It’s nearly unimaginable for a staff to go from worst to first within the NHL. Lots should go proper for a rebuilding staff to take a big leap within the standings and go from final place within the division one season to first place the following. The New Jersey Devils, within the 2022-23 season, got here near doing that (ending in second place within the Metropolitan Division) however in any other case, lots of fanbases are hoping on a star for it to occur.
Associated: NHL Rebuild Rankings: 2024-25 Preseason Version
The Columbus Blue Jackets, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, and San Jose Sharks completed in final place of their divisions final season. Of the 4 groups, which has the perfect probability to complete in first place this time round? Let’s begin with a staff that’s removed from competition and coming off a disastrous offseason.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets are arguably the furthest staff within the NHL from competition. A few of that has to do with outdoors circumstances, notably, the tragic dying of Johnny Gaudreau, which understandably, could be laborious for any staff to beat. Together with dropping a star each on and off the ice, the Blue Jackets are additionally depleted of expertise elsewhere.
They traded away Patrik Laine this offseason and are hoping for the younger forwards, notably Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger, to hold the offense. The protection will enhance with the Jordan Harris addition, David Jiricek growing into an everyday, and Denton Mataychuk trying to do the identical, however goaltending stays a weak spot and the staff would possibly look to maneuver on from Elvis Merzlikins forward of the 2025 Commerce Deadline if the season is a misplaced trigger.
The Blue Jackets have the proper folks to guide them again to competition with normal supervisor (GM) Don Waddell within the entrance workplace and a brand new head coachin Dean Evason, two revered names who will set them up for fulfillment in the long term. The issue is that this staff is a good distance from competition and it’ll take just a few seasons earlier than they’re again on monitor. They could end this season with the worst report within the NHL or close to the underside of the standings which hopefully, will permit them so as to add younger constructing blocks to strengthen the rebuild.
3. San Jose Sharks
The Sharks, just like the Blue Jackets, are removed from contending as final season confirmed. They went 19-54-9 to complete with the worst report within the NHL and within the course of, obtain the primary=total choice within the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. That results in the excellent news, which is that the Sharks are beginning to add younger gamers who can flip issues round.
That number-one decide ended up being Macklin Celebrini, who not solely is a star within the making however is becoming a member of the staff this season. He joins Will Smith, William Eklund, and a handful of younger skaters who’re beginning to make their means onto the roster and make a big effect.
On prime of that, the Sharks have been one of many extra lively groups within the offseason. They acquired Tyler Toffoli, Cody Ceci, and Barclay Goodrow, three veterans so as to add depth to the roster, whereas additionally making an enormous splash and including Yaroslav Askarov, one of many prime goaltending prospects who is able to begin within the NHL. Goaltenders are laborious to develop and an unknown after they make it to the NHL but when Askarov is a kind of elite younger goaltenders, this staff might take the league by storm.
There’s a path for the Sharks to sneak up on everybody. If the younger skaters are prepared and the protection is not a obtrusive weak spot with Askarov serving to it out, the Sharks might be one of many higher groups within the Pacific Division. It’s unlikely they’ll end close to the highest or in a playoff spot, however don’t put it previous them.
2. Chicago Blackhawks
Connor Bedard rising as top-of-the-line gamers within the NHL can raise the Blackhawks to the highest of the standings. He’s the transcendent expertise who can take over video games by himself, but he’s not the one purpose this staff seems to be nice. The Blackhawks have top-of-the-line prospect swimming pools and skaters like Kevin Korchinski, Frank Nazar, and Lukas Reichel will look to play large roles this season.
The youth motion has this staff headed in the proper course and so as to add to that, the Blackhawks have been probably the most lively groups within the offseason. They added lots of veterans to not solely assist with the rebuild but additionally push them into the playoff dialog. Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravainen, and Alec Martinez are simply a few of the handful of skaters they added to take them up a notch and depart them with no obtrusive weaknesses.
Satirically, the one factor stopping the Blackhawks from a worst-to-first run are the super-teams on the prime of the Central Division. The Dallas Stars come to thoughts as an ideal roster from the highest down however the Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets are additionally well-built groups that can look to compete for the division title. This leaves the Blackhawks as a staff poised to make noise for a playoff spot however with a tricky shot at the perfect report within the division.
1. Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens are the rebuilding staff to be essentially the most enthusiastic about. They’ve nailed each step of their rebuild from the entrance workplace and head teaching hires to the draft alternatives and all the pieces in between. They head into this season not solely anticipated to do nicely however take an enormous step within the standings.
The highest six is led by younger and proficient skaters with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Kirby Dach, and Juraj Slafkovsky — all below 24 years outdated — carrying the offense. Then they added Laine to the wing to take them to the following stage. Whereas the offense has all of the star energy, the protection is what is going to carry the Canadiens with Lane Hutson, Kaiden Guhle, and expertise from the highest down. The one query mark is goaltending: They don’t have a dependable starter and the prospects aren’t able to play on the NHL stage but. In any other case, this roster can go up in opposition to any within the Atlantic Division.
The Canadiens piling up the wins this season wouldn’t come as a shock. They might overwhelm lots of opponents this season and win the division. Certain, the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs are the elite groups on the prime but when issues go proper, they’ll be a part of that group.
It’s a far-fetched concept for any staff to go from worst to first and quite a bit should go proper for that to occur. That stated, it’s one thing that may’t be dismissed fully. Certain, the groups that completed final are nonetheless rebuilding however they give the impression of being to be higher off this season and set to make some noise.
