RANKING TIME BEGINS! Let's start with every team for next year! Let me know folks, how did I do? What do YOU agree & disagree with? And which tier would you put YOUR favorite NHL team? #GravGang
@@johanjotun1647 as a sharks fan, thanks for a quality D and a 2nd! It only did this make us better but gave us the freedom to trade up in the draft to grab a stud in Dickenson.
@@JesterRace139 Jets fan here. This season feels like deja Vu. Surprise season quality play. But then the playoffs are the same gear as the season gear and get lucky to get the first win. Sad Jets fan here 😞😭
Lol Aaaaahwhooooooo!!!! 🐕 you boys had a great run about 20 years overall in the league!! Those Roenick/Tkachuk/Craig Janney days in the late 1990s were exciting 🏒
@@daxtinparsons7132 yotes fans will probably begin rooting for Utah since that’s technically still their team just like Kansas City gave us the Devils! We’ll see lol
It sucks what they turned into. coyotes are such a cool animal and the best Utah could come up with is calling themselves "hockey club" it's beyond the stupidest name for a team.
Yeah, we're kind of in the "prove it" stage, like where Vancouver was before last year. Hopefully this season will put some respect on our name (please hockey gods bless us)
Buffalo comes down to a few things for me. 1. I see the Ruff hire working out for them, giving some new HC juice 2. I think Levi will be a lot more prepared this season, and finally breakout 3. I think we’ll see a lot of those younger players who slumped last year (Cozens, Power) have BIG seasons.
I've been a Devils fan for nearly forty years, and I do love a lot of he off-season moves they made. That said, they are not a Stanley Cup Favorite this year. They just tweaked the roster around the edges and got some new goaltending. It's going to take at least a season for them to gel enough. I DO think they are a playoff team, and could possibly contend into the second or third rounds, but a Stanley Cup favorite? Not likely. I think the Rangers have a better chance at the Cup than NJ... At least for this year. 2025-26 will be very interesting though.
Well he has them as contender not favorite...as a devil's fan I agree with pretty much everything you said but if the devils do make the playoffs and win a round or 2 that's close enough to be considered a contender
@Beammeup1930..... Graviteh did have NJ as a contender, but in the last minute and a half of the video he still changed it to Cup Favorite, so that's what I was going by. But I agree that winning a round or two would indeed make NJ a contender at the least.
The take on the avalanche is a head scratcher, how can a team built with cale mac mikko not be a contender. You mention cap, lack of debth and Gabe and Val. But if they don’t play that’s close to 15 million unused..and if they do play everyone moves down the line and debth looks way better?
Also adding to the fact LOC will most likely be back who was playing like an all-star for the first half of last season. Having him, Makar, and Toews on d is solid, not to mention the Avs are still arguably the best offensive team in the league, this dude has no idea what he is talking about, especially since Dallas had one of the worst offseasons of any team this summer yet they're still a favorite. Truly laughable
With 12 games left to go last season, I said to myself that the Wings needed 92 points to make the playoffs. They tied with the Caps with 91 and the rest is history. The Wings won more games but lost on the home and home series. I see them ending their playoff drought
I think Detroit makes the Playoffs. Full season of Kane and Edvinsson, and Talbot is definitely an upgrade over Husso and Reimer. I also think Tampa is gonna drop, and I don’t know what Washington is doing lol.
Very interesting comment. Detroit didnt fix any of their problems and whole gamble is on Kane health and development of young guys. Safe to say, they got worse looking at other teams in the East. And returning to Capitals. They took care of weak D line and added some scoring on the wings not to mention they got rid of Kuemper who couldnt stop anything easy going his way. Its not hard to see what Capitals did and they are definetly a playoff team.
Leafs fan and I think you were pretty accurate with your ranking. I would love to see them have a deeper playoff run. I’m hoping the Berube underdog magic from the 2019 Blues comes our way. But I’m also a realist. The improved D is awesome but unless the Leafs start scoring those messy playoff goals it will be another first round or maybe second round exit. I REALLY want to be proven wrong!
The Pens really did get some action at the end of last season, though. With the inclusions of Jack St Ivany and Michael Bunting, they really started showing more synergy as a team. Drew O'Connor started stepping up as well. Picking up Matt Grzelcyk from Boston is also giving them a good physical defenseman to support Letang and Karllson.
Given the time he's going to get in Washington he's a legit 2C 60+ point player. When you add a guy like that to a team that went to the playoffs last year- it's an improvement. Washington's top scorer last year was Strome with 67 points. PLD has a real chance to be Washington's best player so yeah that's a big impact. Don't focus on whether he's worth his contract or if he's a legit franchise 1C - he isn't - but he's a massive upgrade for Washington and he's going to make them better. Mangiapane replaces Oshie. Wilson is healthy. McMichael and Lapierre and Miroshnichenko and Protas all have more experience. Strome continues to be Strome. That 4th line is legit. Ovechkin is 41 goals away from the record coming off a 31g season. The defense is dramatically improved giving Washington a legit top6 for the first time in a long time. Goaltending is improved. Rookie coach has a year of experience....there's a lot to like here and some key guys in contract years so they could be motivated to step it up.
@@mikeb.2925 yeah the PLD trade looks terrible when looking at the cap hit, bu Washington was the best team he could have gone to. Already looking at a potential rebuild when Ovi retires so cap space wonÄ't be an issue, entering into a team with no legitimate top line centers so he can take an important role, and hopefully his failure in LA will be a wake up call to get him going again. He's not a bad hockey player, just seems to be unmotivated and lazy or mentally fragile so he quits too easy. Still a point producer when going so I can see him working out quite well for the Caps and all they gave up was a backup goalie. Strangely enough, the trade looks like a win win which I never thought possible with a PLD trade.
I don’t get how this guy goes from the worst contract in the league / verge of a buyout, to the next hottest thing in Washington. Dudes a journeyman and honestly should be looked at as a bust.
@@Hynzy57 Nah 60+ points is 2nd line center tier. At 23/24 he's still young where he can fix his career. His whole problem is attitude, not actual play. I get why some gms think they can fix him. As well, Washington have nothing to lose because they will have to rebuild after Ovi retires so PLD makes it easier to push on before the walls come crashing down.
Washington really needs help on the power play, and Dubois should give them that help. Dubois isn't just going to get first line or second line minutes (and good linemates), but he should also get a lot of power play time alongside Ovechkin. Ovechkin, Dubois, and Wilson are borderline between first line and second line players, but that's going to be a physically dominating line (with defensive issues). All three guys are huge and powerful players.
I dont understand why everyone is discounting Tampa Bay. I get that Stamkos is out. His plus/minus was the worst on Tampa -21. I usually don't put to much stock into this stat, but I don't know how else to describe his 5v5 play. Half of his goals were on the pp. PP goals are hard to come by in the playoffs. Guentzel will make this team much more balanced 5v5. Lost Sergachev but gained a former captain in McDonagh and a speedy defender Moser. Vasilevskiy was recovering from back surgery last year and now has a full off-season to get back to form. Cooper is still the head coach. Is it because they have been good for so long that they have to take a step back because looking at them on paper, they definitely look like an improved team. Just my opinion though.
When you think about it, you have the Oilers and the Canucks who will each likely finish in the top 2 spots in the Pacific Division, but then who takes that third spot, and possibly a wild card from the Pacific? Maybe Vegas? Will be interesting as it is probably the weakest division other than Edmonton and Vancouver.
Predicting the Atlantic is such a headache. Last year I was very high on Buffalo and Ottawa but not Detroit. This year I’m more high on Detroit. I think Detroit makes it, Buffalo will be right there in the playoff race, and Ottawa straight up misses.
I think Buffalo is better than Detroit and I cant see a world where tampa doesnt make the playoffs over detroit. Tampa's top end talent is just too good.
@@johanjotun1647 and edvinson. He should of been playing from december on. He was destroying the AHL all season. Him alone might of gave them the one regulation win they needed.
Great video - I appreciate your delivery, insight, and conciseness! I'm a Canes fan. I agree with your perspective on them - and where they are. My take is that they are just one point per game player away from being a contender. Everything else is there - goaltending (as long as Kochetkov becomes the starter), forechecking/puck control, defense, etc.
Buffalo needs to survive the gauntlet in the East. Truly torturous. Don’t think they make it. I see people always looking at the Boston talent and underestimating them. The system makes them better than the sum of their parts.
and on the opposite lots of people had the redwings at the bottom of the division not a tie breaker away from a playoff birth. I think people severely underestimate and over value certain things. IMO detroit got better offensively in the forward group and better in their own zone. Jake walman was not a good defensemen. great shot for sure but whens the last time you seen a defensemen have double digit goals and single digit assists? almost never. They upgraded by moving walman and inserting a future star in edvinson. They have improved every season and if they do it again they will have at least 95 to 100 pts. The east is crazy.
as a canes fan, i dont see how they get better this season. Lost guentzel, tuevo, noesen, pesce, skjei, and now possibly kuznetsov. it's gonna be a transition year and they'll be lucky to grab the wild card.
Kuznetsov at $4m can be easily replaced (he was our 4C) Noesen was already effectively replaced Pesce/Skjei was replaced Walker/Ghost Guentzel was a pure rental and look at where we were prior to TDL. The only one we haven’t replaced is Turbo’s production.
@@SethstratTurbo is streaky and not a top player anymore. Canes are just going to retool. I hope the Canes can flip some of their adds like Roslovic and maybe trade Necas for some high end draft picks. Canes also have players ready to make that leap in development to get on the team. So many Canes draft picks have had their development crash and burn because they weren’t given a chance on the NHL roster.
Great job on this tier list. I agree with most. I would have placed Carolina down to Playoff team tier. The teams hardest to slot in right now are TB, Utah and maybe LA and Detroit. The rest of the teams are spot on and are likely to end up in that point range.
The leafs as a playoff team but the canes as a contender is insane haha the canes got considerably worse. Leafs handled the one issue that people have constantly complained about
Honest opinion, choose New Jersey. They are young, energetic, and have a massive amount of talent and potential. They may not be a cup favorite this year, but they will be dominant in '25/26 and the couple years following. This is coming from a die hard Jets fan...
NJD fan from England. This season, I'm really counting on Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Timo time Meier, Dawson Mercier, and Erik Haula in offence. I don't know when we're getting Jack Hughes back from injury and hopefully Dougie Hamilton comes back in the playoffs as predicted earlier this year. Do i think we're gonna win the Stanley Cup, probably not. But I believe we'll get to the playoffs. Last season everything just went wrong. The season before that we stopped up and proved to be contenders in the league
Don't forget: the Wings also have goalie Ville Husso coming off a bad year and he's healthy now and then they went out and signed Jack Campbell as well as acquiring Gage Alexander (all 6'5", 205lbs of him) in a trade.
@@lesevesel2898 they have no super star to do anything special though they’re right now similar to Carolina They don’t have that one guy who puts up those elite numbers (100+ points most seasons) or that super star defenseman OR top 10 goalie That’s why the canes can’t get over the hump I fear the wings are headed in a similar direction
@@edited1325 We have not seen these new guys play, yet. It is pointless to prognosticate whether they've gotten better, worse, or just moved laterally. All teams are allowed to go over the cap until the regular season starts. Some of these signings may not be with the team come October.
As a blues fan I’m fine with the ranking I tend to agree but I think our additions raised our floor more than ceiling lots of games last year we just died against bad teams and played well against good teams interesting with the offer sheets that could help especially on defense I wonder by the end of the year if bolduc Dvorsky dean or snuggueard maybe do raise that ceiling a bit
Serious? Kraken goaltending weak? Daccord stats rank near the top of the league. I can agree that they are a fringe team. Their offense needs to prove more. I don't believe their defense is that bad. I don't see Utah as that much better
Hallo there! Was searching for info on NHL25, when I stumble on this video of yours. Amazing how alike our opinions are, with only 2-3 slight alternations. Great job overall!
I agree,but i think Ottawa and Seattle will be a playoff team..Not sure Nashville is a stanley cup contender even with the big signings,partly because they are older players,but playoffs for sure..In the end i got a Vancouver/New Jersey stanley cup final...Battle of the Hughes brothers and a Demko vs Markstrom battle in net who were once teamates...Vancouver in 6.
Sabres fan here. We are what Vancouver was 2 years ago and New Jersey 3 years ago. The "prove it" stage, if you will. If Ruff turns out to be the coach that got NJ back into the playoffs and our defense stays healthy mark my words we are a playoff team
I hope your right about the Sabres. But we do need another top six forward and probably another right shot defenseman. And honestly just look what we have to go through to get a spot in the playoffs. It will be an interesting year for BUF I’ll believe it when I see it though.
Nice, i would put both AVS into contender and Devils into playoof teams. Devils can be big surprise, Markstorm is very good (they paid too much for him imho), but coach change.. im not sure. AVS looks ready, they are packed with great players. Boston is always dangerous, and they get pretty nice center, so maybe a one tier higher.. Can you name a team that can be the black horse of the season? :)
Sad is Minnesota, "the State of Hockey." They can't seem to get enough talent to challenge. I agree that another non-competitive season for the boys. Hopefully, the Parise Suter deal will free up some cash for free agency. Or the haunted first pick of the 2025 draft. I'm not holding out much hope.
Calgary is in a funny spot. If they want to rebuild and get a good draft pick it HAS to be bottom 5. If their pick is anywhere from 6-32 it goes to Montreal in the Monahan cap dump deal.
CONDITIONS Here are the conditions associated with the first-round selection acquired by Montreal: 1. In the event Calgary's own 2024 first (1st) round choice is selection 20-32 (inclusive) (following the determination of the 2024 NHL Draft lottery results), then Montreal shall have the option, exercisable until 48 hours prior to the start of the 2024 NHL draft, to exchange the conditional 2025 or 2026 first round choice to become Calgary's own 2024 first (1st) round choice); or, If Florida's 2025 First (1st) Round Choice Transfers to Calgary (pursuant to the conditions on an earlier trade) 2. In the event the conditions to trigger Montreal's option as noted in #1 above does not occur, or Montreal declines to exercise this option, the following conditions shall prevail: A) If both Calgary's own 2025 first (1st) round choice and Florida's 2025 first (1st) round choice (previously acquired by Calgary) are not in the top-10 selections of the 2025 NHL Draft (following the determination of the 2025 NHL Draft lottery results), then Montreal shall receive the earlier of the two (2) stated choices; or, B) If Calgary's own 2025 first (1st) round choice is a top-10 selection and Florida's 2025 first round selection (previously acquired by Calgary) is outside of the top-10 selections (following the determination of the 2025 NHL Draft lottery results), Montreal shall receive Florida's 2025 first (1st) round choice). If Florida's 2025 First Round Choice DOES NOT Transfer to Calgary (pursuant to the conditions on an earlier trade) 3. In the event the conditions to trigger Montreal's option as noted in #1 above does not occur, or Montreal declines to exercise this option, the following conditions shall prevail: A. If Calgary's own 2025 first (1st) round choice is not in the top-10 selections of the 2025 NHL Draft (following the determination of the 2025 NHL Draft lottery results), Montreal shall receive Calgary's own 2025 first (1st) round choice, and additionally, 1) If Florida's own 2025 first (1st) round choice is not in the top-10 selections of the 2025 NHL Draft (following the determination of the 2025 NHL Draft lottery results); and, 2) Florida's 2025 first (1st) round choice has been transferred to another NHL Club; and, 3) Florida's 2025 first round draft position is better than Calgary's 2025 first round draft position; then Calgary will transfer their own 2025 fourth round choice to Montreal. B. If Calgary's own 2025 first (1st) round choice is a top-10 selection (following the determination of the 2025 NHL Draft lottery results), Montreal shall receive Calgary's 2025 first (1st) round choice, subject to the following condition below: 1) In the event Calgary's 2025 first (1st) round choice is the first (1st) selection overall in the 2025 NHL Draft (following the determination of the 2025 NHL Draft lottery results), Calgary will retain its own 2025 first (1st) round choice and Montreal shall instead receive Calgary's own 2025 third (3rd) round choice and a conditional 2026 first (1st) round choice. Montreal shall receive the better of Calgary's 2026 first (1st) round choice or Florida's 2026 first (1st) round choice (following the determination of the 2026 NHL Draft lottery results) (previously conditionally acquired by Calgary).
As a Ducks fan I do agree this coming season they will be near the bottom BUT unless they win the lottery, I don't see them picking in the top five for the draft. I see them improving moderately but still a little ways off from the playoffs. Expect to see them draft anywhere from seventh to tenth overall.
I'd be hesitant to put my devils as a favorite but we deserve no less than contender. Last year was egregiously disappointing and I hope an anomaly. If that proves true, they could be a sneaky favorite. A mix of skill and nasty may surprise some folks and that has historically made NJ dangerous in the playoffs.
Genuine question coming from a Sabres fan. If we fail to make the playoffs again this year, does Lindy Ruff get canned after 1 year? And who can they possibly add to their group to get them back in the dance? I’d love to hear from people on this
Well on thing is the organization can’t panic and make rash decisions. But if we don’t get it done this year. If it was up to me I’d go all in spend to the cap pull a crazy trade or be more aggressive in free agency. We’re close. Need another top 6 forward and another right shot defenseman I think we could make it. I think the hire of Lindy Ruff is great. The past few years our defense was a joke and we didn’t believe in hitting or aggression. Lindy runs a tight ship always has . I think we can get 95 to 100 points this year. My prediction is 45-27-10
i think Detroit will be a playoff team this year. i think they have a solid offense now, and i really like the lineup. i think that they will trade for some defense down the stretch, because i feel that is their weakness right now.
Sabres will find a way to miss again, and I'm very not the typical pessimist sabre fan, I simply now refuse any early enthusiasm. Thank GOD my wife is a die-hard devil! Win or lose, they're one of the most entertaining teams to watch! I hope for her sake(and my relative safty😉) they keep climbing the ladder!
As a jets fan, with the losses of Monaghan, Toffoli, Dillon, Schmidt, potentially ehlers, if our you guys in the moose dont stepup...we will be fringe at best...really hope I'm wrong
i expect in the east: FLA - Bruins - Leafs - TBL Canes - Devils - NYR - Caps Caps will battle with Buffalo, Isles, Pens for the last spot. Contenders: FLA, Canes, Devils, NYR, maybe Bruins. West: Preds - Avs - Dallas - Jets Oilers - Nucks - Vegas - and the last one will be hard, i take Seattle. LAK and STL are bubble out. Contender: Preds, Avs, Oil Dallas D signings don`t kick me, Avs depend a lot on goalie and injuries. Devils and Preds did really well.
Devils are just a playoff team for me. They are in a tough division and compared to teams like the Rangers and Canes they are not likely to get past the second round let alone the first round. They will definitely be a lot better than last year, granted they have no significant injuries. The changes were made did patch up some holes on their roster. That being said, they are still a pretty soft team with a lack of experience and depth, so I think they will maybe finish 3rd in the metro and be out in the first round.
Same with LA. They’ve done nothing to improve. They’ll miss. With Utah, you gotta remember they were sixth last, I think they’ll do better, but IMO, not playoffs, though I’d watch every game if they made it.
Disagree with a Keefe team being a Stanley Cup favorite, especially a team that missed the playoffs last year. If you want two from each division there, it should be the Rangers IMO. Buffalo and Washington over Tampa Bay and Ottawa is a really hot take IMO, maybe not Ottawa, but their goaltending and coaching improved to the point where I can see them squeaking in.
with what talent? Their division is very top heavy and on paper there are 4 teams ahead of them off the bat, so WC is the only avenue. They are not finishing ahead of NYR, NJD, CAR this season. Nj got stronger, NYR is basically the same team without the rentals, and CAR is still strong but wont be #1 in Metro. NYI can't get enough goals and their roster is old.
Buffalo over Detroit as a playoff team, I think this kid don't know too much about hockey to be honest with the Islanders, not making a capitals, not making it. The Red Wings will definitely make it over the senators and Buffalo and the capitals. There's no way those teams are going to be over the Red Wings this year.
RANKING TIME BEGINS! Let's start with every team for next year! Let me know folks, how did I do? What do YOU agree & disagree with? And which tier would you put YOUR favorite NHL team? #GravGang
Nick Jensen is awful the senators got fleeced badly.
disagree with a lot min and col both making it
Sharks fan here, the suspense was hard to take..
Wings fan here, I can't believe Walman isn't on your top pair.
@@johanjotun1647 as a sharks fan, thanks for a quality D and a 2nd! It only did this make us better but gave us the freedom to trade up in the draft to grab a stud in Dickenson.
Jester you know in my heart they’re cup favorites ❤️❤️
@@GravitehHockey the sharks?
@@JesterRace139 Jets fan here. This season feels like deja Vu. Surprise season quality play. But then the playoffs are the same gear as the season gear and get lucky to get the first win. Sad Jets fan here 😞😭
Seeing the Coyotes logo all alone at the end actually made me feel really sad ngl
Never forget 😢✊
Lol Aaaaahwhooooooo!!!! 🐕 you boys had a great run about 20 years overall in the league!! Those Roenick/Tkachuk/Craig Janney days in the late 1990s were exciting 🏒
Ty Coyotes for your support you will be missed😢
@@daxtinparsons7132 yotes fans will probably begin rooting for Utah since that’s technically still their team just like Kansas City gave us the Devils! We’ll see lol
It sucks what they turned into. coyotes are such a cool animal and the best Utah could come up with is calling themselves "hockey club" it's beyond the stupidest name for a team.
You’re giving my Sabres a lot of credit putting them in a playoff tier. I hope you’re right this year.
Yeah, we're kind of in the "prove it" stage, like where Vancouver was before last year. Hopefully this season will put some respect on our name (please hockey gods bless us)
Buffalo in the playoffs over the isles is just straight disrespect
And the lightning!
Get used to it!
@@bjarczyk maybe in like a decade or so
I'm a Sabres fan and I have no idea how he put them there lol
Levi is overrated. Wings will place higher than you. Let's start a hate filled rivalry!@@bjarczyk
You had 9 teams from the east until you dropped out TB, but can't see BUF's streak ending
Buffalo comes down to a few things for me.
1. I see the Ruff hire working out for them, giving some new HC juice
2. I think Levi will be a lot more prepared this season, and finally breakout
3. I think we’ll see a lot of those younger players who slumped last year (Cozens, Power) have BIG seasons.
I've been a Devils fan for nearly forty years, and I do love a lot of he off-season moves they made. That said, they are not a Stanley Cup Favorite this year. They just tweaked the roster around the edges and got some new goaltending. It's going to take at least a season for them to gel enough. I DO think they are a playoff team, and could possibly contend into the second or third rounds, but a Stanley Cup favorite? Not likely. I think the Rangers have a better chance at the Cup than NJ... At least for this year. 2025-26 will be very interesting though.
Well he has them as contender not favorite...as a devil's fan I agree with pretty much everything you said but if the devils do make the playoffs and win a round or 2 that's close enough to be considered a contender
@Beammeup1930.....
Graviteh did have NJ as a contender, but in the last minute and a half of the video he still changed it to Cup Favorite, so that's what I was going by. But I agree that winning a round or two would indeed make NJ a contender at the least.
@@MrZeek1519...Ohhhh good call..I didn't watch whole video...Thanks for correction
That’s fair, but honestly I don’t think they needed to make sweeping changes except for in goal, and I love the move they made there
Habs fan here. I honestly think the Devils shored up their biggest weakness. I'm pretty sure you're a lot better than you think you are.
That's Stanley Cup champion Jack Johnson to you good sir.
I APOLOGIZE 😪😪
The take on the avalanche is a head scratcher, how can a team built with cale mac mikko not be a contender. You mention cap, lack of debth and Gabe and Val. But if they don’t play that’s close to 15 million unused..and if they do play everyone moves down the line and debth looks way better?
His Stars bias runs deep, apparently.
Also adding to the fact LOC will most likely be back who was playing like an all-star for the first half of last season. Having him, Makar, and Toews on d is solid, not to mention the Avs are still arguably the best offensive team in the league, this dude has no idea what he is talking about, especially since Dallas had one of the worst offseasons of any team this summer yet they're still a favorite. Truly laughable
Vancouver fan here. I don't consider Colorado a cup contender..... I consider them the cup favourite.
Buffalo over Tampa is crazy but NJ over Vancouver, Nashville or NYR is even more crazy lol.
How?
Buffalo in and Tampa out 😂 I want what your smoking 🤣
With 12 games left to go last season, I said to myself that the Wings needed 92 points to make the playoffs. They tied with the Caps with 91 and the rest is history. The Wings won more games but lost on the home and home series. I see them ending their playoff drought
I think Detroit makes the Playoffs. Full season of Kane and Edvinsson, and Talbot is definitely an upgrade over Husso and Reimer. I also think Tampa is gonna drop, and I don’t know what Washington is doing lol.
Very interesting comment. Detroit didnt fix any of their problems and whole gamble is on Kane health and development of young guys. Safe to say, they got worse looking at other teams in the East. And returning to Capitals. They took care of weak D line and added some scoring on the wings not to mention they got rid of Kuemper who couldnt stop anything easy going his way. Its not hard to see what Capitals did and they are definetly a playoff team.
Leafs fan and I think you were pretty accurate with your ranking. I would love to see them have a deeper playoff run. I’m hoping the Berube underdog magic from the 2019 Blues comes our way. But I’m also a realist. The improved D is awesome but unless the Leafs start scoring those messy playoff goals it will be another first round or maybe second round exit. I REALLY want to be proven wrong!
My prediction is that Montreal will probably add another top 6 forward before the start of the season. Kent definitely has something up his sleeve.
No Mention of Demidov, I would plug him right away.... But I consider the KHL as a strong league, and see him as ready.
@@johanjotun1647 passing from the mhl to the Nhl lmao he's not ready
The Pens really did get some action at the end of last season, though. With the inclusions of Jack St Ivany and Michael Bunting, they really started showing more synergy as a team. Drew O'Connor started stepping up as well. Picking up Matt Grzelcyk from Boston is also giving them a good physical defenseman to support Letang and Karllson.
MILK on Leafs jerseys: should be MILQUETOAST
Love what you said about the pittsburgh washington comparison. Always felt like those two teams have been attached at the hip since 05
The kid and Ovi constantly were compared. In the end I believe Sid is the far better player, especially showing him tying Gretzkys records.
I like your videos! Great energy and general league wide knowledge. Keep it up!
Thanks Simon!! ❤
I can’t believe how positive you are about the caps getting PLD
Given the time he's going to get in Washington he's a legit 2C 60+ point player. When you add a guy like that to a team that went to the playoffs last year- it's an improvement. Washington's top scorer last year was Strome with 67 points. PLD has a real chance to be Washington's best player so yeah that's a big impact. Don't focus on whether he's worth his contract or if he's a legit franchise 1C - he isn't - but he's a massive upgrade for Washington and he's going to make them better. Mangiapane replaces Oshie. Wilson is healthy. McMichael and Lapierre and Miroshnichenko and Protas all have more experience. Strome continues to be Strome. That 4th line is legit. Ovechkin is 41 goals away from the record coming off a 31g season. The defense is dramatically improved giving Washington a legit top6 for the first time in a long time. Goaltending is improved. Rookie coach has a year of experience....there's a lot to like here and some key guys in contract years so they could be motivated to step it up.
@@mikeb.2925 yeah the PLD trade looks terrible when looking at the cap hit, bu Washington was the best team he could have gone to. Already looking at a potential rebuild when Ovi retires so cap space wonÄ't be an issue, entering into a team with no legitimate top line centers so he can take an important role, and hopefully his failure in LA will be a wake up call to get him going again.
He's not a bad hockey player, just seems to be unmotivated and lazy or mentally fragile so he quits too easy. Still a point producer when going so I can see him working out quite well for the Caps and all they gave up was a backup goalie. Strangely enough, the trade looks like a win win which I never thought possible with a PLD trade.
I don’t get how this guy goes from the worst contract in the league / verge of a buyout, to the next hottest thing in Washington. Dudes a journeyman and honestly should be looked at as a bust.
@@Hynzy57 Nah 60+ points is 2nd line center tier. At 23/24 he's still young where he can fix his career. His whole problem is attitude, not actual play. I get why some gms think they can fix him. As well, Washington have nothing to lose because they will have to rebuild after Ovi retires so PLD makes it easier to push on before the walls come crashing down.
Washington really needs help on the power play, and Dubois should give them that help. Dubois isn't just going to get first line or second line minutes (and good linemates), but he should also get a lot of power play time alongside Ovechkin.
Ovechkin, Dubois, and Wilson are borderline between first line and second line players, but that's going to be a physically dominating line (with defensive issues). All three guys are huge and powerful players.
Great Breakdown. I think the Devils are close to complete..
no way buffalo makes it ngl
Was told there was no way they miss last season, let’s see if my streak continues HAHA
Don't be a doubter ! Meaningful Hockey in April coming for all Sabres fans !!
@@DanielAlfieri-on6nsexactly! The light at the end of the tunnel is here! (Or maybe it's a train)
For Sabres I will believe when I see it.
I dont understand why everyone is discounting Tampa Bay. I get that Stamkos is out. His plus/minus was the worst on Tampa -21. I usually don't put to much stock into this stat, but I don't know how else to describe his 5v5 play. Half of his goals were on the pp. PP goals are hard to come by in the playoffs. Guentzel will make this team much more balanced 5v5. Lost Sergachev but gained a former captain in McDonagh and a speedy defender Moser. Vasilevskiy was recovering from back surgery last year and now has a full off-season to get back to form. Cooper is still the head coach. Is it because they have been good for so long that they have to take a step back because looking at them on paper, they definitely look like an improved team. Just my opinion though.
Bumped up the speed to 1.25... needed a faster-talking Grav lol
They don’t need to rush him, but Hrable will be a nice addition to Utah when he’s ready.
When you think about it, you have the Oilers and the Canucks who will each likely finish in the top 2 spots in the Pacific Division, but then who takes that third spot, and possibly a wild card from the Pacific? Maybe Vegas? Will be interesting as it is probably the weakest division other than Edmonton and Vancouver.
Predicting the Atlantic is such a headache. Last year I was very high on Buffalo and Ottawa but not Detroit. This year I’m more high on Detroit. I think Detroit makes it, Buffalo will be right there in the playoff race, and Ottawa straight up misses.
that'd be nice, had we had Kane the whole year we would have been in.
I think Buffalo is better than Detroit and I cant see a world where tampa doesnt make the playoffs over detroit. Tampa's top end talent is just too good.
@@johanjotun1647 and edvinson. He should of been playing from december on. He was destroying the AHL all season. Him alone might of gave them the one regulation win they needed.
Great video - I appreciate your delivery, insight, and conciseness!
I'm a Canes fan. I agree with your perspective on them - and where they are. My take is that they are just one point per game player away from being a contender. Everything else is there - goaltending (as long as Kochetkov becomes the starter), forechecking/puck control, defense, etc.
Ive always been a fan of the energy you bring to the table Nathan. I think Tortz would be a fan of your game!😆
Buffalo needs to survive the gauntlet in the East. Truly torturous. Don’t think they make it.
I see people always looking at the Boston talent and underestimating them. The system makes them better than the sum of their parts.
and on the opposite lots of people had the redwings at the bottom of the division not a tie breaker away from a playoff birth. I think people severely underestimate and over value certain things. IMO detroit got better offensively in the forward group and better in their own zone. Jake walman was not a good defensemen. great shot for sure but whens the last time you seen a defensemen have double digit goals and single digit assists? almost never. They upgraded by moving walman and inserting a future star in edvinson. They have improved every season and if they do it again they will have at least 95 to 100 pts. The east is crazy.
as a canes fan, i dont see how they get better this season. Lost guentzel, tuevo, noesen, pesce, skjei, and now possibly kuznetsov. it's gonna be a transition year and they'll be lucky to grab the wild card.
Kuznetsov at $4m can be easily replaced (he was our 4C)
Noesen was already effectively replaced
Pesce/Skjei was replaced Walker/Ghost
Guentzel was a pure rental and look at where we were prior to TDL.
The only one we haven’t replaced is Turbo’s production.
@@SethstratTurbo is streaky and not a top player anymore. Canes are just going to retool. I hope the Canes can flip some of their adds like Roslovic and maybe trade Necas for some high end draft picks. Canes also have players ready to make that leap in development to get on the team. So many Canes draft picks have had their development crash and burn because they weren’t given a chance on the NHL roster.
@@Sethstrat i mean saying Walker/Ghost is equal to Pesce/Skjei is a big stretch. That is going to be a hole this year as it stands.
Rangers, Preds, Oilers and wings mark my words
Does anyone know the name of the site he uses to showcase the lines?
Daily Faceoff if you still need it
@@scottpaghera4385thanks, you‘re the man!
Great job on this tier list. I agree with most. I would have placed Carolina down to Playoff team tier. The teams hardest to slot in right now are TB, Utah and maybe LA and Detroit. The rest of the teams are spot on and are likely to end up in that point range.
2 good 1st round picks in the next draft... Come on Vegas!!!
As a sharks fan, I'm fine with it!
The leafs as a playoff team but the canes as a contender is insane haha the canes got considerably worse. Leafs handled the one issue that people have constantly complained about
AVS are in for a Stanley Cup or bust
They are the favourite in my opinion.
I literally have little to no knowledge about hockey.. im getting into the sport more and more but now it’s time to choose a team and follow them.
Honest opinion, choose New Jersey. They are young, energetic, and have a massive amount of talent and potential. They may not be a cup favorite this year, but they will be dominant in '25/26 and the couple years following. This is coming from a die hard Jets fan...
@@BurtonsChannelthank you for someone giving the team and our fan base the respect it deserves
NJD fan from England. This season, I'm really counting on Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Timo time Meier, Dawson Mercier, and Erik Haula in offence. I don't know when we're getting Jack Hughes back from injury and hopefully Dougie Hamilton comes back in the playoffs as predicted earlier this year. Do i think we're gonna win the Stanley Cup, probably not. But I believe we'll get to the playoffs. Last season everything just went wrong. The season before that we stopped up and proved to be contenders in the league
Both of them will be in the lineup opening night.
When Drouin is on ur first line, you have problems.
Honestly that’s the least of Colorado’s problems right now too 😅
*The La Kings will remember this.
??? They barely made playoffs last year and did nothing but trade their trash players for more trash players
If Nashville isn't in the Stanley cup contender or higher their then this list is fixed
i'm just stuck on his pronunciation of "Kochetkov"
i was waiting to see this comment
Bro really said Gotchachov
No. It's pronounced "Rocketoff"
Tampa just barely being a playoff team is hilarious lol
Dallas is a contender!
obviously
@@johanjotun1647 Until they play the Oilers again !
@@SirManflyoilers gonna be a first round exit
@@missstar219 how do you figure that? Oilers have actually improved this off season and aren’t done yet ! Dallas hasn’t !! 🤷🏻♂️
Don't forget: the Wings also have goalie Ville Husso coming off a bad year and he's healthy now and then they went out and signed Jack Campbell as well as acquiring Gage Alexander (all 6'5", 205lbs of him) in a trade.
So they get worse? Lol
@@edited1325 Not sure. That's what the regular season's for: to play the games.
@@lesevesel2898 they have no super star to do anything special though they’re right now similar to Carolina
They don’t have that one guy who puts up those elite numbers (100+ points most seasons) or that super star defenseman OR top 10 goalie
That’s why the canes can’t get over the hump I fear the wings are headed in a similar direction
@@edited1325 We have not seen these new guys play, yet. It is pointless to prognosticate whether they've gotten better, worse, or just moved laterally. All teams are allowed to go over the cap until the regular season starts. Some of these signings may not be with the team come October.
@@lesevesel2898 I don’t see it
The hawks will likely be successful before the red wings are at this rate
As a blues fan I’m fine with the ranking I tend to agree but I think our additions raised our floor more than ceiling lots of games last year we just died against bad teams and played well against good teams interesting with the offer sheets that could help especially on defense I wonder by the end of the year if bolduc Dvorsky dean or snuggueard maybe do raise that ceiling a bit
Can't forget devils reuniting with TOMAS...TATARRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Serious? Kraken goaltending weak? Daccord stats rank near the top of the league. I can agree that they are a fringe team. Their offense needs to prove more. I don't believe their defense is that bad. I don't see Utah as that much better
As a devils fan I get so nervous seeing people high on NJ again
Timo time!!!
God I hope Buffalo just makes it this year
Great Video, as usual, Nathan
Colorado below Nashville is just absolutely insane dude like what
Vancouver fan here. I just placed my online bet on Colorado to win the cup.
@@glennhankins6927 That’s a little much 😭
If Landeskog can get healthy, I guarantee the Cup.
What website did you use to pull up the rosters?
Daily faceoff
Hallo there! Was searching for info on NHL25, when I stumble on this video of yours. Amazing how alike our opinions are, with only 2-3 slight alternations. Great job overall!
Quite good. As a pure quebecois fan of Panthers since 1993 I am so happy they win. But next year I think it will be NJ vs NSH with NSH win like 4-3.
I agree,but i think Ottawa and Seattle will be a playoff team..Not sure Nashville is a stanley cup contender even with the big signings,partly because they are older players,but playoffs for sure..In the end i got a Vancouver/New Jersey stanley cup final...Battle of the Hughes brothers and a Demko vs Markstrom battle in net who were once teamates...Vancouver in 6.
Sabres fan here. We are what Vancouver was 2 years ago and New Jersey 3 years ago. The "prove it" stage, if you will. If Ruff turns out to be the coach that got NJ back into the playoffs and our defense stays healthy mark my words we are a playoff team
I hope your right about the Sabres. But we do need another top six forward and probably another right shot defenseman. And honestly just look what we have to go through to get a spot in the playoffs. It will be an interesting year for BUF I’ll believe it when I see it though.
I’m not even sure that the devils will make the playoffs, but definitely not a favourite for the cup! Otherwise, good takes!
Nice, i would put both AVS into contender and Devils into playoof teams. Devils can be big surprise, Markstorm is very good (they paid too much for him imho), but coach change.. im not sure. AVS looks ready, they are packed with great players. Boston is always dangerous, and they get pretty nice center, so maybe a one tier higher..
Can you name a team that can be the black horse of the season? :)
Sad is Minnesota, "the State of Hockey." They can't seem to get enough talent to challenge. I agree that another non-competitive season for the boys. Hopefully, the Parise Suter deal will free up some cash for free agency. Or the haunted first pick of the 2025 draft. I'm not holding out much hope.
Calgary is in a funny spot. If they want to rebuild and get a good draft pick it HAS to be bottom 5. If their pick is anywhere from 6-32 it goes to Montreal in the Monahan cap dump deal.
The conditions are complex, but it's 10th
CONDITIONS
Here are the conditions associated with the first-round selection acquired by Montreal: 1. In the event Calgary's own 2024 first (1st) round choice is selection 20-32 (inclusive) (following the determination of the 2024 NHL Draft lottery results), then Montreal shall have the option, exercisable until 48 hours prior to the start of the 2024 NHL draft, to exchange the conditional 2025 or 2026 first round choice to become Calgary's own 2024 first (1st) round choice); or, If Florida's 2025 First (1st) Round Choice Transfers to Calgary (pursuant to the conditions on an earlier trade) 2. In the event the conditions to trigger Montreal's option as noted in #1 above does not occur, or Montreal declines to exercise this option, the following conditions shall prevail: A) If both Calgary's own 2025 first (1st) round choice and Florida's 2025 first (1st) round choice (previously acquired by Calgary) are not in the top-10 selections of the 2025 NHL Draft (following the determination of the 2025 NHL Draft lottery results), then Montreal shall receive the earlier of the two (2) stated choices; or, B) If Calgary's own 2025 first (1st) round choice is a top-10 selection and Florida's 2025 first round selection (previously acquired by Calgary) is outside of the top-10 selections (following the determination of the 2025 NHL Draft lottery results), Montreal shall receive Florida's 2025 first (1st) round choice). If Florida's 2025 First Round Choice DOES NOT Transfer to Calgary (pursuant to the conditions on an earlier trade) 3. In the event the conditions to trigger Montreal's option as noted in #1 above does not occur, or Montreal declines to exercise this option, the following conditions shall prevail: A. If Calgary's own 2025 first (1st) round choice is not in the top-10 selections of the 2025 NHL Draft (following the determination of the 2025 NHL Draft lottery results), Montreal shall receive Calgary's own 2025 first (1st) round choice, and additionally, 1) If Florida's own 2025 first (1st) round choice is not in the top-10 selections of the 2025 NHL Draft (following the determination of the 2025 NHL Draft lottery results); and, 2) Florida's 2025 first (1st) round choice has been transferred to another NHL Club; and, 3) Florida's 2025 first round draft position is better than Calgary's 2025 first round draft position; then Calgary will transfer their own 2025 fourth round choice to Montreal. B. If Calgary's own 2025 first (1st) round choice is a top-10 selection (following the determination of the 2025 NHL Draft lottery results), Montreal shall receive Calgary's 2025 first (1st) round choice, subject to the following condition below: 1) In the event Calgary's 2025 first (1st) round choice is the first (1st) selection overall in the 2025 NHL Draft (following the determination of the 2025 NHL Draft lottery results), Calgary will retain its own 2025 first (1st) round choice and Montreal shall instead receive Calgary's own 2025 third (3rd) round choice and a conditional 2026 first (1st) round choice. Montreal shall receive the better of Calgary's 2026 first (1st) round choice or Florida's 2026 first (1st) round choice (following the determination of the 2026 NHL Draft lottery results) (previously conditionally acquired by Calgary).
So harsh, but so true about my MN Wild. Although, we do have some talent coming that might surprise us.
Shitty owner = Shitty franchise.
Minnesota being in the fringe teams but also covered up my the facecam is so minnesota wild it hurts. We are the mike wazowski of the nhl
Buffalo playoffs over Detroit? Sorry man, great video done under the influence of something.
As a Ducks fan I do agree this coming season they will be near the bottom BUT unless they win the lottery, I don't see them picking in the top five for the draft. I see them improving moderately but still a little ways off from the playoffs. Expect to see them draft anywhere from seventh to tenth overall.
agree with everything
I'd be hesitant to put my devils as a favorite but we deserve no less than contender. Last year was egregiously disappointing and I hope an anomaly. If that proves true, they could be a sneaky favorite. A mix of skill and nasty may surprise some folks and that has historically made NJ dangerous in the playoffs.
Genuine question coming from a Sabres fan. If we fail to make the playoffs again this year, does Lindy Ruff get canned after 1 year? And who can they possibly add to their group to get them back in the dance? I’d love to hear from people on this
You would have to think this roster needs a shakeup if they still can’t get it done.
Joel Quenneville
Well on thing is the organization can’t panic and make rash decisions. But if we don’t get it done this year. If it was up to me I’d go all in spend to the cap pull a crazy trade or be more aggressive in free agency. We’re close. Need another top 6 forward and another right shot defenseman I think we could make it. I think the hire of Lindy Ruff is great. The past few years our defense was a joke and we didn’t believe in hitting or aggression. Lindy runs a tight ship always has . I think we can get 95 to 100 points this year. My prediction is 45-27-10
i think Detroit will be a playoff team this year. i think they have a solid offense now, and i really like the lineup. i think that they will trade for some defense down the stretch, because i feel that is their weakness right now.
The Devils over the Rangers is a pretty ambitious prediction.
first ranking vid i didn't see absolutely sleeping on the caps
kings will be better this year after all star talbot was terrible , they got rid of dubois which was the best thing they’ve done
Sabres will find a way to miss again, and I'm very not the typical pessimist sabre fan, I simply now refuse any early enthusiasm.
Thank GOD my wife is a die-hard devil! Win or lose, they're one of the most entertaining teams to watch! I hope for her sake(and my relative safty😉) they keep climbing the ladder!
What is that Chicago logo?
The 'C' and tomahawks from their shoulder patch.
@@glennhankins6927 oh thanks bro
As a jets fan, with the losses of Monaghan, Toffoli, Dillon, Schmidt, potentially ehlers, if our you guys in the moose dont stepup...we will be fringe at best...really hope I'm wrong
Pld is great addition lol he has been nothing but dumpster fire
i expect in the east:
FLA - Bruins - Leafs - TBL
Canes - Devils - NYR - Caps
Caps will battle with Buffalo, Isles, Pens for the last spot.
Contenders: FLA, Canes, Devils, NYR, maybe Bruins.
West:
Preds - Avs - Dallas - Jets
Oilers - Nucks - Vegas - and the last one will be hard, i take Seattle. LAK and STL are bubble out.
Contender: Preds, Avs, Oil
Dallas D signings don`t kick me, Avs depend a lot on goalie and injuries.
Devils and Preds did really well.
Devils are just a playoff team for me. They are in a tough division and compared to teams like the Rangers and Canes they are not likely to get past the second round let alone the first round. They will definitely be a lot better than last year, granted they have no significant injuries. The changes were made did patch up some holes on their roster. That being said, they are still a pretty soft team with a lack of experience and depth, so I think they will maybe finish 3rd in the metro and be out in the first round.
Same with LA. They’ve done nothing to improve. They’ll miss.
With Utah, you gotta remember they were sixth last, I think they’ll do better, but IMO, not playoffs, though I’d watch every game if they made it.
Lot of people have the canes missing the playoffs this year
What website is he using for the rosters
How sad for the Red Wings that Utsh is already considered a playoff team while Yzerplan going into year 6 is still a fringe, mediocre build. Yikes!
Will Smith plays MLB, NHL, and does Hollywood. Heads up Chris Rock!!
Will Smith will get 2 minutes for slapping in the NHL.
@@glennhankins6927 2 minutes for having something to say about Will Smith!! Tweet!!! 😲
I think Detroit is a playoff team as they were so close last season and I wouldn't say Devils is a favorite I think they should be at contender
Another Panthers Oilers final and Panthers win the cup again, this will be my third year in a row with this prediction and I think I will be 2 for 3 😊
Tb as fringe? That prediction will age like milk.
I swear tho we have been saying like the same thing about the sabres for the past 3 years only for them to disappoint
Disagree with a Keefe team being a Stanley Cup favorite, especially a team that missed the playoffs last year. If you want two from each division there, it should be the Rangers IMO.
Buffalo and Washington over Tampa Bay and Ottawa is a really hot take IMO, maybe not Ottawa, but their goaltending and coaching improved to the point where I can see them squeaking in.
The Islanders WILL make the playoffs and not as a Wildcard team. Do not underestimate them this year.
with what talent? Their division is very top heavy and on paper there are 4 teams ahead of them off the bat, so WC is the only avenue. They are not finishing ahead of NYR, NJD, CAR this season. Nj got stronger, NYR is basically the same team without the rentals, and CAR is still strong but wont be #1 in Metro. NYI can't get enough goals and their roster is old.
@@kylejanoczkin9202 WATCH THEM!
WDYM THE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING EILL MISS THE PLAYOFFS THEY HAVE A GOOD GOALTENDER ANDREI VASILEVSKY AND VICTOR HEDMAN
March Vegas Taded Soon Stanley Cup
Imo Ducks and Utah are both teams that could crack the playoffs. And Zellweger should be in the top 4
Funny how you pronounced Noesen differently in a span of 5 seconds
I love how you throw Dallas in to Stanley Cup Favorite, then completely skip their breakdown.
That might’ve been the worst Ducks lineup I’ve seen. They forgot about Zellweger as well. They r gonna be a fringe team.
Utah in playoffs is so brutal
Didn’t the blue jackets beat the most toughest team in the NHL in the 2024 season
Buffalo over Detroit as a playoff team, I think this kid don't know too much about hockey to be honest with the Islanders, not making a capitals, not making it. The Red Wings will definitely make it over the senators and Buffalo and the capitals. There's no way those teams are going to be over the Red Wings this year.