Properly, whereas america was celebrating American Thanksgiving, two NHL franchises have been busily getting ready for some vacation purchasing. This week we noticed the first blockbuster commerce of the 2025 NHL season, because the Columbus Blue Jackets despatched younger defenseman David Jirichek and a 2025 fifth-round draft decide to the Minnesota Wild for defensive prospect Daemon Hunt, a 2025 first-round decide, a 2026 third-round decide, a 2026 fourth-round decide and a 2027 second-round decide.

Total, this can be a shockingly large transfer, because the Blue Jackets are promoting very excessive on the most effective defensive prospects on this planet who was anticipating to tackle a serious function within the NHL. Regardless of these expectations, Jirichek by no means appeared to search out his place in Columbus, who moved him between the NHL and AHL over the previous three seasons. Given his age this wasn’t a priority, but it surely felt like there was extra for the participant to present than roughly 50 NHL video games during the last three seasons.

On the opposite aspect of the coin, the Wild paid a king’s ransom for a participant with big query marks and little expertise exterior his pedigree because the sixth-overall decide on the 2022 NHL Draft. Nevertheless, if Jiricek can attain even 80 p.c of his potential, Minnesota can have a cost-controlled top-four defenseman for the subsequent few years whereas they work via their cap crunch earlier than giving him an enormous elevate as soon as that lifeless cap will get off their books.

Total, I really like the danger by the Wild, who’re going for it now regardless of having restricted cap area, however I can’t assist however really feel just like the Blue Jackets did rather well on this deal.

On the ice, we noticed lots of video games performed this week regardless of Thursday being a vacation for the league. Most of the outcomes felt a bit uneven, as we noticed groups placing up large scores one evening, then getting hammered the subsequent. I’m going accountable a little bit of this play on the Turkey Day hangover, nevertheless, and see if it continues onto subsequent week earlier than making large adjustments on the Rankings if this unhealthy play turns into a behavior.

Please be aware: Journey plans have restricted my capacity to maintain up like regular, which implies this week’s Rankings won’t be taking Sunday’s video games into consideration earlier than posting. I needed to write it earlier than occurring an Worldwide flight, so my timeframes simply didn’t line up for Sunday. I’ll do my greatest to take these outcomes into consideration for subsequent week, nevertheless.

32-21: Predators Operating Out of Time

32. Nashville Predators (Beforehand: 28)

31. Chicago Blackhawks (Beforehand: 32)

30. Montreal Canadiens (Beforehand: 29)

29. Ottawa Senators (Beforehand: 27)

28. San Jose Sharks (Beforehand: 30)

27. Detroit Purple Wings (Beforehand: 26)

26. St. Louis Blues (Beforehand: 25)

25. Pittsburgh Penguins (Beforehand: 31)

24. Anaheim Geese (Beforehand: 24)

23. Utah Hockey Membership (Beforehand: 23)

22. Seattle Kraken (Beforehand: 19)

21. Columbus Blue Jackets (Beforehand: 21)

I’m positive like a lot of you, I’ve been ready for the Predators to get issues going. There’s a lot expertise on their roster, between their Norris-Caliber Defenseman, large free-agent additions to bolster their offensive corps, and a top-ten goaltender within the web. On paper, you’d assume you’d have the makings of a Stanley Cup contender.

Actuality, nevertheless, has not been so form to Nashville. By way of 25 video games, they could be the worst crew within the league. With simply seven wins to their title, they’ve the least quantity of victories throughout the league this season, and if not for the reward of the loser level, they might comfortably be behind each the Blackhawks and Canadiens within the standings. Sooner or later, it’s a must to surprise if there isn’t any selection however to make trades off the roster to try to recoup one thing from this flailing experiment.

It’s not all doom and gloom on the backside of the Rankings, nevertheless. After setting a report of futility to start out the season, San Jose is beginning to see large scoring efforts from their rookie stars within the making. Whereas they’re a good distance off from the playoff image, I can’t assist however be enthusiastic about their future, as they seem like they are going to be a fun-bad crew this 12 months as they work their method to changing into a fun-good crew sooner or later.

20-14: I’ve Been Sleeping on the Flyers

20. New York Islanders (Beforehand: 18)

19. Buffalo Sabres (Beforehand: 16)

18. Tampa Bay Lightning (Beforehand: 20)

17. Boston Bruins (Beforehand: 17)

16. Philadelphia Flyers (Beforehand: 22)

15. Colorado Avalanche (Beforehand: 14)

14. Edmonton Oilers (Beforehand: 15)

So, I’m not afraid to confess once I’m behind on a crew, because it’s simple to get caught in your notion of the place a franchise could also be by way of rebuilding versus really competing. To me, the Flyers appeared like a primary rebuilding crew heading into the season, as they’d lots of holes of their roster which appeared like a great cause to unload any unfastened components this season. Nevertheless, after a 7-2-1 run over their final 10 video games performed, Philadelphia could also be trying to purchase reasonably than promote.

I’m not going to start out saying they’re able to go on a run to the playoffs simply but (that is the crew that melted right down to miss the playoffs final season, in any case) however it seems that there might be much more for the Flyers to present this season than I anticipated. And who is aware of, possibly they are going to be one of many shock groups forcing their means into the postseason after this scorching stretch of play?

Heading in the wrong way, the Islanders simply look a bit unhappy on the ice this season regardless of some expectations heading into it. They aren’t a foul crew, per se, however they only haven’t been inspiring both. With a 3-4-3 report over their final 10 video games performed, and a bevy of blown third-period leads, it’s a must to ask if their ceiling might be playoffs or commerce bait. Many within the league are hoping they’ll resolve to promote, in case you have been questioning.

13-1: Wild Taking Over the NHL

13. New York Rangers (Beforehand: 8)

12. Calgary Flames (Beforehand: 9)

11. Vancouver Canucks (Beforehand: 12)

10. Vegas Golden Knights (Beforehand: 5)

9. Florida Panthers (Beforehand: 11)

8. Los Angeles Kings (Beforehand: 13)

7. New Jersey Devils (Beforehand: 7)

6. Dallas Stars (Beforehand: 6)

5. Winnipeg Jets (Beforehand: 3)

4. Carolina Hurricanes (Beforehand: 2)

3. Toronto Maple Leafs (Beforehand: 1)

2. Washington Capitals (Beforehand: 10)

1. Minnesota Wild (Beforehand: 4)

Not solely did the Wild pull off the primary large commerce of the 2025 NHL season, however they’ve someway pulled even with the Jets within the standings, who’re lastly coming again to actuality after their historic begin. Whereas I believe you possibly can argue that the Maple Leafs are nonetheless the very best crew within the NHL proper now, I’m giving Minnesota the sting this week after three wins during the last handful of days.

I even have to present extra flowers to the Capitals, who took over first place within the Metropolitan Division regardless of being with out Alexander Ovechkin for various video games. The crew has now gained seven straight on the highway, and are completely a contender if they’ll maintain issues transferring on this course. If Ovechkin can come again from damage and maintain scoring at his record-setting tempo, they may simply be unstoppable.

Trades Already Shifting the NHL

Whereas the Wild and Blue Jackets stole the commerce headlines with their blockbuster deal, one other small commerce went down between the Avalanche and Predators involving their backup goaltenders. Each groups are fighting their goaltending depth, so this swap might be what they should regular their backup and hopefully permit their starters to thrive as soon as once more.

Associated: Maple Leafs, Tavares Contemplate Intelligent Deal to Fight Cap Challenge

With two trades of assorted influence going down this week, and two head teaching firings the week prior, I can say that it looks like midseason is coming early throughout the league. Groups appear able to push their means into competition or make the adjustments mandatory to take action. Given all the things up to now, I wouldn’t be shocked if one other large swing occurs earlier than Christmas.