The new NHL season starts in just a few days and there will be plenty of intrigue. Will Florida be able to defend the title? Was Edmonton’s campaign a one-time problem? Will Gunzel help Kucherov become the top scorer for the second year in a row? Will Ovechkin beat Gretzky’s record this year? And much more.
But today we will talk about teams that can make some noise next season, surpassing the results of the past and making a breakthrough (or a step forward).
Detroit Red Wings
Result last season: didn’t make the playoffs Acquisitions: Cam Talbot (c), Jack Campbell (c), William Lagesson (d), Erik Gustafsson (d), Sheldon Dries (d), Joe Snively (d), Tyler Mott (d), Vladimir Tarasenko (d).
Last season, Detroit failed to make the playoffs. It is worth remembering that at that time this path was not blocked even by Washington, but by Philadelphia, which, with the score tied, eliminated the goalkeeper and allowed the Capitals to shoot into an empty goal, thanks to which it was Ovechkin’s band who He was left at the mercy of the Rangers.
If you look at the front office’s off-season work in terms of acquisitions, there is no sense that this team is ready to take a step forward. But the point here is different: it was important to rehire Raymond and Seider, whose negotiations were somewhat delayed. Yzerman got it and the Detroit general manager once again demonstrated his professionalism without overpaying any of them.
The basis for the Red Wings moving forward is that their resources must help them get into the top eight in the East; the team is definitely ripe for this. Additionally, Detroit has been bolstered by Vladimir Tarasenko, who recently won his second Cup, and there will be more championship spirit in the Red Wings locker room.
In North America they are intrigued:
“A most intriguing addition.” NHL website reporter on Tarasenko in Detroit
But it will be important to strengthen ourselves at the deadline, because the team will most likely reach the top eight anyway, but before the playoffs they will need to strengthen the bottom six, at the moment it is a bit weak.
New Jersey Devils
Result last season: didn’t make the playoffs Acquisitions: Jakob Markström (c), Jonathan Kovacevic (c), Brett Pesce (c), Brenden Dillon (c), Tomas Tatar (c), Paul Cotter (c), Adam Beckman (c), Stefan Noesen (c), Kevin Labanc (north).
Last year, the “devils” knocked the star-saturated Rangers out of the playoffs, confirming the status of a young and progressive team. But last year was not a success: an early injury to Jack Hughes, fatigue from the conservative and demanding Lindy Ruff, a lack of fighters (not counting McDermid, who chased Rempe for several matches only to hit him in the head). .
As we can see, the emphasis was placed on this: Ruff left in March and the New Jersey administration began to strengthen the defense and bottom lines with experienced fighters. Tomas Tatar also returned to the team, and Kevin Labanc was invited to a tryout contract, who may have his last chance at the NHL level.
The main acquisition, of course, is Markstrom, who, if he shows a level comparable to that shown in the 2021/2022 season, will become the most important structure in Sheldon Keefe’s structure.
But the engine of progress must, without a doubt, be the Devils’ main star: Jack Hughes. Last season it was clear that he is a player capable of entering the top 5 scorers in the league. If this year the American avoids adversity, then we should expect more than 100 points from him.
Jack Hughes
Photo: Noah K. Murray/AP/TASS
Toronto Maple Leaves
Result last season: eliminated in the first round Acquisitions: Anthony Stolarz (c), Chris Tanev (c), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (c), Dakota Mermis (c), Jani Hakanpää (c), Nikita Grebenkin (c), Steven Lorenz (c), Max Pacioretty (c).
I absolutely understand everyone’s skeptical attitude toward Toronto’s prospects, but I ask you to wipe the smile off your face. Last season ended according to the classic Maple Leafs scenario: first round, Boston, game seven, drama. We’ve seen enough action-packed movies to be surprised.
But this offseason, the Leafs were pleasantly surprised. Instead of Samsonov, who mercilessly caused an emotional shift in Leafs fans, Stolarz was chosen, replacing Bobrovsky in Florida. The defense was reinforced by three very good players from different formations: Tanev, Ekman-Larsson and Hakanpää. If Morgan Rielly keeps doing stupid things, there will now be someone to play the power in his place.
The offense signed players to minimum contracts that would provide the necessary energy: Lorenz, who won the Stanley Cup in the summer, Grebenkin, who lifted the Gagarin Cup over his head in the spring.
Furthermore, the team was led by Berube, who will not tolerate indifference in Toronto, there is no doubt about that. And maybe you’ll finally get rid of stubborn loser syndrome. And, no matter how much they beat Marner after the last playoffs, Toronto did the right thing by not cutting back as quickly as possible. Parting ways with such a versatile player, capable of scoring almost 100 points per season, is stupid.
Toronto hockey players and Craig Berube
Photo: Evan Buhler/AP/TASS
This is the last season that Toronto’s big four will play together and we must take advantage of it. And taking into account all the factors listed above, the Maple Leafs appear to be one of the favorites in the East: they simply have the deepest roster in the conference.
Nashville Predators
Result last season: eliminated in the first round Acquisitions: Scott Wedgwood (c), Matt Murray (c), Brady Shea (d), Nick Blankenburg (d), Jonathan Marchessault (d), Steven Stamkos (d), Vinny Hinostrosa (d), Jake Lucchini (d).
Not much was expected from Nashville last year: the team bought several contracts of older hockey players and signed a small group of players. But the Predators failed: Morena’s team confidently reached the playoffs, where they lost to Vancouver in a boring series.
Team general manager Barry Trotz decided to accelerate development by signing Stamkos, Marchessault and Shea in early July. Some have suggested that Steven and Brady were overpaid a little, but Nashville is not Florida for offering discounts.
Are there losses? We can say no. A Russian fan will surely ask about Askarov, but the Predators didn’t have him.
The duo of Saros and Wedgwood are in the top three:
Islanders’ goalkeeping tandem, Sorokin – Varlamov, recognized as the best according to the Daily Faceoff
As long as several players in the system progress, Nashville is building a strong team with a good coach who is capable of taking both the team and each individual to the next level. If circumstances are favorable, the team can force a fight in Edmonton, Dallas and Vancouver.
