And similar to that, welcome again to THW’s weekly Energy Rankings! After what can solely be described as one of many busiest offseasons in latest reminiscence, we at the moment are a number of days into an thrilling begin to the 2024-25 NHL season. That is all the time the very best time of the yr, as each workforce appears like they’ve an actual likelihood to lift the Stanley Cup above their heads in June, irrespective of how issues went for them prior to now.
The primary Energy Rankings of the season is all the time an odd one, nevertheless, as some groups have performed 4 video games by the point the primary week of play concludes, whereas others have solely performed one resulting from extenuating circumstances. I may even say excessive climate delayed the beginning of this collection by per week, as I used to be planning to kick issues off previous to the primary video games final Tuesday, however needed to push it again some resulting from Hurricane Helene and Milton altering my weekly plans.
With this in thoughts, I’m treating Week 1 this yr as my season preview with a little bit of consideration from the handful of video games performed up to now. Heading into the season, I had a rating already created, and I’m largely retaining groups inside that common rating this week earlier than making bigger modifications all through Weeks 2 and three.
So, with that preamble out of the best way, I can’t wait to get began with the primary NHL Energy Rankings of the 2024-25 season!
32-27: Confronting Loss Throughout the NHL
32. San Jose Sharks
31. Columbus Blue Jackets
30. Anaheim Geese
29. Chicago Blackhawks
28. Buffalo Sabres
27. Montreal Canadiens
It’s inconceivable to have an actual dialog concerning the begin of the NHL season and never focus on who the hockey world misplaced in August. With the sudden passing of Johny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau, the hockey world tragically misplaced not solely a real star on the ice, however two males who introduced a lot love for the sport off it. Whereas it’s been weeks since their passing, it nonetheless doesn’t really feel actual to me, and I’m positive I’m not alone in these emotions.
With all of this in thoughts, time nonetheless retains shifting ahead, and the Blue Jackets are anticipated to play video games that depend, even when they carry a heavy coronary heart. Groups on this scenario are inconceivable to venture, as they might provoke as a unit round this tragedy, or they might realistically wrestle with the lack of certainly one of their greatest gamers. To make issues worse, they may even be with out their Captain, Boone Jenner, for doubtlessly six-plus months. I can’t be the one one hoping Columbus finds a technique to persevere in all this adversity and make a miracle run to the playoffs.
For the remaining groups on this part of the Rankings, I don’t suppose anybody can be shocked by their placement. The Geese, Blackhawks, Sharks, and Canadiens took strides this offseason by including nice expertise to their rosters, however are nonetheless rebuilding. This implies they are going to possible be very streaky, which is plenty of enjoyable to observe, and perhaps certainly one of these groups can make a shock run on the playoffs.
Lastly, this leaves the Sabres, who had a depressing begin to their season. First, they traveled to Europe solely to be soundly overwhelmed twice, then returned to North America and misplaced their subsequent sport earlier than, lastly, pulling out a win in opposition to a depleted Florida Panthers workforce. This franchise wanted a powerful begin this yr, however right here we’re, on the again foot once more. There’s nonetheless loads of time to show issues round, however endurance is a advantage followers in Buffalo merely shouldn’t have anymore.
26-11: Return of the NHL’s Mediocre Center
26. Seattle Kraken
25. Philadelphia Flyers
24. Minnesota Wild
23. Ottawa Senators
22. Washington Capitals
21. Detroit Purple Wings
20. Pittsburgh Penguins
19. Calgary Flames
18. St. Louis Blues
17. New York Islanders
16. Vancouver Canucks
15. Tampa Bay Lightning
14. Los Angeles Kings
13. Utah Hockey Membership
12. Toronto Maple Leafs
11. Vegas Golden Knights
Longtime readers of those Energy Rankings know that I are inclined to (redundantly) confer with a lot of the NHL because the ‘Mediocre Center.’ In a league pushed by parity, you find yourself with many, many groups which are good. Not nice, not even significantly memorable, however simply good. That is how you find yourself with half the league in the midst of these Rankings.
Certain these groups have stars, and any of them ought to compete for the Stanley Cup, however in addition they might at any level go on a five-game slide and discover themselves contemplating who to promote on the 2025 Commerce Deadline for spare components regardless of a large payroll.
At first, sure, I had the Canucks outdoors my prime ten groups heading into the season. This isn’t me saying they’re a foul workforce, by any means, however that I’m fearful about their goaltending scenario till Thatcher Demko is again of their internet full-time. Dropping the most effective goalies within the NHL will have an effect on any roster, irrespective of how good they’re, and they’re possible going to take a vital step again except another person steps up in an enormous method.
I additionally anticipate the Golden Knights, Maple Leafs, Lightning, and Kings to make a transfer into the prime a part of the Rankings by subsequent week in the event that they maintain taking part in with the identical fervor as they’ve of their first video games. Any doubts I had coming into the season have been quelled for these groups, and I sit up for seeing extra from them subsequent week. Additionally, should you’re in want of Fantasy Hockey recommendation, if Ivan Barbashev is someway nonetheless out there in your league, add him instantly.
You can also’t focus on the beginning of the season and never rave concerning the NHL’s latest franchise, the Utah Hockey Membership (Utah HC), who’re displaying the world what the Arizona Coyotes might have appeared been with steady possession. Utah HC has began the season with an ideal document, flattening a 3-0-0 document, together with an enormous win in entrance of a raucous house crowd on opening evening. It’s nice seeing the franchise off to a powerful begin, and their low cost concession costs ought to maintain the excited fan base fueled all season lengthy.
10-1: Greatest Groups within the NHL Struggling to Begin
10. Colorado Avalanche
9. Edmonton Oilers
8. Nashville Predators
7. Carolina Hurricanes
6. New Jersey Devils
5. Florida Panthers
4. Boston Bruins
3. New York Rangers
2. Winnipeg Jets
1. Dallas Stars
At this early stage within the season, it’s a bit powerful to not use the earlier season’s outcomes when deciding the very best groups. Heading into opening evening, I had the Panthers, Oilers, Rangers, and Stars as my top-four, as a result of they have been the ultimate 4 groups within the league final yr. Subsequent have been the Avalanche and Hurricanes, who’re two of my favourite groups typically with their roster of top-end expertise, adopted by the Jets, Devils, Predators, and Bruins.
After week one, nevertheless, I’m beginning to query my unique prime ten. The Panthers and Oilers appear like groups coming off lengthy, brutal postseason runs, with accidents piling up already. With only one win of their first six video games mixed, these groups must shake off their Stanley Cup hangover quick in the event that they need to maintain within the hunt.
The Predators look a bit shaky with their rebuilt offensive core, as Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei will take time to regulate to their new groups. I’m additionally a bit involved concerning the Avalanche, who look like within the midst of a goalie controversy they have been hoping to keep away from this season.
Now, on the prime of the standings, I feel the Stars, Rangers, and Jets are all choosing up the place they left off final season, and I’ve motive to imagine they are going to stay within the prime ten for many of the season, barring accidents. These groups characteristic full items, with nice goaltending, protection, and forwards who can put up factors after which lock down video games as wanted.
Predicting the 2025 Stanley Cup Champion
With the primary THW Energy Rankings completed, it’s now time for me to do the one factor I dread every year… predicting the Stanley Cup Champions! It’s just about inconceivable to get this proper, as there are one million components that may change a workforce’s trajectory all through the season, however I’ll attempt to take action anyway.
Associated: 2024-25 NHL Season Preview
This time, I’m going a bit down my rankings for my champion. I feel for the second straight season, a franchise will declare their first Stanley Cup, when the Nashville Predators elevate their first championship banner to the rafters in a decent collection victory over the New York Rangers. I really like what the Predators did this offseason, and I feel as soon as this unit reaches its full potential, they’re going to be tough to beat.
Now we are able to all simply wait till June to see how fallacious I acquired this prediction! It doesn’t matter what, I’m excited to be again and I sit up for publishing this weekly Energy Rating every Monday, and I hope to maintain many hockey followers entertained all through the common season.
