NHL Power Rankings: Week 8 Injuries, Prospects, In-Depth Analysis

Nov 15, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward David Desharnais (51) reacts with teammates including Tomas Plekanec (14) after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward David Desharnais (51) reacts with teammates including Tomas Plekanec (14) after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
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NHL Power Rankings: Florida Panthers right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) skates on Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Power Rankings: Florida Panthers right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) skates on Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

NHL Power Rankings (Heading into Week 8) – Chicago falls after taking top spot in week 7, St. Louis, Columbus, and Detroit are this week’s big risers, while Edmonton, Colorado, Calgary, and Carolina continue to fall

Welcome back to our weekly NHL power rankings here at Puck Prose. Every seven days, we’re here to update you on injuries, prospects, and all the recent happenings in the NHL. Heading into week eight, we’re now at the quarter mark of the 2016-17 season as most teams have played between 21-24 games.

This past week brought forth the first firing of the year as Gerard Gallant was let go down in Florida. It seems the two sides had a difference in philosophy, so it was only a matter of time before they went their separate ways. Still, it was an odd situation given the way he was let go coupled with the way things have transpired since the Panthers record-setting season in 2015-16. Vegas Golden Knights GM George McPhee would be wise to pursue Gallant to coach the NHL’s 31st franchise.

*stats heading into Thursday (Dec.1) night’s action

Points Leaders

Top 5 Forwards:

1. Connor McDavid, EDM (11g 20a 31pts)
2. Mark Scheifele, WPG (13g 13a 26pts)
2. Nikita Kucherov, TB (11g 15a 26pts)
4. Tyler Seguin, DAL (7g 17a 24pts)
5. Vladimir Tarasenko, STL (10g 13a 23pts)
5. Patrick Kane, CHI (8g 15a 23pts)

Top 5 Defensemen

1. Brent Burns, SJ (9g 12a 21pts)
2. Erik Karlsson, OTT (4g 15a 19pts)
3. Shea Weber, MTL (8g 10a 18pts)
4. Victor Hedman, TB (5g 12a 17pts)
4. Andrei Markov, MTL (2g 15a 17pts)

Top 5 Rookies

1. Patrik Laine, WPG (13g 6a 19pts)
1. Mitchell Marner, TOR (7g 12a 19pts)
3. Auston Matthews, TOR (10g 8a 18pts)
4. William Nylander, TOR (6g 10a 16pts)
4. Zach Werenski (D), CLB (5g 11a 16pts)