NHL Power Rankings: Week 23
What a deadline it was in the NHL! Lots of movement around the league and the good team got better in some respects. We now sit 18-20 games and 40 days away from the start of the 2025 NHL Playoffs. The final push begins!
#16 Calgary Flames (30-23-10; 70 Points)
Previously #15
Flames still sit in a playoff spot and it appears like the last wildcard spot will go to a team that is not so great. The wildcards in the West are not world beaters by any means…
#15 Ottawa Senators (32-25-5; 69 Points)
Previously #16
Ottawa had a huge week and weekend. The comeback against the Rangers (haha!) was a sight and the fan base was so happy to have Brady Tkachuk on their team. He was brought to tears after his game winner and you love to see that. The idea of the Tkachuk brothers coming together may only happen every 2 years from now on…
#14 Columbus Blue Jackets (31-24-8; 70 Points)
Unchanged
The Jackets were expected to be sellers back in October. They didn’t do anything this deadline because how could you possibly mess with this lineup who’s been playing their hearts out together with a huge chance to go on a playoff run, in honor of Johnny G. Great job not making a single move...seriously.
#13 New Jersey Devils (34-25-6; 74 Points)
Unchanged
The loss of Hughes may have brough the air out of the room for this team. Sad to see.
#12 Minnesota Wild (36-24-4; 76 Points)
Previously #9
The ride for Minnesota is starting to slow down I think. Their consistency is nonexistent. If you have a chance to play the Wild in round 1, you want to I think. It would likely be the team who wins the Pacific at this point.
#11 Los Angeles Kings (33-20-9; 75 Points)
Unchanged
Byfield finally scored which was getting concerning. They didn’t do much to enhance their lineup but they couldn’t possibly blow up the team, at least not yet.
#10 Colorado Avalanche (38-24-2; 78 Points)
Unchanged
Colorado bolstered their lineup adding in Brock Nelson and Charlie Coyle. The depth is much improved, and they likely will get the Stars in round 1. That may be the best and most exciting series to watch if it comes to fruition.
#9 Toronto Maple Leafs (38-22-3; 79 Points)
Previously #6
Tough week for the Leafs and their deadline was okay at best. They were all in on Rantanen and even asked Mitch Marner to waive is not trade. He, rightfully so, declined. But you have to think, Mitch had an opportunity to actually make it out of the first round…interesting. He will need to show up big if he wants to get paid in the summer.
#8 Edmonton Oilers (37-22-4; 78 Points)
Previously #12
Game against the Ducks was quickly forgotten. The Oilers are alive and fun again. Their deadline adds brought in the one thing the Oilers needed most, truculence. And the new guys showed how much energy they can bring to this lineup. I actually had a smile on my face for 2 straight games for the first time in 2025. Let’s see if this is a dead cat bounce or if the beast is reawakened.
#7 Carolina Hurricanes (38-22-4; 80 Points)
Previously #8
The Canes took a gamble on Rantanen and it failed but their return is a young upcoming stud in Logan Stankhoven. They also have 2 firsts and 2 third rounders in draft capital to make further moves in the summer…They may not make a huge splash this year but they have lots of room to work in the coming years.
#6 Tampa Bay Lightning (37-22-4; 78 Points)
Previously #7
Low key adds like Bjorkstrand and bringing back fan favorite Yanni Gourde strengthens their forward group. The Bolts are back baby and we all hope the Battle of Sunshine State happens again because this version of it would be fireworks.
#5 Vegas Golden Knights (38-19-6; 82 Points)
Unchanged
Here we go, another deadline for the Knights. Okay who did they get this time…Let’s See…No one!? What the actual hell is going on? This team still has the roster to win the Cup and their backend is of the best in the West, and compares to their divisional rival who made huge moves to enhance theirs as well.
#4 Florida Panthers (40-21-3; 83 Points)
Unchanged
The Florida Panthers piss off two divisional rival fanbases in one trade. They bring in former Bruins captain Brad Marchand. While the era of the mid 2010-2020 Bruins may be done for, the mid 2020 Panthers are here for the long haul. If the Panthers aren’t the best team in the East, they are certainly the most miserable, rat filled, and nasty teams in recent NHL history. Bennett, Tkachuk, AND Marchand. Miserable miserable miserable.
#3 Dallas Stars (42-20-2; 86 Points)
Unchanged
Dallas made a huge splash, managing to bring in Mikko Rantanen, yes that Mikko Rantanen. Logan Stankhoven was the team’s cost and overall, this made the Dallas Stars probably the deepest teams up front. But that is where the depth goes. Their blueline is questionable, especially when you consider your right-side looks like Lyubushkin, Ceci, and Dumba. They need Miro Heiskanen back soon but likely won’t move the needle too much all things considered.
#2 Washington Capitals (42-14-8; 92 Points)
Unchanged
Ovi ties the record in just 8 games and breaks the record after just 9 more goals. Unbelievable we sit here with that fact. The Caps will earn a dance with a fairly “weak” opponent for the first time in a while and I think their round 1 will end up a little different than last year.
#1 Winnipeg Jets (44-17-4; 92 Points)
Unchanged
The Jets hang on to this spot given their defensive game and their incredible goaltending. They will need to find more consistency on the offensive side but they have found top end talent finding the back of the net. Their deadline was okay but probably could have been better considering their divisional rivals made moves.
In-Season Cup
The season for Tyler and Tradon might be coming to an end.