A Complete Preview of the 2024-25 NHL Season: Detailed Profiles on all 32 NHL Teams; Departures & Arrivals, Division Rankings, Stanley Cup Playoff Prediction (Spoiler: Vegas vs. New Jersey), The Blueshirts’ Chances – And Why There Won’t Be a Fifth Cup This Year, The Absolutely Devastating Gaudreau Family Tragedy; Give Sean Higgins A Life Sentence, Flyers/Blueshirts Rookie Games, NYR Villains & More

My apologies in advance – as we’re hitting an ungodly amount of 28,000 words tonight. (My lovely pal Stan Fischler is already shaking his fist and cursing my name!) But hey – I haven’t written any original content in a while – and these season preview blogs are always my longest manifestos of the year anyway! (And all for one click on a website that refuses to run ads! I mean, where else will you get such a deal?) But sadly, and of course, and more important than everything else too – we must also address the tragic deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau too – a story that still has me completely sickened and rocked to the core. I just can’t fathom being in a similar situation, nor how the Gaudreau’s move past this either. Both my condolences and empathy goes out to them – and especially to the children – both born and due in the upcoming months. And I know – it just doesn’t feel right to talk about hockey with this story; but alas, the league will go on and so shall we.

Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. And just like that, the summer of 2024 is now behind us – and where yes – my feelings about the 2024-25 New York Rangers remain unchanged.

In other words, and if you’ve been following this site all summer, then you already know my thoughts:

For this incarnation of the club, then the only thing that matters for them is the 2025 trade deadline – and where even after that – then I still don’t see this franchise hoisting the holy chalice of hockey in their penultimate centennial year.

(Holy horrible grammar Batman – a mandatory requisite of this website!)

After all, I’ve already seen this story play out one too many times before.

But obviously, the New York Rangers aren’t on the forefront of any hockey mind right now -especially not after the tragic deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.


It’s been several weeks since the passing of the Gaudreau brothers – and even as someone who never knew them or rooted for them – I’m absolutely crushed over this tragic story. Photo Credit: NHL.com

I know that I’m very late to the game when talking about the deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, that is, outside of tweeting about it at the time (over at @NYCTHEMIC on X); but I still can’t fathom it – and not even today with both of the brothers now buried in their final resting places.

As a human being – I’m just floored over this horrible story – and I still can’t believe that this is reality.

And while this means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in the grand scheme of things – it’s already taken me out of the upcoming season – as there are just more important things in life than hockey.

By now, you already know what happened to the Gaudreau brothers – which means that I don’t have to relive this horror for you here; but seriously speaking – is there a worse story in all of sports history than this one?

Obviously, no one takes any solace in “ranking tragedies,” and of course, it would in poor form to do so too; but as a hockey historian who knows about all of them – and I can’t think of a worse tragedy in NHL history than this one.

Outside of the Yaroslavl Lokomotiv plane crash (2011), then the majority of tragedies in hockey were self-inflicted, such as the untimely deaths of Tim Horton and Pelle Lindbergh.

This tragedy, this catastrophe, this devastation, whatever word that you want to use when describing this sheer horror, just hits you at your core – and again – I say this as a human being – and not as a fan.

And yes, this too – I can freely admit that this story is only getting world-wide attention because of the victims involved- because sadly – such incidents are commonplace in America these days.

(Conversely? Justin Timberlake only gets a slap on the wrist – aka a plea deal and a fine – for drinking-and-driving at a higher toxcity rate/BAC level than Sean Higgins.)

I was absolutely sickened (I can openly and honestly admit to you that I threw up at one point, and specifically when I first heard that Matty’s wife, Melanie, was pregnant and due in December) when I heard about what happened – and I don’t know if this story will ever leave me.

I know that such a sentence sounds egotistical – as this story isn’t about me – and in no way, shape or form.

To be clear, this story is solely about the Gaudreau family – but what happened to them just rocked me to no end.

Again – I’m not here to rank tragedies as that’s a stupid thing to do; but seriously – can you think of a more preventable tragedy than this one?

I guess that for legal reasons, we have to use the word “allegedly” here; but ALLEGEDLY (in the police report, the drunk driver, Sean Higgins, admitted to downing six beers before killing Matty and Johnny – which in reality – probably means at least double that amount), Higgins, who also admitted to having road-rage, was drunk driving.

Before someone gets at me, as I often talk (and sometimes humbly brags too) about my drinking exploits on this site – I never drink-and-drive.

I’m not looking for a pat on the back from you here either; but this is just my way of telling you, that whenever I talk about belting-and-popping in my writings – is that after such libations are downed – I either walk home from the bar or get an Uber.

(And whenever I talk about all of my Ranger watch parties at my local watering hole with my dear old Dad? I pick him up, drop him off at the bar, drive my car home, walk back to the bar – and then get Ubers home for the both of us once we’re done imbibing. It’s my principle/philosophy, that if you can afford to drink – then you can afford to get a ride home in any way imaginable.)

And that’s what Higgins, who shares my first name, should have done.

I don’t care if you had two beers, a Zima or a just lemon drop shot; but today, in 2024 – there’s no reason to drive with booze in your system.

I know that I’m rambling a bit – and that all of this is 100% obvious too – but what the fuck Higgins?

One more time:

If you can afford to drink, then you can afford to get an Uber, a Lyft, a taxi, a friend to drive you home, whatever.

And if you have to – then stumble home on your own two feet.

At worse – you’ll walk into tree – but you won’t hurt anyone else either.

Furthermore, even if you drive to a bar, a party, a shindig, whatever; then here’s a tip – and in something that I’ve done twice before too – as an AAA member, you can also call them to tow your car home should you need your vehicle back in your driveway come morning.

(When I’ve done this, I also tipped the guy $50 – and both drivers, who get paid by AAA anyway, were more than happy to oblige. I’m also of the thinking that they won’t refuse such a request – as it’s an easy payday for them – and the right thing to do too.)

In his biggest moment of both idiocy and selfishness, Higgins ruined the lives of many – and the entire hockey community too.

But throw out the fact that the Gaudreau’s were upstanding members of the hockey community – and then just exclusively look at this story from the human element perspective.

Two young men were killed.

Families were destroyed for life.

A wedding (sister Katie Gaudreau) was ruined.

And in what will keep all of us up at night – two mothers-to-be, two soon-to-be born children too, will never enjoy having the man and fathers in their lives either.

And that’s what pains me, and I’m sure all of you too, the most.

Both Melanie (Matt’s widow) and Meredith (Johnny’s widow) are pregnant.

While the Gaudreau’s have the support of everyone; there’s also no replacing these epic and hole-in-the-heart losses either.

Sean Higgins is a veteran and sad to say – if this wasn’t a mainstream story, then I wouldn’t have been surprised if he was given a plea deal.

Veteran or no veteran – Higgins belongs in jail for life.

And while this won’t get much play (and I get it); then how about the lives of Higgins’ wife and kids – as he won’t be around their house anytime soon either.

Obviously, the Gaudreau’s are the most innocent of victims here; but Higgins’ wife and kids are now without him too – and to be clear – IN NO WAY OR HOW AM I DEFENDING HIM.

If there’s any silver lining to this story (and really, there isn’t – as you can’t bring back Johnny and Matty) – then it’s how the hockey community – and really, everyone else, rallied around the Gaudreau’s.

Flame fans, once severely burnt by Johnny when he left them for Columbus, had vigilies and memorial sites set up – including at the Saddledome.

Despite what happened in the past – Calgarians knew the levity of the situation – and were completely honorable and respectful.

Ditto the fans over in Columbus, Ohio.

Over the world, many people paid their respects to the Gaudreaus, including in other sports leagues such as the MLB, NCAA, NFL and WWE.

During a recent Monday Night Raw broadcast, host Jackie Redmond, the NHL on TNT reporter who also doubles up as as a WWE correspondent, was in tears when talking about what happened – and just like everyone else.

The worst decision in Higgins life created travesty worldwide.

But for those demanding alcohol being banned in every hockey arena this season – then I don’t agree with that either.

Bottom line?

IF YOU CAN DRINK ALCOHOL, THEN YOU MUST BE RESPONSIBLE ABOUT IT TOO.

In other words, this is all on Higgins – who was 100% irresponsible – and who will now forever be known as a selfish asshole – and with no regards for humanity.

Again, I know that I’m all over the place; but this is a story that makes it tough to gather all of your thoughts and then present them without emotion.

RIP MATTY AND JOHNNY GAUDREAU.

My condolences to their families.

My empathy to their unborn children.

It’s not very often where we are personally affected by the lives – and deaths – of celebrities.

This is one of these rare times – and where I just can’t get this story out of my head either.

May Sean Higgins rot in jail for life – and where his ultimate error may also be a lesson for anyone debating about drinking and driving too.

I know that I have a 2024-25 NHL Season Preview to get into, but when trying to segue-way from the land of reality into sports bullshit – let me regroup by sandwiching in some meaningless plugs as a way to reset and get there.


Here are my most recent blogs, in case you missed them:

Open Letter To The New York Rangers From the Granddaughter of Frank Boucher – It’s Time To Finally Honor The First #7 in Franchise History! Plus: Complete Boucher Bio From “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and The Rafters of Madison Square Garden.”


Marc Staal Announces Retirement; Joins Rangers as a Defensive Development Assistant. Plus: Full Staal Career Bio!


“And This Career Will Last A Lifetime!” Sam Rosen Announces His Retirement; Kenny Albert The Most Obvious Successor, Joe Micheletti vs. Dave Maloney, Tony DeAngelo Breaks His Silence; Finally Talks About What Happened Between Himself and Alexandar Georgiev, Full Tell-All TDA Interview Recap – And The Stuff/Follow-Up Questions Omitted By “The Morning Cuppa Hockey” Too, New Mantra For The “Trade Deadline” Rangers’ 2024-25 Season & More


While I hate the Devils; at the same time – I wouldn’t be surprised to see them reach the Stanley Cup Final either.

A few quick notes and disclaimers before giving you both my profiles on the 32 teams and my Stanley Cup Playoff predictions.

Keep in mind that everything you’re about to read here, while including facts, is all opinion-based – and where I’d also like to think that I have somewhat of an educated opinion!

(Easy for me to say!)

In addition, a cavalcade of factors, such as injuries, trades or other outside influences, which could stunt momentum or give sliding teams a breather, will play a part in this 2024-25 season – and just like it always does on an annual basis.

In other words, whatever I’m writing right now is based on how these teams stack up prior to the start of the season.

Whatever happens in-season?

Well, all of that stuff is totally unpredictable – especially since there also are roster cuts to be made and a few prominent names currently without contract too.

I have listed/profiled these teams based on their conferences and divisions – and of course – in the order that I feel like they will finish in too.

Once going through all of the teams, I’ll then give you my Conference Final predictions and my Stanley Cup winner.

Finally, and as I do every season, I’ll revisit this blog once the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs wrap-up and see how I did!

Enjoy!


The 2023-24 Western Conference standings. Photo Credit: ESPN

WESTERN CONFERENCE

The Nashville Predators were the talk of the league this summer – but do they really stack up against the teams over in the Pacific Division? Photo Credit: NHL.com

CENTRAL DIVISION

DALLAS STARS

A year ago, when previewing this Texan club, I wrote the following:

“Perhaps the “Carolina Hurricanes of the West,” although the Stars have appeared in a Stanley Cup Final more recently than their Raleigh counterparts (2020); the team from the Big D have been knocking on the door for a while now – but have yet to get over the hump. However, this fact provides not too much concern, as the “Shooting Stars” are a team on the rise – and not a falling star.”

In a way, I still feel that the Stars, who remain as perennial Cup contenders, are a team on the rise, and not a falling star either; but I also believe that competition, namely playoff foes, will be their biggest detriment.

As we all know with the New York Rangers, and other former Presidents’ Trophy winners too – the regular season doesn’t matter.

The Stars, the best of the west during the 2023-24 season, fell in six games to the Oilers in the 2024 Western Conference Final.

For the Stars, and for the rest of the west for that matter too – getting by the Oilers in 2025 will be no easy task.

The Central Division feels like a three-team division this season, where no matter how they finish, the Stars, Avalanche and Predators should all reach the playoffs.

While the Predators had an explosive off-season and while the Avalanche received positive news about their captain Gabriel Landeskog too; it feels like the Stars got weakened a bit this summer – and especially following the announcement of Joe Pavelski’s retirement.

Due to both their solid core and money well-spent on players such as Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, new sensation Wyatt Johnston, Tyler Seguin, stud defenseman Miro Heiskanen and potential Vezina candidate Jake Oettinger; the Stars relied on mid-level role-players this summer, as they added the likes of Ilya Lyubushkin, Matt Dumba, and goalie Casey DeSmith to their roster.

Elsewhere, the Stars signed a trio of former Rangers, as Brendan Smith, Colin Blackwell and Magnus Hellberg are now in the organization.

Despite growing old, and to go along with fellow young-in-the-face right-winger Johnston, Logan Stankoven had an impressive rooking showing last season, and where this youthful duo should be shining Stars for sometime.

Head coach Peter DeBoer, always a bridesmaid but never the bride, enters his third season in Dallas. For optimistic Texan fans, then they should be reminded that at this time last year, Paul Maurice was considered the best coach in the league to never win a Stanley Cup this century.

Will it be DeBoer’s turn in 2025?

Dallas has the horses – and also colts, stallions and mustangs alike – but I’m not so sure that when push comes to shove if they can finally win the big one.

As I said about the Panthers last year at this time – I need to see it to believe it first.

And I know that I’ve already said this about a million times before on this site, but like many Cup contenders, and aside from injuries too – then it’s tough to truly assess this team’s future until the trade deadline passes; but in their present state – the Stars have a roster as good as any to go all the way.

One last thing about the trade deadline?

The Stars, who will attract attention because of their upper-echelon status, also play in a state with no income taxes.

Why does that matter?

Just take a look at the recent Stanley Cup Finalists.


COLORADO AVALANCHE

While everyone has a different rating system when assessing players; then, and at the very least, you have to believe that both Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are two of the top-five players in the league today.

Makar, who is already drawing comparisons to Bobby Orr (and where many believe that Makar has the makings of becoming the best offensive-defenseman since the days of #4 – and with all respect paid to Nicklas Lidstrom too), already has a Norris Trophy on his mantle – and is now a year-in & year-out candidate for this prize.

By now, everyone knows about the awesomeness of Mack – who by the way – is coming off winning the Hart Trophy in 2024.

It should also be mentioned that the candidates for the ’24 crown were one of the deepest fields of all-time.

Ever since besting the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022 to win the Stanley Cup, the Avalanche have struggled in the playoffs (2023 first-round loss to the Kraken, 2024 second-round loss to the Stars).

Coinciding with that fact is that Avalanche captain, Gabriel Landeskog, hasn’t skated since hoisting hockey’s most prestigious prize.

After missing the past two-seasons, Landeskog is expected to return this season – great news for the Avs – but not so great news for the front office – who will now have to find a way to accommodate his $7M salary under their cap.

But either way you slice it – the return of Landeskog is a net positive.

Speaking of “net positive,” former Ranger goalie, Alexandar Georgiev, has been strong for Denver more times than not – but at the same time – he now has a 1-2 series playoff record – an underwhelming losing percentage for this Cup contender.

But to shoulder all of the blame on Georgiev for the team’s past two exits would be foolish – although and admittedly – he was a bit erratic as the regular season progressed.

Then again, for a team like the Avalanche – it’s all about the playoffs anyway.

Georgiev, now 28-years-old, is on the final year of his three-year deal. In theory, the Bulgarian goalie, currently seeking a new deal, should come out playing his best. But should that not happen, then the Avs did get some promise out of Justus Annunen, who played well during his fourteen games last season.

Should all things work out, then Georgiev will repeat what he did during his first season in Colorado – if not exceed it.

And should Annunen continue his ascension, then for Georgiev, who has led the league in wins (and nearly games played too) during the past two seasons, should get some rest – which will only keep him fresh for when it matters – the playoffs.

Bench boss Jared Bednar, where if you can believe it, is now the third-longest tenured coach in the NHL (his nine seasons only rank behind Jon Cooper in Tampa and Mike Sullivan in Pittsburgh), still has the likes of Mikko Rantanen and Artturi Lehkonen in his ranks.

Two players who benefited from joining the Avs last season were Casey Mittlestadt and Jonathan Drouin, who now find themselves in Bednar’s top-six – or at least until Ladenskog returns.

The fate of Valeri Nichushkin, who was sent to the league’s rehab program last season (cocaine), remains unknown.

Elsewhere, and despite a bevy of fourth-liners and third-pair defensemen entering the revolving door – and this team pretty much looks the same – an end result of both the salary cap and awaiting the returns of both Nichushkin and Landeskog.

Should these players be unable to return, then the Avs should be a major player at the deadline.

I know that in the salary cap era that Stanley Cup winning teams are more likely to fall than to return to the dance – but I also don’t think that the window has closed in Colorado either.

Far from it – and especially not when you have the dynamic duo, a pair who knows what it takes to win the war, MacKinnon and Makar, to rely on.

After all, with those two on the power-play – who is stopping them?


NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Going into last season, the Predators, now under general manager Barry Trotz and head coach Andrew Brunette, were thought as a rebuilding team.

Someone forgot to tell Nashville all about the “r-word.”

Rather than folding, selling off players and looking for draft picks; instead, the Predators rallied to a playoff spot, where once there, they soon fell in six-games to the Vancouver Canucks.

While no one likes losing – the Preds’ first-round loss wasn’t a buzz-kill.

Instead, the league took notice.

No NHL GM was busier than Trotz this off-season, as one of the biggest names in franchise history made a trio of big splashes, monster cannonballs of the top diving board variety if you will, signings.

Trotz, who convinced savvy playoff veteran Ryan O’Reilly to Country Music, USA last summer, while also retaining the services of Filip Forsberg too, went hogwild, as he was able to sign Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei – and all in a span of a 24-hour time period to boot.

It should also be mentioned that Smashville, TN does not have a state income tax – and with the city now embracing their new nickname of “Nash Vegas” – Nashville is one of the best cities in the league to live in – and to play for.

With these three major signings, obviously, the biggest question in town is how will these players gel in their new environment?

It should also be considered that players who spent a long time in one city, only to move on after a dozen years or so, usually don’t replicate their previous success.

That said, it does feel like Stamkos has something to prove to Julien BriseBois, his former GM in Tampa; while one of the “Original Misfits” in Las Vegas, Marchessault, has something to prove to his former boss too.

Skjei, much better now than what he was during his Ranger years, does feel overpaid (seven-years for $49M overall), but this is a team that’s now in WIN NOW mode – and they also have the goalie to do it, in Pekke Rinne’s successor, Juuse Saros.

However, and as it is for any other contender, Saros must stay healthy – especially since Trotz was forced to deal his back-up, the impressive Yaroslav Askarov, to San Jose – as there was just no playing time for Askarov who fancies himself as an NHL starter – and as any young and aspiring goalie should view themselves as.

Rounding out the big-name talent for the yellow is perennial Norris Trophy contender and team captain Roman Josi – an elite blueliner coming off an 85-point season.

Critics of the Predators will be quick to remind you that there is only one puck, but with many of these players already having hardware – both individual and team trophies alike – then I don’t see anyone being selfish.

While it remains to be seen, it feels like Smashville will have one of the best power-plays in the league.

For a team that many thought overachieved last season by just reaching the playoffs; this season, anything short of the second-round will be thought of as a failure.

But wouldn’t you rather have lofty expectations than cellar-dwelling vibes anyway?


WINNIPEG JETS

As I usually say at this time of the year – among the 32 NHL clubs, it feels like the Jets garner the least amount of interest – and for yours truly – I can’t profess to be big on the ‘Peg either.

Ever since the second incarnation of this franchise, which took place in 2011 when the Thrashers were through in Atlanta, Winnipeg 2.0 has been a middling team.

While I’m sure that natives of Manitoba wouldn’t exactly concur with me; at the same time, there’s a reason why the Jets receive the least amount of national/prime time games on television – and why the city is annually voted by the players as the least desirable in the league.

For the past dozen years or so, the Jets have screamed mediocrity, outside of their peak performance during the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs (a 4-1 Western Conference loss sustained by that year’s Stanley Cup champions, the Vegas Golden Knights).

Despite the negative tones being oozed here, the Jets do have a solid core, but it’s been the same story for some time now – largely one-and-done showings in the postseason, including last year, in their five-game first-round ouster (against Colorado).

The team is led by Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck. In front of him are the likes of center Mark Scheifele  and wingers such as Kyle Connor, Gabriel Vilardi, Nikolaj Ehlers and Cole Perfetti.

Defensively, former Ranger Neal Pionk has flourished for the Jets, while Josh Morrissey eats up most of the minutes as the team’s best rearguard.

Long-time Jet, Adam Lowry, now in his second season as team captain following last year’s dismissal of Blake Wheeler, has other two members of the Rangers’ alumni joining him in his forward group, including Vladislav Namestnikov and Morgan Barron.

General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, who hasn’t really had much success despite being in Winnipeg from day one of the second coming, now has Scott Arniel behind his bench, following the 2024 retirement of Rick Bowness.

From an outsider’s perspective, it’s tough to get rah-rah about Arniel, as for the long time assistant head coach, his first stint as a head coach didn’t exactly go so well (Columbus).

And don’t get me started about his days as the power-play coach of the Rangers either!

In my eyes, the Jets just seem like a middle-of-the-pack team – good enough to land a wild-card spot – but not good enough to make any noise when it matters most – the playoffs.

I still feel like this division is a three-horse race – but if you’re looking for a superfecta bet – then the Jets should finish ahead of the teams listed below.


ST. LOUIS BLUES

For the Missouri team – they’ll always have 2019.

However, and following their defeat of the Boston Bruins in that epic seven-game Stanley Final – it’s been a free-fall ever since.

Following a pair of first-round exits (2020 and 2021), the Blue Note were thwarted in the second-round in six games in 2022 (the Avalanche). St. Louis hasn’t seen the playoffs since that loss.

Drew Bannister, who took over for Craig Berube on December 12th, 2023, had the label of “interim” shed from his title this summer, as following going 30-19-5, Bannister was given a two-year contract to serve the club as their official head coach.

Perhaps the biggest league story this off-season is when general manager Doug Armstrong made not only one offer-sheet – but two of them – and to players from the same team.

Come August 20th, and both defenseman Philip Broberg and center Dylan Holloway, formerly of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finalist Edmonton Oilers, were now Blues.

For a team that’s done a lot rebuilding on the fly, Armstrong is now banking on a youth movement – especially after shedding veterans like Kevin Hayes (Penguins) and Sammy Blais (Canucks) this season.

And while on the topic of former members of the Rangers’ alumni, Pavel Buchnevich (and we don’t have to explain this trade on this site again), re-signed with the club to a tune of a six-year contract worth $48M overall ($8M annually).

Jordan Binnington, the spark plug and life-force that backstopped the team to the Stanley Cup in 2019, has been erratic in recent years. However, the Blues do feel confident in Binnington’s back-up, the 24-year-old Joel Hofer, should the champion goalie falter again.

Elsewhere, Brayden Schenn remains as captain, where he will lead a pair of young studs, the exciting Jordan Kyrou and the on-the-rise Robert Thomas.

While Broberg was a nice young addition to the mix; defensively, the Blues do look a little long in the tooth with Ryan Suter and Nick Leddy.

The Blues just feel like a team trying to get back to the top rather than being anywhere close to it at the moment.

But hey – this happens to 99.9% of all Stanley Cup winners in the salary cap era – so there’s no shame in that either.

Don’t believe me?

Then just ask the next team on our list about this.


CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Following their glory years, where three Stanley Cups were won (2010, 2013 and 2015), it’s been nothing but downhill for the Indian Head.

And for team from the Windy City – there’s something ironic about how much the Blackhawks have blown ever since – and no – this isn’t a Kyle Beach joke.

But as we all know – help is now here – and in the likes of the first-overall pick of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Connor Bedard.

Like many, I am impressed in how Chicago has approached their rebuild – and especially what they have done ever since landing the now 19-year-old center – by surrounding him with a bunch of grizzled, yet helpful, veterans.

After general manager Kyle Davidson beefed-up on veterans last year, he hit the meat market once more this summer – and by adding a collection of savvy and playoff experienced veterans to help out his crown jewel.

Not only will Bedard most likely center a line now featuring new additions Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen, but multiple-time Cup winners, such as Alec Martinez and Patrick Maroon, are now in the fold. Both Ilya Mikheyev and T.J. Brodie are also nice and welcomed adds.

For head coach Luke Richardson, he has a pair of journeymen in his barrel, in last year’s surprise, Petr Mrazek, and Laurent Brossoit. If Mrazek can follow-up on his strong play from last year, then with a better team in front of him – who knows – maybe Chicago can arrive ahead of schedule.

There’s a lot of talent on this team, but it still may take some time for the young players to replace some of the aging players on this team. Regardless, you can see what the blue print is and the Blackhawks should be back on track in no time.


UTAH HOCKEY CLUB

I’ve already written in long form about the demise of the Arizona Coyotes, so there’s no reason to rehash all of that here.

However, and for the life of me, while also understanding how bang-bang and quick this transition was – specifically when Gary Bettman hand-selected Ryan Smith as his newest owner in the league; but in this day and age – I’m still extremely surprised that this team doesn’t have an official name yet.

Then again, for a league that’s very interested in making money – Utah will get two strikes at it – by selling merchandise for this campaign – then selling official team name/logo merchandise next season.

Talk about a bang for your (billion) buck!

The Coyotes were terrible last season, as they only out-played Chicago from this division.

However, you have to think that they’ll improve a bit this season, as their long-term future is now secured – and they won’t be playing on rinky-dink college surfaces anymore either.

I do believe that Utah has a chance to finish fifth-best in this division, but as exhibited here – I am stronger in the thinking that both Chicago and St. Louis are just a tad further ahead.

The one thing that I’m 100% certain about?

Easy:

There’s no longer a dark cloud surrounding this franchise – and Smith (and his money) will do everything possible to make this work.

We’ve already seen it somewhat – as unlike the Coyotes – the Hockey Club are no longer taking bad contracts – and better than that – they are no longer content to just spend to the salary cap floor.

In other words – it’s their mission to compete.

Trading for two-time Stanley Cup champion (Tampa Bay), Mikhail Sergachev, (third-year of an eight-year/$60M contract) proved just that – as in a first – this franchise actually traded for a big-money deal to help them – rather than helping someone else – and even if this was technically a “salary-cap dump trade.”

(I know – my grammar sucks – but hey, this blog is 20,000+ words – so errors will be made!)

There’s a whole lot of young talent to like on this team, and while this franchise may be two or so seasons away from really making noise, players such as Clayton Keller, Lawson Crouse, Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther and son of a legend, Josh Doan, inspire hope.

Andre Tourigny, the first head coach in franchise history, but technically his fourth with this roster, remains under general manager Bill Armstrong.

For everyone, the club, the league, the players and the fans, I think the best thing about this franchise is one word that’s been non-existent during the past few years – STRUCTURE.

It’s also nice to see this club now have some money behind it too – as it serves no purpose for anyone to have a perennial bottom-feeder among its ranks.


MINNESOTA WILD

For the soon-to-be forty-year-old, and no-doubt-about-it future Hall of Famer too, goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury – then I’m surprised that he said that he wanted to finish his career in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

While Minnesota is obviously a huge hockey city – this is a team on the decline – and a big one at that.

For a team that goes hand-in-hand with first-round playoff exits like peanut butter and jelly, and the Wild missed the playoffs for the first time in five-years last season.

On November 23rd, 2023, Dean Evason, who spent parts of five-seasons behind the Wild’s bench, was canned in favor of John Hynes – and someone who is no stranger to the carousel of NHL coaching hiring and firings.

I just don’t see how Hynes is an upgrade over Evason – much less the answer to bring the Wild to prominence.

Then again, and much like the history of this franchise – Hynes has never made it past a first-round either – so I guess that he’s a perfect fit!

This team does have a superstar in the likes of left-winger Kirill Kaprizov – and who surely has helped his line-mate, right-winger Mats Zuccarello, boost some pretty numbers.

There is also something to be said about d-man Brock Faber, who finished second-overall, only to Bedard, in the Calder Trophy voting last season.

For the Wild, it feels like it will be a long season ahead, as they’ll most likely hit rock-bottom before advancing past the first-round of the playoffs again.

For top teams looking to beef-up at the trade deadline, then it will be interesting to see if both Zuccarello and MAF hang around with what should be a lowly team this season.


Connor McDavid played in his first Stanley Cup Final last season – and then won the Conn Smythe Trophy despite his team’s loss. Can he get back to the Final – and then win the MVP trophy as a winner? Photo Credit: NHL.com

PACIFIC DIVISION

EDMONTON OILERS

As you may have heard, on September 3rd, Leon Draisaitl signed an eight-year deal worth $112M ($14M annually) – which now makes him the highest-paid player in the league.

The Superman to Draisaitl’s Batman, future Hall of Famer, Connor McDavid, is earning $12.5M a season on a contract that expires following the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign.

And I’m going to go out on a limb here – I think that McDavid is due for a raise – and especially after hearing the Draisaitl news.

For the Oilers, the time to win is NOW – and where last year’s Final loss can’t be the peak of this core.

After all, once McDavid gets his new deal, then the blue-and-orange may have two players eating up 40% of their salary cap – which in other words – doesn’t leave much room for anybody else.

Compounding matters from this salary-cap perspective?

The Oilers are just too damn good to lose, which is to mean that they won’t be in the running for any top draft pick anytime soon.

To trickle down on this theory, then this means that the Oilers will have a tough time finding a superstar rookie that they can cheaply play on the first three-years of a rookie contract.

So yeah, for head coach Kris Knoblauch – who was just superb once taking over for Jay Woodcroft on November 12th of last year – he’ll need to get his Oil on fire – and sooner than later.

Akin to every other Stanley Cup contender – where the Oil finish in the standings doesn’t matter.

Just get into the playoffs and take it away from there.

While goaltending has largely plagued Edmonton during the McDavid Era, Stuart Skinner has been the best netminder for the franchise ever since Cam Talbot’s 2016-17 season.

The Oilers will need The Skin Man to eradicate all of the defensive pimples for this team to make that last jump – because as we saw last year – McDavid and Draisaitl can be shut down during the most critical moments and games of a Stanley Cup Final – including during a do-or-die Game 7.

This team, and yes #29 and #97 are a large part of it, are as deep as any.

Still in town are the likes of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman and the still-chasing-his-second-Stanley-Cup, former long-time Duck, Corey Perry.

While the Oilers fell victim to the almighty offer-sheet this summer (St. Louis), new general manager Stan Bowman, no stranger to winning the silver himself, did a fine job when bringing in solid veteran forwards on the cheap, such as Jeff Skinner, Viktor Arvidsson and Vasily Podkolzin.

Defensively, Evan Bouchard has become a major asset. Ditto Mattias Ekholm.

The fate of Evander Kane still remains up in the air (injuries and trade rumors – including talk that he’s put his Edmonton digs on the market), but even if he never suits up for the Oil again – then this is still a Cup contending team – and now with plenty of experience behind it.

As noted, the regular season is really of no concern – outside of securing playoff berth – and where the trade deadline, where this team had success last season, could be the difference between hoisting the Cup – or going home wondering “what if?” again.


VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Similar to the Oilers, and where yes, I know that I’m going back to this well too many times – it’s all about the playoffs for general manager Kelly McCrimmon & Company.

And below, when I get to my Stanley Cup Final prediction – then you’ll really see this theory on display.

While Team #31 has lost a lot of their core players such as Jonathan Marchessault, Alec Martinez, Logan Thompson, Chandler Stephenson, William Carrier and Michael Amadio; this team still has that excellent 1-2 punch of captain Mark Stone and center Jack Eichel.

And who can forget about the splashes that the Knights made at last year’s deadline, Tomas Hertl and Noah Hanifin – and two stars that bolster the likes of Ivan Barbashev (another former trade deadline acquisition), Alex Pietrangelo and goalie Adin Hill?

This team, under head coach Bruce Cassidy, is too talented and too deep to not reach the playoffs – and where the only thing that can hurt them is what hurt them in the two seasons sandwiched in-between their 2023 Stanley Cup victory – injuries.

But this is the team that not only exploits the salary cap loophole (LTIR) whenever it can – but a franchise that has now made a yearly habit of it.

And to be clear, I’m not blaming McCrimmon for that at all.

Heck, as a Ranger fan, I’m jealous!

Loyalty, or to be specific, disloyalty, is often a topic whenever talking about this franchise’s relationship with their players.

But hockey is a business.

More importantly?

If you’re winning, then no fan is crying – even if it means that many fan-favorites are discarded as if they were chewing gum.

For more on this topic, then just ask Fleury’s agent, Allan Walsh.

Between all of the talent, McCrimmon’s passion for success and how this team does not care how they are perceived whenever they shelf Mark Stone for salary cap relief at the end of every regular season; then I have no doubt, and that barring injuries – Vegas will be right back into the mix – and will also be major players at the deadline again too.


VANCOUVER CANUCKS

For years, the dedicated fans of this British Columbia hockey team were stuck in a state of mid.

And when fan-favorite bench boss, Bruce Boudreau, was replaced by Rick Tocchet in January of 2023, then Canuck backers were furious.

Fast-forward to the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs – and the Canucks were one of the best feel-good stories in the league – and arguably the biggest Cinderella in all of the NHL too.

Following three-years of no playoff activity, and Tocchet, who won the Jack Adams Trophy last season, not only won a playoff series, but also pushed the Oilers to a seven-game set – and one that the Canucks just fell short of winning too while playing a back-up goalie (Arturs Silovs).

This time around, there’s one word that perhaps scares some people that’s now been attached to Vancouver – “EXPECTATIONS.”

Anything less than another second-round appearance will feel like a step back.

For a squad that hasn’t really been together for too long, Vancouver has gelled – and Quinn Hughes, at only 24-years-old, is now a Norris Trophy winner – not too shabby!

Also not shabby? Hughes’ partner, Filip Hronek.

The pair of 100-point producers, J.T. Miller and Elias Petterson, should keep the Canucks motoring. Brock Boeser, who scored 73-points last season, is no slouch either. Ditto one of the best playoff goalies of the past few years too, Thatcher Demko. However, there are currently some questions about Demko, due to his knee injury sustained late last season.

Jake DeBrusk, formerly of Boston, should provide some extra scoring punch for this club, which already has a knack for lighting lamps.

While Vancouver did lose Elias Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, Ian Cole and Ilya Mikheyev; DeBrusk’s new teammates, Danton Heinen, Vinny Desharnais, Kiefer Sherwood and Daniel Sprong feel like a better trade-off for general manager Patrik Allvin.

The Canucks proved that they could do it last season – and one more time – if Demko wasn’t injured last year – then who knows – it may have been the blue-and-green, rather than the blue-and-orange, contesting the Florida Panthers for the Stanley Cup.

While I have the Canucks listed third in the division here, I also wouldn’t be surprised should this team finish first-overall in the Pacific either.


LOS ANGELES KINGS

Word of advice for general manager Rob Blake and head coach Jim Hiller:

Don’t draw the Edmonton Oilers in the first-round of the playoffs in 2025.

The Kings, following their two Stanley Cup wins (2012 and 2014), had a fall from grace, but finally returned to the playoffs in 2022. They also qualified for the tournament in 2023 and 2024, where cumulatively, they went 6-12 in their three first-round series losses to the Oilers.

The silver-and-black still feature some talent in the likes of future Hall of Famer Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Kevin Fiala and Adrian Kempe.

However, this team does look weaker on paper when compared to last season.

In a bust-for-bust trade, the Kings dealt Pierre Luc Dubois to Washington in exchange for goalie Darcy Kuemper – who once benefited from playing behind the almighty 2022 Colorado Avalanche.

At 34-years-old, it’s tough to argue that Kuemper, and his disgusting five-year contract worth $26.25M overall, is much of an upgrade over last year’s starter, Cam Talbot (Detroit). Ditto DK’s back-up, “Big Save Dave” Rittich.

In a way, it feels like the Kings are banking on Erik Portillo to one day save them in net – and as Jonathan Quick once did for many years.

For a team that arguably needed to get younger, Blake went older by acquiring the likes of brutes, non game-changers and old men such as Tanner Jeannot (who never worked out in Tampa), Joel Edmundson, Warren Foegele and Glen Gawdin.

Gone aside from Talbot and PLD are Matt Roy, Viktor Arvidsson, Blake Lizotte and Carl Grundstrom.

Should the Kings reach the playoffs in 2025 – and even if they don’t draw the Oilers – then should such an event transpire – it’s still tough to envision this team knocking off the likes of the top teams from this division – much less the conference as a wild card.


ANAHEIM DUCKS

If you didn’t know any better, and just took one look at this roster as constructed by general manager Pat Verbeek, then you’d think that the team from Disney was an NHL powerhouse.

So much for that!

In reality, this team hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2018 – and even then they were swept in the first-round (the Sharks).

For head coach Greg Cronin, he must be confused too.

After all, just take a look at the talent in Anaheim from the past few seasons, including goaltender Jon “I’ve been linked in more trade rumors than Jakob Chychrun” Gibson, Cam “He’s Much Better Than Dylan McIlrath” Fowler (yes – a 2010 NHL Draft “joke”), Trevor “NHL Video Game Cover Boy” Zegras, multiple time Cup champion, Alex Killorn, Frankie “Why Did The Rangers Let Him Go?” Vatrano, reliable Ryan Strome, the third-overall pick of the 2021 Draft Mason MacTavish and the menacing Radko Gudas, among others.

Whatever the case – and the Ducks can’t get above water – much less jump into the pond that’s known as the playoffs.

This team just stunk last season – and in every which way – as they couldn’t buy a goal, they couldn’t stop goals and where they only fared better than the tanking-for-Macklin-Celebrini San Jose Sharks.

So why do I have the Ducks ahead of three other teams from this division?

I’m just banking on their talent – and the tenacity of Verbeek too.

That said, I’ve also been high on the Ducks heading into both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons – so take that for what it’s worth.

Then again, there’s something to be said about “third time’s a charm” too!


SEATTLE KRAKEN

While I can’t say that I ever was a fan of the Kraken’s now former head coach, Dave Hakstol (I even said at the time once he was announced as their first head coach in franchise history that I thought it was a head-scratching hiring); regardless of that, I was absolutely floored when I heard that he was fired at the end of the season, and in favor for the now second bench boss in Krakhead history, Dan Bylsma.

Truth be told, Bylsma, who was behind the bench for the 2009 Stanley Cup champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins, is an upgrade over Hakstol.

As the inaugural head coach of the Kraken’s AHL team, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, Bylsma led the club to back-to-back Calder Cup appearances – where he ultimately fell short in both of them.

While winning the Calder Cup isn’t that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things (usually bad NHL affiliates prevail – and for all of the obvious reasons); what’s most beneficial for general manager Ron Francis is that his new head coach is more familiar with the franchise’s prospect pool more than anyone.

That includes the man that Montreal rejected, fourth-overall pick of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Shane Wright.

Again, while I’m not exactly the biggest Hakstol fan in the world (heck, I’m more of a “Hakstol Hater” – and yes – largely due to his days with the Flyers); I still don’t understand how a coach, who during his second season with an expansion team, had a 100-point winning season, then not only beat that year’s reigning-and-defending Stanley Cup champions, the Colorado Avalanche in the first-round of the playoffs, but only fell one-game shy of winning a second-round too (a seven-game second-round series loss to the Stars) – and who was then promptly fired for missing the playoffs in the club’s third-season.

In a way, it feels like Hakstol was fired after “over-achieving” in Year 2 and then “under-delivering” in Year 3.

Whatever the case, Bylsma is an upgrade.

I’m not of the belief that Team #32 can make their second postseason appearance in 2025.

But they are sure as hell trying.

Matty Beniers, and not Wright, is the homegrown young sensation. Flanked by veterans Jordan Eberle and Jared McCann, Beniers is the face of the Space Needle city.

Francis opened up the pocket book this summer, as he added 2024 Cup Champion, Brandon Montour, to his arsenal. Also joining the Krakheads this season is another Cup champ, a two-time one at that (2018 and 2023), Chandler Stephenson.

These two recent champions will also play with former winners such as Yanni Gourde (2020 and 2021), Jaden Schwartz (2019), Andre Burakovsky (2018 and 2022), Vince Dunn (2019) and goalie Philipp Grubauer (2018).

In other words – this team has championship experience –  and plenty of it.

The Kraken also possess other talent such as Eeli Tolvanen, Adam “I was once traded for a Hart Trophy Winner” Larsson, Will Borgen, Oliver Bjorkstrand and fan-favorite Brandon Tanev.

Bylsma should have this group willing-and-able, but at the same time, it’s much easier to see Seattle fall to the bottom of the division, rather than knocking off the Oilers, Knights and Canucks.


CALGARY FLAMES

For a long time, it were Winnipeg and Columbus that were the two least desirable cities for an NHL player to live in and play for.

“Hold my beer,” said the Flames.

For whatever reason – and no one wants to play in the home of the rodeo and stampede anymore.

Whether it was Johnny Gaudreau, Mark Giordano, Matt Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, Noah Hanifin and now former goalie Jacob Markstrom – all of these big stars asked to be traded out of town – a tough task for both recent hires, general manager Craig Conroy and head coach Ryan Huska.

The Flames, who will soon bid adieu to their famous arena, “The Saddledome,” just can’t find any star to play there – that is – unless they grossly overpay them. And even then, such a strategy isn’t guaranteed.

And even when they make savvy trades (but with big money being involved too);  then whenever behind the eight-ball, players such as Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri aren’t exactly lighting the league on fire either.

In a way, this brings us back to my trade deadline talk – because even if the Flames can get hot – not many are willing to join the Albertan team.

Goaltending seems to be the team’s biggest weakness heading into this season, as following the departure of Markstrom, the Flames are banking on the 23-year-old Dustin Wolf to get them back to a state of respectability.

But even if Wolf can get to a Vezina level – will he be willing to stay in the “C of Red” once approaching free agency?

While the Flames were able to add Anthony Mantha and Ryan Lomberg this summer; until players see Calgary as a city that they’d want to live in and play for (perhaps asking Bret “The Hitman” Hart to recruit wouldn’t hurt!), then it’s tough to see this mish-mash and thrown-together roster going anywhere.


SAN JOSE SHARKS

Regular readers of these writings know this much to be true – I am a David Quinn sympathizer – and I have no problem admitting that!

But I’m also fair but firm – and as I displayed when I expressed my astonishment over the firing of Hakstol.

This is also my way of saying that I have no clue what general manager Mike Grier was thinking when he fired his own friend, DQ, in favor of the 36-year-old Ryan Warsofsky – who come the first game of this 2024-25 season – will be behind the bench for the first time in his life as an NHL head coach.

And poor DQ too – a man tasked to rebuild two different franchises – only to be punted away once putting the grueling work in (Rangers and Sharks).

Whether it was Quinn or somebody else, then I still don’t understand why a new GM like Grier would fire his head coach after giving him ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to work with.

Quinn’s entire tenure with the Sharks saw his boss trade away every top name available – while also coaching a team battling a litany of injuries.

And when the Sharks landed the first-overall pick of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft?

Grier told his old friend to “piss off,” rather than giving DQ a chance to work with Celebrini.

DQ, who rebounded in Pittsburgh as an assistant head coach, must be wondering what he did wrong  – and what he did to offend his long-time chum.

Not only did the Sharks land Celebrini, but Grier, for the first time as a GM, actually spent money this off-season by bringing in the likes of Tyler Toffoli, Cody Ceci, potential franchise goaltender Yaroslav Askarov and even Alex Wennberg – and while I think that Wennberg absolutely sucks and can’t buy a goal to save his life – he’s still a strong defensive threat.

For whatever reason and the Sharks are pumping up Warsofsky’s Jewish heritage as if that makes a difference when coaching. Then again, it may bring a whole different meaning should the Sharks score a hat trick! (Yes, that’s a bad yarmulke/yamaka joke!)

But I don’t envision the Sharks scoring many hat tricks in 2024-25 – nor do I predict them to finish out of last-place either.

And poor Barclay Goodrow – San Jose’s key add of the off-season – who goes from a Cup contending team to a bottom-feeder, following being back-stabbed by Blueshirts’ GM, Chris Drury.

Captain Logan Couture, now 35-years-old and who can even remember the last time when the Sharks were relevant (2016 Stanley Cup Final loss to the Penguins), enters the season presumably injured – and with his best years behind him too.

And when it comes to the words “best years” – the Sharks are ways away.

This is a fatally flawed franchise – and where you now have to question Grier’s decision making too.

Fortunately for him, he did land Celebrini – but similar to Bedard out in Chicago – it’s going to take some time.


The 2023-24 Eastern Conference standings. Photo Credit: ESPN

EASTERN CONFERENCE

The Battle of Florida has dominated this division in recent years – and where the Lightning and Panthers are the only Eastern Conference teams to win the Stanley Cup this decade too. Photo Credit: NHL

ATLANTIC DIVISION

FLORIDA PANTHERS

There are no more jokes to be made anymore about this now former franchise without a Stanley Cup – and of course – as a result of their historic 2024 championship.

As we all know, it’s extremely difficult to repeat in the salary cap era between losing players and opponents circling you on their calendar. However, for the Big Cats of Sunrise, other teams can circle the Panthers all that they want – but now with experience – Florida won’t bow away from any challenge. In fact, they’ll usually ace all tests put in front of them.

In the Summer of 2023, following their Stanley Cup Final loss, general manager Bill Zito had to part ways with many of his savvy veterans including Marc Staal, Radko Gudas, Anthony Duclair, Alex Lyons and Patrik Hornqvist, and with the latter retiring from the sport.

In turn, Zito replaced these players with the likes of Niko Mikkola, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Dmitry Kulikov, Mike Reilly, Evan Rodrigues, Rasmus Asplund and Steve Lorentz. And oh yeah, Zito landed the top prize of the 2024 trade deadline too – and no that’s not Jake Guentzel – instead, it was Vladimir Tarasenko.

Now with their first Stanley Cup in franchise history secured, the Panthers, from a talent-perspective, took a bigger hit this time around, as Tarasenko (Detroit), Ryan Lomberg (Calgary), Montour (Seattle), OEL (Toronto) and Kyle Okposo, somewhat an unsung hero, is currently an unrestricted free agent and teasing retirement.

To fill some of the holes, Zito added Jesper Boqvist, Nate Schmidt, AJ Greer and Tomas Nosek.

Obviously, there’s a lot more talent disparity that hit the revolving door this summer when compared to a year ago.

That said, this is a team that still boasts one of the most electrifying offenses in the league with Matt Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Aaron Ekblad, Aleksandar Barkov, Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett leading the way.

Furthermore, head coach Paul Maurice, now a champion, is one of the best in the game – and yes – you get such a distinction when you have a ring on your finger.

As noted by the names above, the defense is where Florida got hit the most this off-season. However, if goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, who was once considered as a $10M bust, can follow-up on the heroics that he displayed throughout the Panthers’ 2024 playoff run, then this team won’t miss a beat.

And if it wasn’t for Florida’s inability to sweep the Cup (they led 3-0 before finally knocking off the Oilers, 4-3), then it would’ve been Big Game Bob, and not Connor McDavid, in a rare loser role, who would have won the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Helping matters for Florida are the obvious talking points: they play in a highly desirable city for the players, there are no state income taxes and now with a championship – it’s place where good players on bad teams will be looking at come the trade deadline.

Maybe there will be some “Stanley Cup Hangover” for the Panthers at the onset of the season (don’t forget – the Final almost went to July), but even if this team doesn’t finish in first-place as I have them here, then no matter what, this is a playoff team – and a contender too.

I’ll even be as bold to predict that the Panthers will reach their third consecutive Eastern Conference Final as well.


TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

The franchise that receives the most coverage in the league is running it back somewhat – but “somewhat” to mean with a new head coach.

A year removed from whiz-kid general manager Kyle Dubas being fired by front office executive Brendan Shanahan, head coach Sheldon Keefe, Dubas’ hand-picked head-coach following Keefe’s work with the AHL Toronto Marlies, is gone following the team’s embarrassing first-round loss in 2024 (against long-time rival, the Boston Bruins).

In his five seasons with the Leafs, Keefe was only able to get Toronto’s Big Four out of the first-round once – and where Leaf fans are still ruing the day when they once chanted, “WE WANT FLORIDA!”

(That is, unless these fans meant that they wished that the Panthers played in Toronto!)

As they say in the salary cap era – players with guaranteed contracts can’t get fired – but coaches can.

The Taskmaster Craig Berube, who won the Stanley Cup in 2019 with the Blues, is now the latest bench boss being asked to snap the Leafs’ present 58-year Cupless streak – and where every fan in Toronto is sick of hearing about 1967 these days too.

Ever since the coronation of the Big Four (Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner and William Nylander), this franchise has seemingly signed any big name that they could in order to get them over the hump.

Of all the big names, some future Hall of Famers too, that the Leafs have gone through; then for whatever reason, a goaltender hasn’t been one of those names.

During the past decade, the blue-and-white have started Jonathan Bernier, Frederik Andersen, Jack Campbell, Ilya Samsonov and Matt Murray in their “Swiss Cheese Crease.”

While some of these goalies have had success, none of them are household names either – and where really, Murray’s first two-years in Pittsburgh, and for as excellent as they were, are long behind him. Way long at that.

This year, the Leafs are banking on the middling Joseph Wall and journeyman backstop, Anthony Stolarz, to get them over the hump.

While the Leafs have the regular season offense, and while yes, there’s something also to be said about a cheap goalie who can get hot (just ask Murray); but even so, it’s still amazing that for all of the big names that the Leafs have signed throughout the the years, a goalie hasn’t been one of them.

In other words – I feel it’s the same old story for the Leafs.

First-round and out – and people wondering why general manager Brad Treliving didn’t move Marner this summer for help.

Lastly?

I don’t think that Tavares handing over the captaincy to Matthews will make much of a difference either.

In a way, you can say the window is somewhat closed for the Leafs – but really – was the window ever really open?

Heck, was there even a foundation or house for this window?

Speaking of championship windows, our next team on this list.


TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

If I’ve said it once, then I’ve said it a billion times on this site – no team was hurt more by the salary cap era than the Lightning – and where really – only the Blackhawks from last decade can contend for such an “honor.”

I have a huge soft spot for the Bolts, and not just because they once featured a bevy of former Blueshirts, but instead, because they did everything right.

Formerly under general manager Steve Yzerman, and today, now led by Julien BriseBois, the Bolts built their championship teams through the draft – and with a sprinkle of savvy swaps made in-between.

(But just don’t ask Ranger fans about Jeff Gorton’s stupid trade when he dealt Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller to Tampa for a package of rubbish.)

As we’ve illustrated here to the point of redundancy – the salary cap promotes parity – and then immediately punishes champions too.

Don’t believe me?

Then just ask Steven Stamkos (Nashville).

To a lesser extent, just ask Mikhail Sergachev (Utah) too.

This team has been absolutely destroyed because of the salary cap throughout the years and where despite winning a championship just three-years ago – many of these Cup victors are gone.

However, a chance for a third Cup is still alive for the holdovers from those runs, including stud d-man Victor Hedman, future Hall of Fame goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy and of course, the sensational Nikita “LTIR” Kucherov.

And oh yeah, Ryan McDonagh, following two years in Nashville after being a cap casualty himself, is now back in the mix – and where if he doesn’t succeed Stamkos as captain (Hedman most likely will), then he’s at least assured to have the “A” affixed to his Tampa jersey once again.

A stronger cause for Tampa’s third Cup this decade?

New addition, 2017 Cup winner, Jake Guentzel, who following a short stay in Carolina, signed a seven-year deal worth $63M overall ($9M annually) with the Bolts this summer.

And yes and one more time – there’s no state income tax in Tampa.

The depth in Tampa isn’t what it once was, but this is still a formidable team led by the longest-tenured head coach in the league today, a future Hall of Famer too, Jon Cooper.

And you can never count out this team at the deadline either.

While the experiment in the desert (Arizona) never worked out for NHL head-honcho Gary Bettman; conversely, the state of Florida hockey has never been brighter.

The rivalry between the Bolts and Cats has never been more intense – and where the high-pressured stakes should only increase this season.


DETROIT RED WINGS

I kind of previewed this team – and why I like them so much – during my July 8th “SpokedWheelRedShirts” piece that you can find here: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/7824/

However, I must add this caveat – I feel like every year, I predict that the seemingly ageless Boston Bruins to take a fall from grace, while one of the perennial losers from this division finally takes the next step.

This is my way of saying that the top-four teams from this division during the past decade or so (Panthers, Lightning, Leafs and Bruins – and I don’t count Montreal’s 2021 pandemic run as the Atlantic Division wasn’t around that year) could remain as such.

But doesn’t it feel like it’s finally time for the Sabres, Senators and/or Red Wings to finally get out of their respective and neverending rebuilds? (I still think that the Canadiens are a year or two out – and that’s perfectly acceptable too.)

Assuming that the aging Bruins finally have that down year that I’ve been predicting for the past ten-years (at least I’m consistent!), then someone else must emerge – and I just think that the Senators and Sabres are poorly run, hence my case for the Wings here.

Put it this way – who would you rather at the helm of your franchise – Steve Yzerman (DET), Kevyn Adams (BUF) or Steve Staios (OTT – and who was just hired last year)?

Granted, the “Yzerplan” has gotten long in the tooth a bit (okay, a lot of “bits”), but I think it’s high time for the Red Wings to flash their pearly whites – and finally end this historic drought of no playoffs, which followed 25 consecutive seasons of postseason appearances.

While I don’t believe that Detroit can knock out Toronto, Tampa or Florida from a top-three seed; at the same time, the Wings should at least be a wild-card contender.

And should the Wings draw the Leafs?

Then perhaps Detroit not only reaches the postseason for the first time in eight-years, but wins their first playoff series since 2013 too!


BOSTON BRUINS

Regular readers already know this, and I did make mention of this above – but yeah – I always feel that the black-and-gold are bound for a bad year following the departures/retirements of their many core players throughout the years, including Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, Tuukka Rask and David Krejci.

Rather than a fall from grace, instead, and somehow – the Bruins only improve.

While granted, the playoffs haven’t been friendly for Bostonians in recent years (including their 2023 first-round loss to the Panthers following the Bruins’ historic Presidents’ Trophy winning season); this team, as led by general manager Don Sweeney and head coach Jim Montgomery, continue to dominate both the division and the league during the regular season.

Now down to two future Hall of Famers in captain Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, the Bruins, while still boasting the likes of the spectacular rearguard Charlie McAvoy, the pesky Charlie Coyle, the up-and-comer Matt Poitras and the brutish Brandon Carlo, had a ton of roster turnover this off-season.

The biggest departure of course is goaltender Linus Ullmark, who last season, split the net, posted similar numbers and was equally as great as the now sole starter in Boston, Jeremy Swayman. But as we all know by now – hockey is a business – and you can only start one goalie too – so it was time for Ullmark to call a net of his own – while Swayman won out the Battle in Beantown.

Swayman, no slouch, will now feel the pressure of being a textbook number one goalie – and with no true safety valve behind him (that is, unless you believe that Joonas Korpisalo and Brandon Bussi can shoulder the load) – then it will be up to him to deliver.

And oh – did I mention that Swayman is currently embroiled in fierce contract negotiations right now too?

The Bruins had around twenty different players trading places this season.

Gone from last year, aside from Ullmark, are also Jake DeBrusk (Canucks), Kevin Shattenkirk (UFA – but linked to the Oilers right now), James Van Reimsdyk (also an UFA), Danton Heinen (Canucks), Oskar Steen (Swedish League), Jesper Boqvist (Panthers), Derek Forbort (another Bruin-turned-Canuck – Holy 2011 Batman!) and the legally troubled Milan Lucic.

However, Sweeney didn’t remain idle at the airport when watching his departures, as he brought in a key pair of arrivals in center Elias Lindholm and defenseman Nikita Zadorov.

However, there’s also a reason why both of these players were available and where many patrons at “Cheers” are debating if these two can become the next Bergeron and Chara – or <gulp> – flame out as high-risk and highly-paid busts.

And for fans of this site – I also have to relay to you that my favorite player and yours, VINNI LETTIERI, is now back in Boston for a second tour – even if he’ll most likely be suiting up for the junior varisty/AHL squad.

At the end of the day, it feels like the Bruins will go only as far as Pastrnak will take them.

And if one of the most likable players is to get dinged up even for a little bit – then it feels like this team is toast – as the depth isn’t what it once was.

I mean it this time.

This will be the year that the Bruins miss the playoffs for the first time since 2016.


MONTREAL CANADIENS

When it comes to the final three of this division – the cellar dwellers – I feel that Montreal is the best of the lot.

However, should these teams finish in a different order than how I have them listed here, then in any event – I still feel that these three franchises will finish as the dregs of the Atlantic keg.

The Canadiens have been rebuilding for some time, which ultimately began following their 2021 Covid Cup appearance – and where losing both Shea Weber and Carey Price after that loss to Tampa Bay led to their present state of reconstruction.

(And praise the hockey gods that Tampa, in a Conference Final Game 7, got a 1-0 shorthanded game winning goal out of Yanni Gourde. If not? Then the Islanders would have most likely won the Stanley Cup that year. PERISH THE THOUGHT!)

Again, while perhaps Buffalo and Ottawa may fare better than Montreal this year, it’s the Canadiens with the brightest future of the lot.

Backed by top executive Jeff Gorton, general manager Kent Hughes and head coach Martin St. Louis, the braintrust at the Poutine Palace have been patient when trying to develop a winner.

For their sake, let’s just hope that these three men are still around to see the fruits of their labor, as very often, and Gorton knows all about this too – the people who plant the seed usually aren’t around when the tree becomes a mighty oak.

For the past several years, the Habs have done a strong job at the draft and nabbing young players too.

It may not be this year, but players like Juraj Slafkosvky, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Lane Huston, Ivan Demidov, Kirby Dach (injured last season) and new fan-favorite, d-man, Arber Xhekaj – aka WIFI!

The Canadiens did lose some players this summer, but really outside of Jordan Harris (Columbus) and Tanner Pearson (Vegas) – none of any significance.

One “loss?”

One of the biggest Ranger busts of all-time, “Crybaby” Lias Andersson – now a two-time loser under Gorton – and now playing in the Swiss League.

Montreal, who did lose Sean Monahan to free agency (Columbus – and where sadly, a big reason why Monahan changed teams was because he wanted to play with his good friend, Johnny Gaudreau, again), did add Patrik Laine to their ranks – and where for the second-overall pick of the 2016 Draft – the Finn is hoping that “a third time’s a charm” – following his flameouts in Winnipeg and Columbus.

When it comes to the right-wing Laine, who I suspect will be in MSL’s top-six; one has to wonder if he couldn’t shine in two of the league’s most undesirable cities, then how will he fare under the intense microscope in the birthplace of the sport, Montreal, Quebec?

He’ll answer that question for us this season.

Another question?

One of the newest “Ranger Killers” of the league, the seemingly immortal Sam Montembeault – and a goalie who won’t have Jake Allen (Devils) to share the barrel with him.

One more time:

The Rouge-Blanc-Bleu may not be a playoff contender this season, but they should improve – and where perhaps a return to the postseason could be on the table in 2026.


BUFFALO SABRES

For the team out of Western, NY, one founded in 1970 but to have never won the Stanely Cup – this franchise now has the unique distinction for having the longest playoff drought in all of sports.

The last time the Sabres qualified for the playoffs was in 2011 – the same year when Blockbuster Video officially went out of business.

When it comes to the Sabres – and the Senators too – until they reach the playoffs again – then I’m not predicting them to reach the postseason.

Instead, I’ll predict “The Same Old Script” – a hot start in Millard Fillmore’s resting place where everyone believes that rain will soon pour upon this playoff drought – only to be dead-and-buried by the time revelers celebrate New Years’ Eve.

The Sabres, in a perpetual state of rebuild – and “suck” too – have the youngest team in the league at an average age of 25-years-old.

It will soon be fourteen-years since their last playoff appearance, which tells me that being the youngest team in the league isn’t exactly something to brag about by the Swordsmen.

But hey, Lindy Ruff, the most successful head coach in franchise history, is now back for a second tour, following his late season dismissal out of New Jersey.

One look at the roster and it feels like the Sabres are waiting for their offense (worst power-play in the league) to catch up to their defense – which boasts a pair of former first-overall picks, Owen Power and Rasmus Dahlin.

Bowen Byram, who won a Stanley Cup in his rookie year with Colorado (2022), and who was acquired late last season when Casey Mittlestadt went to the Avalanche, is also an asset at the defenseman position.

The Sabres, like many bottom-feeders, had a ton of roster turnover this season, including the dead cap-space buy-out of Jeff Skinner (Oilers) – who many considered to have the worst contract in the league.

It feels like this franchise has never recovered from their foolish trade of Jack Eichel – who you know – easily recovered from his neck surgery and then won a Cup in Vegas.

None of the Sabres’ additions, who join the likes of Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, J.J. Peterka and Dylan Cozens, really jumps out at you – as it’s tough to envision Ryan McLeod, Jason Zucker, Sam Lafferty, Nicolas Aube-Kubal and Beck Malenstyn making much of a difference.

The same goes for journeyman goalie, James Reimer, who will back-up Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen this season – and for a franchise that’s hoping that Devon “I Am Undefeated Against the Rangers” Levi will one day win Buffalo’s net for himself.

The key for the Sabres is to win low-scoring games – but you also can’t win if you can’t score.

In other words – the playoff drought fields in Buffalo will remain as dry as the Sahara Desert.


OTTAWA SENATORS

This franchise is a mess.

Need a recent example?

Then try this on for size:

On March 1st, 2023, the Senators gave up a first-round pick and two second-round picks for Jakob Chychrun, then of Arizona.

Come July 1st, 2024 and the Sabres dealt the defenseman to Washington for Nick “Who” Jensen and a third-round pick.

For a league where draft capital is king – and where you need to take advantage of star rookies on entry-level contracts as well – then needless to say – “OO-FAH!”

Granted, the Senators now have a goalie in Linus Ullmark – but he’ll need to be Jesus to make all of the saves.

During the past three-or-so seasons and many felt that Ottawa, following their deep 2017 Stanley Cup Playoff run, would finally turn the corner. Instead, they’ve just hit a wall every time – and the bottom of the division too..

Proof in such a claim?

Last year, the Cup chasing Vladimir Tarasenko joined the club. He achieved his dream – but in Florida – after being dealt for a third-round and fourth-round picks prior to the trade deadline.

(And isn’t it crazy, how Tarasenko, the long-time Blue, is now with his fifth NHL team in a time-span of less than two-years?)

While the Sens do boast a strong first line of Brady Tkachuk, Claude Giroux and Tim Stutzle; the rest of the roster pales (and fails) in comparison to the heavyweights of this division.

And with former head coach D.J. Smith out – and his temporary replacement Jacques Martin now as an advisor – are you really sold on the chinless new boss in town, Travis Green?

At least the Senators will always have that 2017 upset over the Rangers – OF COURSE!


As noted about a zillion times this summer – while I believe that the Rangers are playoff team – I don’t see them winning the Stanley Cup either. Photo Credit: NHL.com

METROPOLITAN DIVISION

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

It’s been a rough stretch for the other side of the Hudson River during the past dozen years. Following their 2012 Stanley Cup Final loss (Los Angeles), the red-and-black attack didn’t reach the playoffs again until 2018, where they were eliminated in the first-round in five games by the Lightning.

After many years of missing the playoff cutline, the Devils, with a combination of first-round draft picks, including first-overalls too (you may have heard about that Jack Hughes feller) and young talent to boot, were one of the hottest teams in the league when entering the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. After eliminating the Rangers in a first-round series that I’d like to forget about, goaltender Akira Schmid, the stud of that series, faltered in the second-round – a five-game series loss to the well-rounded Hurricanes.

Heading into the 2023-24 season and many were of the belief that the Devils were a team on the rise and ready to take the next step. Head coach Lindy Ruff, who fans loudly and publicly apologized to after previously demanding for his termination, eventually wound up receiving his pink slip on March 4th, 2024 and where his successor, Travis Green, fared no better.

While in no way am I a “Lindy Ruff Apologist,” but I also thought it wasn’t exactly fair when general manager Tom Fitzgerald decided to switch coaches. After all, the Devils were plagued by injuries all season, including losing their prolific offensive defenseman, Dougie Hamilton, for 62 games. Also spending time on the IR for N.J., as in ten games or more, were Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, Ondrej Palat, Jonas Siegenthaler and Tomas Nosek, amongst others.

Compounding matters for the Devils was that Fitzgerald never addressed his goaltender position. Schmid, following his superb first-round showing in the 2023 playoffs, fell off big time and starter Vitek Vanecek was no better.

Long story short, what should’ve been the next step for the franchise was instead the club falling a few rungs off of the ladder – and into the abyss as a bottom-sixteen team – and mainly because of no goaltending and their neverending injury report.

While you can never predict health and/or injuries; when it comes to the other area of weakness, you can look at the Devils this season and say that their goaltending has been addressed. Big time at that.

Having already added 2019 Cup Champion, Jake Allen, to their ranks prior to the trade deadline, this summer, the Devils went all-in on netminding, as Fitzgerald traded for Jacob Markstrom, who wanted to leave the Flames, in exchange for defenseman Kevin Bahl and a sweetener first-round pick, as Calgary is still on the hook for 31.25% of Markstrom’s cap hit.

Fitzgerald didn’t just stop at goaltending, as he also added Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon, a pair of defensive stalwarts, to his blue line. Arguably, the Devils now have one of the best rearguard groups in the league, as Hamilton will return, Luke Hughes is an emerging stud and second-overall pick (2022), the Slovak Simon Nemec, has shown promise too.

Even better for the Devils?

The forward group isn’t shabby either.

Joining Jesper Bratt, Jack Hughes, Dawson Mercer, Timo Meier, Nico Hischier and Ondrej Palat is the reliable Tomas Tatar. Fitzgerald also added Paul Cotter and Stefan Noesen to give his team a more physical presence and balance in his bottom-six, as they will figure in to play with Nathan Bastian, Curtis Lazar and Erik Haula.

And of course, Fitzgerald has a new coach in town, former Leaf boss, Sheldon Keefe.

We’ll have to see how it all goes down, but either Keefe will be exposed as a coach who can’t win the big one – or he will succeed with both a fresh start and new group.

Furthermore, Keefe goes from the high pressure cooker atmosphere that’s Toronto to a city that receives the least press in the league. (To this very day, there isn’t one dedicated full-time Devils’ beat reporter. Conversely, how many people get paid to exclusively cover the Leafs? Thousands?)

My opinion? It’s the latter, and not the former, scenario that plays out.

Last season was basically a Murphy’s Law season for the Newark club and where it feels like this year will be a big bounceback season.

Keep in mind, and with a much weaker and inexperienced roster, and this squad was one of the best teams in the league two years ago.

This time around?

Not only are the Devils better, more experienced, healthier and hungrier – but many of their competitors have taken a step back too.

Not only can I see Satan’s favorite team winning the division – but I can see them as one of the final two teams left standing in June too.


NEW YORK RANGERS

While easy for me to say – I don’t want to go too long on the Rangers here.

After all, I have expressed all of my thoughts on the club’s future all summer long on this site – and you can check the main page of this site for all of it.

Furthermore, I’ll probably do a summary on all of my Ranger opinions prior to the first puck drop of this campaign.

To just reiterate my usual talking points, this season comes down to one thing – the trade deadline.

I don’t know if the Blueshirts will repeat as a Presidents’ Trophy winner, but really, such an accomplishment is inconsequential to the ultimate goal – the Stanley Cup.

As noted with the Devils, this division took a hit – and primarily in Carolina – the Rangers’ biggest threat from this Metro octet.

Since the Rangers didn’t make many changes, outside of weakening their roster by one strong playoff performer (Barclay Goodrow), then it’s still my belief that just getting to the playoffs will be a cakewalk.

It’s just what they do once they get there – and that’s where my confidence in the team drops off too.

Head coach Peter Laviolette had a fantastic foray in his first season as Rangers’ head coach, but when it matters, the playoffs, he made a series of head-scatching moves, including not playing Alexis Lafreniere on the team’s top power-play unit, rushing the useless and oft-injured Filip Chytil back, benching Matt Rempe and continuing to give the feckless Kaapo Kakko minutes when the team needed scoring.

If there’s anything that truly scares me about the Blueshirts, then it was the fact that outside of Chytil, they did remain relatively healthy, and virtually 100% clean when compared to the Devils.

An injury to a top star, outside of Mika Zibanejad who did next to nothing offensively last season, can derail this team. While the team motored when Adam Fox went down for ten games last season, once his knee injury was reaggravated during the playoffs, the team’s bread-and-butter, the power-play, fell off a cliff too.

CZAR IGOR’s contract negotiations will be a top topic this season, but as mentioned many times this summer – I wouldn’t be so “quick” to give him anything more than 9.9% of the salary cap. While yes, he’s my favorite player and does have a Vezina Trophy on his mantle, the Rangers never really experienced a dip whenever he’s gone down with his multiple injuries throughout the years, as back-up goalies, Alexander Georgiev and Jonathan Quick, were more than serviceable.

But of course, “The Goalie Guru” himself, Benoit Allaire, is no longer around the team full-time either.

A non-story that doesn’t concern me?

GM Chris Drury’s failed trade of Jacob Trouba.

Bottom line?

Captain Jake knows that this is a business. Furthermore, he loves his teammates and that feeling is mutual. In other words, I just can’t see front office shenanigans interfering with Trouba’s role on the team and in the locker room.

But yeah – this is probably his last season as captain – and in New York too.

Admittedly, I still can’t get last season’s Eastern Conference Final loss to Florida out of my head. That was this core’s best chance in my opinion – and you don’t get that many kicks at the can.

Not only are the Rangers hoping to remain relatively healthy – but they are also banking to get repeat performances out of both Vincent Trocheck and Artemi Panarin – as both players had career-years last season. That’s just a tough ask – and if you don’t believe me – then look at Zibanejad’s numbers from 2023-24.

While waiting to see what the final incarnation of this team looks like at the deadline, another player coming off of a career-year, and finally at that, is 2020 first-overall pick Alexis Lafreniere. Last season was his coming of age campaign – and it’s up to him to follow-up on it – and smash all of his career-high offensive statistics this season.

And it’s high time for Lafreniere to replace Zibanejad’s hammer shot to nowhere on the power-play too.

Of course, another player that everyone will be following is the ascension of the gargantuan Matt Rempe. The kid says all of the right things and works his tail off – and I think like Lafreniere, he’ll only have a better season in this go-around.

Drury’s off-season, as painstakingly recapped all summer on this site, was questionable at best.

When Reilly Smith, older and with half of the Cups as Goodrow possesses, is your biggest add, then you have to raise an eyebrow.

Drury is running it back, but following last year’s deadline for a club that he proclaimed was “CUP OR BUST” and where Jack Roslovic and Alex Wennberg were his grand prizes – I feel like it will be more of the same (and as it’s been since 2021-22) – good enough to cruise into the playoffs – but not good enough to win four rounds once there.

Prove me wrong.


CAROLINA HURRICANES

Somewhat similar to the Rangers, but over a much longer period of time, and it feels like the window has closed in Raleighwood too.

Head coach Rod Brind’Amour, who has done wonders in Carolina, did receive a contract extension over the off-season. However, not around anymore is his now former boss, Don Waddell (now the GM of the Blue Jackets), as Waddell’s protege, assistant general manager Eric Tulsky, is now calling the shots with the label of “assistant” now removed.

However, there are many people already questioning how much power Tulsky truly has, as team owner Tom Dundon is believed to have the final say on all major decisions – and that’s his right.

Waddell’s resignation sort of reminded me of Glen Sather stepping down from his Rangers’ general manager post following the events of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

As said then, and as repeated many times over since – Sather knew that 2015 was his last best chance to see his team win the silver. Once the team failed, he didn’t want to stick around for a few losing years – and an eventual rebuild ahead.

Tulsky was put into a tough position, as previously, and for the first-time ever in franchise history, the team went “ALL IN” at the deadline, when they traded Michael Bunting, Ville Koivunen, Cruz Lucius, Vasili Ponomaryov, a first-round pick and a fifth-round pick in exchange for Jake Guentzel, then of the Penguins.

While Guentzel more than delivered for the Hurricanes, (25 points in 17 regular season games, 9 points in 11 playoff games), many of his new teammates did not when it mattered most.

And when Tampa backed up the brink truck at Guentzel’s door, while also informing him about their no state income taxes – and Guentzel, who many thought would hang around in Carolina – “bolted.”

Guentzel wasn’t the only departure.

Joining Jake out of Carolina were both Brett Pesce and Stefan Noesen who are now in NJ. Similar to the haul that the Hurricanes gave up to a divisional rival, the red-and-white will now have to worry about their former teammates lighting them up.

Also gone are Brady Skjei (Nashville), Teuvo Teravainen (Chicago), Tony DeAngelo (UFA), the troubled Evgeny Kuznetsov (KHL) and goaltender Antti Raanta.

In his pivot, Tulsky brought in William Carrier, Jack Roslovic, Tyson Jost, Sean Walker and Shayne Gostisbehere – and where you can argue that these men don’t even replace the loss of Guentzel alone.

Granted, Carolina still has some talent in the likes of Sebastion Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, the recently re-signed Martin Necas, Jaccob Slavin and the soon-to-be forty-year old, Brent Burns; but at the same time, this roster isn’t as talented as the one that left the 2024 Playoffs after their second-round loss to the Rangers.

Furthermore, for a team that’s been known for their multiple one-goal playoff losses, the Hurricanes didn’t improve in net either.

Frederik Andersen, who has spent more time in doctor’s offices and training rooms than in-between the pipes, is the presumed starter, with Pyotr Kochetkov, who has shown some flashes of brilliance in his limited work, as his back-up. However, with Andersen soon-to-be 35-years-old, and always hurt, can the 25-year-old Russian shoulder the load when the man ten-years his senior goes back on IR again?

What Carolina has going for them this season is that the rest of the division aren’t exactly world-beaters.

While the Hurricanes may not be able to advance past a three-seed in the division; at the same time, they should still be a playoff team.

Another thing to keep on your mind is that following the whole Jake Guentzel dilemma, should the Hurricanes be poised for a deep playoff run, will Tulsky and Dundon be willing to sacrifice and mortage their future with another all-in trade?

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

One final thought?

Is it a good or bad thing when the head coach is the face of your franchise?

You decide – and it’s too bad that “Rod The Bod” can’t suit up anymore for the Canes too!


PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

I have to take my loss here – and now publicly shame myself too:

At this time last year, I predicted the Pittsburgh Penguins to not only reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs – but to win the whole damn thing too.

OOPS – but I’m glad to have been wrong as well!

As a way to wiggle my way out of what I previously said – I was looking for a darkhorse contender to bank on.

So much for that!

If you can believe it, then under the super-duo of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and the Penguins haven’t been in the playoffs during the past two seasons – and they haven’t won a first-round series since 2018 either.

I expect both of these trends to continue into next season.

The big question for the black-and-yellow is Crosby’s future.

While my buddy Stan Fischler believes that Crosby will leave the Steel City for one more shot at the Cup – I think he stays.

Crosby, now in the final-year of a twelve-year pact that pays him $8.7M annually, just turned 37-years-old over the summer.

Set for life, and also of the belief that Crosby isn’t leaving, then I’m interested to see if he’s willing to take a major hometown discount to stay with the only team that he’s ever known.

For example, can you imagine if Crosby, who still has his fastball – or should I say slap shot, decided to hang on and sign a deal worth $1.87M or less? Or how about $870,087 – as you know that Crosby loves having the number 87 attached to all of his deals.

Maybe it’s because I’m a Ranger fan who is so used to being torched by the Penguins and victimized by Crosby ever since his NHL arrival, but perhaps for Kyle Dubas, now in his second season as GM of the Pens, it’s time to admit reality and accept a rebuild.

But if keeping Crosby around is the goal – then such an idea can’t take place yet.

One must also wonder what the hell Dubas was thinking when he decided to take on Erik Karlsson and his abnormally disgusting contract too ($11.5M annually and through the 2026-27 season).

As part of EK65 being on the roster, it’s being reported that the Penguins will enter the season with less than $850,000 worth of cap space, which means that help won’t be on the way.

This team is relying on their name brand players, including Kris Letang who joins Crosby and Malkin with that distinction.

Following the departure of Jake Guentzel at the deadline (and Dubas’ haul in return isn’t ready yet), Jeff Carter, Vinnie Hinostroza and Pierre Oliver-Joseph became members of the Penguins’ alumni.

To Dubas’ credit, and realizing that he can’t rebuild yet, he did add a mix of veterans to his roster, including Kevin Hayes, Cody Glass, Blake Lizotte, Sebastion Aho (not that one – the former Isle d-man instead) and Matt Grzelyck.

But of course, none of these names are truly game-changers either.

The Penguins also won the “Rutger McGroarty Sweepstakes,” the fourteenth-overall pick of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft (Jets), when they exchanged Brayden Yager in return. Similar to Adam Fox with Calgary – the American (Nebraskan native) wanted no part of playing in a cold and northern Canadian city – which is a trend that many Canadian GMs are aware of these days.

Presently, it’s thought that McGroarty will jump right into the NHL, bypassing the AHL process to start, and will get some time in Pittsburgh’s top-six – which kind of tells you how this team needs an infusion of new blood.

Obviously, this team will only go as far as Crosby will take them, who will most likely center a line featuring “Rakell, Rakell, The Musical” and Bryan Rust as his flanks.

For head coach Mike Sullivan, while he won’t have to worry about #87, but he will have to be concerned about his two goalies, the pendulum-like Tristan Jarry and back-up Alex Nedeljkovic.

I think you can make a strong argument that perhaps the Flyers and Capitals deserve to be ranked ahead of the Penguins, but despite Alex Ovechkin, neither team has a player like Crosby who can single-handedly win at least five games on his own.


PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

The orange-and-black had an amazing and surprising rebuilding year last season.

Led by top executive Keith Jones, general manager Daniel Briere and head coach John Tortorella, and the Flyers survived every hit imaginable – that is – until their late season slide and malaise that derailed them out of a playoff spot.

On January 23rd, 2024, and following his involvement in a sexual assault allegation, and the Flyers lost the goalie of their future – Carter Hart – and a netminder who was once considered to be the man to finally ail many years of bad Philly netminding.

Heck, some fans and experts alike once thought that he could be the best Flyer goalie since the days of Bernie Parent and Ron Hextall.

So much for that.

With Hart finished, and still out of the league today, the Flyers tried out Sam Ersson, Cal Petersen, Felix Sandstrom and Ivan Fedotov in their net – and with Ersson standing head-and-shoulders above all.

On a team that had no expectations whatsoever, and the rookie Ersson posted respectable numbers of a .890 save percentage, a 2.82 GAA and a 23-19-7 record, to go along with his four shutouts.

Following a season full of several controversies, including Tortorella benching his team captain Sean Couturier; another issue arose when the Flyers’ fifth-overall pick of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Cutter Gauthier, made it clear that he had no interest in playing for the City of Brotherly Love.

Briere, behind the eight-ball and in a position of no power, did the best he could when he dealt the Swedish forward to Anaheim in exchange for the promising defenseman, Jamie Drysdale.

And yes – Ducks at Flyers is circled on every calender in Philadelphia.

Despite running out of steam late season, but still getting strong performances from Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett, Joel Farabee, Travis Sanheim and Morgan Frost, the Flyers received their best news yet, when Matvei Michkov, the club’s seventh-overall pick of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, agreed to leave Russia for America.

Previously, it was thought that the alleged red-lamp lighter would stay in Russia for anywhere up to five-seasons after his draft. He only remained with HC Sochi for one season instead – happy music akin to the “Rocky” theme for Philadelphians.

While I don’t have the Flyers reaching the playoffs this season, at the same time, I wouldn’t be surprised if they made an ass out of me.

After all, it’s extremely difficult to bet against a John Tortorella club.

The Flyers seem ahead of their rebuild a bit, but it remains to be seen if this team can be like the one from the first half of last season – or the one that finished the end of last year’s campaign.

However, if you’re looking for a darkhorse pick, then who knows – maybe the Flyers can jump the Hurricanes and Penguins and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.


WASHINGTON CAPITALS

It’s a tough time of transition in the nation’s capital, as longtime Washington legends, Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie, may never play again. However, for GM Brian MacLellan and head coach Spencer Carbery, they can’t exactly go into rebuild mode yet, as similar to Pittsburgh, there’s a future no-doubt-about-it Hall of Famer, Alex Ovechkin, who is looking for one more crack at the Cup.

And obviously, everyone in D.C. is awaiting “The Great Eight” to surpass “The Great One,” as Ovechkin, following his 31 goals scored last season, now has a career total of 853 tallies.

In other words, he’s now only 41 goals away from matching Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894 goals, and barring injury – not only will he one day match and surpass 99’s record – but he will also become the first player in league history to score 900 goals too.

The Capitals were able to survive the grind at the end of last season, leapfrogging over both Detroit and Philadelphia, in order to grab the conference’s second wild-card spot. However, once in the postseason, they were quickly swept by the Rangers – as Washington is still seeking their first playoff series win ever since their 2018 triumph.

It’s easy to understand why the Capitals are choosing to contend rather to rebuild – and even if they were embarrassed out of the postseason in 2024.

Remaining in D.C. are Ovi’s linemates, center Dylan Strome and perhaps the man who will day succeed #8 as team captain one day, #43, the five-tool right-winger, Tom Wilson.

While other holdovers remain, such as Sonny Milano, Hendrix Lapierre, Nic Dowd and Connor McMichael among others; McLellan also had a busy sumer working the phones.

To help his defense, the GM added Jakob Chychrun to his ranks, where many assume he’ll be paired up with another Caps’ icon, John Carlson.

And of course, in the biggest bust-for-bust trade of the summer, Darcy Kuemper went to Los Angeles in exchange for the underwhelming Pierre Luc Dubois.

Joining Kuemper out the door were other players of not much significance, including the always injured Max Pacioretty, Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Joe Snively.

To replace them, now in D.C. are Logan Thompson, Andrew Mangiapane, Brandon Duhaime, Taylor Raddysh and Matt Roy.

Gelling may be an issue for Washington, but as it’s been for so long, it’s all about what Ovi and his linemates are doing.

A nice success story for the red-white-and-blue is goaltender Charlie Lindgren, brother of the Rangers’ Ryan, and who after supplanting Kuemper as starter last season, will enter this season as the club’s bonafide #1 puckstopper.

Should Lindgren continue to build off what he did last year, then with Logan Thompson as his back-up, the Caps will have one of the better 1-2 tandems in the division.

At the end of the day, the Capitals feel a lot like last year – a roster thrown to the wall and hoping to stick.

Maybe the Caps are able to sneak into the playoffs again, but this team as currently constructed looks more mish-mashed than ever – and where it still feels like getting Ovechkin to 900 goals is the franchise’s top priority – and a priority over winning the franchise’s second Stanley Cup in the immediate future.


NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Yeah, yeah, yeah – I’m an Islander hater – but that’s not why I have them ranked so low here.

Similar to the Henrik Lundqvist Era of Rangers – and other teams too – I think the Isles hit their peak following their 2021 Eastern Conference Final loss.

And before you acccuse me of anti-Isle bias, and as if I were ABC News – then look at what I have said about the Rangers all summer – it’s simply extremely difficult to reach the Eastern Conference Final – much less three of them in a four-year time-span.

(And yes, I know that the Lundqvist Rangers did it in 2012, 2014 and 2015 – but alas – no Cup came from it either.)

After failing in both their deep 2020 and 2021 playoff runs, and the Isles, as led by octogenerian Lou Lamoriello, and new head coach Patrick Roy, seem like they are in a state of flux.

Obviously, goaltending is the team’s biggest strength – but you also can’t ignore how Ilya Sorokin was benched in favor of Semyon Varlamov at the end of the season (and into the playoffs) – and where the man known as “Varly” excelled as the Isles’ temporary top backstop.

It’s also being reported that Sorokin is currently entering camp with an injury – albeit one that he should quickly be able to recover from.

That said, I do wonder about his mental state – as Varlamov, while accepting of his back-up role, could be a starter for most teams around the league today – and perhaps maybe for “Little Brother” out on Long Island too.

For a team not exactly known for their scoring profiency, players such as Matty Barzal, Anders Lee and the overpaid (hey – Lamoriello even admitted this) Bo Horvat need to do more.

Up against the salary cap, and the tight-lipped L.I. Lou didn’t do much this summer, other than signing Anthony Duclair to a four-year deal worth $14M overall ($3.5M annually for you math majors).

“The Duke,” now with his 98767867896796796696th NHL team (okay, I’m exaggerating, it’s only his 98767867896796796695th franchise), figures to slot in as the team’s top left-winger, alongside the previously mentioned Horvat and Barzal.

Also joining the Fishsticks is Maxim Tsyplakov – a Russian right-winger who the Isles are hoping to give them an offensive punch.

The biggest losses at Belmont include one of the best fourth-lines in history, as the heart-and-soul of the team, Cal Clutterbuck, is gone (UFA).

While Casey Cizikas, the center of this former line remains, the fate of Matt Martin remains up in the air – as following not being offered a contract this season – he did sign a Players Try Out (PTO) deal last week.

Prediction?

Knowing Lou, Martin and the Isles already have a deal on the table – and where I believe that Martin, son-in-law of Boomer Esiason, doesn’t want to leave his digs either.

If not? Then Martin’s presence should give a kick in the pants for other players looking for spots with the varsity club.

Defensively, the Isles took a mini-hit when Robert Bortuzzo (Utah) and Sebastion Aho (Pittsburgh) left. However, this is still a defense that features the impressive shutdown pair of Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock. That said, this pair is prone to getting dinged up too.

And of course, the 24-year-old Noah Dobson, fresh off of a 70-point season, should only get better.

Roy, and his goaltenders, should be able to win many low scoring games – but outside of Dobson and the first line – who’s chipping in offensively?

While not in a rebuild, there has been a lot of turnover – and I’m not so sure if the Isles are any better now than their five-game first-round series loss from last year (Carolina).

Yeah, I hate them – but I think the Isles will have to be bad again before they ever reach another Conference Final.

Keep in mind, this is one of the oldest rosters in the league, with an average age nearing 30-years-old – and I don’t think that I have to explain to you that the NHL is a young man’s game either.

While the Rangers are also old too (check out https://leftwinglock.com/teams/biometrics/ for all of the data), at least there are some league superstars involved in the equation, such as Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, Adam Fox, Igor Shesterkin and others.

Who’s the big name Islander?

Patrick Roy?


COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Two disclaimers before proceding.

One, it’s not fair to rank this team at all, following their second tragic death suffered in a time-span of three-years (Matiss Kivlenieks in 2021 and Johnny Gaudreau in 2024).

Two, had the Gaudreau death not taken place – then I still would have ranked the Blue Jackets last in this division – and as how they finished last season.

I should further add that CBJ finished as the worst team in the conference last season too.

While not trying to come off as cruel or callous, as I already covered the Gaudreau death at the top of this; it’s solely my intent here to talk about the Blue Jackets from purely a hockey perspective, rather than getting into the human element again.

That said, how do you replace your number one star, Gaudreau himself, who was earning $9,750,000 per-season through June of 2029?

The obvious answer – you can’t.

While nothing has been made official yet, I’m 100% certain that the league will have to make a morbid statement and announce that Gaudreau’s contract has been wiped from CBJ’s books – which in turn, will then open up nearly $10M for the Blue Jackets to play around with.

While the Blue Jackets can one day spend that money – it won’t be this season.

You just can’t replace Gaudreau, neither the family man or hockey player, but maybe CBJ rallies around this tragedy and has an uptick in their play.

But even if Sean Higgins didn’t recklessly kill him, then I’m not so sure how these Ohioans would’ve fared with Gaudreau either.

This franchise entered last season in a state of tumultuousness, as head coach Mike Babcock, looking to make his NHL return, was fired before the season even commenced.

Come the end of the season, and long-term general manager, Jarmo Kekalainen, and Babcock’s temporary successor, Pascal Vincent, were fired too.

Somehow, John Davidson, as a team executive, has avoided the cannon firings.

New in town, and now having to deal with the Gaudreau tragedy, are former Carolina GM Don Waddell and former Wild head coach, Dean Evason.

As mentioned earlier, Jordan Harris and Sean Monahan are also new in town – and with the latter mainly signing here because of his long-time friendship with Gaudreau.

Exiting the city is the very much maligned Patrik Laine, Adam Boqvist, Jake Bean, Alex Nylander and Malcom Subban.

For team captain Boone Jenner (or as Sam Rosen calls him, “Bruce Jenner”), the thirty-one year-old will have to navigate his most difficult season yet.

With Gaudreau gone, the team will be embracing an all-out youth movement, with players like Adam Fantilli, Gavin Brindley, Kent Johnson, Cole Sillinger, Yegor Chinakhov and Kirill Marchenko leading the way.

But hey, the soon-to-be thirty-eight-year-old, Jack Johnson, is back in town. Just keep his parents away!

The goaltending in Ohio State isn’t bad – but it’s not something to write home about either.

Presumed starer, Elvis Merzlikins, is joined by Daniil Tarasov – who of course – had a few decent games against the Rangers.

This is a franchise that hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2020.

As one of the youngest teams in the NHL today (fourth-youngest at 26.9 years-old – and for comparison, the Sabres, the youngest in the league, has an average age of 25.6-years-old) – it’s going to be a long season.

The future of this team is to be determined, as not only is the shocking death of Gaudreau impossible to recover from, it also remains to be seen how the CBJ front office approaches next summer in free agency.


Who will take home the Stanley Cup in 2025? My prediction below. Photo Credit: NHL.com

For reference, and take this information how you will, but here are the current Vegas odds on the 32 teams contending for the Stanley Cup. Photo Credit: ESPN.com

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

Eastern Wild Card Teams: Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Western Wild Card Teams: Los Angeles Kings and the Winnipeg Jets.

Eastern Conference Final – Florida Panthers vs New Jersey Devils.

Western Conference Final – Vegas Golden Knights vs Colorado Avalanche.

Stanley Cup Final – Vegas Golden Knights over the New Jersey Devils.


You can check out my most recent book here: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/villains/

OVERTIME

I know that this blog is as neverending as a long season in Ottawa, but bear with me as I try to catch up on everything and get current.

Recently, Stan Fischler ran an abridged piece of mine in his daily space over at The Hockey News.

To read it, then check out: https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/latest-news/the-new-rangers-villains-exposed

As noted many times before on this site, whenever “The Maven” uses the work of “The Young Maven,” it’s often truncated and edited for space restraints.

Since obviously, I don’t limit myself to a word count on this site, then at this time, here’s the full version of my piece, “The Top Five Active Ranger Killers in the NHL Today.”


I’m sort of surprised that Lou Lamoriello, one of the biggest Ranger haters of all-time, hasn’t brought Tony DeAngelo to Long Island. It just seems like a perfect fit all around.

1. Tony DeAngelo

While who knows if the former Ranger will skate in the league next season, MSG crowd reactions don’t lie, as no one receives more audible and vociferous jeering than #77.

The defenseman, from southern New Jersey, has suited up for the Hurricanes and Flyers ever since his 2021 deportation as decreed by Chris Drury.

How could DeAngelo receive even more disdain?

By signing a veteran’s minimum contract with Long Island Lou Lamoriello.

And don’t poo-poo such a scenario either.

After all, the team over at Belmont could use an offensive prescence at their blue line – and with DeAngelo not receiving any NHL offers this summer – then as Bob Barker would say, “The Price is Right!”


2. Sidney Crosby

At this point in the future Hall of Famer’s career, Sid “No Longer The Kid” Crosby is more respected than truly hated. But even so, that doesn’t change the fact that he’s been the biggest Ranger killer this century.

More salt in the wound?

Skepticism over the 2005 NHL Entry Draft – and where many with NYC addresses believe that Commissioner Gary Bettman influenced it, as at the time – the Pittsburgh Penguins were facing bankruptcy – and relocation too.

After all, while the Rangers had the best odds of landing the first-overall pick heading into that draft, the Blueshirts’ business was never in peril – and as the routine sold-out houses during a Dark Age (1997-2004) proved.


3. Jack Hughes

Somewhat similar to Crosby, Hughes, another first-overall selection (2019, New Jersey), is a reminder of what could’ve been, as in, “what if the Rangers landed the first-overall pick?”

Rather than the first, the Rangers settled for second, and NEWSFLASH – Kaapo Kakko, who the Rangers eventually selected, is not even in the same room with Hughes while in comparison.

Another “first” to mention?

How Hughes’ black-and-red attack dismantled the Rangers during the first-round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

As time marches on, the two warring teams that compromise the “Battle of The Hudson” should feature more of Hughes – and much to the dismay of Blueshirt backers.


4. Tom Wilson

For #43 in Washington, and with hindsight – Wilson’s actions from two games played at the end of the 2020-21 season will now be remembered as the end of an era – and the start of a new regime too.

Following Wilson’s shenanigans with then-Ranger Pavel Buchnevich and Artemi Panarin, head coach David Quinn, general manager Jeff Gorton and Team President John Davidson soon received their pink slips from team owner James Dolan.

While the Rangers have improved leaps-and-bounds ever since Wilson gave the club a public kick to the tushy – it’s still been the same old story – only four Stanley Cups won during the past 99-years.

And for Chris Drury, who replaced both Gorton and Davidson in title?

After firing Quinn, Drury is now on his third coach since the day that “Wilson Mania” ran wild.


5. Back-Up Goalies Making Their First Start Against the Rangers

From the “Department of Trust Me Bro,” the Blueshirts seemingly have a batting average of zero point zero whenever facing a rookie back-up goalie making their first start.

As keen Ranger fans are all well too aware of, whenever some no name goalie takes the net against the Blueshirts – then all bets are off.

Don’t believe me?

Then ask any Ranger fan about Akira Schmid.

And hey, where’s Schmid today following the best four games of his life against the Rangers (the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs)?

For those unaware, the Swiss netminder is currently in Nevada – but not for the Vegas Golden Knights.

Instead, he’s the AHL backup goalie for the Henderson Silver Knights.

But he’ll always have the Rangers.


Adam Edstrom, hoping to earn a full-time gig with the varsity club this season, shone during the Rangers vs Flyers rookie/prospect games over the weekend. Photo Credit: NYR

As we get to the end here, I’ll keep our penultimate segment short – or at least short for this site!

As you all know by now and despite the meat of this particular blog would suggest – HISTORY – and not predicting the future – is my forte.

And when it comes to the New York Rangers and their two-game prospect series against the Flyers from over the weekend (Friday, 9/13 and Saturday, 9/14) – I just really couldn’t get into it.

(At least I don’t fake it for you, as I’m being 100% true blue here!)

For starters, it’s the same old story:

Both the Blueshirts and the M$G Networks are worth billions – yet neither entity could be bothered to air these games – and as the Flyers did – both on their local NBC affiliate and on their official team website.

I know that I’ve complained about this stuff about a trillion times before, so I’ll end this redundant rant here – but seriously, what else is on the M$GN these days?

After all, it’s not like any other sport is in season on the network right now.

To me, it’s like the Rangers are telling their fans not to bother, so it’s extremely easy to be “out of sight, out of mind” about these two games.

My normal talking points aside, the biggest reason why my interest level was at an all-time low about this series (and that only began once the Rangers pulled out of the propsect Traverse City Tournament annually played in Michigan – and where the Rangers last participated in 2019), is because in the present – this isn’t a team of the future.

Rather, it’s a team of the now, and to be specific, WIN NOW.

If this was the Rangers from five-years ago or the Montreal Canadiens of today – then yeah – I’d be extremely invested in what’s in the pipeline.

But this is a franchise looking to win their second Stanley Cup in a time-span of 85-years – or their first in 31-years.

In other words, I mean no disrespect to the Brennan Othmann’s, Dylan Garand’s, Brett Berard’s, Adam Sykora’s and Matthew Robertson’s of the world, as the only thing that I care about is winning the Stanley Cup today.

After all, it’s been far too long and who has the patience to sit through another rebuild?

Furthermore, I’d trade every prospect in the system right now if it guaranteed me a Stanley Cup win in 2025.

Since the Rangers couldn’t be bothered to even talk about these games on their website, then here’s the Flyers’ recap of the first game, courtesy of https://www.nhl.com/flyers/news/recap-flyers-rookies-lose-game-one-in-shootout

As you can see, the Blueshirts took the first game by a final score of 4-3 (shootout). Adam Edstrom scored two goals for the Rangers and with Kalle Wisinen scoring the other regulation time goal. In the shootout, Garand stopped all three Flyers shooters, while Brennan Othmann scored the lone goal of the gimmick contest.

In the second game (once again, a full recap was provided by the Flyers here: https://www.nhl.com/flyers/news/recap-tuomaala-lifts-flyers-rookies-in-ot ), Philadelphia took the rematch by a 3-2 overtime final.

While I only watched clips of the first game and a bulk of the second game while writing this blog; it was nice to see Matthew Robertson and Adam Edstrom get on the board in the 3-2 loss.

And how about “BIG ED?”

Heck, he scored a five-minute major shorthanded goal – and made the Flyers’ power-play look like “special ed” in the process!

In other Ranger news, the team made two PTO signings last week, by agreeing to terms with left-winger Adam Erne and defenseman Madison Bowey.

Prediction?

I doubt either ever suit up for the Rangers – especially not with players like Edstrom, Robertson, Jonny Brodzinski and others contending for roster spots.


As stated and explained about 9867986666 times this summer – and despite me being the first fan, writer, blogger, pundit, author, whatever to predict that CZAR IGOR would be a star in New York (I first started beating that drum in 2017) – if I was Rangers’ GM Chris Drury, then I wouldn’t go above 10% of my salary cap when negoiating CZAR IGOR’s next contract. Photo Credit: NYR

Up Next: Rangers’ training camp opens this week.

And since this league doesn’t care about attendance or fans watching these games, the Blueshirts will play visitors to the Boston Bruins on Sunday, September 22nd, in their first preseason game which goes up against the juggernaut known as the NFL.

However, the Bruins and Rangers may get more eyeballs than usual whenever going up against an NFL slate, as the Jets will host the Patriots on Thursday Night Football (9/19) rather than playing on Sunday.

For those wondering, the Giants will be in Cleveland on 9/22 – but with a 1PM kickoff.

Most likely, I’ll post some thoughts about the game on this site, but really, the game is meaningless – and just like the regular season will be up until the trade deadline.

And if you’re still reading these words, then thank you, as this was one of my longest tomes yet!

PLUGS TIME! (Buy a book and support my Rangers’ induced therapy bills. After all, I don’t run ads on this site!)


On Thursday, September 12th, our buddies over at The Blueshirt Underground Show returned with their first episode in months, as the crew prepares for the 2024-25 season.

To check it out, click the play button below:


My fourth title and tenth book is now available!

“The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History,” is now available for sale!

For complete information, please visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/rangerkillers/


The hardcover version of my first book, available now at Amazon.com

My second plug of tonight’s blog – the mandatory plug for my book, “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden.”

As mentioned previously, the book is now available in hardcover, in paperback and in Kindle formats. To purchase a copy of the book, visit this link:

https://www.amazon.com/Rangers-Rafters-Madison-Square-Garden-ebook/dp/B09CM5N2WD

For those still looking for signed paperback versions of the book, I have re-ordered more copies. I now have a few signed copies for sale at $25 a pop (includes shipping price) through me directly. Here is all the information on that:

Order “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden” Book Today


My four-volume set of books, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is a game-by-game recount of the Rangers 2021-22 campaign.

My second title as an author, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is now available in eBook, paperback and hardcover formats.

To obtain signed copies, visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/onegamebook/

To purchase all four volumes on Amazon, visit: Amazon.com – “One Game at a Time.”


The greatest volume-set of books on Rangers’ history today!

“Tricks of the Trade – A Century-Long Journey Through Every Trade Made In New York Rangers’ History,” a four-volume set of books that meticulously covers every trade made in franchise history, is now on sale.

All four volumes of the title can be purchased on Amazon.com and are presented in three different formats – eBook, paperback and hardcover.

To purchase Volume I: Conn Smythe (1926) – Craig Patrick (1986), visit Amazon.com

To purchase Volume II: Phil Esposito (1986) – Neil Smith (2000), visit Amazon.com

To purchase Volume III: Glen Sather (2000-2015), visit Amazon.com

To purchase Volume IV: Jeff Gorton (2015) – Chris Drury (2022), visit Amazon.com

To purchase signed copies of all four volumes, visit https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/


If you haven’t already, subscribe to this blog for the next update:


Now on sale!

Don’t forget to order my four-volume set of books, “Tricks of the Trade!”

If you don’t order through me, all four volumes are now available on Amazon.com

For more details, check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/

Thanks for reading.

LET’S GO RANGERS!

Sean McCaffrey

BULLSMC@aol.com

@NYCTHEMIC on the Tweeter machine

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6 thoughts on “A Complete Preview of the 2024-25 NHL Season: Detailed Profiles on all 32 NHL Teams; Departures & Arrivals, Division Rankings, Stanley Cup Playoff Prediction (Spoiler: Vegas vs. New Jersey), The Blueshirts’ Chances – And Why There Won’t Be a Fifth Cup This Year, The Absolutely Devastating Gaudreau Family Tragedy; Give Sean Higgins A Life Sentence, Flyers/Blueshirts Rookie Games, NYR Villains & More

  1. Sean
    The thought occurred to me that YOU did not care what I wrote here and I know things like this gang can be pretty abstract for people to understand, so the only reason I wrote was to warn you just in case……….look into Dr Drahmesh Patel…………………I cant say for certain………..But I am SURE he looked into Epstein and they drove him to try and kill his own kids to PROTECT them…………just in case you start having weird mental effects……..they CAN do this………read his statements

    His story angered me too……..from personal experience……..I also know the guy likely cant tell anyone because he knows nobody will believe him and he will be and now has been permanently written of as schizophrenic…….that man is CREDIBLE in my opinion………his wife supports him

    I know you saw now and Pierce is not abstract, I wont bother you again

    Good Luck

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