Yahoo Sports NHL Power Rankings: Key Positions Each Team Must Address Right Now
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Welcome back to The Hockey News' NHL power rankings, where we rank all 32 teams based on their weekly performance.
Christmas has come a little early with new coaching hires and some big trades. A couple of weeks ago, the NHL power rankings highlighted teams that were considered contenders at the unofficial playoff cutoff line during American Thanksgiving.
The time to make key decisions is now. If teams wait any longer, the trade big board starts to dwindle.
The Avalanche were aggressive trading starter Alexandar Georgiev and backup Justus Annunen less than two weeks apart. They saw the forest for the trees, realizing they could not win if they didn’t fix their goaltending, and promptly replaced them with Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood.
Last week, the Rangers dealt captain Jacob Trouba amid an ongoing death spiral to help snap them out of their funk – it hasn’t helped yet – and you get the sense they’re not quite done yet.
This week’s NHL power rankings will note key positions each team will need to address going forward.
1. Minnesota Wild (19-5-4, +22. Last week: 1)
They need another center. Marco Rossi can keep them afloat with his late-game heroics while Joel Eriksson Ek is out, but his absence highlights how thin they can be down the middle. Rossi played 23:07 against Utah, and no other center other than Marat Khusnutdinov, who played just 8:02, won more than 50 percent of their draws.
2. Washington Capitals (19-6-2, +35. Last week: 2)
Either more scoring depth on the wings or shoring up their prospect pool to ensure they can keep the positive momentum going. Their goaltending is fine at the moment, but note Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren are both impending UFAs.
3. Florida Panthers (18-9-2, +16. Last week: 4)
Florida's defense looks awfully thin, and a proficient power-play quarterback would be nice. One of the hallmarks of their Cup-winning roster last season was a deep blueline, which they couldn’t quite afford this time around.
4. Vegas Golden Knights (18-7-3, +17. Last week: 7)
The Knights should get back to big-name hunting. They lack elite wingers outside of Mark Stone. If you’re relying on Victor Olofsson and Alexander Holtz (five goals combined) to provide depth scoring, you might have trouble scoring.
5. Toronto Maple Leafs (17-9-2, +10. Last week: 6)
I’ll tell you what the Leafs don’t need, as crazy as it sounds considering their history: better goaltending. A reliable middle-six center would be nice, instead of shoehorning Max Domi or William Nylander into that role, and it’ll take some pressure off John Tavares and Auston Matthews.
6. New Jersey Devils (18-10-3, +19. Last week: 3)
Their bottom-six depth is a little concerning, and a reliable center would be nice. Aside from Nico Hischier and Erik Haula, they don’t have anyone else who’s consistent and strong enough in the dot. Jack Hughes wins 36.5 percent of his draws.
7. Carolina Hurricanes (18-9-1, +21). Last week: 5)
Centers are going to be a running theme throughout this week’s column, and the Hurricanes are no different. They somehow make things work, but Sebastian Aho’s doing a lot of heavy lifting, and Seth Jarvis and Martin Necas are much more effective as wingers, even though both have previously played some center.
8. Winnipeg Jets (21-9-0, +35. Last week: 9)
Perhaps an 8-1 win will help the Jets re-find their early-season mojo, but what they really need is a No. 2 center behind Mark Scheifele. Vladislav Namestnikov is not suited to be that player, and neither Gabriel Vilardi nor Cole Perfetti are ideal solutions.
9. Los Angeles Kings (17-8-3, +14. Last week: 12)
Seeing how Kevin Fiala has just 18 points this season and 37-year-old Anze Kopitar leads them in scoring, the Kings need a more dynamic playmaker in a big way. Their wingers are mostly meat-and-potatoes types who need to grind for some points, and Quinton Byfield hasn’t produced on offense as many had anticipated.
10. Dallas Stars (17-10-0, +23. Last week: 8)
It’s a testament to their offensive depth that they don’t need to replace Tyler Seguin right away, but rest assured they’re going to get someone. (This could be their year). However, that someone they’re looking for is a reliable right-handed defenseman who can play in the top four… and those are constantly in demand.
11. Edmonton Oilers (16-10-2, +4. Last week: 13)
It sounds crazy to say after they signed Jeff Skinner (five goals) and Viktor Arvidsson (two goals and injured), and acquired Ty Emberson (minus-5 rating), but they need quality wingers and quality depth on the blueline. (The latter is not new). I’d mention goaltending, too, but it seems to be good enough lately.
Related: Oilers' Power Play Problem Leaves Depth Forwards Without Rewards
12. Tampa Bay Lightning (14-10-2, +21. Last week: 10)
The Lightning just somehow makes things work, even when they play with 11 forwards, but that’s the one big deficiency on their roster. They could use some more quality depth rather than relying on their top players.
13. Colorado Avalanche (17-13-0, -4. Last week: 14)
They addressed their biggest issue, which was goaltending, and now the focus will turn to their depth at the bottom of the lineup. They rely so much on their top six and top pairing that they don’t always need a good checking line or third pair, but when the playoffs roll around, depth is key.
14. St. Louis Blues (14-13-2, -13. Last week: 18)
Dylan Holloway (seven-game points streak) has excelled under Jim Montgomery, but they need more offense up front. They rank 27th in goals-for per game and 23rd on the power play, and only one player (Robert Thomas) is averaging at least a point per game.
15. Vancouver Canucks (14-8-5, +1. Last week: 11)
Quinn Hughes is a Hart Trophy candidate. There are no ifs or buts about that, but he needs help. Filip Hronek’s injured long-term, which means the need for another quality top-four defenseman is even more pressing. It doesn’t matter if they’re righty or lefty – the Canucks just need someone. Anyone.
16. Philadelphia Flyers (13-12-4, -13. Last week: 15)
The Flyers have been missing a top-tier playmaking center for eons, and it’s not looking like it will be Morgan Frost. He’s inconsistent and perennially in John Tortorella’s doghouse. Goaltending can be an issue, but three warm bodies are better than nothing.
17. Calgary Flames (14-10-5, -9. Last week: 16)
If the Flames could trade all of their current wingers for one winger who’s reliable every night, I think they do it.
18. Columbus Blue Jackets (12-13-3, -5. Last week: 17)
Maybe a better left winger? I like the way the Jackets are playing, and they solved their glut of defensemen by trading David Jiricek. Time will tell if that was the right move.
19. Boston Bruins (15-12-3, -19. Last week: 19)
Scoring, and a lot of it, especially if they’re going to allow eight goals. David Pastrnak should turn it around soon, but beyond him, the Bruins have only a smattering of second-tier scorers. A winger who can be dangerous off the rush or shooting the puck would be a nice addition.
Related: Where Was 'The Code' In The Frederic-Gustafsson Fight?
20. Utah Hockey Club (12-11-5, -1. Last week: 22)
Utah’s one of the few clubs that doesn’t have a big pressing need other than getting healthy, especially on defense. A veteran goalie or another reliable center would be nice but not necessary at this juncture.
21. New York Rangers (14-12-1, +5. Last week: 20)
There are a lot of things that could be done with a roster of underachievers, but how about behind the bench? Peter Laviolette has a certain shelf life, and maybe they’ve reached the expiration date a little earlier than usual. They need more quality depth, players who can really push players at the top of the lineup to play better. Only one player in their current top six (Alexis Lafreniere) is under 31 years old.
22. Pittsburgh Penguins (12-14-4, -30. Last week: 23)
A little bit of everything, but certainly better defensemen. They’re horrific in their own zone, allowing the third-most shots per game and the most high-danger chances against at 5-on-5 by a significant margin, per naturalstattrick.com.
23. Seattle Kraken (14-14-2, even. Last week: 26)
A tale as old as time – not really, but certainly since the franchise’s inception – a true No. 1 center or a forward to build their offense around, at least. It’s improving, though.
24. Ottawa Senators (12-13-2, -4. Last week: 27)
If their goaltending would pick it up, that would be nice, but also a right-handed defenseman who can stay healthy and a better bottom six. As we focus on the bottom third of the teams in the NHL, finding defensemen who can defend well is going to be a running theme.
25. New York Islanders (11-12-7, -12. Last week: 30)
I feel for Patrick Roy because this is indeed a very low-upside offense, even when Mathew Barzal is healthy. They need some reliable scoring talent in a big way.
26. Detroit Red Wings (11-13-4, -15. Last week: 28)
How about a defense that isn’t always so slow? For a team that employs Ben Chiarot, Justin Holl and Jeff Petry already, it was a little shocking to hear they were interested in Jacob Trouba.
Related: Will Red Wings' Lalonde And The Predators' Brunette Be The Next Fired Coaches?
27. San Jose Sharks (10-16-5, -27. Last week: 24)
A lottery-bound team needs a little bit of everything, but I think that blueline could be shored up a lot more. They’ve got a few players who can skate, shoot and pass, but none of them are particularly good at, y’know, defending, except maybe Mario Ferraro.
28. Montreal Canadiens (11-14-3, -22. Last week: 29)
I don’t think Kirby Dach or Alex Newhook fit the bill, so they need someone to help support Nick Suzuki down the middle. It could unlock more of their offensive potential, but maybe they could’ve just taken Matvei Michkov instead. (Only half joking).
29. Buffalo Sabres (11-13-4, -7. Last week: 21)
This is such an offensively talented lineup, yet they’re very average at scoring. Their continual underperformance can be truly perplexing at times. That talent extends to their blueline, but they also lack a defender who can play a reliable shutdown role.
30. Anaheim Ducks (10-12-4, -15. Last week: 25)
They need patience because they’ve got young talent at every position, especially on defense, but I do think they can add a scoring winger or two. Troy Terry (27 years old), Frank Vatrano (30) and Alex Killorn (35) don’t quite fit in their young core.
31. Chicago Blackhawks (9-17-2, -19. Last week: 32)
If it’s someone who can help take some pressure off Connor Bedard, be it a natural center who can take draws and tough matchups, a winger who can help create offense, or a stand-up from The Second City who can make him feel joy again – the Blackhawks need him.
Related: Opinion: What's Wrong With Connor Bedard Right Now? The Blackhawks Around Him
32. Nashville Predators (7-16-6, -28. Last week: 31)
Centers! Also, this team is absolutely done if Roman Josi misses an extended period of time because then they’ll need everything and a Hail Mary.
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