NHL Power Rankings: The Surprises, the Heartbreaks, and the Heroes

We’re barely a month in, and the NHL is not holding back on the drama this season. Some Stanley Cup faves are face-planting, some underdogs are going full Rocky, and then there’s a sprinkle of “did that really happen?” moments that keep us coming back. So grab your skates (or just a drink) and let’s dive into how each team stacks up, from top dogs to teams planning early vacations.

The Serious Stanley Cup Contenders

1. Dallas Stars (7-2-0) Dallas is putting on a clinic right now. Miro Heiskanen is practically building a fortress on defense, while Robertson and Hintz are firing on all cylinders up front. And don’t forget Oettinger in net—a guy who could probably stop a beach ball in a hurricane. If they get through that Finland trip against the Panthers with their mojo intact, watch out!

2. New York Rangers (6-2-1) The Rangers have officially moved from “maybe” to “definitely in it.” Trouba is a rock, and the young guns—Lafrenière and Kakko—are finally showing up like they’re worth every bit of the hype. This team has balance, firepower, and the kind of swagger you need in the Big Apple.

3. Florida Panthers (7-3-1) They may have had a few injury bumps, but with Tkachuk playing like he’s got something to prove and Lundell stepping up, they’re still that “we’ll make you earn it” team. If they get any more depth scoring, they’ll be the Eastern Conference’s nightmare.

4. Winnipeg Jets (8-1-0) One word: undefeated. Hellebuyck is a brick wall, and Connor and Ehlers are making every goalie in the league lose sleep. If the Jets can juice their power play, they might be flying all the way to the Stanley Cup.

5. Vegas Golden Knights (7-2-1) Eichel and Stone have their scoring hats on, and Theodore and Pietrangelo are saying, “Thou shall not pass” on D. These guys are getting it done without some of last year’s star power. That’s depth, that’s resilience—call it what you want, but it’s working.

Playoff Hopefuls (aka “We Could Do It”)

6. Minnesota Wild (6-1-2) Kaprizov is lighting it up, and Gustavsson’s playing goal like his life depends on it. The big question: Can they keep the pace when the going gets tough? So far, it’s looking good.

7. Carolina Hurricanes (6-2-0) Carolina is dominating puck possession, and Gostisbehere has brought some serious flair to the blue line. If there’s a team that screams “we’re gonna outwork you,” it’s the Canes.

8. New Jersey Devils (6-4-1) These guys can score, no doubt. If they can keep the puck out of their own net just a little more, we could see the Devils doing real damage in the playoffs.

The Bubble Teams (Don’t Count Them Out Yet)

9. Tampa Bay Lightning (6-3-0) No Stamkos, no problem—well, sorta. They’re grinding, but the D needs to actually start playing D. If they get that going, they’re in the mix.

10. Toronto Maple Leafs (5-4-0) Another October slump for Toronto. But come on, with the roster they’ve got, it’s only a matter of time before they’re back in gear. Will they get hot just in time to break everyone’s heart in the playoffs? Maybe.

11. Vancouver Canucks (4-1-3) With J.T. Miller holding down the fort on both ends, they’ve got a fighting chance. A little more depth scoring and they’ll be making a legit playoff push.

12. Edmonton Oilers (4-5-1) How are McDavid and Draisaitl doing everything right, and yet the Oilers aren’t winning? If they can snap out of it, they’re still in this thing.

13. Boston Bruins (4-5-1) Let’s just say defense isn’t their strong suit right now. They’ve got the talent to stay relevant, but it’s time to tighten up. Bruins fans, take a deep breath.

14. New York Islanders (3-4-2) Sorokin might as well be holding the team together with duct tape. If he keeps playing lights-out, the Islanders will be lurking in the playoff picture.

15. Los Angeles Kings (4-2-2) A classic rollercoaster ride with the Kings, but they’re pulling out the points when it counts. Consistency, though—that’s the name of the game if they want to stick around in the postseason conversation.

The “We’re Trying, Okay?” Tier

16. Colorado Avalanche (4-4-0) Mixing up the lines like it’s a potluck and hoping something works. Ross Colton on the top line? Who knows, but they need defensive help if they want to stick around.

17. Detroit Red Wings (5-3-1) Simon Edvinsson’s rookie impact is real, and they’re showing spark. It’s early, but Detroit could surprise us all.

18. Ottawa Senators (4-2-0) The power play is clicking, and Sanderson is dealing out assists like it’s poker night. Maybe this momentum gets them into the playoffs after all?

19. St. Louis Blues (5-3-0) Suter has stepped up big time, and the Blues are finding ways to win. They’re surviving—now let’s see if they can thrive.

20. Calgary Flames (6-3-1) They’re riding a franchise-best start. Is it sustainable? We’ll find out soon enough, but the Flames are hot, and it’s actually kinda awesome.

Teams Building Character (aka the Struggle Bus)

21. Seattle Kraken (4-4-1) Montour is a beast, and they’re generating shots, but can they find consistency? They’re hanging in, barely.

22. Montreal Canadiens (3-5-1) Lane Hutson’s playing his heart out, but it’s a learning year for Montreal. Lots of heart, but it’s gonna be a long season.

23. Buffalo Sabres (3-4-1) They need Cozens and Quinn to find their rhythm if they want to be competitive. Right now, they’re playing catch-up.

24. Columbus Blue Jackets (4-3-1) Olivier is randomly scoring, which is fun. If only they could do it across the board, they might actually go somewhere.

25. Anaheim Ducks (3-4-1) Solid goaltending from Dostál, but the offense? Not there yet. They’ve got potential, but it’s not happening this season.

26. Philadelphia Flyers (3-6-1) Konecny is doing his best, but one guy can’t cover for a shaky defense and inconsistent goaltending. Strap in, Flyers fans; it’s gonna be rough.

Basement Dwellers (The Rebuilders)

27. Washington Capitals (2-6-1) Ovechkin’s been playing defense (weird, right?), but the Caps are still struggling. They need more scoring depth to have a shot at a comeback.

28. Chicago Blackhawks (3-6-1) Bedard is a future star, but this team just isn’t ready yet. They’re building for the future, slowly but surely.

29. San Jose Sharks (0-7-2) Winless. Again. Sharks fans deserve a medal for sticking it out. They need a lot of help just to notch a win.

30. Pittsburgh Penguins (3-6-1) New lineup experiments, same old issues. If they don’t fix the defense, it’s gonna be a long year in Pittsburgh.

31. Utah Hockey Club (4-3-1) Rough start for Ingram in net, and the injuries aren’t helping. They’ll need every bit of luck and skill to avoid staying near the bottom.

32. Nashville Predators (2-7-0) After a five-game losing streak, they finally snapped out of it against the Bruins. Saros isn’t on fire, and the big-name additions haven’t clicked. It’s early, but Preds fans, keep your fingers crossed!

It’s the season of surprises, people! Dallas and the Rangers are playing like they mean it, while the Jets are undefeated and making everyone sit up. We’ve got some unexpected heroes, wild performances, and of course, a few hot messes that only the NHL could deliver. Buckle up; it’s going to be a wild ride to the playoffs!