost a playoff team, every hockey fan was behind Columbus and wished them all the best. Dante Fabbro was a great waiver pick. Columbus' defense group is young and wide so they were able to trade David Jiricek  to the Wild for draft picks. Columbus drafted goalie prospect Pyotr Andreyanov on draft pick what they got from Wild. Andreyanov might be next Vasilievsky, goalie that Columbus has searched since Bobrovsky joined the Panthers. Columbus signed Ivan Provorov to massive 7 year 8,5M contracts which looks like big overpayment. GM Don Waddell has a habit of paying a bit too much to his FA defenders. Columbus ex-GM Jarmo Kekäläinen did a good job on drafting and now the team has one of the NHL best young players group.

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

Should be a playoff team, but Evasons still will not be able to win his first playoff series.

[Ace18795]

Glad to see your analysis, I myself am a huge multi-sport fan and appreciate people who put in the work to give us advanced statistics, thoughts, etc. 

 

A few things I'd like to add. 

 

#1 - The Edmonton Oilers now lost twice to the same team in the Stanley Cup finals in the past 2 years. Florida unfortunately has their number. Florida knows how to beat them when it matters the most, and it's not about luck; because Florida did not do it once - they have now done it twice. Edmonton is a team that can still make the final again, but if they don't win it in 2026 - I predict Mcdavid will leave. This is their final chance.

 

Mcdavid staying on a team that is...

 

a) incapable of winning when it matters the most

b) has multiple losing years in the finals in a row (provided they even make the 2026 Stanley cup finals).....

 

.....it's silly to assume he will sign another contract with Edmonton next summer. 

 

#2 - Florida has an extremely high chance of three-peating and making history. The last three peat in the NHL was over 40 years ago. Florida has largely retained their core for the upcoming season, and even with a few players moved here and there; they're multiple-time Stanley cup champions - they won't be as affected (by a few roster changes) as other teams would be. The same story was brought up last year, "Edmonton can topple Florida prevent them from repeating in 2025"; and we all saw what happened this year. 

 

As I'm from Ontario, my team is the Maple Leafs. I just hope they play far better in the 2026 playoffs. I have no idea how they're gonna do it because they fumble with early exits; but I hope they can figure it out on time. 

[von Rantala]

Dallas

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 10

Defence: 8

Goalies: 9,5

Special Teams: PP 4 / PK 4

GM/Coach: GM 5 / Coach 2,5

Total: 43

 

Worst Contract: Ilya Lyubushkin (D)

Best Contract: Thomas Harley (D)

Most underrated: Miro Heiskanen (D)

MVP: Jake Oettinger (G)

Biggest talent: Emil Hemming (RW)

 

Project Line-ups

 

Robertson - Hintz - Rantanen

Duchene - Johnston - Bourque

Benn - Steel - Seguin

Bäck - Faksa - Blackwell

 

Harley - Heiskanen

Bichsel - Lindell

Lyubushkin - Lundkvist

 

Oettinger

DeSmith

 

Key Words:

 

Has in my mind the best and deepest forward group. For example Bourque plays third line, but has potential to be a point per game player. The D-group is thin for a Cup contender.There they need help and might make changes before the season starts. Bichel is a wild card there. Might play a breakthrough season. Even though that d-group is thin, the biggest question mark is the coach. DeBoer is a great coach, but he loses his locker room fast. After throwing Oettinger under the bus, he lost his job. Throwing Oettinger under the bus was just the tip of the iceberg. There were other things too which made the team unhappy. New old coach Gulutzan is a question mark, he has a team who should be biggest Cup contenders, but is Gulutzan the right man to lead the team? We will know the answer after the season. Maybe a changing coach was needed and the team will play better hockey under the new coach and win the Cup. DeBoer is a coach who favors his players a lot. Thomas Harley was a breakthrough player last year, but without Heiskanen injury, he wouldn't get PP time or as big a role as he got. Harley is better d-man for powerplay, but DeBoer favored Heiskanen on PP. Now the new coach will bring new roles for the players and it's interesting to see if Harley becomes team top d-man. Heiskanen is an underrated d-man who does not get headlines, because he puts defence first. He is more of a two-way defender. Duchene wanted to stay in Dallas and signed a very team friendly 4 year 4,5M contract. He was a point per game player last season and usually point per players sign at least 7M contracts, so Duchene really wanted to stay in Dallas.

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

My biggest Cup favorites. Anything other than the Stanley Cup is disappointment.

[von Rantala]

Detroit

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 8

Defence: 6

Goalies: 6

Special Teams: PP 3,5 / PK 3,5

GM/Coach: GM 2 / Coach 2,5

Total: 31,5

 

Worst Contract: Justin Holl (D)

Best Contract: Patrick Kane (RW/LW)

Most underrated: Dylan Larkin ( C )

MVP: Dylan Larkin ( C )

Biggest talent: Nate Danielson ( C )

 

Project Line-ups

 

Söderblom - Larkin - Raymond

DeBrincat - Kasper - Kane

Copp - Compher - Appleton

Rasmussen - Danielson - Berggren

 

Edvinsson - Seider

Gustafsson - Hamonic

Chiarot - Bernard Docker

 

Key Words:

 

I gave a lot of criticism to Yzerplan during last season's NHL season news. Nothing changed. It's still difficult to see what his plan is. Detroit missed the playoffs now 9 straight years. Before that Detroit was always a playoff team. 25 straight seasons in the playoffs, and they won 4 Cups on that run. The Goalie carousel continues and this time they bring John Gibson from Anaheim to be starter. Once Gibson was seen as the best goalies of the league, but in the last couple seasons he was outplayed by Dostal in the Anaheim net. So Detroit brings back up goalie to the team and hopes that he can be a starter again. Nate Danielson should take a role in the team after training camp. Last training camp was great for him, but the regular season in AHL wasn't so great for Danielson. Detroit hasn't done a very good job on drafting last years and that's why they have been out of the playoffs 9 times now. DeBrincat and Kane have good chemistry so they probably play in the same line, that leaves question marks who to be first line left winger? They are very thin on the left wing. Could they use Kasper there who is in the center? Could they use Danielson who is center too in the first line left wing? Or do they give that role to James van Riemsdyk who played a strong season in Columbus last year. I put young Söderblom on the first line left wing.

 

Early Playoff prediction: 

 

Miss playoffs tenth time and Yzerman gets fired.

[von Rantala]

Edmonton

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 8,5

Defence: 8,5

Goalies: 6

Special Teams: PP 4,5 / PK 3

GM/Coach: GM 2 / Coach 4,5

Total: 37

 

Worst Contract: Darnell Nurse (D)

Best Contract: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (C/W)

Most underrated: Brett Kulak (D)

MVP: Connor McDavid ( C )

Biggest talent: Isaac Howard (LW)

 

Project Line-ups

 

Draisaitl - McDavid - Hyman

Howard - Nugent Hopkins - Savoie

Podkolzin - Frederic - Mangiapane

Janmark - Henrique - Kapanen

 

Ekholm - Bouchard

Nurse - Kulak

Walman - Emberson

 

Key Words:

 

Last season was all in or nothing. This year they have to give young prospects a bigger role and hope that is key to success. Isaac Howard and Matthew Savoie are key young players and both get time with Draisaitl and McDavid. Can they play breakthrough seasons that play a key role in Edmonton's success this season. There are elements of catastrophe. There are elements that they will not take the playoff spot, but I believe they will take it, but I am not surprised if they drop out this season. Maybe we see another Kings vs Oilers first round battle and its Kings turn to win it. I gave offence 8,5 rating, because it's not as wide as some other groups have. After McDavid and Draisaitl there might be no one to make 50 points. I think Hyman will have a bounce back season and return 60+ point player. When writing this McDavid hasn't signed a new contract yet. What will be his next contract? Does he want to continue in Edmonton? How long is the contract? 16M Cap hit is more than right price, he can ask even more. What do Edmonton do if McDavid doesn't want to sign a new contract and the season starts poorly? I think McDavid sign 3-4 year contract to see what direction the team is going. I always rated Skinner high, but in last year's playoffs he played poorly and Edmonton has lost goalie game now twice in the Stanley Cup finals. It's not easy to find starters in this league and let's remember Skinner cap hit is only 2,6M. It's not fair to ask a guy who makes 2,6M to be as good as a guy who earns 10M. Bobrovsky was a better goalie, but Bobrovsky also earned a lot more money. 

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

Should be in the playoffs, but might drop out too. This season is full of questions. I put them in the playoffs, but losing first round.

[von Rantala]

Florida

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 9

Defence: 9

Goalies: 9

Special Teams: PP 4,5 / PK 4,5

GM/Coach: GM 5 / Coach 5

Total: 46

 

Worst Contract: Seth Jones (D)

Best Contract: Gustav Forsling (D)

Most underrated: Eetu Luostarinen ( C )

MVP: Aleksander Barkov ( C )

Biggest talent: Mike Benning (D)

 

Project Line-ups

 

Verhaeghe - Barkov - Reinhart

Tkachuk - Bennett - Rodrigues

Luostarinen - Lundell - Marchand

Nosek - Kunin - Samoskevich

 

Forsling - Ekblad

Mikkola - Jones

Kulikov - Balinskis

 

Bobrovsky

Tarasov

 

Key Words:

 

Is there anyone who can stop Florida for taking third Cup row? They have very good and wide offence group. Solid D-group, and solid goalie, best coach and best GM. Toronto was close to drop Florida in second round last season. Something similarly is needed to drop Florida or big key injuries. Florida is model example of Dynastia team. Players are taking pay cut to stay in team. Ofc Taxes help Florida to keep players in the team. Team is Barkov team. Team is modest like Barkov, unselfish and united team. Great example is how, team gave Cup first to those who wasnt winning last season. Even players who was scratched did take Cup before star players. Florida created great culture, culture what Finnish national teams usually have, united and unselfish, where everyone is on same line. I admire what they have accomplished. The Panthers third line was awesome in the playoffs. It's a perfect third line and will probably be the NHL's best third line next season. It's interesting to see how many points that third line can make. In Panthers Luostarinen-Lundell-Marchand third line, many other teams it would be second or even first line. Panthers are 4.5M over salary cap, but Tkachuk will miss the start of the season and when Florida put Tkachuk to LTIR they are under salary cap. When Tkachuk gets healthy and everyone is healthy it will be interesting to see who they have to trade. When looking who have best contract you can name several guys. Luostarinen, Lundell, Forsling and Mikkola all have very cap friendly contract. When looking for who has the worst contract, there aren't many bad contracts. Marchand last years might be overpayment, but if you look at the situation now, I put Seth Jones to it. It's not a bad contract when they pay only 7M, but Florida doesn't have bad contracts on pay roll. I put Seth Jones to worst contract because Chicago still pay 2,5M of his contract

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

Is there anyone who can stop the best team in the NHL? My biggest favorite to win the Cup. Florida is true dynastia team.

[von Rantala]

Los Angeles

 

Ratings (1-10)

Offence: 7,5

Defence: 7,5

Goalies: 8,5

Special Teams: PP 3,5 / PK 5

GM/Coach: GM 3,5 / Coach 3,5

Total: 39

 

Worst Contract: Cody Ceci (D)

Best Contract: Adrian Kempe (C/W)

Most underrated: Mikey Anderson (D)

MVP: Adrian Kempe (C/W)

Biggest talent: Henry Brzustewicz (D)

 

Project Line-ups

 

Fiala - Kopitar - Kempe

Kuzmenko - Byfield - Laferriere

Foegele - Danault - Moore

Perry - Turcotte - Armia

 

Anderson - Doughty

Dumoulin - Clarke

Edmundson - Ceci

 

Kuemper

Forsberg

 

Key Words:

 

Kings finally fired Blake from the GM role. I was waiting for that for the last couple seasons, saying Blake was the weakest GM in the NHL. He made big trade errors and signings. Holland is a good GM, he won 4 Cups with the Red Wings and he led the Oilers to Stanley Cup finals. In the last couple season news i predicted Kings outside of playoffs. This year I see them going to the playoffs and being able to beat the Oilers in the first round. Holland made good moves and the team did bring more defence skills. Forward groups are in good balance and if Kuemper can continue his strong game in the playoffs too, Los Angeles can make a long playoff run. Kopitar is 38 years old, but he was still able to play at a high level. Is this his last season? Byfield made a costly mistake in the playoffs against the Oilers, which turned the series for the Oilers. In the first two and half games, the Kings were a better team, but then they lost 4 games straight. Everyone makes mistakes and you learn from mistakes, so it's interesting to see what version of Byfield we get this season. He should be this team's first line center. Can he elevate his game to the next level? In the Cup contender team Kopitar should be second line center, not first line like in Kings. Signing Armia was a wise move, he is one of better penalty killers in the league. Kempe needs a new contract. Will last year first round draft pick Greentree take a spot on the team after training camp?

 

Early Playoff prediction:

 

Los Angeles looks like a team which is built for Playoff hockey. Will go to the playoffs and finally beat Edmonton and go to the second round.