This is the seventh edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2020-21 season. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.
In this edition, we grant every team one wish for the trade deadline.
1. Colorado Avalanche (25-8-4)
Previous rank: 4
While landing another top-six forward would be a boon to Colorado's Stanley Cup aspirations, adding a goaltender may be the most sensible wish. There's a lot of inexperience behind Philipp Grubauer, and Pavel Francouz's return date remains unknown. Someone like David Rittich could provide nice insurance and ease Grubauer's load down the stretch.
2. Florida Panthers (26-9-4)
Previous rank: 3
The Panthers need to bring in a defenseman for cheap after losing Aaron Ekblad for the season. It's not an easy task to replace a Norris-caliber defender, but there are several rearguards available who could be acquired without giving up significant assets, such as Niklas Hjalmarsson or Marc Staal.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning (26-10-2)
Previous rank: 1
The Lightning are a nearly flawless team, which is remarkable considering they've been without injured superstar Nikita Kucherov all season. In a perfect world for Tampa Bay, Kucherov would return well ahead of schedule - say around April 12 - giving the club a major lift a month prior to the playoffs.
4. Carolina Hurricanes (25-9-3)
Previous rank: 5
When fully healthy, there are three goalies on the Hurricanes capable of being serviceable after the emergence of Alex Nedeljkovic. Carolina's wish is to find a team willing to pay up for either Petr Mrazek or James Reimer, which could in turn facilitate bringing in a talented forward like Mikael Granlund.
5. Vegas Golden Knights (24-10-2)
Previous rank: 2
Chandler Stephenson found a home between Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone on the Golden Knights' top line before receiving a three-game suspension, but just imagine Vegas with a true No. 1 center with those two star wingers. There aren't any elite pivots on the market right now, but Granlund can play down the middle, and he'd make a dangerous unit even more potent.
6. Toronto Maple Leafs (25-10-3)
Previous rank: 8
With the North Division not expected to live beyond 2020-21, this could be Toronto's best chance to win the Stanley Cup. The Maple Leafs should go all-in at the deadline to get Taylor Hall, the best available rental, giving them the league's most lethal top-six forward group.
7. Washington Capitals (25-9-4)
Previous rank: 7
The Capitals are one of the NHL's deepest teams, but even the best squads would benefit from an upgrade. Washington could use another reliable top-nine left winger to provide more scoring than Conor Sheary and Richard Panik are offering in 2021. Ryan Dzingel would be a nice fit.
8. Pittsburgh Penguins (24-12-2)
Previous rank: 9
The Penguins could need to address a couple of areas after injuries to key forwards Evgeni Malkin and Kasperi Kapanen, and goaltender Tristan Jarry. The netminder is back practicing, so adding to the middle six up front appears to be the priority for Pittsburgh. If the injuries to trade candidates Rickard Rakell and Tanner Pearson aren't severe, either would be an ideal addition.
9. New York Islanders (24-10-4)
Previous rank: 6
The Islanders need to fill the void Anders Lee leaves behind after the team's captain was ruled out for the season with a torn ACL. The club is a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, so it would make sense to pursue one of the big names available, like Kyle Palmieri or Nick Foligno. Either would seemingly fit well into Barry Trotz's system.
10. Minnesota Wild (23-11-2)
Previous rank: 15
The Wild letting their elite blue line go to waste would be a shame. But they also shouldn't go all-in for just this season, as Minnesota will likely need to go through the Golden Knights and Avs at some point. That's why it would be wise to get a dynamic offensive producer like Johnny Gaudreau, who's signed through next season. However, the Flames may want to wait until the offseason before potentially moving him.
11. Boston Bruins (19-10-5)
Previous rank: 11
The Bruins desperately need to inject some goal-scoring into their lineup, as the club ranks 29th in goals at five-on-five. Beyond David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron, and Brad Marchand, Boston's forwards have combined for just 34 goals. Palmieri would slide in well if the Bruins can fit him under the cap.
12. Winnipeg Jets (22-13-3)
Previous rank: 12
No contending team needs a defenseman more than the Jets. Insert Mattias Ekholm, who would be Winnipeg's top blue-liner for both this season and 2021-22. The Predators may not be willing to sell now that they're back in the playoff race. But these are just wishes after all, right?
13. Edmonton Oilers (23-14-1)
Previous rank: 10
The Oilers are essentially a dollar-in-dollar-out team ahead of this year's deadline, so general manager Ken Holland will need to get creative with barely any wiggle room. If he can pull off a deal, a third-line center should be atop the team's wish list, with options like Luke Glendening or Sam Bennett potentially fitting.
14. Montreal Canadiens (16-9-9)
Previous rank: 14
General manager Marc Bergevin already made several big moves during the offseason, and he recently acquired Eric Staal for good measure. The Canadiens are extremely deep and right against the cap, and they also may get top prospect Cole Caufield in the lineup soon. Montreal needs to stand pat and hope to come out atop the North Division with its current roster.
15. Nashville Predators (20-18-1)
Previous rank: 26
The Predators are back in the playoff hunt, but they clearly need to sell at the deadline regardless. So with an eye to the future, Nashville would do well to get its desired three-asset package for Ekholm. That would include a first-round pick and an elite prospect.
16. Dallas Stars (13-13-10)
Previous rank: 22
Much like the Lightning, the Stars may not be busy prior to the deadline because they could get several impact players back from injury before the season ends. Dallas surely wishes for faster-than-expected recoveries from Tyler Seguin, Ben Bishop, Alexander Radulov, and Joel Kiviranta. If any of them return before the deadline - particularly either of the first two - the Stars wouldn't need to do much else.
17. Arizona Coyotes (18-15-5)
Previous rank: 24
The Coyotes have played well lately, but they should still be deadline sellers. However, three of their biggest potential trade chips - Niklas Hjalmarsson, Antti Raanta, and Darcy Kuemper - are injured. Getting them all back before the deadline would help maximize Arizona's returns.
18. New York Rangers (17-15-5)
Previous rank: 20
The Rangers might seem like a bubble team based on their point total, but their points percentage indicates the club is all but out of contention in the competitive East Division. New York shouldn't sell everything off, but a successful deadline would involve getting a moderately valuable asset for veteran blue-liner Brendan Smith.
19. San Jose Sharks (17-16-4)
Previous rank: 25
The Sharks are reportedly willing to take on a cap hit in exchange for assets, and that's exactly what they'll need to do now. With more than $6 million in available space and just two draft picks over the first three rounds in 2021, the Sharks need to load up on picks or prospects to replenish their system.
20. St. Louis Blues (16-15-6)
Previous rank: 13
Mike Hoffman's struggles have created an unexpected top-six need for the Blues. St. Louis would clearly love to address that issue, and if cap space weren't holding the team back, snagging a winger like Hall or Palmieri would be ideal. In reality, nabbing a proven contributor like Bobby Ryan would be a safe move, albeit an uninspiring one.
21. Philadelphia Flyers (17-14-5)
Previous rank: 16
The Flyers have built a roster that can succeed, though reinforcements are clearly needed. Carter Hart has struggled immensely this season, but the defense in front of him has also been abysmal, and Matt Niskanen's absence has been felt. Bringing in a solid defender like David Savard or Brandon Montour would go a long way toward helping the Flyers get back on track.
22. Chicago Blackhawks (17-17-5)
Previous rank: 21
The Blackhawks have regressed a bit after a hot start, and they should sell rather than try to push for the playoffs. Mattias Janmark, Carl Soderberg, and David Kampf are all on expiring deals, and they could easily be attractive to contenders looking to add depth pieces.
23. Vancouver Canucks (16-18-3)
Previous rank: 18
The only thing we can wish for the Canucks right now is a quick and full recovery from their ongoing COVID-19 battle.
24. Los Angeles Kings (14-16-6)
Previous rank: 23
In a perfect world, the Kings wish for a team to take Jonathan Quick off their hands. Cal Petersen has essentially snatched the starting role in net for Los Angeles, and there are two more years left on Quick's contract at $5.8 million. Moving the veteran likely won't happen, but it sure would help the Kings out a ton.
25. New Jersey Devils (13-17-6)
Previous rank: 27
The Devils need to load up on assets to keep smoothly rebuilding around their young stars. The club shouldn't stop at just potentially parting ways with Palmieri. Defenseman Sami Vatanen and veteran Travis Zajac are both on expiring deals, and New Jersey needs to at least gauge what they would fetch.
26. Columbus Blue Jackets (14-18-8)
Previous rank: 19
Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen won't admit it, but his team should absolutely sell. Savard is the Blue Jackets' best trade chip, and while his value is debatable, Columbus would do cartwheels if the club could get a first-round pick in return.
27. Calgary Flames (16-20-3)
Previous rank: 17
For a team to fall in love with Sam Bennett. It's no secret that the 2014 fourth overall pick is available for trade, but so far there haven't been any takers. Perhaps a club will look at his strong postseason track record (11 goals and eight assists in 30 games) and take a flier on him.
28. Ottawa Senators (13-21-4)
Previous rank: 29
For someone to overpay for Mike Reilly. Defensemen are always a hot commodity at the trade deadline, and Reilly is Ottawa's most valuable trade chip on an expiring deal. He's just 27 years old, his cap hit is only $1.5 million, and he's quietly producing a strong season. If GM Pierre Dorion can create a bidding war for Reilly's services, he could net a better return than many expect.
29. Detroit Red Wings (13-22-5)
Previous rank: 28
To take on some cap hits. With most of the league's top contenders right up against the cap, the Red Wings should take on hefty contracts in exchange for some valuable assets.
30. Anaheim Ducks (11-21-7)
Previous rank: 30
For Ryan Getzlaf to waive his no-movement clause. The captain has declined, but with so few centers on the trade market, the Ducks could probably reel in a decent return if the pending UFA wants to go ring chasing.
31. Buffalo Sabres (8-23-6)
Previous rank: 31
A first-round pick for Taylor Hall. There's no guarantee Buffalo gets that return given the 2018 Hart Trophy winner's struggles this season. But getting a first-rounder - or an equally valuable prospect - would be a nice victory for the Sabres in a season that's provided little optimism.
(Analytics source: Natural Stat Trick, Evolving Hockey)
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