This is the seventh edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2022-23 campaign. Check back for updated rankings every other Monday during the regular season.

In this edition, we select each team's most valuable player at the midway point of the season.

1. Boston Bruins (33-5-4)

Previous rank: 1st

David Pastrnak. The 26-year-old is well on his way to finally claiming his first 50-goal campaign as he leads the Bruins in goals (33), assists (26), and points (59). Not bad for a player in a contract year.

2. Carolina Hurricanes (27-9-8)

Previous rank: 2nd

Martin Necas. Rookie goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov filled in admirably during Frederik Andersen's absence but has only played 19 games and may soon be sent down. While the Hurricanes are incredibly balanced, Necas has shone brightest for Carolina. The Czech forward leads the club with 39 points and is averaging a career-high 19:17 in ice time while playing all 44 contests.

3. Winnipeg Jets (28-14-1)

Previous rank: 8th

Connor Hellebuyck. He had a disappointing 2021-22 campaign - just as the Jets did as a whole - but Winnipeg is exceeding expectations this season, and it's no coincidence that the American netminder has rediscovered his dependable form. He's one of the top Vezina Trophy contenders and the biggest reason the Jets are flying high.

4. Toronto Maple Leafs (26-11-7)

Previous rank: 3rd

Mitch Marner. Since Auston Matthews is having a down year by his standards as he plays through a nagging injury, Marner is the choice here. Not only does Marner pace the club with 52 points, but he's also been excellent defensively. He leads the Leafs with 49 takeaways and is arguably their best penalty killer.

5. Tampa Bay Lightning (27-13-1)

Previous rank: 5th

Nikita Kucherov. His offensive dominance has flown under the radar this season, but the Lightning star is second in assists and third in points league-wide, putting him on pace to exceed the 120-point mark for the second time in his career.

6. Seattle Kraken (26-12-4)

Previous rank: 19th

Vince Dunn. The 26-year-old's emergence as a legitimate top-pairing defenseman has been a significant factor in pushing the Kraken up the standings. He's logging over 23 minutes per game and ranks just outside the top 10 in scoring among blue-liners. Matty Beniers has been great, but Dunn has been more valuable.

7. New Jersey Devils (28-12-3)

Previous rank: 10th

Jack Hughes. The 2019 No. 1 pick isn't just the Devils' midseason MVP - he's also mounting a strong bid for the Hart Trophy by ranking among the NHL's most potent point producers while boasting outstanding underlying numbers. Hughes leads the league in goals above replacement by a wide margin and also sits first in WAR.

8. New York Rangers (24-13-7)

Previous rank: 12th

Igor Shesterkin. He isn't playing at his Vezina-winning level of last season, plus the Rangers have been better defensively in this campaign and have plenty of firepower. But the Blueshirts wouldn't be where they are without Shesterkin, and the fact that they never have to worry about goaltending when he's in the crease illustrates how valuable he is to the club.

9. Dallas Stars (25-12-7)

Previous rank: 4th

Jason Robertson. The Hart Trophy hype for Robo has quieted a touch since his near goal-per-game pace through the opening 20 contests of the season, but the Stars forward remains in the top five in league scoring. The 23-year-old is on pace to set Dallas-era franchise highs in goals and points.

10. Vegas Golden Knights (28-14-2)

Previous rank: 6th

Mark Stone. The Golden Knights captain is the heart and soul of the team through and through. Chandler Stephenson would've been a noble choice, but Stone's energy and passion really drive Vegas. He ranks second on the team in goals (17) and points (38), and he leads the club with 47 takeaways.

11. Minnesota Wild (24-14-4)

Previous rank: 9th

Kirill Kaprizov. The dynamic winger is the straw that stirs the drink for the Wild. While Filip Gustavsson has given the team great goaltending, he's played only 17 of its 42 games this season. Kaprizov has suited up for all of the Wild's contests in 2022-23, leading Minnesota in the three main offensive categories while averaging nearly 21 minutes of ice time.

12. Los Angeles Kings (25-15-6)

Previous rank: 15th

Kevin Fiala. The Kings had the lowest leading scorer of any 2022 playoff team - Anze Kopitar with 67 points - and looked to address their lack of scoring by acquiring Fiala in the offseason. That trade and subsequent long-term extension have paid off so far, with the 26-year-old looking to be the first Los Angeles player to score above a point-per-game rate since 2018.

13. Calgary Flames (21-14-9)

Previous rank: 16th

Elias Lindholm. Many Flames players have disappointed this season - namely Jonathan Huberdeau and Jacob Markstrom - but Lindholm has been as consistent as ever. Despite losing his two linemates from a year ago, he remains on a near-identical point pace. The 2022 Selke Trophy finalist is still one of the league's best defensive forwards, too.

14. Edmonton Oilers (24-18-3)

Previous rank: 18th

Connor McDavid. Anointing McDavid as the Oilers' MVP isn't exactly a hot take. The otherworldly Edmonton captain is the leading Hart Trophy candidate who sits atop the NHL in goals, assists, and points - the latter by a mile. Leon Draisaitl has been stellar as well, but McDavid provides far more value, so this one's a no-brainer.

15. Pittsburgh Penguins (21-15-6)

Previous rank: 11th

Sidney Crosby. Who said Crosby is no longer one of the game's most dominant players? The Penguins captain is having a vintage campaign at age 35. Sid leads the club in all three offensive categories, ranks among the league leaders in even-strength points, and is averaging over 20 minutes of ice time.

16. Colorado Avalanche (21-17-3)

Previous rank: 16th

Mikko Rantanen. Without him, the Avalanche would be in a much more dire situation in the standings. The 26-year-old not only leads Colorado in goals by 18, but his 22:59 average time on ice also leads the entire NHL among forwards. It's hard to be upset that Cale Makar got the initial All-Star nod, but few players were a bigger snub than Rantanen.

17. Washington Capitals (23-16-6)

Previous rank: 7th

Alex Ovechkin. Much like Crosby, Ovi hasn't slowed down despite the mileage on his odometer. The 37-year-old Capitals sniper is continuing his pursuit of the NHL's all-time goals mark, and his 30 tallies this season already put him in the record books. Ovi has kept Washington afloat amid injuries to key players and is significantly outproducing his teammates.

18. New York Islanders (23-18-3)

Previous rank: 13th

Ilya Sorokin. The Islanders goaltender is the obvious pick here, as he'd be the Vezina favorite if not for the Bruins' Linus Ullmark. Sorokin is the biggest reason the Isles currently occupy a wild-card spot. New York is a subpar possession team and weaker defensively than it once was, but Sorokin's outstanding play has helped it overcome those deficiencies.

19. Buffalo Sabres (21-18-2)

Previous rank: 17th

Tage Thompson. No one's more responsible for the Sabres' expedited rise than the late-blooming Thompson. Buffalo leads the NHL in goals per game, and Thompson has 11 more markers and 10 more points than his closest teammates. The hulking 25-year-old would be a serious Hart candidate if the Sabres were closer to a playoff spot, but he's the main reason they're not further away from one.

20. St. Louis Blues (21-20-3)

Previous rank: 22nd

Robert Thomas. Though Jordan Kyrou leads the team in points, Thomas has been the most complete player on the team this season. The dynamic 23-year-old center paces the club with 29 assists and has improved greatly in the faceoff circle, winning 52.9% of his draws this year.

21. Florida Panthers (20-20-4)

Previous rank: 24th

Matthew Tkachuk. He paces Florida in goals (22), assists (31), points (53), and penalty minutes (65). Tkachuk has been everything the Panthers hoped he'd be, even as they've tumbled down the standings.

22. Nashville Predators (19-17-6)

Previous rank: 23rd

Juuse Saros. The Predators netminder's recent 64-save victory against the Hurricanes was the piece de resistance of another spectacular campaign. Only Karel Vejmelka has made more saves than Saros this season.

23. Detroit Red Wings (18-16-7)

Previous rank: 20th

Filip Hronek. Captain Dylan Larkin is enjoying another stellar campaign, but Hronek has stepped up greatly amid Moritz Seider's sophomore slump. Hronek is on pace for 60 points and should get some down-ballot Norris Trophy votes.

24. Philadelphia Flyers (18-18-7)

Previous rank: 26th

Travis Konecny. In what's been a predictably difficult season for the Flyers, Konecny's return to form has been one of the few bright spots. The 25-year-old has already matched his career-high in goals through just 37 games.

25. Ottawa Senators (19-20-3)

Previous rank: 21st

Brady Tkachuk. Tim Stutzle is a far more dynamic player and could become the team MVP by the end of the season, but Tkachuk is the Senators' heart and soul. He sets the physical tone, is always willing to step up for his teammates, and even takes a lot of faceoffs despite being a winger. Oh, and he leads the team with 41 points.

26. Vancouver Canucks (18-22-3)

Previous rank: 25th

Elias Pettersson. The Canucks have grabbed headlines for seemingly every reason in 2022-23, but Pettersson's superb campaign has gone under the radar. The 23-year-old is tied for third in five-on-five scoring league-wide with 31 points.

27. Montreal Canadiens (18-23-3)

Previous rank: 29th

Nick Suzuki. It's really between him and Cole Caufield. But while Caufield is the better goal-scorer, Suzuki is the better playmaker and a far more responsible defensive player.

28. San Jose Sharks (13-23-8)

Previous rank: 28th

Erik Karlsson. The 32-year-old's dominance has been one of the best stories of this season, and he's clearly the Sharks' MVP. Karlsson leads all NHL skaters in even-strength points, with 18 more assists and 13 more total points than his closest teammates. He also boasts strong underlying numbers, and he's doing it while playing for one of the league's worst teams.

29. Columbus Blue Jackets (13-27-2)

Previous rank: 30th

Johnny Gaudreau. It isn't close, either. His 41 points are nearly double the next most (Patrik Laine with 22) on the team.

30. Anaheim Ducks (12-27-4)

Previous rank: 31st

Troy Terry. It's a toss-up between him and Trevor Zegras, but Terry leads the team with 34 points and is also among the best in the entire league at drawing penalties with 23.

31. Arizona Coyotes (13-25-5)

Previous rank: 27th

Clayton Keller. Jakob Chychrun would be the answer here had he been healthy all year, but as the saying goes: the best ability is availability. Keller, Arizona's lone dynamic threat up front, has 37 points - nine more than the next most on the team.

32. Chicago Blackhawks (11-26-4)

Previous rank: 32nd

Petr Mrazek. Pickings are slim on the clearly tanking Blackhawks, so we're going with Mrazek, whose woeful .875 save percentage and 4.26 goals against average is giving Chicago its best chance of accomplishing its goal of finishing last in the NHL to secure the top draft lottery odds.

(Analytics sources: Evolving Hockey, Natural Stat Trick)

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This is the fifth edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2022-23 campaign. Check back for updated rankings every other Monday during the regular season.

In this edition, we've invited Santa Claus to drop off a gift for each team in celebration of the holiday season.

1. Boston Bruins (24-4-2)

Previous rank: 1

🎁 A fully healthy Brad Marchand. The Bruins star made a speedy recovery from hip surgery, but he's been frustrated by his performance as he gets back up to speed. Marchand is typically one of Boston's most reliable five-on-five scorers, but he has just seven even-strength points so far this campaign.

2. Carolina Hurricanes (19-6-6)

Previous rank: 7

🎁 The Teuvo Teravainen of old. After ranking second on the Hurricanes in assists and first in power-play points last season, Teravainen has only managed one goal and nine helpers in 2022-23. He's battled injuries, but a return to form for the dynamic winger would be a big boost for a red-hot Carolina squad.

3. Tampa Bay Lightning (20-9-1)

Previous rank: 3

🎁 A salary-cap jump for 2023-24. Gary Bettman said at the Board of Governors meeting last week that the NHL is now projecting a $1-million increase to the salary cap next season. With significant raises kicking in for Mikhail Sergachev, Anthony Cirelli, and Erik Cernak, it'd be a whole lot nicer for the Lightning to get the potential $4-million boost that Bettman mentioned earlier this season.

4. Toronto Maple Leafs (19-7-6)

Previous rank: 4

🎁 A new point streak for Mitch Marner. The Rangers held the creative Maple Leafs winger off the scoresheet Thursday, snapping his franchise-record point streak of 23 games. Toronto won a ton while Marner was hot.

5. New Jersey Devils (21-8-2)

Previous rank: 2

🎁 A lump of coal. No, not because the Devils have been naughty, but because they've run out of steam. They're the owners of a five-game winless streak. New Jersey needs some more fuel to get the train rolling again.

6. Pittsburgh Penguins (18-9-4)

Previous rank: 11

🎁 Continued good health for Kris Letang. The Penguins already got the best gift imaginable when the defenseman returned to game action 12 days after having a stroke. All we want for Letang and the Penguins is for them to enjoy the holiday season with their loved ones.

7. Vegas Golden Knights (22-10-1)

Previous rank: 6

🎁 Bug repellent. The injury bug - which derailed the Golden Knights' 2021-22 season - is again hitting them hard. Despite looking strong under new head coach Bruce Cassidy, having key contributors on the shelf will slow any team down. That's exactly what Vegas hopes to avoid as it chases the Pacific Division crown.

8. Winnipeg Jets (20-10-1)

Previous rank: 8

🎁 A returning Nikolaj Ehlers. The Jets winger skated for the first time since undergoing sports hernia surgery last week. Limited to just two games this season, adding a healthy Ehlers early in the new year would be a major boost for Winnipeg's hopes of capturing the Central Division title.

9. Dallas Stars (18-8-6)

Previous rank: 10

🎁 Fat holiday bonuses for the scouting staff. Within the first 39 picks of the 2017 draft, the Stars landed Miro Heiskanen, Jake Oettinger, and Jason Robertson - a.k.a. the core of the franchise. It took five years of development, but everyone who played a hand in landing that trio deserves a hefty raise.

10. New York Rangers (18-10-5)

Previous rank: 20

🎁 An offensive breakout for one of the kids. The Rangers' three recent top-10 picks - Alexis Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko, and Vitali Kravtsov - are all scoring less than expected at this point in their development. One of their high-potential young players finding another level of offense would add a significant amount of depth to this surging New York team.

11. Minnesota Wild (18-11-2)

Previous rank: 15

🎁 League approval to wear Reverse Retros permanently. This might be the one item on every hockey fan's list. Come on, Wild, it's time to bring back the green and gold.

12. Colorado Avalanche (16-11-2)

Previous rank: 9

🎁 A brief, merciful respite from the injuries. Sure, the Avalanche have gotten some guys back, like Valeri Nichushkin and Evan Rodrigues, but they're still missing the likes of Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog. Please spare Colorado from any further damage.

13. New York Islanders (18-13-1)

Previous rank: 12

🎁 A season sweep against the Rangers. The Islanders have already picked up two wins against their New York rivals this season. A victory in the third and final regular-season meeting Thursday would see the Islanders sweep the season series against the Rangers for the first time since 2017-18.

14. Washington Capitals (16-13-4)

Previous rank: 26

🎁 1 more goal for Alex Ovechkin. We're not asking for a lot here, only one. Just one! The Capitals star is currently sitting at 800 career tallies. He'll tie Gordie Howe for the second-most goals in NHL history the next time he lights the lamp.

15. Seattle Kraken (17-10-3)

Previous rank: 5

🎁 A replica Calder Trophy for Matty Beniers. Just so the Kraken rookie can prepare himself for when he wins the real thing in a few months. He has to be ready for his photo op at the 2023 NHL Awards.

16. Los Angeles Kings (17-12-5)

Previous rank: 19

🎁 Saves. Despite boasting strong underlying numbers and sitting in a Pacific Division playoff spot, the Kings haven't reached their full potential due to a league-worst .880 all-situation save percentage.

17. Edmonton Oilers (17-14-1)

Previous rank: 14

🎁 A trip to the spa for Jack Campbell. The Oilers goaltender is notoriously hard on himself when he isn't playing well, and his first campaign in Edmonton is going poorly. Maybe he can still save his season if he takes a moment to relax, refocus, and reset.

18. Florida Panthers (15-13-4)

Previous rank: 13

🎁 A salary-cap gift card. Various injuries, combined with the Panthers' lack of cap space to recall players, have forced Florida to play shorthanded multiple times this season. The team currently has five players on the roster as emergency loans. A few extra dollars to work with would help ease the current roster strain.

19. St. Louis Blues (15-15-1)

Previous rank: 21

🎁 A time machine set to 2019. The Blues find themselves outside the playoff picture because they're one of the league's most inconsistent teams. Without a clear direction, perhaps St. Louis needs to be inspired by the miracle mid-season turnaround it put together three years ago en route to winning the Stanley Cup.

20. Ottawa Senators (14-15-2)

Previous rank: 23

🎁 Ryan Reynolds. This is surely the most expensive gift on the list, but bringing the actor into the new Senators ownership group would make for some "frothy, rabies-infused" fun.

21. Buffalo Sabres (15-14-2)

Previous rank: 22

🎁 Anti-aging potion. Craig Anderson, 41, has turned back the clock with the Sabres to post a .922 save percentage this campaign. That makes him the only Buffalo goaltender with a mark above .890. Unfortunately, the Sabres can't count on Anderson as more than a short-term answer in the crease.

22. Calgary Flames (14-12-6)

Previous rank: 18

🎁 Smelling salts. Flames stars Jonathan Huberdeau and Jacob Markstrom need a jolt to get this season on track after so far failing to meet high expectations.

23. Detroit Red Wings (13-11-6)

Previous rank: 17

🎁 Rookie Moritz Seider. The 2022 Calder Trophy winner has had quite the sophomore slump. Seider has seen his production drop significantly, and the Red Wings have been outshot, outchanced, and outscored while he's been on the ice. The sooner he finds his form again, the better for Detroit's playoff hopes.

24. Vancouver Canucks (13-14-3)

Previous rank: 25

🎁 Answers. The Canucks don't want to commit to a full rebuild, but they're reportedly making the majority of their roster available in trade. They're also reportedly likely to move on from head coach Bruce Boudreau after one year but are yet to pull the trigger. For the sake of the fans and players, commit to a plan.

25. Montreal Canadiens (14-15-2)

Previous rank: 24

🎁 A Cole Caufield extension. Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes has plenty of experience negotiating contracts as a former player agent, but his first big task on the other side of the table is upcoming in Caufield's new contract. A big payday is coming sometime in 2023 for the budding star.

26. Nashville Predators (12-13-4)

Previous rank: 16

🎁 Gasoline, to light a fire under the offense. Nashville tied for 11th in goals for en route to the playoffs last season, but this year's Predators outfit ranks 31st with 70 goals in 29 games. That's not going to cut it in the competitive Central Division.

27. San Jose Sharks (10-17-6)

Previous rank: 28

🎁 A day off for Erik Karlsson. The 32-year-old's return to form has been one of the stories of the NHL season. Karlsson ranks seventh in time on ice per game and has played over 30 minutes four times since the start of November. Mario Ferraro's recent absence has only added to Karlsson's workload.

28. Arizona Coyotes (10-15-4)

Previous rank: 30

🎁 A committed trade partner. The Jakob Chychrun saga has hung over the Coyotes' heads long enough. Arizona is right to wait on its desired return for the blue-chip defenseman, but the sooner a trade is made, the more value the club can fetch.

29. Philadelphia Flyers (10-15-7)

Previous rank: 31

🎁 Literally anything positive. Injuries, healthy scratches, and an irritated John Tortorella have ruled the headlines for Philadelphia since its good start came crashing down to earth. The Flyers could use any positivity heading into 2023.

30. Columbus Blue Jackets (10-18-2)

Previous rank: 27

🎁 Sustained optimism. Hopes of a successful season coming off an exciting summer are all but shot for the Blue Jackets and their fans, but with a lottery pick and a healthy roster next year, maybe 2023-24 is Columbus' time.

31. Anaheim Ducks (9-20-3)

Previous rank: 32

🎁 A bundle of draft picks. It's been a rough campaign for the Ducks, who have as many regulation wins as completed months of the 2022-23 schedule. With multiple players that could be of interest to contending teams, Anaheim GM Pat Verbeek will hope to find a first-round pick in his stocking as the March 3 trade deadline slowly approaches.

32. Chicago Blackhawks (7-19-4)

Previous rank: 29

🎁 Whatever Blackhawks fans want. Firstly, they were such good sports after Ovechkin scored his 800th goal in Chicago. Secondly, they've willingly watched the Blackhawks this season. Those fans deserve something nice.

(Analytics sources: Evolving Hockey, Natural Stat Trick)

Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This is the 14th edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2021-22 campaign. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.

In this edition, we select an emoji for each team to represent its season.

1. Colorado Avalanche (52-14-6)

Previous rank: 2

😎: It seems like nothing can faze the Avalanche. They've battled more than their fair share of injuries, including current ailments to captain Gabriel Landeskog and Nazem Kadri, but they keep on winning. Bow down to greatness.

2. Florida Panthers (51-15-6)

Previous rank: 1

😼: This one feels a bit like a gimme, but the cat is making the same face the Panthers probably make when they execute another improbable comeback win. The Cardiac Cats are bringing their relentless ways to the postseason.

3. Toronto Maple Leafs (47-19-6)

Previous rank: 10

🤷: The Maple Leafs could go 82-0-0 in a regular season. It just won't matter if they lay another egg in the playoffs.

4. Carolina Hurricanes (47-18-8)

Previous rank: 3

🍿: The Hurricanes are always an enjoyable team to watch. It'll be even more compelling to see if they can hold off the team below them on this list for the Metropolitan Division title and finally make a Stanley Cup run with this group.

5. New York Rangers (47-20-6)

Previous rank: 6

🏆: Behold! An emoji representing the Vezina Trophy that Rangers star goaltender Igor Shesterkin will take home this season.

6. Calgary Flames (44-19-9)

Previous rank: 4

👷: Sure, the Flames have been the epitome of the flame emoji this season, but that's too easy. Head coach Darryl Sutter has brought structure and responsibility to Calgary, and he's got his team ready to work and compete in every game.

7. Boston Bruins (45-22-5)

Previous rank: 5

😤: The Bruins have the NHL's ninth-best record by points percentage but still might end up in a wild-card spot. That's just life when you're playing in the stacked Atlantic Division. Despite the tough competition, Boston has put its heads down and gone to work.

8. Minnesota Wild (44-21-6)

Previous rank: 8

🐐: Kirill Kaprizov, who's having the greatest season by a Wild player ever, is only scratching the surface of his talent. The Russian dynamo, who'll turn 25 later in April, set the franchise record for points in a campaign earlier this month and tied the team's single-season goals record Sunday.

9. Tampa Bay Lightning (44-20-8)

Previous rank: 7

😐: Nothing new from the Lightning this season. The team might be starting to feel a bit of fatigue after its back-to-back Cup runs, but Tampa Bay is still as good as anyone in the NHL.

10. Edmonton Oilers (42-25-6)

Previous rank: 16

🥴 : It wasn't too long ago that the Oilers looked poised to miss the playoffs and waste another year of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The team has now won 12 of its last 16 games and is in good shape with just a handful of contests left. Fans probably don't know what to feel at this point after the club went through all the emotions this season.

11. St. Louis Blues (42-20-10)

Previous rank: 15

🎸: Every time Robert Thomas does something good, out come the Matchbox 20 and "Smooth" references. The Blues pivot has heard more of them than ever in 2021-22 as he's enjoyed a breakout campaign centering the team's top line. Man, it's a hot one, indeed.

12. Washington Capitals (40-22-10)

Previous rank: 11

8️⃣: The Capitals' campaign has been all about Alex Ovechkin and his ability to defy time. The Great Eight climbed his way to third place on the NHL's all-time scoring list this season as his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky continues.

13. Pittsburgh Penguins (42-22-10)

Previous rank: 9

💪: Despite barely ever icing a fully healthy lineup this season, the Penguins once again proved resilient and are on the verge of clinching a playoff spot.

14. Nashville Predators (41-26-5)

Previous rank: 13

💯: Predators fans must be clenching their teeth watching the playoff race wind down, but their eyes are also surely on captain Roman Josi's hunt for 100 points. The star defenseman is already at 87 and will need 13 in his final 10 games to hit the mark.

15. Dallas Stars (41-27-4)

Previous rank: 17

😨: The Stars have been a bubble team virtually all season long. They should be fearful of missing the postseason for the second straight year after reaching the Cup Final in 2019-20.

16. Los Angeles Kings (38-26-10)

Previous rank: 12

😯: Some pegged the Kings as a dark horse candidate this campaign after a sneakily good offseason, but not many expected them to be this good. Their first playoff appearance since 2018 is a real possibility thanks to their underwhelming Pacific Division opponents.

17. Vegas Golden Knights (40-29-4)

Previous rank: 19

🤕: The 2021-22 season hasn't gone to plan for the Golden Knights. Every team experiences injuries to key players over the course of 82 games, but the injury bug has bitten a chunk out of Vegas' playoff hopes.

18. New York Islanders (33-29-9)

Previous rank: 20

🃏: The Islanders were dealt a bad hand this season, and there wasn't too much they could do about it. The team started the campaign off with a daunting 13 straight games on the road as its new arena finished construction, and then, to top it off, COVID-19 ravaged its way through the team.

19. Vancouver Canucks (35-28-10)

Previous rank: 18

🎢: The Canucks have had a roller coaster of a season, starting off terribly and then catching fire with Bruce Boudreau's arrival. The playoffs seemed impossible early on, then they seemed within reach, but now it appears the club will fall just short.

20. Winnipeg Jets (34-28-11)

Previous rank: 14

💥: This is what happened to Winnipeg's playoff hopes. The Jets severely underperformed this season, and their struggles to stay consistent blew up their chances at making a run.

21. Buffalo Sabres (26-37-11)

Previous rank: 23

😏: The Sabres aren't contenders yet, but they are an unexpectedly fun squad with a surprisingly potent top line of Jeff Skinner, Tage Thompson, and Alex Tuch. They've caught some opponents off guard this season with their stealthy skill, and Owen Power's arrival will make them even more entertaining.

22. Columbus Blue Jackets (34-33-6)

Previous rank: 21

😌: It's been a forgettable season for the Blue Jackets as a whole, but Columbus must be relieved that Patrik Laine has returned to form after struggling upon being dealt to Ohio. Laine, who'll turn 24 next week, is averaging nearly a point per game in 2021-22.

23. San Jose Sharks (29-33-9)

Previous rank: 22

🆕: The Sharks had a rather underwhelming season all around, but with longtime general manager Doug Wilson stepping away from the team, the offseason suddenly got a lot more interesting. Wilson had held the post since 2003, and the club will surely take an extensive look at who'll succeed him.

24. Detroit Red Wings (28-34-10)

Previous rank: 27

👶: The Red Wings' rebuild is chugging along. Thanks in large part to the performances of rookies Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond, they've been more fun to watch. The Calder Trophy might just be heading to Detroit.

25. Anaheim Ducks (29-33-12)

Previous rank: 28

🤯: This is just the face everyone makes when watching Ducks phenom Trevor Zegras go viral for what feels like the millionth time this campaign.

26. Philadelphia Flyers (23-38-11)

Previous rank: 25

📉: The Flyers continuously reached new lows after falling flat on their face following a solid 6-2-2 start to the season. Their campaign was punctuated by a 13-game losing streak that set a new franchise record in futility.

27. Chicago Blackhawks (24-37-11)

Previous rank: 24

💔: The Blackhawks have been a travesty both on and, most importantly, off the ice.

28. Montreal Canadiens (20-41-11)

Previous rank: 26

🔄: Yes, the Canadiens made a miracle run to the Cup Final last year and are in the basement of the league this year. But the team did a complete 180 midseason by bringing in a refreshing Martin St. Louis behind the bench, as well as a new front office group. The club seems to be headed in the right direction after a disastrous season.

29. Ottawa Senators (26-40-6)

Previous rank: 29

⏳: The Senators have a promising core with Brady Tkachuk, Thomas Chabot, Josh Norris, Tim Stutzle, and Drake Batherson. But how long will it take for Ottawa to make real progress? The club will miss the playoffs for the fifth straight year, and it may only be a matter of time before the fans' patience runs out.

30. Seattle Kraken (23-43-6)

Previous rank: 31

🛑: Being the new guys on the block can be hard. Unlike the Golden Knights in 2017-18, the Kraken never really took off in their inaugural season. At all. It's like they hit every single stop sign on the road to success.

31. New Jersey Devils (25-41-6)

Previous rank: 30

😔: The Devils were once again expected to make the leap this season with the addition of Dougie Hamilton and the progression of their young stars, but they'll once again be a prominent lottery team. The pieces are in place to succeed, but fans might start getting impatient if the results don't come.

32. Arizona Coyotes (22-45-5)

Previous rank: 32

😳: The Coyotes are once again the biggest embarrassment in the NHL for numerous reasons. Arizona is the worst team in the league, and the club has been mercilessly mocked for having to play in a 5,000-seat college arena beginning next season until it can find a permanent home.

(Analytics sources: Evolving Hockey, Natural Stat Trick)

Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This is the 13th edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2021-22 campaign. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.

In this edition, we're highlighting one eyebrow-raising statistic for each of the league's 32 clubs.

1. Florida Panthers (44-15-6)

Previous rank: 1

The Panthers are producing plenty of eye-popping numbers this season, and many pertain to their explosive offense. But one figure that really jumps out illustrates Florida's resilience. The Panthers lead the NHL in winning percentage when trailing after two periods (.364).

2. Colorado Avalanche (46-14-6)

Previous rank: 3

Cale Makar has his sights set on 30 goals after setting a franchise record for defensemen with his 24th of the campaign on Friday. Hitting the next benchmark would put the 23-year-old Avalanche star in rarified air among blue-liners in NHL history, and he'd be the first to do it since Mike Green in 2008-09.

3. Carolina Hurricanes (43-15-7)

Previous rank: 2

The Hurricanes are one of the most electrifying teams in the league, but they don't get enough credit for how well they prevent goals. Carolina sits atop the NHL with an 89.2% penalty-kill rate.

4. Calgary Flames (40-17-8)

Previous rank: 4

Johnny Gaudreau is working his way into the Hart Trophy discussion. The Flames star leads the league with a whopping 70 even-strength points. That's 10 more than the players tied for second, and it accounts for nearly 80% of his overall point total.

5. Boston Bruins (41-19-5)

Previous rank: 8

It's no wonder the Bruins have won four straight games and eight of their last 10. Boston sits atop the NHL in expected goals for percentage at five-on-five (56.7).

6. New York Rangers (42-19-5)

Previous rank: 6

The Rangers are a very good team, but extraordinary efforts from Igor Shesterkin and Chris Kreider have masked New York's deficiencies. The Blueshirts' offense hasn't clicked as a whole, as illustrated by the fact that they're generating only 28.8 shots per game. That ranks third-worst in the league.

7. Tampa Bay Lightning (41-18-6)

Previous rank: 5

It's mostly been business as usual for the two-time defending champions, but one concerning trend is on special teams. The Lightning sit in the middle of the pack in terms of power-play efficiency. Tampa Bay has converted at only 20.7% this season, which puts them 16th in that department.

8. Minnesota Wild (40-20-4)

Previous rank: 13

The Wild have done a lot of things well in 2021-22, but one trend that stands out as a potential problem come playoff time is their penalty kill. Minnesota sits 23rd in that category at 76.2%.

9. Pittsburgh Penguins (40-17-10)

Previous rank: 7

Tristan Jarry has been fairly consistent in the Penguins' crease this season, and he's raised his game recently. The netminder who struggled mightily in last year's playoffs authored a superb eight-game run from Feb. 26 to March 22, going 7-1-0 with a dazzling .945 save percentage.

10. Toronto Maple Leafs (41-19-5)

Previous rank: 9

There's a reason the Maple Leafs' goaltending has been such a consistent talking point. Toronto has the NHL's worst save percentage at five-on-five (.888) since the calendar flipped to 2022. That figure was compounded by Erik Kallgren's .823 showing against the lottery-bound Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.

11. Washington Capitals (37-20-10)

Previous rank: 10

Since Alex Ovechkin entered the NHL in 2005-06, the Capitals' power play ranks No. 1 in the league. This season, though, they sit 20th. That stands to be their worst power-play rank since they finished 24th in 2006-07 - Ovechkin's sophomore campaign.

12. Los Angeles Kings (36-22-9)

Previous rank: 14

The Kings are due to have some puck luck go their way. They rank 27th in the NHL in PDO (shooting percentage plus save percentage) at all strengths, which is the worst among any current playoff team.

13. Nashville Predators (38-24-4)

Previous rank: 12

While the same can be said for all teams, Nashville would be a significantly better squad if its players were more disciplined. No team takes more penalties than the Preds, and they only have a league-average penalty kill.

14. Winnipeg Jets (32-25-10)

Previous rank: 18

Kyle Connor has emerged as the face of the Jets amid a roller-coaster campaign for the club. If you disagree, consider that the 25-year-old sniper is 20 points clear of Mark Scheifele for the team lead.

15. St. Louis Blues (35-20-9)

Previous rank: 11

Are the Blues the sharpest shooting team in the league? Or are they riding some puck luck? Either way, they own the best shooting percentage in the league at 11.4%.

16. Edmonton Oilers (36-25-5)

Previous rank: 15

Starting on time has been an issue for the Oilers. They've scored the first goal of the game just 23 times in 66 opportunities - the second-worst mark in the league behind Seattle. When they do score first, though, their .913 winning percentage is the NHL's best.

17. Dallas Stars (36-25-3)

Previous rank: 16

As a veteran, battle-tested team, this may come as no surprise, but the Stars are tied for second in terms of winning percentage (.690) in one-goal games. Dallas may be on the bubble of the playoffs, but it'll be a tough out if it manages to squeak in.

18. Vancouver Canucks (32-26-9)

Previous rank: 17

The Canucks' slow start really set them back. Since Bruce Boudreau took over as head coach on Dec. 5, Vancouver's been a top-10 team in terms of points percentage.

19. Vegas Golden Knights (36-28-4)

Previous rank: 19

The Golden Knights were considered a Cup favorite at the start of the year, but they've been decimated by injuries and are now scrapping for a wild-card spot. Their 408 man-games lost as of March 26 was the second-highest total in the league and easily topped all playoff clubs.

20. New York Islanders (28-27-9)

Previous rank: 23

The future isn't looking too bright on Long Island. Not only are the Islanders set to miss the playoffs this season, but they're also the oldest team in the league with an average age of 30. Yes, Zdeno Chara drives that total up, but the Isles are clearly in need of a youth movement.

21. Columbus Blue Jackets (32-29-5)

Previous rank: 20

The days of Columbus being a juggernaut defensive team are long gone. The Blue Jackets' expected goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five (2.84) is the worst in the NHL.

22. San Jose Sharks (29-28-8)

Previous rank: 22

The Sharks' offense lacks bite, to say the least. San Jose generates only 45.09% of shot attempts (Corsi For percentage) at five-on-five, the second-worst clip across the league.

23. Buffalo Sabres (23-33-10)

Previous rank: 28

Tage Thompson entered the year with 35 points in 145 career games. In 2021-22, he's got 49 points in 62 appearances. The Sabres must be hoping his emergence is a sign of things to come for a perpetually rebuilding franchise looking to turn a corner.

24. Chicago Blackhawks (24-32-10)

Previous rank: 25

The Blackhawks still have some high-profile offensive weapons but often need more than 60 minutes for them to make a difference. Chicago's 15 regulation wins on the year put them in a tie with two other clubs for 31st.

25. Philadelphia Flyers (21-34-11)

Previous rank: 30

The lowly Flyers have had two losing streaks of at least 10 games this season. Enough said.

26. Montreal Canadiens (18-37-11)

Previous rank: 29

The Canadiens were 8-30-7 under Dominique Ducharme and are 10-7-4 under Martin St. Louis. Montreal's new coaching hire looks like a slam dunk.

27. Detroit Red Wings (26-32-8)

Previous rank: 24

Hard to encapsulate the Red Wings' season better than that.

28. Anaheim Ducks (27-29-11)

Previous rank: 21

Anaheim's hot start was never meant to be. Since the calendar turned to 2022, the Ducks have been a bottom-five team in the league. To nobody's surprise, that also coincides with John Gibson's save percentage, from .915 in his first 25 games to .891 in his last 22 appearances.

29. Ottawa Senators (23-36-6)

Previous rank: 27

Life is tough as a rebuilding team in the Atlantic Division. The Senators have faced the toughest schedule in the league this season, according to Hockey Reference.

30. New Jersey Devils (24-37-5)

Previous rank: 26

All of New Jersey's top five scorers this season are 23 or younger. Team results haven't shown up yet, but the Devils appear to be building something promising.

31. Seattle Kraken (20-39-6)

Previous rank: 32

The Kraken's team save percentage of .877 is by far the NHL's worst. Average goaltending would have given Seattle a chance in its inaugural season. To make matters worse, the duo of Philipp Grubauer and Chris Driedger is under contract for at least the next two years with a hefty combined cap hit.

32. Arizona Coyotes (20-40-5)

Previous rank: 31

Arizona hasn't produced many memorable moments on the ice in 2021-22, but the Coyotes have accrued a whopping seven picks in the first two rounds of this year's draft. Gotta start somewhere.

(Analytics sources: Evolving-Hockey, Natural Stat Trick)

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When:

• Monday, March 21, at 3 p.m. (ET)

NHL Trade Tracker

• Keep up to date with every deal made so far

Deadline big board

• Ranking the top candidates who could be on the move

Analysis

• Trade grades: Evaluating Saturday's pre-deadline blockbusters
• What worked, what didn't at last year's trade deadline
• 5 players who could use a change of scenery
• 3 teams that should upgrade their goaltending before the trade deadline
• Assessing the Leafs' goaltending options ahead of trade deadline
• 5 under-the-radar players who should be targeted before the trade deadline

Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This is the 12th edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2021-22 campaign. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.

In this edition, we grant each team a wish ahead of the March 21 trade deadline.

1. Florida Panthers (40-13-6)

Previous rank: 4th

Win the Jakob Chychrun sweepstakes. The Panthers' defense can be suspect at times, but landing the Boca Raton native to anchor their second pairing would be a perfect match.

2. Carolina Hurricanes (41-13-5)

Previous rank: 2nd

A right-winger. The Hurricanes are set down the middle of their lineup but lack threats on the right side. They would cost a pretty penny, but there are plenty of options. Guys like Brock Boeser, Rickard Rakell, and Conor Garland are available and would make Carolina's forward group absolutely lethal.

3. Colorado Avalanche (42-13-5)

Previous rank: 1st

Claude Giroux. The Avalanche are hopeful that captain Gabriel Landeskog can return from a knee injury by playoffs, but any time without their leading goal-scorer will hurt. Picking up Giroux would surely soften the blow.

4. Calgary Flames (36-16-7)

Previous rank: 5th

Some insurance depth. The Flames have a packed schedule to close out the season, and injuries and fatigue are likely to pile up. The team is loaded throughout the lineup, but adding a couple of guys who could step up when needed could go a long way.

5. Tampa Bay Lightning (38-15-6)

Previous rank: 3rd

A physical, defensive forward. The Lightning lost their hard-checking trio of Yanni Gourde, Blake Coleman, and Barclay Goodrow last offseason. Tampa hasn't struggled much without them, but grit can go a long way in the playoffs. The Bolts can replicate that line's success by picking up a hard-nosed player who's difficult to compete against.

6. New York Rangers (37-17-5)

Previous rank: 7th

A winger who can score. The Rangers' depth on the wing is a weakness for them this season. New York controls less than 50% of the expected goals and scoring chances at five-on-five, so adding a dynamic winger who can light the lamp would help address that sore spot.

7. Pittsburgh Penguins (36-15-9)

Previous rank: 8th

A clear mind for netminder Tristan Jarry, who has rebounded spectacularly from last season's playoff catastrophe. Penguins general manager Ron Hextall sounds like he isn't rushing to make a major addition at the deadline. If he isn't actively seeking an upgrade on backup Casey DeSmith, Pittsburgh will need Jarry to continue to erase any memory of last year's mental block from his psyche.

8. Boston Bruins (36-18-5)

Previous rank: 10th

The Bruins seem to have found a recipe for success with their forward combinations at the moment, but injecting some talent couldn't hurt. Bringing in a stud center like Giroux or Tomas Hertl to anchor the team's second line would be nightmarish for playoff opponents.

9. Toronto Maple Leafs (37-17-5)

Previous rank: 6th

Goaltender Petr Mrazek proving himself this week. Both he and Jack Campbell have struggled severely this winter. Campbell is sidelined with a rib injury, and the Maple Leafs better hope Mrazek can turn things around so they can fully set their sights on bolstering their defense corps by deadline day.

10. Washington Capitals (32-18-10)

Previous rank: 13th

Land Marc-Andre Fleury and Calvin de Haan from the Blackhawks. The Capitals have two needs: a goaltender and a left-shooting defenseman. Why not kill two birds with one stone?

11. St. Louis Blues (34-17-8)

Previous rank: 9th

A top-four, left-shooting defenseman. The Blues are deep up front and have a solid tandem between the pipes, but they could use one more blue-liner to round out a top four that already features Colton Parayko, Justin Faulk, and Torey Krug.

12. Nashville Predators (34-21-4)

Previous rank: 14th

An extension for Filip Forsberg. The Predators aren't trying to move the pending UFA ahead of the deadline, so getting the Swedish sniper signed before March 21 should be Nashville's top priority.

13. Minnesota Wild (34-20-4)

Previous rank: 11th

A goaltending fix. The Wild were one of the league's hottest teams in the first half of the season, but they've stumbled lately. A big reason is Cam Talbot and Kaapo Kahkonen's instability in net. Minnesota has allowed 69 goals in its last 15 games, which isn't going to fly if it wants to be a legit Cup contender.

14. Los Angeles Kings (33-20-8)

Previous rank: 12th

Acquire a player with term. The Kings are playing surprisingly well this season but boast one of the league's deepest prospect pools. The club can take a huge step in the next year or two when some of their youngsters jump to the NHL, so acquiring a non-rental player makes the most sense.

15. Edmonton Oilers (32-23-4)

Previous rank: 15th

A starting goalie. Sure, the Oilers' options will be limited, and they'll have some competition given the number of teams in need of help in the crease. However, Edmonton needs an upgrade from Mikko Koskinen and Mike Smith.

16. Dallas Stars (32-22-3)

Previous rank: 17th

Reach a resolution with John Klingberg. Miro Heiskanen is out indefinitely, so it seems the Stars may hold onto Klingberg. Without an extension in place, it means Dallas is taking a chance at going on an unlikely playoff run and potentially losing the blue-liner for nothing in the summer. Even with Heiskanen out, it might still be worthwhile to shop him.

17. Vancouver Canucks (29-24-7)

Previous rank: 18th

A team to pony up for J.T. Miller, Brock Boeser, or Conor Garland. The Canucks don't have to trade any of them since all three have terms. But if a contender steps up with an offer centered around a promising, young defenseman, it could be highly beneficial for Vancouver's future.

18. Winnipeg Jets (27-23-10)

Previous rank: 21st

A king's ransom for Andrew Copp. The versatile Jets forward could be plugged in anywhere into a contending team's lineup and make an immediate impact. In the past two years, Blake Coleman got the Devils a top prospect and a first-round pick, and Barclay Goodrow netted the Sharks a first-round pick as well. If the Jets deal Copp, the return should be somewhere around there.

19. Vegas Golden Knights (32-25-4)

Previous rank: 16th

Injury clarifications. If Mark Stone returns from long-term injured reserve before the playoffs, the Golden Knights will need to move some money out. Robin Lehner's health could be an even bigger concern. Vegas should be in the market for a goalie if the netminder is projected to miss significant time.

20. Columbus Blue Jackets (30-27-3)

Previous rank: 20th

A deal that reaps a similar haul to last season's Nick Foligno trade. The Blue Jackets ran away with the Maple Leafs' 2021 first-round pick and a fourth-round selection in 2022 in exchange for the veteran's services. Columbus has quite a few players who could be on the move.

21. Anaheim Ducks (27-25-10)

Previous rank: 19th

Massive hauls for Hampus Lindholm, Josh Manson, and Rakell. The Ducks aren't far from contending again, and fetching huge returns for pending UFAs will speed up the rebuild. Ideally, they could bring one of them back this summer in free agency.

22. San Jose Sharks (26-25-7)

Previous rank: 23rd

A team-friendly extension for Hertl. The pending UFA forward would've been the Sharks' only high-end trade chip, but they're looking to lock him up instead. Anything under $8 million per season would be a huge win for San Jose.

23. New York Islanders (24-24-8)

Previous rank: 24th

A strong market for Semyon Varlamov. Ilya Sorokin has established himself as the Islanders' goalie of the present and future. Dealing Varlamov could net some valuable assets and create much-needed cap space for next season.

24. Detroit Red Wings (24-28-7)

Previous rank: 22nd

A team to overpay for Nick Leddy. Veteran defensemen like Leddy are always a hot commodity come deadline time. A first-round pick may be greedy, but a second-rounder and promising prospect would be a nice return for the Red Wings.

25. Chicago Blackhawks (22-30-8)

Previous rank: 26th

For Fleury to expand his list of teams he'd be willing to accept a trade to. The veteran netminder has a 10-team no-trade list in his contract, but all reports have indicated that Chicago won't move him somewhere he doesn't want to go. However, the more clubs Fleury is willing to play for, the more the Blackhawks will receive for the 37-year-old.

26. New Jersey Devils (22-32-5)

Previous rank: 27th

A trade partner for P.K. Subban. The Devils aren't looking to extend the pending unrestricted free-agent defenseman. New Jersey will likely have to retain some of his $9-million cap hit in any deal, but it might not have to lose him for nothing.

27. Ottawa Senators (21-32-5)

Previous rank: 25th

Determine Erik Brannstrom and Victor Mete's futures. The young defensemen are pending RFAs, so the clock isn't ticking yet. However, now could be a good time to trade one or both of the blue-liners if the Senators don't see them being a part of the team's future.

28. Buffalo Sabres (20-32-8)

Previous rank: 29th

Load up on even more draft picks. The Sabres have three selections in the opening round of this year's draft, but they likely won't be able to add another with who they can offer in trades. Colin Miller is Buffalo's most attractive option, but overall it doesn't have many rentals who would fetch much more than middle-round picks.

29. Montreal Canadiens (16-35-8)

Previous rank: 31st

A hungry market for Ben Chiarot. The Canadiens are reportedly looking to land, at the very least, a first-round draft pick for the sturdy defenseman, but teams are apparently not as willing to put up their assets as much as they've been in the past. Habs fans can only hope the deadline pressure makes an opposing GM give in.

30. Philadelphia Flyers (18-30-11)

Previous rank: 28th

A nice landing spot for Giroux. The Flyers are spiraling. The best thing the team can do for their beloved captain is to send him to a contender, hopefully after he plays his 1,000th game with the franchise, which he can do on March 17. Of course, Philadelphia should also wish it'll net an excellent return for his services.

31. Arizona Coyotes (18-36-4)

Previous rank: 32nd

A healthy Chychrun. The young defenseman exited Saturday's contest against the Bruins with a lower-body injury. The Coyotes better keep their fingers crossed that their most coveted trade piece isn't seriously harmed.

32. Seattle Kraken (18-37-6)

Previous rank: 30th

A bidding war for Mark Giordano. The Kraken's farm system is obviously weak given their brief existence, so GM Ron Francis needs to get some promising futures for his most valuable rental asset.

(Analytics sources: Evolving Hockey, Natural Stat Trick)

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Details on every deal made since the start of the season up to the March 21, 3 p.m. ET trade deadline.

March 2

Sharks bring back Stalock

Flames, Canadiens make minor swap

Feb. 22

Bruins acquire Callahan for late draft pick

Feb. 21

Leafs add goaltending depth

Feb. 19

Leafs send Ritchie to Coyotes for Dzingel, Lyubushkin

Notes: Arizona can choose to receive Toronto's 2023 third-round pick or 2025 second-round pick.

Feb. 14

Flames make a splash with Toffoli acquisition

Notes: If Calgary's 2022 first-round pick is in the top 10, the Flames have the option to instead send their 2023 first-round pick and a fourth-round pick in 2024.

Feb. 12

Canadiens acquire Hammond from Wild

Feb. 1

Lightning, Stars agree to swap

Lightning make another minor move

Jan. 5

Blackhawks ship Nylander to Pittsburgh

Dec. 29

Wild, Blues flip forwards

Dec. 15

Devils bring in some goaltending depth

Dec. 9

Blackhawks, Leafs make minor swap

Dec. 2

Sabres acquire Subban to bolster crease

Nov. 30

Predators bring in forward depth

Nov. 16

Leafs add Clifford

Nov. 4

Golden Knights land Eichel in blockbuster deal

Notes: If Vegas' 2022 first-round pick is in the top 10, the Golden Knights would instead send their 2023 first-round pick unprotected. Buffalo's second-round pick and Vegas' third-round pick would then both move to 2024.

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This is the 11th edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2021-22 campaign. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.

In this edition, we examine each club's most tantalizing asset ahead of the March 21 trade deadline.

1. Colorado Avalanche (39-10-4)

Previous rank: 1st

Considering the Avs' draft starts in the third round this summer, you can bet their 2023 first-rounder will be in play at the deadline. Colorado is likely to be in business for a rental, and if the league leaders want someone big, that pick will be the starting point in any package.

2. Carolina Hurricanes (37-11-4)

Previous rank: 5th

The Hurricanes have been adamant Jesperi Kotkaniemi is a part of their future, but packaging him with some picks for a bigger fish has to be worth some consideration. The former Hab is averaging only 12 minutes per night this season.

3. Tampa Bay Lightning (34-11-6)

Previous rank: 3rd

Julien BriseBois is a different kind of asset. He's not going anywhere, but the Lightning general manager has built a bulletproof roster and won two Stanley Cups by making key moves at each of the past two deadlines. He's sure to be active again, and Eastern Conference rivals should be on high alert.

4. Florida Panthers (35-13-5)

Previous rank: 2nd

Patric Hornqvist isn't producing or playing as much as he used to. The veteran winger has plenty of playoff pedigree but makes $5.3 million per year, which the Panthers could better allocate across the roster to make a serious Cup run.

5. Calgary Flames (31-14-6)

Previous rank: 8th

The Flames already made their big move by landing Tyler Toffoli, and they managed to do so without dishing out one of their top prospects. The club doesn't own its first-, third-, fourth-, or sixth-round picks this year but has two second-rounders in its pocket. With little cap space remaining, Calgary would have to get creative to make another splash.

6. Toronto Maple Leafs (34-14-4)

Previous rank: 7th

After moving their 2021 first-round pick to acquire Nick Foligno at the deadline last season in a deal that didn't pan out, the Maple Leafs may be a little more hesitant to move their top-round selection in 2022. However, the team boasts a strong prospect pipeline featuring potential league regulars like Nick Robertson and Topi Niemela.

7. New York Rangers (33-15-5)

Previous rank: 9th

The Rangers have a ton of cap space available to them this season. Projected to have just under $32 million in room at the deadline, they can go all-in on the rental market. They own all of their draft picks over the next three years except for a 2022 third-rounder and have a decent selection of prospects they can dish out.

8. Pittsburgh Penguins (33-14-8)

Previous rank: 6th

The Penguins have a barren prospect pipeline, hardly any cap space, and no surplus of upcoming draft picks. The allure for newcomers of playing with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in pursuit of a Cup is perhaps Pittsburgh's best asset.

9. St. Louis Blues (32-14-6)

Previous rank: 12th

The Blues are highly unlikely to subtract from their roster ahead of the deadline. Zachary Bolduc and Jake Neighbours are two top prospects likely to draw interest if St. Louis chooses to add.

10. Boston Bruins (31-17-4)

Previous rank: 11th

Jake DeBrusk. Earlier this season, his agent said he and the Bruins were working to facilitate a trade for the 25-year-old. It's no secret the last few years in Boston have been tough for DeBrusk, but his potential is still high and a change of scenery could be a spark for him. Parting ways with DeBrusk should help the Bruins land an established top-six forward to boost their offense.

11. Minnesota Wild (31-16-3)

Previous rank: 4th

The Wild are projected to have over $10.5 million in cap space, which is a lot more flexibility than most contenders. If Minnesota wants to go for it and be players at the deadline, this is the year.

12. Los Angeles Kings (29-17-7)

Previous rank: 16th

Their deep, talented prospect pool. With Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar, and Jonathan Quick all playing good hockey, the Kings are looking like a legitimate dark-horse threat. Perhaps L.A. leverages one of its blue-chip prospects to make some noise on the trade market.

13. Washington Capitals (28-17-9)

Previous rank: 13th

Justin Schultz is a serviceable, veteran blue-liner, but with a $4-million cap hit and an expiring contract attached to his name, the Capitals would do well to move him and shore up other parts of the roster.

14. Nashville Predators (30-19-4)

Previous rank: 14th

The Predators are currently sitting in a playoff spot, so it seems outlandish to trade Filip Forsberg, whose 1.13 points-per-game rate leads Nashville. Barring a new deal, he'll be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and it isn't a good look if the Predators lose him for nothing. Priority No. 1 is re-signing him, but they should consider moving Forsberg if they can't get a deal done by the deadline.

15. Edmonton Oilers (29-21-3)

Previous rank: 15th

Tyson Barrie's role as Edmonton's offensive catalyst from the back end has diminished with Evan Bouchard's emergence this season. He'd be a tantalizing add for contenders looking to boost their power play, and the Oilers could find a more defensive-minded blue-liner to fill Barrie's spot in the lineup.

16. Vegas Golden Knights (29-20-4)

Previous rank: 10th

The Golden Knights solved their cap issues by placing Mark Stone on long-term injured reserve to accommodate Jack Eichel's $10-million cap hit, but what if Stone can return before the playoffs? Reilly Smith is a pending unrestricted free agent with an average annual value of $5 million. Moving him can bag Vegas some picks while helping to ease a potential cap crunch.

17. Dallas Stars (29-20-3)

Previous rank: 17th

It seems there are never enough talented, right-handed defensemen to go around in this league, and luckily for the Stars, they've got a premium one in John Klingberg. The 29-year-old can be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and all signs point to him wanting to break up with Dallas, so the Stars can certainly fetch a nice return for Klingberg.

18. Vancouver Canucks (26-22-6)

Previous rank: 19th

J.T. Miller. The Canucks will need a lot to go their way to end up in the playoffs, but they've been playing extremely well since Bruce Boudreau's arrival. If the team decides to sell and prepare for next season, getting a king's ransom for Miller would go a long way in setting Vancouver up for the future.

19. Anaheim Ducks (25-21-9)

Previous rank: 18th

New GM Pat Verbeek inherited a rebuilding Ducks team that's exceeded expectations this season, but he has tough decisions to make regarding a trio of key, pending unrestricted free agents in Rickard Rakell, Josh Manson, and Hampus Lindholm. Anaheim will have to find a way to navigate its future on top of a potential surprise playoff run this season.

20. Columbus Blue Jackets (27-25-1)

Previous rank: 21st

Luckily for the Blue Jackets, Patrik Laine has looked like the 40-goal scorer he once was during his recent hot streak. The 23-year-old isn't always consistent, but he'd be a valuable asset to contending squads in need of a talented winger.

21. Winnipeg Jets (23-21-9)

Previous rank: 20th

The Jets are straight-up not having a good time this season. Sure, they could eke their way into a playoff spot, but right now, things look pretty shambolic. So, the Jets might as well see what they can get for pending unrestricted free agent Andrew Copp. As of Feb. 28, he's fifth in Winnipeg with 28 points in 47 games, and his defensive skill will be coveted by contenders.

22. Detroit Red Wings (23-24-6)

Previous rank: 23rd

The Red Wings still have a ton of cap space and should look to acquire some bad contracts in exchange for assets. The team's rebuild is coming along smoothly, and the Wings will be back to being a contender in the next few years. This may be one of Detroit's last opportunities to load up on draft picks or prospects before taking off.

23. San Jose Sharks (24-23-6)

Previous rank: 22nd

Of course the Sharks are interested in keeping fan favorite Tomas Hertl. However, the pending unrestricted free agent would move the needle for several contending teams looking to make a playoff run even as a rental, and he'd likely net a significant return.

24. New York Islanders (20-21-8)

Previous rank: 24th

Scott Mayfield is in the middle of the Islanders' blue-line depth chart and is the type of stay-at-home, physical defender GMs salivate over. With an extra season on his contract at an affordable $1.45 million, New York would be wise to cash in while Mayfield's value is at its highest.

25. Ottawa Senators (19-27-5)

Previous rank: 25th

The Senators don't have a ton to offer in yet another year of the rebuild, but they could go fishing for picks with a few of their pending unrestricted free-agent forwards like Tyler Ennis, Chris Tierney, and Nick Paul. Playoff teams are going to want depth up front.

26. Chicago Blackhawks (19-27-8)

Previous rank: 26th

Marc-Andre Fleury. A handful of teams vying for the playoffs are in need of goaltending, and Fleury is far and away the best option on the market. The Blackhawks got him virtually for free, so getting anything in return for him would be a big win.

27. New Jersey Devils (18-29-5)

Previous rank: 29th

The Devils don't have a lot of upcoming unrestricted free agents, but there is P.K. Subban. He isn't the same defenseman he used to be, but it'd still be worth it for New Jersey to get something for him on the trade market. The Devils would most likely have to retain some of his $9-million cap hit, but they have the space to do it.

28. Philadelphia Flyers (16-26-10)

Previous rank: 30th

Claude Giroux. It seems inevitable the Flyers will part ways with their longtime captain, but the timing couldn't be better. Philadelphia needs to shake things up, and Giroux would be one of the most coveted players on the trade market.

29. Buffalo Sabres (16-30-8)

Previous rank: 28th

Take your pick between Cody Eakin, Robert Hagg, and Mark Pysyk. All three players are on expiring contracts and would be nice depth adds for teams headed to the playoffs.

30. Seattle Kraken (16-34-5)

Previous rank: 27th

Mark Giordano. The Kraken will reportedly try to move their captain ahead of the deadline, and plenty of teams will be lining up to try to grab him. It's not often that a veteran of Giordano's stature becomes available, and his leadership will be a priceless intangible for any playoff team.

31. Montreal Canadiens (13-33-7)

Previous rank: 32nd

Ben Chiarot. The Canadiens have a handful of players they may or may not move by the deadline, but the bruising defenseman is one of the most surefire trades we'll see at some point in the next month. Teams typically dish out a ton for blue-liners, so Montreal will have to dig around to find the best deal out there.

32. Arizona Coyotes (14-35-4)

Previous rank: 31st

The Coyotes' mission at the deadline will be to acquire more assets, and they'll surely get a nice return for defenseman Jakob Chychrun. Arizona's asking price for the 23-year-old is high, but there'll likely be a good fit that'll send some juicy pieces to the desert.

(Analytics sources: Evolving Hockey, Natural Stat Trick)

Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This is the 10th edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2021-22 campaign. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.

In this edition, we highlight one player from each of the league's 32 clubs who need to be better in the unofficial second half.

1. Colorado Avalanche (34-8-4)

Previous rank: 1st

Colorado doesn't need to change a thing, but for the sake of this exercise, we'll spotlight Tyson Jost, who's posted a modest 13 points across 46 games. Surely the Avalanche had higher expectations when drafting the 23-year-old 10th overall in 2016.

2. Florida Panthers (32-10-5)

Previous rank: 2nd

Spencer Knight was a popular Calder Trophy pick, but he's recorded a .898 save percentage this season. If he can perform better down the stretch, it'll allow the Panthers to manage Sergei Bobrovsky's workload ahead of the playoffs.

3. Tampa Bay Lightning (31-11-6)

Previous rank: 4th

You have little to worry about if your backup goalie is the biggest issue as a team. Still, the Lightning likely want to see more than a .902 save percentage from Brian Elliott in his spot starts down the stretch.

4. Minnesota Wild (29-11-3)

Previous rank: 6th

Jordan Greenway signed a three-year, $9-million extension in January but only has four goals this season. If he gets going, Minnesota's attack might become unstoppable.

5. Carolina Hurricanes (32-11-3)

Previous rank: 3rd

The Hurricanes have a reputation as a strong defensive team, but they've posted the ninth-worst expected goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five this campaign. The "shutdown" pairing of Brady Skjei and Brett Pesce both rank near the bottom of the league in xGA/60, so we're going with both players.

6. Pittsburgh Penguins (30-11-8)

Previous rank: 5th

Entering the 2021-22 campaign, the Penguins voiced their belief in goaltenders Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith. Jarry has rebounded from last season's frightful playoff performance, but he'll need more support from his running mate. DeSmith has managed four wins in 11 appearances so far and has scraped by with a .901 save percentage.

7. Toronto Maple Leafs (30-12-3)

Previous rank: 7th

Time is undefeated, and it seems to have caught up to 32-year-old defenseman Jake Muzzin this campaign. The Leafs fail to control over 50% of the shot attempts, scoring chances, and high-danger goals with the veteran on the ice in all situations. Toronto needs more from Muzzin down the stretch.

8. Calgary Flames (26-13-6)

Previous rank: 13th

Sean Monahan is just 27 years old, but instead of being in the prime of his career, he seems to be a shell of his former self. The three-time 30-goal scorer has been demoted to a bottom-six role and has just seven goals in 45 games. The Flames would benefit greatly if he regained his offensive touch.

9. New York Rangers (30-13-4)

Previous rank: 8th

We'll bend the rules here and pick two players: Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafreniere. Both highly-touted youngsters have massively disappointed early in their careers, and the Rangers could use the secondary scoring.

10. Vegas Golden Knights (28-17-3)

Previous rank: 11th

Robin Lehner's .907 save percentage would mark his worst since 2014-15 when he was with the Ottawa Senators. With Marc-Andre Fleury gone, there's no fallback option. Lehner needs to be "the guy" for Vegas to have another deep playoff run.

11. Boston Bruins (27-16-3)

Previous rank: 9th

Injuries have significantly set back Nick Foligno over the past year, but he's still managed to play 29 games this season. The veteran forward has only one goal and six assists in those appearances.

12. St. Louis Blues (27-14-5)

Previous rank: 10th

Ville Husso has been a vision for the Blues this campaign, and his surprise emergence softens the fact that Jordan Binnington is struggling. Binnington has authored a .898 save percentage across 24 appearances this campaign, but he has time to turn things around before the playoffs.

13. Washington Capitals (26-15-9)

Previous rank: 12th

The Capitals' power play is operating at just a 15.5% clip this season, ranking 28th in the league. Defenseman John Carlson is typically one of the biggest keys to Washington's success on the man advantage, so he'll have to step up to help the floundering unit find its legs again.

14. Nashville Predators (28-16-4)

Previous rank: 14th

Eeli Tolvanen was commonly viewed as one of the world's top prospects a few years ago, but he hasn't found his footing. The 2017 first-round pick has only seven goals in 45 games in his second season as a Predators regular.

15. Edmonton Oilers (24-18-3)

Previous rank: 15th

The Oilers have given up 3.27 goals per game this campaign, putting them among the bottom-10 teams in the league. Injuries have hampered Mike Smith's season, but hopefully, the 39-year-old can step up and give Edmonton more stability to ease the load on the struggling Mikko Koskinen and Stuart Skinner.

16. Los Angeles Kings (24-16-7)

Previous rank: 17th

The Kings are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, and they'll need more from former captain Dustin Brown if they want to qualify. The 37-year-old is operating at a 0.45 points-per-game clip, his lowest mark since 2015-16.

17. Dallas Stars (25-19-2)

Previous rank: 18th

The Stars need more out of Alexander Radulov if they hope to make a run at the postseason. The 35-year-old has just two goals in 40 contests this campaign while sporting a $6.25-million cap hit.

18. Anaheim Ducks (23-17-9)

Previous rank: 16th

Jakob Silfverberg is the Ducks' third-highest paid skater, but he's scored just three times in 43 games this season. He's signed for two more years, too.

19. Vancouver Canucks (22-21-6)

Previous rank: 20th

Elias Pettersson is starting to heat up with 10 points in his last 12 contests. The Canucks need him, at the very least, to stay on that pace for the second half if they hope to have a chance at the playoffs. Even if they don't reach the postseason, Pettersson's growth is crucial to Vancouver's future.

20. Winnipeg Jets (20-17-8)

Previous rank: 21st

Captain Blake Wheeler had two goals heading into the Jets' Saturday night clash against the Predators. Just two. He doubled his season output thanks to a five-point showing against Nashville. Fingers crossed for Winnipeg that he continues to light the lamp.

21. Columbus Blue Jackets (23-22-1)

Previous rank: 25th

The Blue Jackets will need goaltender Joonas Korpisalo to do better than a .887 save percentage if they want to get anything of value at the trade deadline for the pending unrestricted free agent.

22. San Jose Sharks (22-20-4)

Previous rank: 22nd

Adin Hill has likely played his way out of getting any important starts down the stretch. However, the Sharks probably want to see some signs that the netminder can be relied on after giving up a second-round pick for him in the offseason. In 24 games, Hill owns a .901 save percentage and minus-5.0 goals saved above average.

23. Detroit Red Wings (22-21-6)

Previous rank: 23rd

Filip Zadina needs a strong second half heading into the offseason. The 2018 sixth overall pick has tallied just six goals and nine assists in 47 contests this season.

24. New York Islanders (17-19-6)

Previous rank: 19th

Just about every Islanders forward needs to play better for the club to make a miracle run to the postseason, but Jean-Gabriel Pageau, in particular, needs to put together a second-half surge. The veteran center, who's on the books for $5 million per season, has only 14 points in 40 contests this campaign.

25. Ottawa Senators (17-24-4)

Previous rank: 27th

Erik Brannstrom was the centerpiece of the Mark Stone trade, but he's yet to blossom as an NHLer. He's only recorded a pair of assists in 16 games this season. While points aren't everything for defensemen, some second-half production would be huge for his confidence.

26. Chicago Blackhawks (17-24-7)

Previous rank: 24th

Jake McCabe is in the first season of a four-year, $16-million contract, but his expected goals percentage is the second-worst among qualified defensemen this campaign.

27. Seattle Kraken (16-28-4)

Previous rank: 26th

The Kraken invested heavily in Philipp Grubauer, but the veteran netminder has struggled to the tune of a .887 save percentage. He's played better lately, but Seattle needs him to enter the offseason on a high note considering he's signed for five more years.

28. Buffalo Sabres (15-24-8)

Previous rank: 28th

Anders Bjork was a key piece to the Taylor Hall trade last season, but he hasn't done much to show his long-term worth to the Sabres. Perhaps a strong second half will increase his value in the eyes of Buffalo's front office, and it shouldn't be hard to out-produce the six points he's registered in 42 games thus far.

29. New Jersey Devils (17-27-5)

Previous rank: 29th

The Devils are amid another season falling short of heightened expectations. Signing Tomas Tatar this past summer was a big piece of the puzzle, but he's only delivered 19 points in 46 games. He can prove his worth by finishing strong.

30. Philadelphia Flyers (15-24-8)

Previous rank: 30th

If Rasmus Ristolainen elevates his play ahead of the trade deadline, then perhaps the Flyers can fetch a return that comes close to resembling the one they gave up to acquire him this past offseason.

31. Arizona Coyotes (12-32-4)

Previous rank: 31st

Jakob Chychrun is arguably having his worst NHL season. The 2021-22 season performances come a year after he broke out and finished 10th in Norris Trophy voting. The better Chychrun plays, the more the Coyotes will get in a trade for their top defenseman, whether that be before the trade deadline or in the offseason.

32. Montreal Canadiens (8-33-7)

Previous rank: 32nd

Jeff Petry is having one of the worst seasons of his NHL career. He also drew the ire of Canadiens fans after he didn't jump to the defense of goaltender Samuel Montembeault, who got bowled over during a contest against the Oilers. Petry may be on the market, but the longtime Canadien should look to end his Montreal tenure on a high.

(Analytics sources: Evolving Hockey, Natural Stat Trick)

Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This is the ninth 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 pick the MVP for each team as we hit the midway point of the season.

1. Colorado Avalanche (32-8-3)

Previous rank: 3rd

Sorry, Nazem Kadri, but there's no way the Avalanche's midseason MVP isn't Cale Makar. The 23-year-old blue-liner is on pace for nearly 40 goals this season. He'd join Bobby Orr and Paul Coffey as the only defensemen ever to accomplish the feat.

2. Florida Panthers (31-9-5)

Previous rank: 1st

Jonathan Huberdeau has long been a superstar, but he's hit a new level this season. The Panthers winger has played his way into the Hart Trophy conversation and currently leads the league in points and assists.

3. Carolina Hurricanes (31-9-2)

Previous rank: 2nd

Frederik Andersen has been exceptional, but the MVP has to be Sebastian Aho. The star center is Carolina's best all-around player and leads the squad in points.

4. Tampa Bay Lightning (29-10-6)

Previous rank: 4th

The back-to-back defending champs deserve a lot of credit for overcoming a ton of key injuries, but Tampa Bay would be nowhere without Andrei Vasilevskiy. He's registered a .922 save percentage and 12.9 goals saved above average across 35 appearances this season.

5. Pittsburgh Penguins (27-11-7)

Previous rank: 6th

Where would the battered yet triumphant Penguins be without Kris Letang this season? His 40 points in 41 games rank second among all Pittsburgh skaters, behind just Jake Guentzel. The 34-year-old plays a demanding 25:44 of ice time a night, which is sixth-most among all NHL defensemen.

6. Minnesota Wild (27-10-3)

Previous rank: 8th

Kirill Kaprizov is Minnesota's MVP by a landslide. Some teams are easier to pick for this assignment.

7. Toronto Maple Leafs (27-10-3)

Previous rank: 5th

Even though Jack Campbell is beginning to look just a little bit more human as of late, there's something to be said about his performance this season. He's authored a tidy .926 save percentage and 2.26 goals-against average in 30 appearances. The newfound No. 1 starter role looks great on the 30-year-old late bloomer.

8. New York Rangers (29-13-4)

Previous rank: 7th

There's no way the Rangers are where they are without Igor Shesterkin. The poised netminder leads the league in goals saved above average (22.59) while playing behind a squad that ranks near the bottom of the league in expected goals against and high-danger scoring chances allowed.

9. Boston Bruins (25-14-3)

Previous rank: 9th

Brad Marchand probably looks at all the columns about the Bruins' aging core and their closing contention window and laughs. The 33-year-old has an outlandish 47 points in 37 games and is on pace to eclipse the 40-goal mark for the first time in his illustrious career.

10. St. Louis Blues (26-13-5)

Previous rank: 12th

The Blues have several options here - the sign of a well-rounded team - but we're going with Ryan O'Reilly. The captain is still the heart and soul of the squad, is arguably the best defensive center in the league, and has tallied a respectable 29 points in 40 games.

11. Vegas Golden Knights (26-16-3)

Previous rank: 13th

As good as Chandler Stephenson has been this season with linemates Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty missing so much time, we have to go with Shea Theodore. The 26-year-old defenseman is second on the team with 31 points in 41 games and is logging 23:18 per contest.

12. Washington Capitals (24-12-9)

Previous rank: 10th

Surprise, surprise, the Capitals' MVP is Alex Ovechkin. It feels like the 36-year-old is going to break the record for most amount of records broken in a single season. His climb up the NHL's all-time goals list is required viewing; with 29 goals already this season, he's just eight away from passing Jaromir Jagr for third place.

13. Calgary Flames (21-13-6)

Previous rank: 18th

If this is how it ends for Johnny Gaudreau in Calgary, then he's going out in style. The revitalized 28-year-old, who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, leads the Flames with 52 points in 40 games. He already surpassed his point total from last season and is only six points away from matching his performance in 2019-20.

14. Nashville Predators (27-14-4)

Previous rank: 11th

Juuse Saros should be a Vezina Trophy finalist and has been the catalyst for Nashville's resurgence this season. The netminder owns a .927 clip and a whopping 20.6 goals saved above average so far.

15. Edmonton Oilers (22-16-2)

Previous rank: 20th

Both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are tearing it up, but we're giving the edge to McDavid. Opponents still fear No. 97 more, and his defensive metrics are a bit better than No. 29's.

16. Anaheim Ducks (23-16-8)

Previous rank: 17th

Troy Terry and Trevor Zegras have both been great, but the main reason the Ducks are still in the playoff picture is John Gibson. The netminder has posted a .922 save percentage in 32 games and ranks fourth in the league in goals saved above expected.

17. Los Angeles Kings (23-16-7)

Previous rank: 14th

Tip your cap to Drew Doughty. He leads all Kings defensemen with 23 points in 27 contests, good for a breezy 0.85 points per game rate. The Kings also control a stellar 60.6% of the shot attempts with the 32-year-old veteran on the ice at five-on-five. Doughty has pulled all this off while eating the most amount of ice time per contest (25:32) in Los Angeles.

18. Dallas Stars (23-17-2)

Previous rank: 18th

Age simply isn't a factor for Joe Pavelski. The 37-year-old paces the Stars in assists and points, and he's just outside the top 10 in league scoring.

19. New York Islanders (15-16-6)

Previous rank: 22nd

Ilya Sorokin has arrived. The wins are hard to come by this year, but Long Island's starter of the future has done all he can with a .923 save percentage and 2.37 goals against average.

20. Vancouver Canucks (19-19-6)

Previous rank: 19th

Many of Vancouver's forwards are having down years, but J.T. Miller is not one of them. He's posted 44 points in 42 games while playing multiple positions and being asked to drive different lines. If the Canucks decide to trade him before the deadline, they'll get a haul.

21. Winnipeg Jets (18-16-7)

Previous rank: 15th

The Jets are stumbling quite a bit, but the last person who should take the blame for their struggles is Kyle Connor. The 25-year-old leads all Winnipeg skaters with 24 goals, 20 assists, and 44 points. For comparison, Pierre-Luc Dubois has the second-most points on the team with 32 in the same amount of games.

22. San Jose Sharks (22-20-3)

Previous rank: 21st

Timo Meier? More like Timo Fire. The 25-year-old is in the midst of a career season with 47 points through 40 games and is posting sparkling underlying offensive numbers to boot.

23. Detroit Red Wings (19-20-6)

Previous rank: 23rd

Rookies Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider have been exceptional, but captain Dylan Larkin gets the nod. The 25-year-old center is having a huge bounce-back year, collecting 41 points in 40 games.

24. Chicago Blackhawks (16-21-7)

Previous rank: 25th

Patrick Kane is the club's leading scorer and perhaps the obvious choice - and has been for much of the past 15 years - but we're going to give it to Alex DeBrincat and his 26 goals, which is more than double the total of Chicago's runner-up.

25. Columbus Blue Jackets (20-21-1)

Previous rank: 24th

The Blue Jackets struggle to generate offense, so the fact Zach Werenski is on pace for 50 points as a defenseman earns him the crown.

26. Seattle Kraken (14-26-4)

Previous rank: 31st

Things haven't exactly gone to plan in the Kraken's inaugural season, but Jared McCann has proven to be a savvy expansion pick. He leads Seattle with 18 goals and 28 points.

27. Ottawa Senators (13-21-4)

Previous rank: 28th

Drake Batherson was playing great before his injury, but we're going with Thomas Chabot. He's not having his finest season points-wise, but he averages an NHL-high 27:08 per game and his underlying numbers are off the charts.

28. Buffalo Sabres (14-23-7)

Previous rank: 29th

Rasmus Dahlin has taken a major leap in his development in his first full season under head coach Tony Granato. The 21-year-old has been an offensive catalyst from the back end, as he's on pace for nearly 60 points.

29. New Jersey Devils (15-23-5)

Previous rank: 26th

Not many expected Jesper Bratt to be New Jersey's top offensive player this season, but here we are. The 23-year-old winger is on pace to shatter his career bests across the board, operating at a near point per game pace 40 games into the season.

30. Philadelphia Flyers (14-22-8)

Previous rank: 27th

Captain Claude Giroux is having another fine season despite the team's struggles, posting 35 points in 41 games. Will he waive his no-movement clause ahead of the deadline? If so, the Flyers will get a nice return.

31. Arizona Coyotes (10-29-4)

Previous rank: 30th

He doesn't have a whole lot of help up front, but Clayton Keller is putting together a quality offensive season with a team-leading 35 points through 43 games.

32. Montreal Canadiens (8-29-7)

Previous rank: 32nd

It's hard to find anything positive from Montreal's season, but Nick Suzuki has posted strong defensive metrics and leads the team in points.

(Analytics sources: Evolving Hockey, Natural Stat Trick)

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