Way-too-early NHL Power Rankings for the 2024-25 season
The end of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs ran right up to draft week, as the Florida Panthers won the Cup less than four full days prior to the start of the selection process at Sphere. And less than two days after the final draft pick was made, the free agency frenzy began.
And yeah, we also got the full NHL schedule release, too.
It’s been a jam-packed calendar, but now it’s time to take a step back and assess just how we feel about all 32 teams, looking ahead to the fall. Who will be the top Cup contenders? Who will be in the running for the draft lottery? Here’s how the winds are blowing as of early July.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on where they rank each club, which generates our master list here.
If we borrow the lineal champion concept from the world of boxing, then it’s logical that the Cats remain in the No. 1 spot, having just won the first title in franchise history. The Panthers retained Sam Reinhart, who was set to make a mint as an unrestricted free agent, and extended “Baby Barkov” Anton Lundell, along with several other moves.
GM Ken Holland — a future Hall of Famer — is out of the Oilers’ front office, but the club made some wise moves thus far this summer to give the team he helped build a strong chance at glory next spring. Re-upping with Adam Henrique and Mattias Janmark gives them two proven playoff performers, and inking Jeff Skinner following the veteran’s buyout by Buffalo should ensure that he’ll finally get to skate in a playoff game.
Remember the name Emil Hemming. The Stars have a knack for turning picks from the late first round (and later) into NHL stars thanks to a superb development system. Hemming, a Finnish forward taken No. 29 overall, is next in that pipeline.
The big moves to which Rangers fans had become accustomed have yet to materialize this offseason, save for the trade to add Reilly Smith. To be fair, this team as currently constructed won the Presidents’ Trophy for the best regular season record in 2023-24, and gave the Panthers a tough series in the Eastern Conference finals. Adding around the edges — and leaving some room to do a bit more at the trade deadline — might be the best strategy.
5. Colorado Avalanche
Previous ranking: 6
2023-24 finish: Lost in second round
The Avs haven’t been beyond the second round for two straight postseasons; then again, the last time they were, they won the Cup. So give the front office a bit of a pass here, given that the core of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar remains in place. And while fans don’t always go wild for re-signings, the new deal for Casey Mittelstadt might wind up being their best piece of business this entire offseason.