NHL prospects start reporting this week and coaching camps open later this month.
So, what questions linger now about every group forward of the common season, which begins Oct. 8?
Right here is the largest dealing with every group within the Western Convention (groups listed in alphabetical order with final season’s document in parentheses):
Anaheim Geese (27-50-5, 59 factors) | What is going to Trevor Zegras change into?
It wasn’t all that way back that Zegras was wowing the hockey world together with his flash and talent — he even discovered himself on the “NHL 23” online game cowl. Now, he is the topic of commerce rumors. If Anaheim does not suppose Zegras is a part of the answer, a commerce appears doubtless for the American star.
Calgary Flames (38-39-5, 81 factors) | Is a Calgary fireplace sale coming?
On a latest “32 Ideas” podcast, veteran NHL reporter Elliott Friedman urged the Flames have not fully committed to rebuilding. They’ve already traded defenseman Noah Hanifin, high heart Elias Lindholm, winger Andrew Mangiapane and goalie Jacob Markstrom. Based on Friedman, there are different gamers who might want out of Calgary if the Flames acknowledge a full rebuild.
Chicago Blackhawks (23-53-6, 51 factors) | What is the subsequent step for Connor Bedard?
The Blackhawks spent cash attempting to enhance on and off this ice this summer season with the hope of constructing a greater supporting forged for his or her generational heart prospect. The previous Regina star turned 19 in July and is coming off one of many higher NHL seasons for an 18-year-old (61 factors in 68 video games). Regardless of the subsequent step appears to be like like for Bedard will finally be crucial factor to occur in Chicago this season.
Colorado Avalanche (50-25-7, 107 factors) | What’s their path to enhancing?
Colorado has been aggressive in attempting to support its elite core, including gamers at a number of commerce deadlines. That might be extra difficult this season with questions tied up within the contracts of wingers Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin.
Landeskog, their captain, is attempting to return to motion regardless of not having performed since June 26, 2022 — Recreation 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals. He has been coping with a proper knee damage that required cartilage alternative surgical procedure.
Nichushkin is suspended for a Stage 2 violation of the NHL/NHLPA participant help program. He may return as early as November. To make a run, Colorado wants both the gamers or the cap house.
Dallas Stars (52-21-9, 113 factors) | Will the Dallas pipeline hit one other dwelling run?
The questions largely fall on the upside of forwards Wyatt Johnston, Mavrik Bourque and Logan Stankoven. They’re all at various levels of their growth, however all nonetheless have loads of runway to get higher. How brightly these three shine this season may have an infinite affect on Dallas’s Stanley Cup possibilities.
Edmonton Oilers (49-27-6, 104 factors) | Is Edmonton’s goaltending sufficient?
The roster is deep, but additionally among the many oldest within the league. The Oilers want goaltender Stuart Skinner to take at the very least a small step ahead. His respectable .905 save proportion was nineteenth amongst all goalies who performed in at the very least 41 regular-season video games final season. Within the playoffs, that figure dropped to .901. Edmonton misplaced two video games within the finals by one purpose.
Los Angeles Kings (44-27-11, 99 factors) | Did they actually tackle their precise issues?
Los Angeles received a bit of meaner with the additions of winger Tanner Jeannot and defenseman Joel Edmunson, but it surely’s unlikely these gamers may have a big affect on a five-on-five offense that finished 19th in targets per 60 minutes, in response to Pure Stat Trick.
Minnesota Wild (39-34-9, 87 factors) | Do the Wild have sufficient offensively?
Minnesota nonetheless completed with the lowest expected goals against per 60 minutes of any group within the NHL at five-on-five, in response to Pure Stat Trick. Making the playoffs may hinge on extra scoring. Undersized facilities Marco Rossi and Marat Khusnutdinov might want to take massive steps this season to energy the Minnesota assault when star winger Kirill Kaprizov is not on the ice.
Nashville Predators (47-30-5, 99 factors) | Can their expertise delay the inevitable?
The Predators, already one of many older groups within the NHL, solely received older in signing forwards Steven Stamkos (34), ahead Jonathan Marchessault (33) and defenseman Brady Skjei (30) to massive contracts in the summertime. It is a bit of a time bomb for a group that in all probability may use one other heart to play in its high six.
San Jose Sharks (19-54-9, 47 factors) | Did the Sharks do sufficient for his or her new franchise facilities?
The Sharks of 2023-24 had been one of the worst teams in NHL historical past. For the reason that addition of the loser level, just one group had a worse factors proportion than final season’s Sharks — the 1999-2000 growth Atlanta Thrashers. It would all be price it with the arrival of younger facilities Macklin Celebrini (18) and Will Smith (19). San Jose added 5 NHL forwards and two NHL defensemen with the intention of insulating these two younger franchise cornerstones.
Seattle Kraken (34-35-13, 81 factors) | Is there sufficient offense?
Seattle completed twenty eighth in targets for per 60 minutes and twenty fourth in high-danger possibilities for per 60 minutes final season, according to Natural Stat Trick. Chandler Stephenson is coming off a tough season, however provides velocity to the lineup. Defenseman Brandon Montour’s puck-moving ought to assist enhance a middling energy play. At five-on-five, the Kraken are relying on enchancment from younger star Matty Beniers, defenseman Ryker Evans and high ahead prospect Shane Wright.
St. Louis Blues (43-33-6, 92 factors) | Is Jordan Binnington again?
Solely three common beginning goalies had a save percentage worse than Binnington’s .897 mixed throughout the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. Final season, Binnington performed higher. His .913 save proportion was eighth within the league amongst goalies who appeared in at the very least 41 video games. The Blues performed at a 99-point tempo after firing HC Craig Berube. A practical Binnington may masks a few of their defensive points.
Utah Hockey Membership (36-41-5, 77 factors) | Can Utah nonetheless add extra expertise?
Utah has promising younger gamers all through the roster after years of rebuilding through the twilight of the Arizona Coyotes. With a humiliation of riches in its farm system, loads of draft picks and plenty of cap house, Utah may leverage these belongings ought to a big-time participant hit the commerce market. What a technique to begin in a brand new market, eh?
Vancouver Canucks (50-23-9, 109 factors) | How good is Vancouver with out Thatcher Demko?
Amongst final season’s common starters, solely Connor Hellebuyck had a greater save proportion than Demko. He was good on a group that was buttoned up defensively — fourth in pictures towards per 60 minutes at five-on-five and sixth in Pure Stat Trick’s expected goals against per 60 at 5-on-5. Elliott Friedman of the “32 Ideas” podcast reported Demko’s damage, believed to be a knee concern, cannot be fixed through surgery, so he’ll must play via it.
Vegas Golden Knights (45-29-8, 98 factors) | How a lot does Mark Stone have left within the tank?
The winger Stone is 32 and has missed 110 regular-season video games over the previous three seasons attributable to ongoing again issues. His defensive metrics took a unsuitable flip final season whilst he scored 53 factors in 56 video games. Vegas was solely 13-11-2 with out Stone final season. That is an 88-point tempo, which might have put them outdoors the playoffs.
Winnipeg Jets (52-24-6, 110 factors) | Did Colorado expose Winnipeg?
The Jets had been among the many greatest regular-season groups within the NHL in 2023-24. In principally each necessary defensive metric, they landed within the higher half of the league. Winnipeg did this whereas additionally main the best way in five-on-five save proportion, pushed by Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck. The Jets play a structured recreation, have fairly good scorers and do not need a ton of holes wherever within the lineup. But, when matched up in a playoff collection head-to-head towards the most effective gamers of different good groups, it does not seem to be Winnipeg has a ton of solutions. Within the Western Convention first spherical final season, Colorado uncovered the Jets and received in 5 video games.