NHL Weekly Power Rankings: The Start of the 2023 NHL Preseason
By Jim Lynch
Can you believe it? It is finally hockey time with preseason hockey starting Friday night between the Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings. Before any preseason games, let’s go over some preseason power rankings to give everyone a better look at where things stand heading into the season.
NHL Weekly Power Rankings: The Start of the 2023 NHL Preseason
32. San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks sit in last place to begin this year’s power rankings. San Jose said goodbye to defenseman Erik Karlsson this offseason. While that was the right move for the organization, they now are going to be even worse on the ice. Last year they finished with a record of 22-44-16, and I think it is safe to say a similar ending will be in the cards this season.
San Jose did add Anthony Duclair, Mikael Granlund and Mike Hoffman, so their offense does have some talent to blend with some of the younger players in the organization.
31. Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers are still in retooling mode. John Tortorella’s squad did improve last season but with so many big departures like Ivan Provorov, Tony DeAngelo and James van Riemsdyk, this season is going to be another year spent near the bottom of the standings.
30. Anaheim Ducks
I like what the Ducks did this offseason adding Alex Killorn and Radko Gudas. I would like their offseason a lot more if they figured out the contract situations for Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale. That is a big reason for the Ducks being this low in the power rankings.
29. Columbus Blue Jackets
Adam Fantilli is going to be a lot of fun to watch no matter who the Blue Jackets pair him with this season. Overall there is a lot of talent on this team, and hopefully now with Mike Babcock no longer with the organization they will be ready to go come October.