The Ottawa Senators are expected to be at a disadvantage before the puck even drops for their season opener against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night.
Ottawa appears to be going with 11 forwards and six defensemen due to salary-cap issues and injuries to forwards Josh Norris and Zack MacEwen.
Sens lines from the morning skate in Carolina. (No MacEwen)
The Senators thought Norris would be ready to play in the preseason after he had shoulder surgery that ended his 2022-23 campaign. He still isn't ready to return, but the club is choosing not to place him on long-term injured reserve.
Norris would miss 10 games or 24 days if he lands on LTIR, but it'd free up his $7.95-million cap hit and allow Ottawa to add a player to the roster.
To complicate matters, MacEwen is now hurt as well. He didn't skate Wednesday and has been considered day-to-day with an upper-body ailment.
The Senators only have approximately $63,000 in cap space, according to CapFriendly.
Because of the club's cap constraints, it hasn't been able to re-sign Shane Pinto, who's essentially a restricted free agent (he's a "10.2c" player who hasn't played enough to qualify for the standard "Group 2" RFA status).
The 22-year-old forward scored 20 goals and added 15 assists while playing all 82 games in his first full campaign last season.
The New Jersey Devils are rewarding head coach Lindy Ruff with a multi-year contract extension, the club announced Wednesday.
Ruff was a Jack Adams Award finalist last season after he guided the Devils to the NHL's third-best record. The veteran bench boss helped New Jersey reel off a 13-game win streak from late October to late November. He led the turnaround after fans infamously chanted "Fire Lindy" following a slow start.
The 63-year-old ranks fifth all time in games coached and wins, though he has the third-most losses and a winning percentage of .487. Ruff won the Jack Adams in 2006 with the Buffalo Sabres, finished second in 2007, and placed third in 2016.
"I'm not going to start kissing everybody's ass or pumping everybody's tires," Laine said Tuesday, according to Brian Hedger of the Columbus Dispatch. "I know I can compete with those guys and that's why I want to do this in the first place."
Laine will be Columbus' first-line center to start the season after playing the vast majority of his career on the wing. The 25-year-old has struggled in the faceoff circle throughout his seven seasons, averaging 32.5%, though he's only taken 246 draws in that span.
He's had difficulties defensively over the last three seasons, averaging a 17/100 by Evolving-Hockey's defense metric, though he posted a 69 in the 2022-23 campaign.
Evolving-Hockey
The Blue Jackets have veteran pivot Boone Jenner and promising rookie Adam Fantilli at the center position, but they don't have much depth down the middle beyond that.
Laine has performed well offensively of late, notching 22 goals and 30 assists while being limited to 55 games in 2022-23 due to injury. He produced a point per game the season before that, collecting 26 tallies and 30 helpers over 56 contests.
Morgan Rielly would like to have more freedom in the wake of the NHL's new ban on using Pride tape on the ice.
"I wish players had the right to do more and be more involved," Rielly said Tuesday, according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox. "I'm going to continue to be involved in the community and offer support to those communities and those groups that want that, need that."
Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving also expressed his support on behalf of the club.
"Regardless of what is out there, this organization, myself personally, we've always been supporters of the LGBTQ community," the GM said, per the Toronto Sun's Terry Koshan. "Nothing is going to change with that."
The league is forbidding players from using the rainbow-colored tape as part of new theme night rules, deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed to The Associated Press earlier Tuesday. The NHL sent a memo to teams last week clarifying what they can and can't do in terms of theme nights, which have historically included celebrating Pride, the military, and other causes.
The makers of pride tape responded to the ban Tuesday, saying they're "extremely disappointed" in the decision.
"We hope the league - and teams - will again show commitment to this important symbol of combatting homophobia," they added.
In June, the league said it wouldn't allow players to wear any type of theme jersey during pregame warmups. That came in response to seven players refusing to wear Pride jerseys for various reasons. Commissioner Gary Bettman said at the time that the seven players' refusals overshadowed their teams' efforts to host Pride nights.
Rielly has been a vocal supporter of Pride and LGBTQ rights, saying in June that his support "is not going to go away" due to the NHL's rules.
There's little doubt about the front-runner for the Hart Trophy as the NHL season approaches. Connor McDavid rightfully took home the hardware for the second time in three years and third time overall after piling up 153 points in 2022-23.
Where the debate begins - as was the case for virtually all of last season - is in mulling the runners-up. While we expect the two other finalists from the summer to again vie for MVP honors, a previous winner will look to get back in the mix and a different perennial contender should keep himself in the hunt if he can stay healthy.
Jack Hughes appears destined to be a fixture in the Hart conversation for years to come, but he's not yet among the handful of the league's most valuable players. The Devils dominated as a team last season, and the young star's deep supporting cast got even deeper when New Jersey traded for Calgary Flames leading scorer Tyler Toffoli in late June. Consider Hughes an honorable mention.
Here are the top five MVP candidates as we near the start of the 2023-24 campaign:
5. Nathan MacKinnon
Michael Martin / National Hockey League / Getty
If anyone has a stellar group around him, it's MacKinnon. But few would argue with the Colorado Avalanche center being in the upper echelon when it comes to the NHL's most important players.
Colorado's catalyst might have some trouble cracking the top three because of how incredible Cale Makar is - not to mention Mikko Rantanen, Devon Toews, and some shrewd offseason additions. But MacKinnon's individual impact is undeniable. Despite missing 11 games due to injury last season, he ranked third in the NHL in wins above replacement and goals above replacement, which are both cumulative statistics as opposed to averages.
That alone demonstrates MacKinnon's value, as the two players above him on those lists (McDavid and Matthew Tkachuk) played more games than he did. MacKinnon's rate of 1.56 points per game last season was bested by only two players - McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. If MacKinnon can avoid missing more than 10 games due to injury this time around, he should garner serious Hart consideration.
4. Matthew Tkachuk
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Tkachuk was brilliant in 2022-23. The Florida Panthers' tenacious talent deserved plenty of praise for his WAR and GAR figures, particularly in the context of this race because they factor in two-way play. He also buried 40 goals while ranking among the league leaders in points and several other categories. Voters rightfully recognized him for his efforts, as he finished third for the Hart before leading the Panthers all the way to the Stanley Cup Final.
However, the upcoming season is already looking more challenging for Tkachuk and his team. For one thing, key defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour are out to start the year with no definitive return dates. Tkachuk does have a prime opportunity to further prove his value by carrying the Panthers without those blue-liners. Doing so would bolster his MVP case if he and the club manage to excel in their absence.
But, on the other hand, Florida only made the playoffs by a single point in the spring, and the Cats need to make it again for Tkachuk to be a serious Hart candidate. If they slip out of the postseason picture with their integral rearguards missing time, it'll be much harder for MVP voters to consider Tkachuk. One could argue it's actually more impressive to thrive on a worse team, but that's not how Hart voters typically think.
Tkachuk has already proven he can provide the Panthers with significant value, but his team's fortunes - or misfortunes, as the case may be - could hinder his Hart chances, even if he matches or improves his statistical output.
3. Auston Matthews
Josh Lavallee / Getty Images
Matthews wasn't in the thick of the Hart race last season because his typically eye-popping production and newfound defensive prowess diminished as he played through a hand injury. Assuming his health holds up in 2023-24, there's little reason to suspect the player who amassed 60 goals during his MVP campaign in 2021-22 can't pull off something similar again.
The 26-year-old enters this season with the added pressure of having signed a contract extension in August that'll make him the NHL's highest-paid player in 2024-25. However, Matthews' track record of posting arcade-like offensive numbers when healthy, along with his commendable two-way play, suggest he'll be firmly in the Hart discussion yet again. He'll also be playing on the penalty kill in 2023-24, which is a testament to his defensive growth and should only further cement his case.
Two of the Toronto Maple Leafs' divisional opponents - the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning - are expected to take steps back this season, even if they do still make the playoffs. Leading the Maple Leafs to a division title would also strengthen Matthews' case among voters who place importance on the success of a candidate's team (regular-season success, of course).
The Leafs have three other stars and some depth on the roster. But if their best player can separate himself from his teammates by a sizeable margin in terms of production while authoring strong underlying numbers, he'll be right back in the race he won outright two seasons ago.
2. David Pastrnak
Boston Globe / Boston Globe / Getty
Much like with the Panthers and Tkachuk, the Bruins' predicted slide in the standings could affect Pastrnak's MVP chances. However, the difference here is that Boston isn't likely in danger of missing the playoffs. The Bs won't ... be ... as good as they were in their historically dominant 2022-23 campaign, but that could actually help their game-breaking winger's Hart pursuit.
The Bruins are expected to tumble because Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Dmitry Orlov are all gone. Their depleted supporting cast means Pastrnak will need to do even more heavy lifting, which in turn will demonstrate his value to a greater degree - assuming he performs as he's shown he can.
Pastrnak amassed 34 more goals and 46 more points than his closest teammates last season, so just imagine what those disparities will look like in 2023-24 without those four departed impact players around. Pastrnak's playmaking abilities and even-strength dominance make that scenario quite plausible. It might even provide enough evidence for him to usurp McDavid as the front-runner (gasp), but Pastrnak has his work cut out for him in that regard.
1. Connor McDavid
Ethan Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Choosing anyone else for this spot would be foolish. There's no disputing that McDavid is the most valuable player in the NHL - generally speaking - so all he has to do is play like it to justify the honor. The Edmonton Oilers superstar certainly did that last season when he led all of the league's skaters in goals, assists, and points (a whopping 153) while besting all forwards in average ice time.
Expecting virtually any other player to duplicate that kind of success would be questionable, but no one will be surprised if McDavid equals - or even exceeds - the absurd numbers he posted in 2022-23. Sidney Crosby recently said he would never bet against McDavid when asked if his Oilers counterpart was capable of notching 170 points this season.
It's hard to disagree with the former best player in the world's assessment of the current one. And it's not just about counting stats, either, as McDavid's NHL-best WAR and GAR from a season ago further illustrate how valuable he is to his team.
There wasn't much suspense when it came to the divisional slots for the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season. But the wild-card races provided some drama, as two teams in the Eastern Conference missed out by a single point, and two more in the West failed to qualify by two and three points, respectively.
Some of those bubble teams have a legitimate chance to get over the hump in 2023-24, and not every team that snuck into the postseason in 2022-23 is a lock to do so again.
Here are the five teams that are most likely to create playoff chaos, either by taking a step back and concluding their campaigns early or by rejoining the postseason field:
Buffalo Sabres
Darcy Finley / National Hockey League / Getty
The Sabres' rebuild is heading in the right direction, and a postseason berth could be a realistic goal for the club in 2023-24. Buffalo was one of those Eastern Conference squads that came up short by a single point after 82 games, so it's entirely conceivable that this up-and-coming team will make it next spring.
This season could be a golden opportunity for the high-flying Sabres to grab a wild-card spot or even a divisional berth, as a couple of longtime powerhouses in the East may have a harder time reaching the postseason than usual. The Boston Bruins got significantly worse over the summer thanks to two big retirements and two impact players exiting in free agency. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning have to play at least the first two months of the campaign without their stalwart in the crease.
The Sabres could greatly benefit if one or both of those Atlantic Division foes experience a big drop-off in performance. Of course, that may not be all that likely. But even if Boston and Tampa don't slide in the standings, one or both of last season's Eastern Conference wild-card teams could slip up.
That alone would open the door for a talented Buffalo squad that ranked third in the NHL in goals per game in 2022-23. And once the Sabres are in, their skilled youngsters and lower expectations could help them surprise one or more established contenders - including the Bruins and Lightning.
Florida Panthers
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Before eliminating the historically dominant Bruins and making it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, the Panthers scratched and clawed their way into the playoffs by one point as one of the aforementioned wild-card teams in the East. Florida still boasts Hart Trophy finalist Matthew Tkachuk, two-way wizard Aleksander Barkov, and a solid supporting cast including Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart. However, the Cats will be without key defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour for at least October.
Given how the standings shook out in 2022-23, every available point is crucial. The Panthers will be forced to trot out the decaying husk of Oliver Ekman-Larsson and reclamation project Mike Reilly while their two integral players on the back end are on the shelf. If Florida loses even one or two more games than expected during this stretch, it could come back to haunt the defending Eastern Conference champions in April.
The Panthers led the NHL in shots on goal and ranked sixth in goals per game last season. They were also a top-five team in terms of expected goals for percentage and scoring chances for percentage at five-on-five. So Florida should once again excel at puck possession and creating scoring chances.
But even so, the margin for error is incredibly thin, and one rough week could be the difference between the Cats making another playoff run and cleaning out their stalls wondering what went wrong.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
When the Penguins missed the playoffs for the first time in 17 years this past spring, big changes were inevitable. Pittsburgh fired general manager Ron Hextall and his right-hand man, Brian Burke, replacing them with Kyle Dubas in a dual role. The new boss then made a huge splash by acquiring reigning Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson in a blockbuster three-way trade.
The Pens' aging core should be invigorated by Karlsson's arrival. Even if the 33-year-old regresses as expected following a surprising career year, he gives Pittsburgh another star and a potentially explosive top power-play unit. The Penguins also missed the last postseason by a single point, so the addition of the dynamic defenseman could easily get them back into the picture. This team has more than enough experience with Cup wins and playoff runs to do damage once it gets there, too.
The New York Islanders qualified by two points in 2022-23, claiming the East's top wild-card spot by one point over the Panthers and by two over the Sabres and Pens. But it isn't hard to envision the new-look Penguins leapfrogging their Metropolitan Division counterparts this time around.
Winnipeg Jets
Zak Krill / National Hockey League / Getty
Much like the Panthers in the East, the Jets could stir up some postseason chaos simply by not being a part of the proceedings in the West.
Winnipeg would fall short of the playoffs for the second time in three years if that were to happen - and it's not too far-fetched to imagine. The Jets made it by two points in 2022-23 before the eventual champion Vegas Golden Knights bounced them out of the first round in five games. Winnipeg then traded the disgruntled Pierre-Luc Dubois and bought out declining former captain Blake Wheeler.
During the offseason, it looked like the Central Division squad might engage a full rebuild, as ever-reliable goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and productive center Mark Scheifele - both of whom are now pending unrestricted free agents - were trade candidates. But GM Kevin Cheveldayoff insisted his goal was winning with the dependable duo in the lineup.
That might be possible, particularly if Gabriel Vilardi - who Winnipeg acquired in the Dubois trade - breaks out and helps compensate for the departed forward's absence. But the Jets' return to the dance is by no means a certainty, and that could give another western Canadian squad a shot at redemption.
Calgary Flames
Derek Cain / Getty Images Sport / Getty
The Flames seem to have just as many things working in their favor as they have working against them as they try to restore their past status as a potential playoff threat. On a positive note, notoriously grating head coach Darryl Sutter is no longer around, and Calgary should play with more freedom under new bench boss Ryan Huska.
This club was also the third-best in the NHL in terms of both xGF% and SCF% at five-on-five in 2022-23. It fired more shots on goal than every team in the league except the Panthers. Calgary simply couldn't win enough close games. The 2021-22 Pacific Division champions dropped the most overtime or shootout contests in the NHL last season, missing the playoffs (while finishing behind the Jets in the overall standings) by two points.
A new head coach and some better luck in tight tilts could get the Flames back on track. Of course, there are also reasons why that might not happen. The biggest of which is they traded away their leading scorer, Tyler Toffoli, in June. Calgary already had issues putting the puck in the net, so players who struggled under Sutter, like Jonathan Huberdeau, will need to rediscover their past elite form. There's also the matter of goaltending, as the previously solid Jacob Markstrom had an atrocious 2022-23 campaign.
But if the 33-year-old can just give the Flames league-average goaltending, they'll have a legitimate shot at returning to the playoffs. Given their success in the puck possession game with largely the same group last season, this is a team that could succeed in the playoffs if it gets there. And that isn't unrealistic, especially considering Winnipeg appears headed in the other direction.
The Calgary Flames' new arena project is on - and it comes with a promise that the club will stay put for more than three decades.
Alberta premier Danielle Smith, Calgary mayor Jyoti Gondek, and representatives from the Flames and their parent company, the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation, made it official Thursday.
Gondek said the CSEC, the city of Calgary, the province of Alberta, and the Calgary Stampede have all signed final agreements on the event center plans, according to The Athletic's Julian McKenzie.
The Flames committed to remaining in Calgary for 35 years, according to TSN's Salim Nadim Valji.
The project, which was originally agreed upon in principle in April, will involve the construction of an entire entertainment district that includes the Flames' arena. It will cost $1.2 billion, with the provincial government spending $330 million. The city's contribution wasn't announced Thursday, but in April it was pegged at $537.3 million, with the CSEC paying the remaining $356 million.
No provincial tax dollars will be used, said Devin Dreeshen, the minister of transportation and economic corridors, according to McKenzie.
Construction is likely to begin next year, and Dreeshen hopes it'll be completed by 2026 or 2027, at which point the Saddledome will be demolished. The new building is expected to seat between 18,000 and 18,400 fans, which would be smaller than the current arena's capacity of 19,289.
The Flames had a previous deal in place for a new arena in 2019, but it fell apart two years later after the cost increased by over $50 million.
The Saddledome is the second-oldest current arena in the NHL, having opened in 1983. Among active facilities in the league, only Madison Square Garden in New York City has been around longer.
Another day, another Ottawa Senators first-round pick on the waiver wire.
The Senators waived defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker and forward Egor Sokolov, along with blue-liner Jacob Larsson and winger Matthew Highmore, in order to assign all four to their AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators, the NHL club announced Monday night.
The Sens drafted Bernard-Docker 26th overall in 2018. He then spent three years at North Dakota. The 23-year-old has played the majority of his pro career with Belleville, collecting four goals and 11 assists in 99 games over the last two seasons. He's played briefly with Ottawa, registering a pair of helpers in 32 games across three campaigns.
Sokolov, who's also 23 years old, signed a one-year, two-way contract worth the league minimum of $775,000 at the NHL level in September. The Senators selected Sokolov 61st overall in 2020.
On Saturday, Ottawa placed defenseman Lassi Thomson on waivers, and the Anaheim Ducks claimed him Sunday. The Sens chose the 23-year-old 19th overall in 2019.
Ottawa forward Shane Pinto remains without a contract for the upcoming season. The 22-year-old is a "10.2c" player, meaning he hasn't played enough to obtain Group 2 (standard) restricted free-agent status.
Pinto - who played with Bernard-Docker for two years at North Dakota - notched 20 goals and 15 assists while playing all 82 games in his first full NHL campaign in 2022-23. Ottawa picked Pinto 32nd overall in 2019.
Just because an NHL team is good doesn't mean it's exciting to watch, and vice versa. Several clubs that made the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season wound up in the bottom 16 of this series, and there's more than one squad in the top 16 that might very well miss out on the postseason.
That's why it's important to remember the distinction between a great team and a genuinely entertaining one. This isn't like a typical power rankings that evaluates the strength of each club in relation to one another. It's entirely about how appealing the squads are and how much they make the average viewer put down what they're doing and turn on the game.
Here's who we consider the 16 most watchable NHL teams as we approach the start of the upcoming campaign:
16. Chicago Blackhawks
The rebuilding Blackhawks would have no business being in the top 16 if not for a certain No. 1 overall pick. Fans will surely tune in just to watch Connor Bedard, even if Chicago loses more often than not. He's dominated at every level - including internationally - so it won't be surprising if he justifies the hype sooner rather than later.
15. Buffalo Sabres
Looking for a team that's sure to be fun even if they don't make the playoffs? Look no further. Highly touted goaltending prospect Devon Levi is primed to take the reins behind a gifted Sabres core featuring Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, Dylan Cozens, and Calder Trophy finalist Owen Power. Buffalo may still experience some growing pains, but this squad should give hometown and out-of-state fans alike plenty to talk about.
14. New York Rangers
The Rangers boast one of the best playmaking defensemen in the NHL in Adam Fox, one of the best goaltenders in Igor Shesterkin, and a solid collection of forwards that includes Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider. That hasn't translated into much success, but there's enough talent on this team to ensure that they'll be at least moderately compelling yet again.
13. Seattle Kraken
Christopher Mast / National Hockey League / Getty
The Kraken were one of the league's best stories in 2022-23, exceeding expectations in their second season. Only three teams scored more goals than Seattle (Jared McCann's out-of-nowhere 40 certainly helped), but the club ranked 20th in shots per game, suggesting a little luck was involved. Regardless, the Kraken should be worth a gander in 2023-24 as Calder Trophy winner Matty Beniers and the rest of the squad continue to grow.
12. Boston Bruins
To say this isn't the same Bruins team that set numerous records last season would be an understatement. Boston's franchise fixtures at center - Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci - both retired this summer and the club's two big trade deadline prizes - Tyler Bertuzzi and Dmitry Orlov - signed elsewhere as free agents. David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, and Charlie McAvoy are still aboard, but a sizeable drop-off in excitement is expected here.
11. Tampa Bay Lightning
There was a time when not putting the Lightning at or near the top of this list would've seemed absurd. But this Tampa Bay squad isn't on the same level as the ones that claimed the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021 and made the final in 2022. Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Brayden Point, and Victor Hedman are still doing their thing, but only Point is under 30 among them - and now Andrei Vasilevskiy is out for the first two months of the season.
10. Los Angeles Kings
Landing Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Winnipeg Jets was a bit of a coup for the Kings, who were already one of the more aesthetically pleasing clubs in the NHL in terms of their style of play. Los Angeles has also successfully injected youth into the mix alongside a veteran core. The Kings were a top-10 team in scoring as well as the key underlying categories last season.
9. Pittsburgh Penguins
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
The Penguins' status as must-see TV had dwindled in recent years, and they missed the playoffs for the first time in nearly two decades last season. But, in August, Pittsburgh's new dual executive Kyle Dubas landed Erik Karlsson in a blockbuster trade. The Pens will initially play both the reigning Norris Trophy winner and Kris Letang on PP1. As a great man once said, "Get your popcorn ready."
8. Dallas Stars
The Stars have been known for their defense for years, and they're still elite on that front. But Dallas is now one of the best offensive teams in the league as well. Superstar winger Jason Robertson, skilled center Roope Hintz, ultra-dependable rearguard Miro Heiskanen (who exploded production-wise last season after primarily dominating on the blue line in prior campaigns), and promising youngster Wyatt Johnston give this team plenty of intrigue.
7. Florida Panthers
The Panthers were exciting long before their surprising run to the Cup Final, and they haven't changed a whole lot in the offseason. Florida led the NHL in shots on goal and ranked sixth in goals. The Cats also placed in the top five in both expected goals for percentage and scoring chances for percentage at five-on-five, which shows how well they can drive play. They won't have defensemen Aaron Ekblad or Brandon Montour to start the season, but there's enough skill in Sunrise to ensure the Panthers remain one of the league's most tantalizing teams.
6. Toronto Maple Leafs
Yet another playoff disappointment led to a significant change in the Maple Leafs front office, and new general manager Brad Treliving brought in what Mitch Marner called "snot, piss, and vinegar" with the questionable signing of Ryan Reaves along with Bertuzzi and Max Domi. Toronto's Core Four will still make the club worth watching, but the new emphasis on grit may not be a recipe for additional entertainment value.
5. Vegas Golden Knights
Ethan Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty
The defending Cup champs are obviously one of the most enticing squads in the league, but just because they won it all doesn't mean they're No. 1 in watchability. Vegas was average in terms of scoring and puck possession during the 2022-23 regular season, although they played without Mark Stone for about half of it. But the captain's supporting cast, which includes Jack Eichel, returns largely intact, so the Golden Knights should be one of the NHL's most riveting teams.
4. Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes were the league's best puck possession squad in 2022-23, authoring the top expected goals for percentage and scoring chances for percentage at five-on-five. Carolina ranked 15th in goals per game but placed third in shots, so this club likely would've lit the lamp more with better luck. Stellar forwards Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov, along with the Canes' rock-solid defensive corps, make this team dependable both in terms of the viewing experience and their play on the ice.
3. New Jersey Devils
What if one of the NHL's most enjoyable teams added a two-time 30-goal scorer? That's exactly what happened when the Devils acquired Tyler Toffoli in a trade with the Calgary Flames in late June. Toffoli - who also racked up 28 tallies over only 52 games during the abbreviated 2021 season - adds to the appeal this can't-miss club already had. Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Co. dominate possession and own an elite offense, making them an absolute blast to observe.
2. Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. It's really that simple when it comes to the Oilers. Even the most casual fans will gleefully flip over to Edmonton games just to see what the best player in the world and his superstar teammate can pull off next. But it's not just the dynamic duo: The Oilers had the best offense in the NHL last season in terms of goal-scoring, and 104-point man Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was a big reason for that.
1. Colorado Avalanche
Codie McLachlan / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Sure, the Oilers have two of the league's absolute best players, but the Avalanche have three. Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen are all game-breakers who cement Colorado as the NHL's most watchable team. This club's offensive and analytic figures were diminished by injuries last season, but the Avalanche are utterly explosive when everybody's healthy.
Devon Toews is a perennially underrated star in his own right, and the 2021-22 Stanley Cup champions made some shrewd offseason additions, too. Fans can't afford to miss out on watching Colorado when the team is firing on all cylinders and, considering the Avalanche's impressive collection of talent, that figures to be the case more often than not this season.
Connor Bedard did anything but disappoint in his first taste of the preseason, but the gifted Chicago Blackhawks rookie believes there's plenty of room for improvement.
"I think I could be a lot better," he said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Ben Pope. "I don't think I personally played great."
Bedard made several memorable plays in the Blackhawks' 2-1 win over the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night.
The No. 1 pick in June's draft didn't take too long to start skating circles around his opponents.
