NHL Power Rankings: Contenders and Pretenders
By Jake Nally
Nov 10, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing James van Riemsdyk (21) and defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) and defenseman Matt Hunwick (2) and center Leo Komarov (47) celebrate Gardiner scoring the game winning goal against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Maple Leafs defeat the Stars 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Power Rankings: Contenders and Pretenders
We are now two months deep into the NHL regular season, and the teams have shaken off the rust. We are seeing some great hockey, with a lot of parity throughout the first two months. Some teams have gotten off to scorching hot starts, and have established themselves as undoubted contenders.
Other teams are merely staying afloat, in the middle of the pack in their respective conferences. While other teams have found themselves at the bottom of their conferences, which, even with a ton of hockey left to play, is never a good place to start your season. Now that the 2nd month of the season has wrapped up, let’s take a look at our updated NHL power rankings:
KEY: Ranking. Team Name (Season Record) (Change from previous ranking)
NHL Power Rankings: December Edition
30. Columbus Blue Jackets (11-17-2) (-1)
Dec 8, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Ryan Johansen (19) controls the puck against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
The Jackets have been playing better hockey as of late, there is no question about it. Under Coach John Tortorella the team has gone 11-10-2 and they are finally starting to resemble a hockey team. However, being in such a large hole to start the season will likely hamper this team until the end. Ryan Johansen continues to lead the Jackets in scoring. Columbus also finds themselves in the middle of the league in PP% as well as on the verge of cracking the top 10 in PK%, so the special teams aren’t the issue. However, most teams are going to find it difficult to succeed when most of their top players are playing with a negative +/- rating. Those ratings combined with their special teams stats, prove that this team’s major weakness is playing 5-on-5, which typically is not a recipe for success in the NHL. Can Columbus recover from their abysmal start, or will they continue to sink into the basement of the standings? My guess, the latter.
29. Toronto Maple Leafs (10-13-5) (+1)
The Leafs are also seemingly playing better hockey over the past month as well, earning points in 10 of 15 contests since our last rankings. However, they seem to be facing the same issues that Columbus faces. Middle of the pack special teams units coupled with many of their best players having minus ratings, shows a team struggling with 5-on-5 play. The uncertainty in the goaltending position is also not helping this team. James Reimer seemed to establish himself as the number one goalie, especially with Jonathan Bernier struggling mightily to begin the year. But Toronto decided to call up touted netminder Garret Sparks to see what he could do. In his first career game he posted a shutout at home against Edmonton, which would be even more impressive, if he hadn’t allowed six goals in his next game on the road at Winnipeg. Sparks could be the future of this team, and the Leafs seem to be eager to find out.
28. Vancouver Canucks (11-11-8) (-10)
Dec 9, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Daniel Sedin (22) celebrates with Canucks forward Henrik Sedin (33) after scoring against New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (not pictured) during the third period at Rogers Arena.The Vancouver Canucks won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Easily the most disappointing team so far in the early season, I must admit I did not see these type of struggles coming out of Vancouver. I had them ranked 12th in the preseason rankings, and they certainly have not lived up to that ranking in the least.
The Canucks have won just five of their last 17 games since our last rankings were released, and they are struggling in all aspects of the game. While the Sedin twins are more than carrying their weight for a couple of aging vets, it’s the rest of the team that is the cause of this slide for Vancouver.
The Canucks struggle with puck possession and turnovers, which as we all know is not a great recipe for success. The injury of Brandon Sutter has also hampered this team more than originally thought, and it seems like it will continue to do so as Sutter will miss an additional 4-6 weeks with a sports hernia surgery. With the Canucks season in the pits at the moment, if this play continues, it will be interesting to see if Vancouver does a little shopping of guys like Ryan Miller. Only time will tell.
27. Calgary Flames (12-14-2) (+1)
Another team that I picked to have a great year, was the Calgary Flames. So far, this team looks to have taken a step back from the playoff team of last year. The acquisition of Dougie Hamilton has not paid immediate dividends, and while the Flames are thinking long-term with Hamilton, his struggles this season were probably not what either side expected. Karri Ramo seems to have established himself as the number one goalie on the team. Romo is a tough read as a goalie, because while he has the uncanny ability to make highlight reel saves on a nightly basis, he also has the tendency to let in soft goals. It seems like Ramo has earned the trust of coach Bob Hartley for the time being. The one bright spot for the Flames has been Johnny Gaudreau, who has been a goal-scoring machine the past few games. Hopefully his play can lift the rest of the team.
26. Colorado Avalanche (12-16-1) (+1)
Dec 9, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene (9) celebrates his first period goal with teammates against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Colorado was another team that had high hopes for the season when the year began, but have struggled to maintain any consistency in their play. Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon have paced this team, as expected, but they haven’t really gotten a whole lot out of their other forwards. And, again, the theme continues with their top players having negative plus/minus ratings.
Jarome Iginla is showing signs of his age posting only eight goals and eight assists with a -10 rating so far this season. The Av’s still appear to be figuring out whether Semyon Varlamov or Reto Berra will be the team’s #1 going forward, or they may just continue to split starts. Either way, Colorado needs more consistency from their netminders to be successful.
Next: 25-21