NHL prospects start reporting this week and coaching camps open later this month.
So, what questions linger now about every crew forward of the common season, which begins Oct. 8?
Right here is the largest dealing with every crew within the Western Convention (groups listed in alphabetical order with final season’s file 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 along 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 hearth 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, prime 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 time with the hope of constructing a greater supporting solid 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 a very powerful factor to occur in Chicago this season.
Colorado Avalanche (50-25-7, 107 factors) | What’s their path to bettering?
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 — Sport 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals. He has been coping with a proper knee harm that required cartilage substitute 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 area.
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 improvement, however all nonetheless have quite a lot of runway to get higher. How brightly these three shine this season may have an unlimited impression on Dallas’s Stanley Cup possibilities.
Edmonton Oilers (49-27-6, 104 factors) | Is Edmonton’s goaltending sufficient?
The roster is deep, but in addition among the many oldest within the league. The Oilers want goaltender Stuart Skinner to take not less than a small step ahead. His respectable .905 save share was nineteenth amongst all goalies who performed in not less than 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 acquired a bit meaner with the additions of winger Tanner Jeannot and defenseman Joel Edmunson, however it’s not going these gamers may have a big impression 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 crew 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 huge 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 acquired older in signing forwards Steven Stamkos (34), ahead Jonathan Marchessault (33) and defenseman Brady Skjei (30) to huge contracts in the summertime. It’s kind of of a time bomb for a crew that most likely may use one other heart to play in its prime 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 have been one of the worst teams in NHL historical past. For the reason that addition of the loser level, just one crew had a worse factors share than final season’s Sharks — the 1999-2000 enlargement 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 prime 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 share was eighth within the league amongst goalies who appeared in not less than 41 video games. The Blues performed at a 99-point tempo after firing HC Craig Berube. A purposeful 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 area, Utah may leverage these property ought to a big-time participant hit the commerce market. What a strategy 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 share than Demko. He was good on a crew that was buttoned up defensively — fourth in photographs in opposition to 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 harm, believed to be a knee challenge, cannot be fixed through surgery, so he’ll should play by way of 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 as a result of 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 have been among the many greatest regular-season groups within the NHL in 2023-24. In mainly each essential 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 share, pushed by Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck. The Jets play a structured sport, have fairly good scorers and should not have a ton of holes wherever within the lineup. But, when matched up in a playoff collection head-to-head in opposition to the perfect gamers of different good groups, it does not look like Winnipeg has a ton of solutions. Within the Western Convention first spherical final season, Colorado uncovered the Jets and gained in 5 video games.
