As we take a look at the Western Conference and the Pacific Division, I think of the term "Round up the usual suspects!" We have seen the same teams at the top of the division for a few years now, and this year will be no exception.
The Usual Suspects
Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas is returning most of the same crew from last year, with one significant addition. His name is Mitch Marner, and he is the most despised man in Toronto since Herald Ballard. The Golden Knights scooped up Marner and signed him to a five-year deal, which, along with Hertl, Barbashev, and Karlsson, is all locked up as well. But some questions linger with the Golden Knights: Jack Eichel has an expiring contract, and can they afford to keep him around? Can Reilly Smith perform like he did in his Vegas Misfit days? Will Alex Pietraneglo ever play hockey again?
These are all huge question marks going into the season, and as much as I like Vegas to win the Pacific, it will be a fight to stay at the top -- especially if Mark Stone can't stay healthy.
Edmonton Oilers
It's still the McDavid, Draisaitl, and Hyman show in the Big Oil Drum in Edmonton. Who will aid this group in achieving regular-season dominance: Trent Frederic, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, or Andrew Mangiapane?
Edmonton is relying heavily on its star power, and it will carry the day, even if they have no goaltending, as it is the Skinner and Pickard show. I have no doubt they will battle with Vegas for the top spots in the Pacific, but that goaltending is just so mid. Skinner was at a save percentage of .896% and Pickard was at .900% even. So, they will score enough to win games on their own; don't ask them to win 2-1 or 3-2 games consistently.
Los Angeles Kings
The Kings will hang around the third division slot for the playoffs, or maybe even sneak up if Edmonton or Vegas gets to a bad start. I like the Kings' forward lines, even if 40-year-old Corey Perry will be out for a while. Anze Kopitar continues to defy age and is one of the most underrated players in the league. Quntion Byfield is coming along well, so is Alex Laferriere. I'm eager to see a combination of Kevin Fiala and Adrian Kempe deterring goalies in the West, along with Alex Turcotte as well.
I do like their defense, even if Drew Doughty is 38, and Joel Edmundson is a solid defensive defenseman on the back end. But the third pairing of Brian Dumoulin and Cody Ceci is almost laughable. I do not see why Cody Ceci keeps getting contracts, and Dumoulin hasn't been solid since he left the Pens. Nevertheless, the Kings will be in it throughout the season, and I expect to see another round of Edmonton vs LA.
The Also-Rans
Seattle Kraken
The Kraken may have rolled out new third jerseys this season, but I keep waiting on them to take the next step. Is 2025 the year we see players like Shane Wright, Tye Kartye, and Ryker Evans take steps in their development? Chandler Stephenson is not the player they thought they were getting when he left Vegas. Can Jordan Eberle stay healthy for a full season? Will Kaapo Kakko be the middle-six forward to tie that second line together? Can goalie Joey Daccord carry this team on his back without breaking it?
Seattle has too many question marks to make them a lock for a playoff spot. They can flirt with a Wild Card spot, but I can see another year without playoff hockey for Seattle.
Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver is coming off one of the most chaotic seasons last year and wants to get back into the postseason. They have some star power up front to do so, with Brock Boeser, Elias Pettersson, and Jake DeBrusk. They signed Evander Kane for reasons that only they know about, and they took Drew O'Connor and Teddy Blueger, a third line that would make more sense in Pittsburgh. But man, that fourth line of Aman, Raty, and Sherwood looks like an AHL line more than an NHL line.
On defense, Quinn Hughes has openly stated that he wants to play with his brothers in New Jersey. That is not a good look coming from your Captain who racks up assists like they are candy. The Canucks have two more Petterssons on defense, which, in addition to Elias Pettersson, will be a nightmare for announcers. In goaltending, it's Thachter Demko's time, who is about to get his $8.5 million extension next year, with Kevin Lankinen in backup. If the stars align, Vancouver can challenge for a Wild Card spot, but I wouldn't bet on it, unless you are into that kind of thing.
Calgary Flames
I do not know what to make of the Flames. I like the Flames' lineup, and Calgary has locked up goaltender Dustin Wolf long-term, even if it is a lengthy 7-year deal for a young 25-year-old goaltender. It may be a lot, but if you want the good goalie, you've got to pay for them.
With the top line of Huberdeau, Kadri, and Connor Zary, who quietly averaged a 0.5 PPG last season. I love Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee getting fresh starts in Calgary, and Yegor Sharangovich is also getting a fresh start away from New Jersey. Their 4th line is a black and blue line that won't score much, but they can hit, so that is a good thing.
On defense, the underrated MacKenzie Weegar and another Devils cast-off, Kevin Bahl, should be a solid Top 4 defense pair. Especially with Weegar nearly getting 40 assists last season, however, this team will go as far as Dustin Wolf carries them. And in a top-heavy Pacific Division, they may not make the playoffs, but it could be fun to watch!
The Laughables
Ducks and Sharks
I am lumping both of these teams at the bottom of the Pacific. The Ducks are rebuilding on top of a rebuild after trading away Trevor Zegras and John Gibson and taking in Mikeal Grunland and the Rangers cast off in Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider. Tory Terry is still here with Leo Carlsson, the only future bright spots for this club. Alex Krillon is getting paid in Anaheim because of all the work he did in Anaheim, and Rako Gudas is still in Anaheim, which is a thing that happened. They do have a good young goalie in Lukas Dostal, who they also locked up long-term, but I do not trust Anaheim at all.
The Sharks are still growing, even with Will Smith, Macklin Celebrini, and Collin Graf. But on the flip side, they have so many signings that seem like contract hroadring. Dimitri Orlov, Jeff Skinner, Ryan Reaves, John Klingberg, Nick Ledy, and Timothy Lijegren all should like name-brand signings based on previous work with other teams, instead of actually fitting into this club's plans. It is sad to see Logan Couture go to the IR and may have to spend the rest of his career there. The goaltending is bad with Alex Nedelijkovic, your #1 after a horrible season in Pittsburgh, and young prospect Yaroslav Askarov. The Sharks need another year in the tank to see where they are heading.