Yahoo Sports NHL Power Rankings: New Year, New No. 1, New Goals
Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Welcome back to the weekly NHL power rankings after the holiday break.
With 2025 now in full swing, it’s time to provide a New Year’s goal for each team.
1. Vegas Golden Knights (28-9-3, +36. Previous: 4)
There’s not one dominant team this season, and if the Knights want to separate themselves from the pack, it’s to go back to their DNA as big-game hunters. They need another marquee top-six forward. Other than Jack Eichel, Mark Stone and the injured Ivan Barbashev, no other forward comes close to averaging a point per game.
2. Minnesota Wild (26-11-4, +16. Previous: 2)
Making sure Kirill Kaprizov stays with the Wild for a very, very long time. The Wild can sign him to an extension on July 1, and one way to convince him to do that as soon as possible is to make a serious playoff run. You could argue the Wild haven’t traded for an impact player since John Klingberg in March 2023.
3. Washington Capitals (26-10-4, +40. Previous: 1)
It’s time to re-sign Jakob Chychrun.
4. Winnipeg Jets (28-12-2, +46. Previous: 6)
Last season, the Jets were aggressive making a playoff push, acquiring Sean Monahan, Tyler Toffoli and Colin Miller. It’s time to do it again for the normally risk-averse franchise, but just make sure they stick to their game plan in the playoffs.
5. Toronto Maple Leafs (27-13-2, +17. Previous: 7)
Their focus is on the playoffs, but if we’re looking beyond that, the future of the "Core Four" is in flux with John Tavares and Mitch Marner set to become free agents. Beyond playoff success, the Leafs’ resolution will be to figure out a future that may include both, one or neither of them.
Related: NHL Free Agency: Will These Six Eastern Conference Pending UFAs Go Elsewhere?
6. Los Angeles Kings (23-10-5, +22. Previous: 8)
The Kings have been a model of sound, structured hockey with the fewest giveaways and high-danger shots against at 5-on-5, per moneypuck.com. But did you know Kevin Fiala has just two even-strength assists (!) this season? The Kings scored just four goals in the final three games of their first-round series against the Oilers last playoffs – they need to find ways to score beyond leaning on 37-year-old Anze Kopitar.
7. New Jersey Devils (25-15-3, +28. Previous: 3)
It’s kind of shocking, but the Devils have not won more than three games in a row this season and instead have had two separate four-game losing streaks. They’ve been flat-out dominant and a little shaky this season, so they’ll need to find more consistency.
8. Dallas Stars (25-13-1, +29. Previous: 10)
One of the Stars’ biggest strengths heading into the season was their scoring depth, but as it stands, Jason Robertson has 10 goals, and Wyatt Johnston has nine in 39 games, while Logan Stankoven has four in 37 games. Despite ranking ninth in goals-for per game, the Stars need their young players to start fulfilling their potential.
9. Edmonton Oilers (25-12-3, +23. Previous: 11)
With no obvious solution on the horizon, the Oilers are hoping their goaltending holds. They’re ranked fourth in Corsi-for percentage and allow the fifth-fewest shots per game, yet they rank 17th in 5-on-5 save percentage, per naturalstattrick.com. Their goaltending will not save the day, but they need more consistency and more quality starts.
10. Colorado Avalanche (25-15-1, +9. Previous: 16)
To good health and good memories. The most overrated and innocuous New Year’s greeting couldn’t ring truer for the Avs, who have the third-highest cap hit of injured players through Jan. 3, per NHL Injury Viz. Also, could we actually see Gabriel Landeskog return to game action this season?
11. Tampa Bay Lightning (21-15-2, +33. Previous: 12)
There was a brief period when we wondered where Julien BriseBois’ head was at, but in Year 1 of the post-Stamkos era, the Lightning are second in the NHL in goals-for per game and fourth on the power play. However, they are just 9-9-1 on the road, and each of their two four-game losing streaks featured three losses on the road. It’s not ideal if they make the playoffs as a wild card.
12. Carolina Hurricanes (24-15-2, +20). Previous: 5)
For a team known for having good possession metrics, their puck management has actually been quite poor. They’re ranked seventh in most giveaways to opponents in the defensive zone and most giveaways to opponents overall, per moneypuck.com. Since the eight-game winning streak that ended in early November, they rank 22nd (!) in points percentage with a 14-13-2 record.
13. Florida Panthers (24-15-2, +9. Previous: 9)
A title defense will literally start with a good defense, and they’ll need another reliable defender beyond Gustav Forsling and Aaron Ekblad, who missed Tuesday’s game and has a lengthy injury history. The Panthers’ third pairing averages just 15 minutes per game, but instead of reliable veterans, such as Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Dmitry Kulikov, it’s a declining Nate Schmidt and untested Uvis Balinskis.
14. Boston Bruins (20-18-5, -24. Previous: 13)
The Bruins are barely hanging on and need to find a way to get David Pastrnak going. He’s on pace for 30-something goals, his lowest total over an 82-game schedule in six seasons, with only four power-play goals. They might want to find a proper center for him.
15. Utah Hockey Club (17-15-7, -5. Previous: 15)
Not really a goal nor a resolution, but merely a waiting game – we’ve yet to see Utah at full strength with a healthy defensive corps. That should go a long way in providing consistency, which always seems to be lacking with a talented but young core.
16. Calgary Flames (19-14-7, -14. Previous: 20)
Maybe a goal would be to get better hotels on the road or something, because a horrible 6-8-4 road record is hindering the Flames’ playoff chances. With the playoff race so tight and the Flames at a crossroads – go for it or sell and rebuild? – their New Year’s resolution would be to figure out what they want to do quickly.
17. Vancouver Canucks (18-12-9, -6. Previous: 14)
The Canucks need a resolution of a different kind – not necessarily a goal, but the kind that resolves conflicts. Is a windowless room under lock and key where J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson are forced to make nice too much to ask, even with Vancouver real estate prices?
18. St. Louis Blues (19-19-4, -11. Previous: 17)
Normally, collecting aging defensemen on long-term contracts is a bad idea, but not quite for the Blues. Next up might be hunting for a 30-something-goal scorer – preferably a center – to help their playoff push. Another goal would be try to win three games in a row for once this season.
19. Montreal Canadiens (19-18-3, -14. Previous: 29)
More Jakub Dobes. The Habs are on an absolute roll, going 8-2-0 in their last 10. If their New Year’s resolution was to somehow turn the corner, this seems to be it.
Related: NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest Trade Buzz On The Canadiens And Senators
20. Detroit Red Wings (18-18-4, -18. Previous: 24)
Can they turn back the clock to the glory years of Hockeytown? Patrick Kane and the Red Wings' power play has been excellent under Todd McLellan, and the new coaching bump is real. This might sound crazy, but the New Year’s resolution is to believe in the Yzerplan (again).
21. Columbus Blue Jackets (18-17-6, -7. Previous: 23)
Keep the good vibes going even if Sean Monahan misses time due to injury. The Jackets are one of the most entertaining teams in the league, averaging the sixth-most goals per game and allowing the second-most goals per game.
22. Pittsburgh Penguins (17-17-8, -28. Previous: 21)
It’s pretty much the same old story every time, no? Keep being aggressive in acquiring players while Sidney Crosby still leads this team, because the Penguins will always have a chance – however slim – when he’s around.
23. Ottawa Senators (19-17-3, even. Previous: 18)
The Senators need to keep their playoff hopes alive and avoid lengthy lulls like the one they’re in now while Linus Ullmark recuperates. Their goalie depth is really being tested – the Sens have used four goalies this season, and their AHL club has used five, none of whom have played more than 13 games.
Related: Is The Ottawa Senators Acquiring A New Backup Goalie All That Easy?
24. Philadelphia Flyers (17-19-5, -22. Previous: 19)
The Flyers carry three goalies, but none of them seem to be the answer. It’ll be a goal to figure out which one of them to roll with when the playoff race gets tight. At 5-on-5, the Flyers have the worst save percentage in the league, per naturalstattrick.com.
25. Seattle Kraken (17-21-3, -12. Previous: 22)
It feels like it’s been spoken since Day 1 of the franchise, but finding ways to score should be a top priority. The Kraken have scored more than two goals just three times since Dec. 14.
26. Anaheim Ducks (17-18-5, -18. Previous: 30)
Easy one – how about enough playing time for all? Even after trading Cam Fowler, the Ducks are rotating Olen Zellweger and Pavel Mintyukov because there are limited spots when the most important thing for a young player’s development is consistent playing time.
27. New York Rangers (18-20-2, -11. Previous: 25)
Finding the right answer – or player – to turn around their sinking season would be a good start. Or maybe the resolution should be getting the GM and the players on the same page. It’s still baffling how the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners have turned into this mess.
28. Buffalo Sabres (15-21-5, -14. Previous: 32)
Nostalgia can be good, such as the black goathead jerseys, but it can also be bad, such as Lindy Ruff’s second stint behind the bench. Not sure how long before the Sabres decide to move on – Don Granato, whom Ruff replaced, was the only coach since Ruff to last more than two seasons, so there’s the irony – but here’s hoping the Sabres find a new path to look forward to and avoid looking at the rearview mirror for answers.
Related: Five NHL Teams That Need A Reset In 2025
29. New York Islanders (15-18-7, -20. Previous: 26)
They can’t score, and they can’t defend. Since Dec. 1, they rank 26th in points percentage. Patrick Roy is being really aggressive and trying to win games – highlighted by pulling the goalie for a D-zone faceoff while shorthanded – but their roster just isn’t good enough. The Islanders' long-overdue goal for the year is to figure out a path forward where the roster gets younger and isn’t saddled by long-term contracts.
Related: Opinion: Islanders Coach Patrick Roy's Eye-Catching Empty-Net Call Raises Questions
30. San Jose Sharks (13-24-6, -41. Previous: 28)
More Yaroslav Askarov, please.
31. Nashville Predators (13-21-7, -28. Previous: 31)
Figure out an offensive identity. The Preds have a great collection of scoring talent, but they lack an identity, and some luck would be nice. Their 6.2 shooting percentage at 5-on-5 is the lowest single-season mark over the past five seasons, per naturalstattrick.com.
32. Chicago Blackhawks (13-25-2, -35. Previous: 27)
Not a New Year’s resolution for the Blackhawks per se, but perhaps one to the league: Stop letting them play in the Winter Classic. If they end up being the yet-to-be-named opponent for the Panthers’ outdoor game next year, we should place a moratorium on the entire thing.
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