Vegas is the clear favorite in the division and the Edmonton Oilers should be considered No. However, the Kraken should be expected to compete for a playoff spot in the Pacific Division. It's ridiculous to think that Seattle's first season won't be a success unless it reaches the Stanley Cup Final like Vegas did in its first season. What are the expectations for the Kraken's inaugural campaign after what the Golden Knights were able to accomplish in Year 1? - Kraken shouldn't be judged against what the Golden Knights accomplished in their first season, but that's going to happen regardless of it being unfair. Video: Lafreniere shows finesse with goal in 3rd Dach has scored 33 points (10 goals, 23 assists) in 82 NHL games and could get a chance to play regularly with Patrick Kane and/or Alex DeBrincat this season. Kirby Dach, Chicago Blackhawks: The 20-year-old center was limited to 18 games last season because of a wrist injury, scoring 10 points (two goals, eight assists). He might have to switch to right wing, but the opportunity to play regularly with either Mika Zibanejad or Artemi Panarin should take the 19-year-old to the next level. 1 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, is expected to be a regular in the Rangers top six forwards after scoring 21 points (12 goals, nine assists) in 56 games as a rookie. 7 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.Īlexis Lafreniere, New York Rangers: Lafreniere, the No. That opportunity will give Cozens, who scored 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 41 games last season, a chance to showcase why the Sabres selected him with the No. An improved power play with the addition of defenseman Dougie Hamilton will help Hughes and the Devils, who were 28th with the man-advantage last season (14.2 percent).ĭylan Cozens, Buffalo Sabres: The 20-year-old center will likely play a bigger role for the Sabres because of the uncertainty surrounding captain Jack Eichel and the departure of center Sam Reinhart, who was traded to the Florida Panthers on July 24. That could be looked at as a breakout year for Hughes, but that will change this season when he scores north of 70 points. Top breakout candidates for the upcoming season? - Hughes, New Jersey Devils: The 20-year-old center scored 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) in 56 games last season. No team plays its system better or more consistently than the Islanders, who are second in goals against per game (2.54) the past two seasons (Boston Bruins, 2.39).
New York also gained more experience and depth by signing left wing Zach Parise and defenseman Zdeno Chara, and their goaltending is strong with Semyon Varlamov and Ilya Sorokin. Oliver Wahlstrom, who has a quick release and powerful shot, could make the jump and play right wing on the top line with Barzal and Lee. Lee (6-foot-3, 235 pounds) is a presence in front of the net and scored 12 goals in 27 games last season. They'll have their captain Anders Lee back after the forward had ACL surgery in March. New York is deep down the middle with Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Casey Cizikas, who is arguably the best fourth-line center in the NHL. They lost in six games to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2020 Eastern Conference Final and in seven to them in the 2021 Stanley Cup Semifinals. The Islanders have no holes and the same level of hunger as the Avalanche having fallen just short of reaching the Stanley Cup Final the past two seasons. Arguably no team has more firepower than the Avalanche with forwards Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen, and defensemen Cale Makar, Samuel Girard and Devon Toews leading the way. He is second in goals-against average (2.35) and tied for second in save percentage (.922) among goalies who have played in at least 100 games since 2018-19, and he would have received more accolades had his former team, the Arizona Coyotes, been better around him. Grubauer was a Vezina Trophy finalist last season, but Kuemper shouldn't be seen as a downgrade. The biggest question Colorado has is at goalie with Darcy Kuemper replacing Philipp Grubauer, who signed with the Seattle Kraken as an unrestricted free agent July 28. However, losing as they did to the San Jose Sharks in 2019 (seven games), the Dallas Stars in 2020 (seven games) and the Vegas Golden Knights last season (six games) should be their best teacher.
The Avalanche have been among the favorites the past three seasons, but they haven't been able to advance past the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Way too early Stanley Cup Final matchup? - Avalanche vs.