It’s that time of year! We all send out our way too early NHL power rankings and just wait patiently to be screamed at by the majority of fan bases. Belly Up Sports’ NHL DreamTeam is no different! We’ll keep it simple, I wrote the rankings (I felt the need to explain myself on multiple occasions), and the wonderful ZachMac (@bellyupzachmac) graded them. Obviously, we have no clue what is going to happen during the offseason. We can hope, wonder, even dream that our team signs or trades for a superstar. But right now, all we have is what’s in front of us. Here goes nothing.
1. Tampa Bay Lightning
I know they’ve become a meme since being swept in the first round of the playoffs this year, but you’re insane if you think they don’t belong here. Still absolutely loaded up front, and on the blue line. With probably Hart Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov leading the charge, the Bolts will be ready to silence the whispers about last season. Expect them to lead the Eastern Conference for most, if not all, of the regular season. (ZachMac’s grade: A)
2. Vegas Golden Knights
Yes. Please clench your fist a little harder. The Vegas Golden Knights aren’t just number two on the too early power rankings, but they’re my pick to win the cup next season. A full season of Mark Stone, Marc-Andre Fleury healthy and showing no signs of aging, and an angry bunch of guys in the locker room. This is going to be a scary team for a long, long time. The way they lost to the Sharks in the playoffs left a sour taste in their mouth, and redemption is all but inevitable in just their third season in the league. Look for the Knights to hold their own as one of the top-2 teams in the Pacific division going into the playoffs. (ZachMac’s grade: A-)
3. Washington Capitals
(ZachMac’s grade: A)
4. Boston Bruins
I’ll keep it brief. They’re getting old, and elite teams don’t play their worst game in game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals. I’m being generous leaving them at #4. (ZachMac’s grade: B+)
5. Colorado Avalanche
(ZachMac’s grade: B)
6. Calgary Flames
(ZachMac’s grade: A)
7. Toronto Maple Leafs
Whether or not Mitch Marner is with the Leafs at the beginning of next season remains to be seen. Are they better without him? Absolutely not. I’m also not sure he’s worth the money he supposedly wants, especially when it puts him at the same hit as Matthews. Auston Matthews is a far superior player, who hasn’t been lucky enough to play with John Tavares and Auston Matthews on his line early in his career. Their defense needs work obviously, and a little depth never hurt. Freddie Andersen’s consistency will be a huge factor in just how far they go, but no question they’ll be a top team for the entirety of this upcoming season. (ZachMac’s grade: A)
8. St. Louis Blues
This really isn’t up for debate. On paper, they never should’ve won the cup, and a sophomore slump is probably going to hit Binnington early on. The Blues will be back in the playoffs at the very least, I just don’t see a lot to be excited about as far as being an elite team if they don’t have the hottest goalie in hockey. Top-10 in these too early power rankings is a blessing for this Blues team. (ZachMac’s grade: B)
9. San Jose Sharks
Luckiest team in hockey, That’s all they are. (ZachMac’s grade: C+)
10. Nashville Predators
(ZachMac’s grade: B-)
11. Winnipeg Jets
(ZachMac’s grade: C)
12. Pittsburgh Penguins
This is probably the hardest team to rank in the way too early power rankings properly in my eyes. On one hand, there’s a lack of depth, so-so defense, not as many scorers, goalie questions, and no farm system. On the other, they have Sidney Crosby. If I’m going to bank on anyone getting the Penguins back to the promised land and right the ship, it’s Sid. (ZachMac’s grade: A)
13. Carolina Hurricanes
(ZachMac’s grade: A)
14. Dallas Stars
(ZachMac’s grade: A-)
15. Montreal Canadiens
(ZachMac’s grade: B-)
16. NY Islanders
(ZachMac’s grade: A-)
17. Chicago Blackhawks
(ZachMac’s grade: C+)
18. Vancouver Canucks
Made this pick with my heart and you can’t talk me out of it. Elias Pettersson will continue to get better every game, along with building cohesion with fellow young star, Brock Boeser. A lot needs to happen if we’re going to see Vancouver in the playoffs next year, but don’t count them out just yet.
(ZachMac’s grade: A-)
19. Minnesota Wild
(ZachMac’s grade: A)
20. Florida Panthers
(ZachMac’s grade: B)
21. Columbus Blue Jackets
Under the assumption they lose both G Sergei Bobrovsky and F Artemi Panarin, the Blue Jackets will be very, very bad next year. Neither are a sure thing, and it’s not like they have zero talent around them. I just don’t see a scenario where they’re able to repeat the success they fell into this year. Playoffs are unlikely, but this isn’t exactly a lottery team. This might seem low for a team that swept the Lightning in the first round, there isn’t much more to say other than it’ll all make sense come October. (ZachMac’s grade: C)
22. New Jersey Devils
Just remember the Devils are getting Taylor Hall back AND have the first overall pick in this year’s draft. Whether they select Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko, their impact will be felt immediately. I wanted to put them higher, seeing as they were a playoff team just two seasons ago. We just never know which version of Cory Schneider (if any) we’re going to see. (ZachMac’s grade: B+)
23. Arizona Coyotes
(ZachMac’s grade: A)
24. Anaheim Ducks
(ZachMac’s grade: B+)
25. Ottawa Senators
(ZachMac’s grade: A-)
26. Philadelphia Flyers
Carter Hart is average. The Flyers find themselves near the bottom of our way too early power rankings because they have no consistency and no identity. If their stars play to their ability, they might avoid the cellar most of the year, but don’t be surprised to see them near the bottom of the Metropolitan division at the end of the season. (ZachMac’s grade: B)
27. NY Rangers
(ZachMac’s grade: A)
28. LA Kings
(ZachMac’s grade: A)
29. Buffalo Sabres
(ZachMac’s grade: B)
30. Detroit Red Wings
(ZachMac’s grade: B)
31. Edmonton Oilers
It is INSANE that the team with arguably the best player in the world is dead last on the power rankings, and yet, here we are. Connor McDavid should be begging to get out of Edmonton at this point. Their cap situation is atrocious, defense is sub-par, and outside of Leon Draisaitl, McDavid has zero help. They’ll be dead last at the end of the season, no question about it. (ZachMac’s grade: A+++)
I’m sure my hate mail will reach a new high this weekend so let’s have it! Let me know on twitter and make sure you’re following both halves of the Belly Up NHL Dream Team, myself and ZachMac. Also check out the best new hockey podcast around, Puck Puck Pass. Thanks for reading!
