Where Each Team Stands Opening Week
The wait is over – the start of the 2014-2015 NHL season is upon us. Who are the teams to beat this upcoming season? Which teams’ free agency moves may have put them over the top? The NHL Power Rankings will try to break down the top dogs as the season wears along.
NFL Spreads & Matchup Insight
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NHL Power Rankings – Where does Each Team Stand Heading Into The Season
The defending champs are Numero Uno to start but there are a host of teams that will certainly push them as the season wears on. Who are these teams?
Let`s take a look.
1. Los Angeles Kings – The Los Angeles Kings are #1 and rightfully so heading into the season. They are as deep and as talented as any team in the league – and Jonathan Quick is healthy. They may have some competition in a week’s time – there are some good teams looking to knock them off.
2. Chicago Blackhawks – The Chicago Blackhawks top to bottom are the best team in the NHL – Brad Richards adds an interesting element indeed – maybe one that can get them to the top of the mountain again.
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3. Anaheim Ducks – The Ducks look prime to take that next step. They were the best team in the NHL last season but faltered in the playoffs. The addition of Ryan Kesler, if he can stay healthy could loom large for this team.
4. Boston Bruins – The best of the Eastern Conference teams is next. All Boston does is win games – the loss of Jarome Iginla is about the only question mark for this team going forward.
5. St. Louis Blues – St. Louis was just one piece away from going a long way last year – that piece comes in the form of the biggest free agent fish – Paul Stastny. The Blues are as tough as they come in both ends of the rink and somehow are the fourth best Western Conference team – theoretically!
6. Colorado Avalanche – The Avalanche lost Stastny but they weren’t shy about bringing in some help – Jarome Iginla, Daniele Briere and Brad Stuart are nice pickups for this team. Nathan MacKinnon has a chance to be special this year as well.
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7. Tampa Bay Lightning – If it wasn`t for injuries last year the Lightning could have done some damage – Steve Stamkos and Ben Bishop were banged up at the wrong time for this club. Anton Stralman, Brian Boyle and Jason Garrison were added to what looks like a good all around team – good for seventh on the Rankings.
8. Pittsburgh Penguins – Gone are Jussi Jokinen and James Neal but in are Christian Ehrhoff, Blake Comeau, Steve Downie, Marcel Goc and Thomas Greiss – not a terrible tradeoff for a team that has Sidney Crosby on the roster. The Penguins will always compete – they can’t blame coaching anymore.
9. Minnesota Wild – The Minnesota Wild added Thomas Vanek – not quite sure how that`s going to work out. Goaltending is the huge issue for the Wild – they absolutely have to get something figured out.
10. New York Rangers – the Rangers lost Brad Richards, Brian Boyle and Anton Stralman – three key pieces to how this team operated last year. Last year’s Cup runner up deserves a place in the top 10 – just don’t know if it is gonna last.
11. Dallas Stars – no team has improved itself like the Stars have the last couple of years – last year it was Tyler Seguin, this year it`s Jason Spezza and Alex Hemsky. Along with Jamie Benn the upside is big for the Stars if the goaltending can hold up.
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12. San Jose Sharks – I hate what the Sharks did in free agency – John Scott?????? We all know the Sharks do their best work during the regular season and that`s where we`re headed – they deserve a place in the dirty dozen.
13. Montreal Canadiens
14. Detroit Red Wings
15. Washington Capitals
16. Nashville Predators
17. Columbus Blue Jackets
18. New Jersey Devils
19. Philadelphia Flyers
20. Arizona Coyotes
21. Vancouver Canucks
22. New York Islanders
23. Florida Panthers
24. Toronto Maple Leafs
25. Winnipeg Jets
26. Calgary Flames
27. Ottawa Senators
28. Carolina Hurricanes
29. Buffalo Sabres
30. Edmonton Oilers
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