The top of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs ran proper as much as draft week, because the Florida Panthers received the Cup lower than 4 full days previous to the beginning of the choice course of at Sphere. And fewer than two days after the ultimate draft choose was made, the free company frenzy started.
And yeah, we additionally received the total NHL schedule launch, too.
It has been a jam-packed calendar, however now it is time to take a step again and assess simply how we really feel about all 32 groups, looking forward to the autumn. Who would be the high Cup contenders? Who might be within the operating for the draft lottery? This is how the winds are blowing as of early July.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 ballot primarily based on the place they rank every membership, which generates our grasp listing right here.
Notice: The earlier rating for every staff refers back to the last regular-season version, printed April 12.
Earlier rating: 72023-24 end: Stanley Cup champs
If we borrow the lineal champion idea from the world of boxing, then it is logical that the Cats stay within the No. 1 spot, having simply received the primary title in franchise historical past. The Panthers retained Sam Reinhart, who was set to make a mint as an unrestricted free agent, and prolonged “Child Barkov” Anton Lundell, together with a number of different strikes.
Earlier rating: 82023-24 end: Misplaced in Stanley Cup Last
GM Ken Holland — a future Corridor of Famer — is out of the Oilers’ entrance workplace, however the membership made some sensible strikes up to now this summer season to provide the staff he helped construct a powerful probability at glory subsequent spring. Re-upping with Adam Henrique and Mattias Janmark provides them two confirmed playoff performers, and inking Jeff Skinner following the veteran’s buyout by Buffalo ought to be sure that he’ll lastly get to skate in a playoff sport.
Earlier rating: 12023-24 end: Misplaced in convention finals
Bear in mind the title Emil Hemming. The Stars have a knack for turning picks from the late first spherical (and later) into NHL stars due to an excellent improvement system. Hemming, a Finnish ahead taken No. 29 general, is subsequent in that pipeline.
Earlier rating: 22023-24 end: Misplaced in convention finals
The massive strikes to which Rangers followers had turn into accustomed have but to materialize this offseason, save for the commerce so as to add Reilly Smith. To be honest, this staff as presently constructed received the Presidents’ Trophy for the most effective common season document in 2023-24, and gave the Panthers a troublesome sequence within the Japanese Convention finals. Including across the edges — and leaving some room to do a bit extra on the commerce deadline — is perhaps the most effective technique.
Earlier rating: 62023-24 end: Misplaced in second spherical
The Avs have not been past the second spherical for 2 straight postseasons; then once more, the final time they have been, they received the Cup. So give the entrance workplace a little bit of a cross right here, on condition that the core of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar stays in place. And whereas followers do not all the time go wild for re-signings, the brand new deal for Casey Mittelstadt would possibly wind up being their greatest piece of enterprise this complete offseason.
Earlier rating: 32023-24 end: Misplaced in second spherical
Maybe essentially the most consequential strikes this offseason occurred in administration positions: Eric Tulsky took over as GM, and coach Rod Brind’Amour was signed to a brand new contract. A minimum of, that is the kind of stability on which followers ought to grasp their hats; many on-ice personnel adjustments befell as effectively, together with the lack of two key defensemen in Brett Pesce (New Jersey) and Brady Skjei (Nashville).
Earlier rating: 52023-24 end: Misplaced in second spherical
One among these years, the Bruins would possibly take a giant step backwards. However not this upcoming season, in keeping with our voters. The Bruins had one of many extra satisfying summers, as they wanted a top-line heart and shutdown defender — then signed Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov to deal with these duties, respectively. The commerce sending Linus Ullmark to Ottawa raised some eyebrows, however now that is formally Jeremy Swayman’s crease following a formidable postseason.
Earlier rating: 112023-24 end: Misplaced in first spherical
The Preds have not traditionally been a high free agent vacation spot. That modified in 2024, as Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei all signed long-term offers on July 1. A staff that shocked some onlookers in 2023-24 has set the next bar for 2024-25.
Earlier rating: 42023-24 end: Misplaced in second spherical
A cavalcade of playoff-tested ex-Bruins discovered its approach to the Pacific Northwest, bolstering a core of gamers that each one appeared to carry out at or close to career-high ranges in 2023-24. The Canucks are clearly not able to cede the Pacific Division to the Cup finalist Oilers.
Earlier rating: 92023-24 end: Misplaced in first spherical
The Leafs have been a persistently nice regular-season hockey staff in latest campaigns — after which the playoffs roll round. Though a lot of the on-ice personnel stays in place from final season — together with all the “Core 4,” regardless of Mitch Marner commerce rumors — the membership did make a training change, subbing in Craig Berube for Sheldon Keefe, in addition to investing in veteran defensemen Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Will it’s sufficient?
Earlier rating: 222023-24 end: Missed the playoffs
Had the Devils obtained league-average goaltending in 2023-24, it is probably they’d’ve certified for the postseason, if not received a spherical or two. To assist issues in that division, they traded for Jacob Markstrom this summer season; to assist Markstrom, they signed Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon, and can get again a wholesome Dougie Hamilton. Our voters are bullish on them getting again among the many playoff contenders.
Earlier rating: 152023-24 end: Misplaced in first spherical
It is simple to neglect as a result of it feels prefer it was years in the past, however the Knights’ first-round matchup in opposition to the Stars was among the finest of your complete postseason. There have been some important losses from the on-ice group attributable to Vegas’ ever-present wage cap crunch, however we’re not satisfied they’re finished making summer season strikes, both.
Earlier rating: 122023-24 end: Misplaced in first spherical
Have the Panthers gained a long-term higher hand within the Battle of Florida? It will appear so, primarily based on how the common season completed, and what occurred in Spherical 1. For the primary time in over a decade, the Lightning is not going to have Steven Stamkos as their captain. Can they leap again forward of the Panthers with out him?
Earlier rating: 132023-24 end: Misplaced in first spherical
New uniforms, new beginning goalie, completely different outcomes? It has been three straight first-round playoff losses to the Oilers for L.A., and with a view to get by Connor McDavid & Co., they inked former Edmonton ahead Warren Foegele (along with different strikes).
Earlier rating: 102023-24 end: Misplaced in first spherical
Behind a formidable defensive effort, the Jets charged up the standings and seemed like one of many strongest groups within the 2024 playoffs. Then the system appeared to fail, whether or not it was goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, the gamers in entrance of him or each. They will run it again with basically the identical crew this season, hoping to keep up that dominance into the postseason.
Earlier rating: 192023-24 end: Missed the playoffs
In some unspecified time in the future, the Yzerplan should consequence within the Purple Wings’ return to the playoffs. Will it occur for them in 2024-25? Detroit introduced again Patrick Kane for an additional kick on the can, and correctly added two-time Cup winner Vladimir Tarasenko as effectively. However was that sufficient?
Earlier rating: 142023-24 end: Misplaced in first spherical
This staff has not made splashy strikes throughout the Lou Lamoriello period, and that pattern continued this offseason. However, Isles followers needs to be inspired by one transfer for the brief time period (signing Anthony Duclair), and one for the long run (drafting Cole Eiserman).
Earlier rating: 182023-24 end: Misplaced in first spherical
Many thought the Caps can be content material watching franchise icon Alex Ovechkin chase down Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal-scoring document, and would not in any other case be too aggressive. After a stunning run to the 2024 playoffs, the entrance workplace has not stood pat, buying and selling for Pierre-Luc Dubois, Jakob Chychrun and Logan Thompson, and signing Matt Roy. These will not be strikes made by a staff content material to be in draft lottery place.
Earlier rating: 232023-24 end: Missed the playoffs
The Flyers have been one of many NHL’s nice surprises for a lot of 2023-24, holding a playoff place effectively past the commerce deadline. Sadly, a late-season tailspin despatched them again to the draft lottery. They usually did not actually add anybody of be aware in free company, both. Then once more, by signing Matvei Michkov, they made the most important on-ice addition in latest staff historical past — and one of the consequential additions league-wide this summer season.
Earlier rating: 202023-24 end: Missed the playoffs
Getting into their last season with $14.743 million in lifeless cap house because of the Zach Parise and Ryan Suter buyouts, the Wild did not do a ton in free company. Nonetheless, they did land maybe the steal of the draft in Zeev Buium, who by some means fell to them at No. 12. So a minimum of there’s assistance on the best way.
Earlier rating: 162023-24 end: Missed the playoffs
Outdoors observers have been fairly certain that the Penguins can be trying to get slightly youthful this offseason. Whereas Anthony Beauvillier and Matt Grzelcyk kind of assist in that trigger, the commerce for Kevin Hayes was a bewildering one.
Earlier rating: N/A2023-24 end: N/A
It is the primary season for the NHL’s latest staff! You would possibly acknowledge some acquainted faces from the Arizona Coyotes, however Utah GM Invoice Armstrong made some main additions this offseason too, buying and selling for Mikhail Sergachev and John Marino and inking veteran D-man Ian Cole and Cup champ Kevin Stenlund. This staff may shock in 2024-25.
Earlier rating: 172023-24 end: Missed the playoffs
The Blues remained on the fringes of the playoff race effectively previous the deadline final spring and made some sensible strikes to shore up the ahead depth this summer season, together with including Radek Faksa and Alexandre Texier. Is that sufficient to maintain tempo with the Central heavyweights?
Earlier rating: 242023-24 end: Missed the playoffs
For a staff that faces immense stress to finish the NHL’s longest playoff drought, the Sabres did not actually do an excessive amount of this offseason (except one believes that Jason Zucker can discover a new gear). Maybe the swap to Lindy Ruff behind the bench will spark one thing.
Earlier rating: 272023-24 end: Missed the playoffs
Do the Senators get a mulligan for your complete star-crossed 2023-24 marketing campaign? New possession yielded new entrance workplace personnel, which yielded a brand new teaching employees. The staff made a serious improve in aim in touchdown Linus Ullmark in a commerce, and a younger core needs to be getting into its prime seasons.
Earlier rating: 212023-24 end: Missed the playoffs
After a run to the second spherical of the 2023 playoffs, the Kraken have been fairly underwhelming in Yr 3. That value Dave Hakstol his job, and Dan Bylsma (who coached the membership’s AHL staff this previous season) is taking up. From an on-ice perspective, they made some important additions in heart Chandler Stephenson and defenseman Brandon Montour, members of the 2 most up-to-date Cup champs.
Earlier rating: 252023-24 end: Missed the playoffs
With the commerce of Jacob Markstrom — coupled with the numerous veteran deletions forward of the 2023-24 commerce deadline — it is clear that the rebuild is on (whether or not administration needs to make use of that phrase or not). Nonetheless, the Flames left Las Vegas with among the finest draft lessons, so assistance is assuredly on the best way.
Earlier rating: 282023-24 end: Missed the playoffs
The Canadiens are most undoubtedly doing the “gradual and regular” model of a rebuild, and the membership’s most vital transfer this summer season was inking 2022 first-round choose Juraj Slafkovsky to an eight-year contract extension. Can they catch as much as the Senators, Sabres or Purple Wings this season?
Earlier rating: 312023-24 end: Missed the playoffs
Connor Bedard earned the Calder Trophy because the NHL’s high rookie final season, and GM Kyle Davidson rewarded him by including one other robust batch of veteran free brokers to the roster this summer season. It’s going to proceed to be robust sledding within the stacked Central Division, however perhaps the video games might be a bit extra aggressive this time round.
Earlier rating: 292023-24 end: Missed the playoffs
With a brand new GM and new coach heading into 2024-25, it’s kind of of a clear slate for the Blue Jackets. With one of many extra spectacular younger cores within the NHL led by Adam Fantilli, Kirill Marchenko and Dmitri Voronkov, they might be a sleeper.
Earlier rating: 302023-24 end: Missed the playoffs
The Geese weren’t an excellent staff in 2023-24. Whereas they did not do a ton to vary the personnel this season, they did make a big improve to their emblem and uniforms, so a minimum of they’re going to look higher doing what they’re doing.
Earlier rating: 322023-24 end: Missed the playoffs
Though the Sharks weren’t record-setting of their poor efficiency final season, they have been a rustic mile out of a playoff spot. After including Macklin Celebrini with the No. 1 choose, signing 2023 first-rounder Will Smith, and welcoming a formidable assortment of veteran free brokers (together with Tyler Toffoli and Alex Wennberg) and commerce additions (Jake Walman and Carl Grundstrom) they will not be such a simple out in 2024-25.
