Avalanche Journal: Oilers, Stars lead preseason NHL power rankings

Training camps open this week, so it’s time to take stock of where everyone in the NHL is with the offseason behind us.

We will revisit these rankings a few times throughout the season once more data is available. For now, it looks like a lot of familiar names at the top … and at the bottom.

No-doubt contenders

1. Edmonton Oilers (104 points, lost Stanley Cup Final)

Big adds: Jeff Skinner, Viktor Arvidsson
Big losses: Ryan McLeod, Philip Broberg

Maybe not a 2022 Avalanche-level Terminator, but the deserved preseason favorites even after losing two young depth guys to St. Louis.

2. Dallas Stars (113 points, lost in conference finals)

Big adds: Matthew Dumba
Big losses: Joe Pavelski, Chris Tanev

Don’t love the downgrades on defense, but this is still the best Central team on paper right now if we’re only including healthy/available players.

3. Florida Panthers (110 points, won Stanley Cup)

Big adds: Nate Schmidt
Big losses: Brandon Montour, Vladimir Tarasenko

Similar to Dallas, the defense corps looks worse, but all the stars are still here.

4. New York Rangers (114 points, lost in conference finals)

Big adds: Reilly Smith
Big losses: Erik Gustafsson

Probably the last dance for this core as we know it, given all the key guys who need new contracts for next season.

Probably contenders

5. Vegas Golden Knights (98 points, lost in first round)

Big adds: Victor Olofsson, Alexander Holtz
Big losses: Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson

Added a couple of intriguing buy-low forwards and still have one of the best defense corps in the league.

6. Tampa Bay Lightning (98 points, lost in first round)

Big adds: Jake Guentzel, Ryan McDonagh
Big losses: Steven Stamkos, Mikhail Sergachev

Fascinating offseason as the Lightning try to re-configure for at least one more run — a healthy Andrei Vasilevskiy to start the year would be a big deal.

7. Vancouver Canucks (109 points, lost in second round)

Big adds: Jake DeBrusk
Big losses: Nikita Zadorov

What’s with all the best teams in the West getting worse, at least on paper, on the blue line this offseason?

8. Boston Bruins (109 points, lost in second round)

Big adds: Elias Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov
Big losses: Linus Ullmark, Jake DeBrusk

Feels like a team that could slide a little more, but the core and coach Jim Montgomery might be fade-proof, at least for another year.

9. Toronto Maple Leafs (102 points, lost in first round)

Big adds: Chis Tanev, Anthony Stolarz
Big losses: Tyler Bertuzzi, Illya Samsonov

Could be a delightful year for narratives and hot takes with a new coach, a new captain (and the old captain) plus two of the “core four” playing for new contracts.

The Avalanche

10. Colorado Avalanche (107 points, lost in second round)

Big adds: Gabe Landeskog (?)
Big losses: Sean Walker

Could they be in the first group? One or two groups below this? Yes.

Maybe contenders

11. Carolina Hurricanes (111 points, lost in second round)

Big adds: Sean Walker, Shayne Gostisbehere
Big losses: Jake Guentzel, Brett Pesce

Went all-in at the trade deadline, but this roster looks worse than last year even before they lost Guentzel.

12. New Jersey Devils (81 points)

Big adds: Jacob Markstrom, Brett Pesce
Big losses: John Marino

Could yo-yo right back toward the top of the East after kind of a lost year because of key injuries.

13. Nashville Predators (99 points, lost in first round)

Big adds: Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault
Big losses: Ryan McDonagh

Maybe the biggest winners in the offseason, but also probably still one or two impact guys short when compared to the elite teams.

14. Washington Capitals (91 points, lost in first round)

Big adds: Pierre-Luc Dubios, Jakob Chychrun
Big losses: None

Took some big swings to re-tool for one more run with Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson, and the variance is pretty high here in both directions.

15. Winnipeg Jets (110 points, lost in first round)

Big adds: None
Big losses: Tyler Toffoli, Sean Monahan

This team could be worse overall at all three positions, though still having Connor Hellebuyck covers up some issues in the regular season, at least.

Probably not contenders

16. Los Angeles Kings (99 points, lost in first round)

Big adds: Darcy Keumper, Warren Foegele
Big losses: Viktor Arvidsson, Pierre-Luc Dubois

Really, really need Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke to become high-level players or they’re still just spinning their wheels as a good, best-of-the-non-contenders team.

17. Minnesota Wild (87 points)

Big adds: Yakov Trenin
Big losses: Alex Goligoski

Give them one more year to get out of salary cap hell, and then look out … if the GM can be patient and not add any more depth guys on iffy contracts.

18. Pittsburgh Penguins (88 points)

Big adds: Matt Grzelcyk
Big losses: Reilly Smith

Some complimentary pieces were shuffled, the stars could still have one more great season left and yet … just getting back to the playoffs looks like the ceiling.

19. Utah Hockey Club (77 points)

Big adds: Mikhail Sergachev, John Marino
Big losses: J.J. Moser

What’s a real home-ice advantage and not having to answer questions about relocation going to be worth in the standings, let alone something closer to an average NHL defense corps?

20. Detroit Red Wings (91 points)

Big adds: Vladimir Tarasenko, Cam Talbot
Big losses: David Perron

Maybe the young defensemen create a step forward, but it feels like we’re building the East’s version of the Kings here.