My NHL Power Rankings

Anaheim Ducks. 1. team. 105. The Ducks pulled off a blockbuster trade to acquire star Ryan Kesler from Vancouver this offseason and made an underrated move in signing sniper Dany Healtley during free agency. Add them in with forwards Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf and you have yourself a good looking team. Look for them to be a Stanley Cup contender.. (54-20-8).

team. 94. The Blackhawks got even better this offseason by adding veteran Brad Richards and they didn’t have any key losses. However, they are currently over the salary cap and need to make a move before the season starts. It shouldn’t be a problem and they will once again contend for a Stanley Cup appearance.. (46-21-15). . Chicago Blackhawks. 2

team. 67. The reigning Stanley Cup Champions are primed for another great season after basically retaining the same exact team as last year. The only big loss was loosing gritty defenceman Willie Mitchell. L.A. will once again be one of the top teams in the West. . (46-28-8). . Los Angeles Kings. 3

team. 99. The Blues snagged one of the biggest fish in the free agent waters in Paul Stastny but also lost a big one in goalie Ryan Miller. Still, I think the goaltender duo of Jake Allen and Brian Elliot will hold. It also doesn’t hurt that St. Louis has one of the best looking defenses in the league IMO. . (52-23-7). . St. Louis Blues. 4

(54-19-9). . Boston Bruins. 5. team. 70. The Bruins managed to sign RFA’s Torey Krug and Reilly Smith this morning which is huge for them. They lost 30+ goal scorer Jerome Iginla but as long as they have Tuukka Rask guarding the net and star players Zdeno Chara, and Patrice Bergeron they should be fine.  

team. 23. If Steven Stamkos and Ben Bishop can manage to stay healthy this team will be a true Stanley Cup contender. Its amazing how well they played last year while their two stars missed significant time.  . (46-27-9). . Tampa Bay Lightning. 6

(51-24-7). . Pittsburgh Penguins. 7. team. 92. The Penguins had a wild offseason. They traded away perhaps one of the best pure snipers in the game in James Neal and lost one of the leagues best D-men to free agency in Matt Niskanen. However, they added some nice pieces in Patric Hornqvist and Christian Erhoff. Did I mention they have Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin? They will be fine.

(52-22-8). . Colorado Avalanche. 8. team. 103. The Avs were by far the most improved team in the league last season and should continue to be a really good team this year. They lost Paul Stastny to St. Louis but they added Jarome Iginla. Plus I would expect rising star Nathan MacKinnon to improve off of his great rookie season.

120. All the talk of rebuilding after the Sharks playoff debacle never happened. They let go of Dan Boyle, traded the aging Brad Stuart and bought-out underachieving Martin Havlat and that’s it. Their offense still remains as one of the best in the league. If they can get consistent goal-tending they will be contenders as usual but i’m not so sure they will. . (51-22-9). . San Jose Sharks. 9. team

10. team. 98. The Wild got even better over the summer by bringing in superstar Tomas Vanek in a deal that everyone expected to happen. He joins a skilled offense that includes Mikko Koivu, Zach Parise, Jason Pomminville, and Mikael Granlund. They are my sleeper team in the West.. (43-27-12). . Minnesota Wild

Dallas underwent some huge changes during the offseason. They traded for star Jason Spezza and signed Ales Hemsky during free agency. These two join the likes of Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn.. (40-31-11). . Dallas Stars. 11. team. 119

New York Rangers. 12. team. 95. The Rangers have surely lost some keys pieces this offseason. Their most recent being Derek Stepan who will be out for 4-6 weeks after breaking his fibula. The addition of Dan Boyle was a nice one but it won’t make up fully for the losses of Brad Richards, Anton Stralman, and Brian Boyle.. (45-31-6).

team. 113. The Blue Jackets did little on the free agent front bringing in only Brian Gibbons but they did make a pretty good trade by acquiring Scott Hartnell for R.J. Umberger. Now their main focus is to sign rising star Ryan Johansen before the season starts.. (43-32-7). . Columbus Blue Jackets. 13

14. team. 152. The Habs had a great year last season. I don’t see them being as good this year though. They lost several veteran leaders including Brian Gionta and Josh Gorges and they lost Tomas Vanek. But they have a good core in Carey Price, P.K. Subban, and Max Pacioretty.  . (46-28-8). . Montreal Canadiens

68. The Flyers entered the offseason strapped for cash and did very little adding this summer. They added just Nick Schultz via free agency and R.J. Umberger through trade. I still see them making the playoffs as they have a solid all-around team.. (42-30-10). . Philadelphia Flyers. 15. team

The Caps improved defensively without question this summer by adding Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik. The hiring of Barry Trotz will also help the Caps this coming season.. (38-30-14). . Washington Capitals. 16. team. 19

72. The Wings have done very little adding this offseason but did lose some key players I think. David Legwand and Danny Alfredsson are gone and Detroit is going to rely heavily on some of its younger players because of this. Could this be the year they miss the playoffs? I think its possible if they can’t stay healthy.. (39-28-15). . Detroit Red Wings. 17. team

(36-35-11). . Vancouver Canucks. 18. team. 104. The Canucks will be a much improved team this year I think. They brought in star goalie Ryan Miller, scoring winger Radim Vrbata, and budding center Nick Bonino. Even with the losses of Ryan Kesler and Jason Garrison the ‘Nucks should do better as long as the Sedin twins can rebound.

. Nashville predators. 19. team. 151. The Predators had a good offseason and should be able to compete for a playoff spot. The biggest move they made was trading for James Neal. If he can score 30+ goals and Pekka Rinne can play a full season the Preds will be a competitive team.. (38-32-12)

20. team. 85. I like the additions of Mike Cammalleri and Martin Havlat to an offense that already includes Travis Zajac, Patrik Elias, and Jaromir Jagr. I’m not sold on their defense but they do have a solid goalie in Corey Schneider. They could be a sleeper in the East.. (35-29-18). . New Jersey Devils

Florida Panthers. 21. team. 97. The Panthers made some major upgrades during free agency. They brought in six new players including Dave Bolland, Willie Mitchell, and Jussi Jokinen.We also drafted promising youngster Aaron Ekblad First overall. With all the new players and a full season of Roberto Luongo in the cage the Panthers could surprise if everything goes well.. (29-45-8).

New York Islanders. 22. team. 106. I absolutely love what the Isles did this summer. They shored up the goalie position by adding Jaroslav Halak and Chad Johnson and improved the offense by adding Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin. They will be better but I do not see them making the playoffs this year.. (34-37-11).

23. team. 116. The Leafs didn’t add anyone to exciting but they managed to snag some useful players. Stephane Robidas will be a welcome veteran addition to the blu-line and Mike Santorelli will provide a nice two-way game at the forward position. Still I see more of the same from Toronto this season.. (38-36-8). . Toronto Maple Leafs

107. It must be frustrating to be a Jets fan. The fan base is so passionate and yet the team has done little to improve. Mathieu Perreault was the lone note-worthy addition for the Jets. They have the Talent at the forward position with Evander Kane, Blake Wheeler, etc but the goal-tending situation looks shaky. They could definitely finish higher than this rank if all goes well.. (37-35-10). . Winnipeg Jets. 24. team

The Coyotes lost Radim Vrbata and Mike Ribero which will hurt but they brought in Sam Gagner to counter the losses. Mike Smith will keep them somewhat competitive but they don’t have the scoring depth to make the playoffs in the West.. (37-30-15). . Phoenix Coyotes. 25. team. 121

109. The Canes will struggle this season and its going to be a challenge for new Head Coach Bill Peters to right the ship. His job didn’t get any easier as Jordan Staal just fractured his fibula and will be out 3-4 months. Eric Staal and Cam Ward need to play much better in order to improve.. (36-35-11). . Carolina Hurricanes. 26. team

Ottawa Senators. 27. team. 91. Ottawa has really downgraded I think. They traded away their unhappy Captain Jason Spezza and lost skilled forward Ales Hemsky. They do still have Kyle Turris and Erik Karlsson to lead the way but I don’t think they come anywhere near a playoff spot.. (37-31-14).

Edmonton Oilers. 28. team. 148. The Oilers made some improvements for sure this offseason bringing in several players including Benoit Pouliot, Mark Fayne, Teddy Purcell, and Nikita Nikitin. They also drafted Leon Draisaitl third overall. They could be one of the most exciting teams to watch but they are still very young. There time is coming but I don’t think its this year.. (29-44-9).

29. team. 112. Jonas Hiller will help shore up the goalie position and speedy winger Mason Raymond will help but the Flames are still rebuilding. Expect another bottom 5 finish.. (35-40-7). . Calgary Flames

12. Chances are the Buffalo Sabres will once again be a lottery pick team. They brought in some nice pieces in Matt Moulsen and Brian Gionta but that won’t be enough to get them out of the cellar.. (21-51-10). . Buffalo Sabres. 30. team