NHL Power Rankings: Chicago Blackhawks Will Need More Depth
With an handful of Eastern Conference teams that look to be serious Stanley Cup contenders, the Chicago Blackhawks have slipped up a bit in our NHL power rankings
Depth issues. We’ve been saying this all year. Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville has been cycling every young player into the first-line left wing position, but nothing seems to be clicking.
Losing to the Blues last year and watching Minnesota seem to take the next step, the Blackhawks need to make one if not a couple moves to be a contender again this year. The Blackhawks have not been satisfied being a “one and done” team in the playoffs, so look for GM Stan Bowman to trade away more prospects and draft picks in exchange for playoff tested veterans.
What does it all mean for this week’s NHL power rankings? Let’s take a look. (Note: Records and stats as of Tuesday night.)
Colorado Avalanche
Last week: 13-27-1, 27 ptsLast rank: 29th
Arizona Coyotes
Last week: 13-24-6, 32 ptsLast rank: 30th
Buffalo Sabres
Last week: 17-17-9, 43 ptsLast rank: 28
New York Islanders
Last week: 17-17-8, 42 ptsLast rank: 26th
Dallas Stars
Last week: 18-19-8, 44 ptsLast rank: 22nd
Detroit Red Wings
Last week: 19-19-6, 44 ptsLast rank: 24th
Winnipeg Jets
Last week: 20-23-4, 44 ptsLast rank: 21st
New Jersey Devils
Last week: 18-18-9, 45 ptsLast rank: 25th
Vancouver Canucks
Last week: 20-19-6, 46 ptsLast rank: 27th
Tampa Bay Lightning
Last week: 21-20-4, 46 ptsLast rank: 17th
Nashville Predators
Last week: 20-16-7, 47 ptsLast rank: 18th
Ottawa Senators
Last week: 22-15-4, 48 ptsLast rank: 14th
Florida Panthers
Last week: 20-17-8, 48 ptsLast rank: 23rd
Los Angeles Kings
Last week: 22-18-4Last rank: 15th
Carolina Hurricanes
Last week: 21-15-7, 49 ptsLast rank: 20th
Calgary Flames
Last week: 23-20-3, 49 ptsLast rank: 12th
Toronto Maple Leafs
Last week: 20-13-8, 48 ptsLast rank: 19th
Philadelphia Flyers
Last week: 22-18-6, 50 ptsLast rank: 10th
St. Louis Blues
Last week: 23-16-5, 51 ptsLast rank: 9th
Boston Bruins
Last week: 2-19-5, 51 ptsLast rank: 16th
San Jose Sharks
Last week: 26-16-2Last rank: 8th
Anaheim Ducks
Last week: 24-13-9, 57 ptsLast rank: 13th
New York Rangers
Last week: 28-15-1, 57 ptsLast rank: 3rd
The Rangers have come back to earth since their fast start, but still have an impressive team goal differential of +36. Their defense has always been deep but the story this year has been young forward production. Their top three scorers are Kevin Hayes, Derek Stepan, and JT Miller all whom are under 27 years old. Michael Grabner also seems like the pickup of the century with 27 points on the year. The Rangers will get back young forward Mika Zibanejad which will help their depth considerably. Let’s see if King Lundqvist can keep up with his young team at 34 years old. Next: No. 7
7Edmonton Oilers
Last week: 24-15-7, 55 pts
Last rank: 11thWhen Conor McDavid was 14, he was said to be the biggest NHL prospect since Sidney Crosby. Five years later, McDavid leads the league in scoring, just one point in front of Sidney Crosby. With 14 goals and 37 assists, Conor McDavid is leading a previously playoff inept hockey team to the playoffs. Even with the departure of Taylor Hall, the Oilers are rolling. They are 6-3-1 in their last ten games and 12-7-5 ON THE ROAD! If the Oil Change can keep this up, we may have a contender on our hands.
Chicago Blackhawks
Last week: 27-14-5, 59 ptsLast rank: 5th
Montreal Canadiens
Last week: 27-12-6Last rank: 4th
Columbus Blue Jackets
Last week: 29-9-4, 62 ptsLast rank: 1st
Pittsburgh Penguins
Last week: 27-11-5, 59 ptsLast rank: 2nd
Minnesota Wild
Last week: 28-9-5, 61 ptsLast rank: 6th
Washington Capitals
Last week: 29-9-6, 64 ptsLast rank: 7th
This Capitals team is simply one well oiled machine. We saw first hand what they can do to a playoff contender when they dismantled the Blackhawks 6-0. Ever since the outdoor game with the Caps, I knew they were an awful matchup for the Blackhawks. That being said, the Capitals were in this same situation last year. Everybody thought they couldn’t be stopped, but they were. The Caps are 9-0-1 in their last ten and will probably continue to steamroll the rest of the NHL. Boy would it be cool to see Syd vs Ovi in the Eastern Conference championship. Let’s pray for that.
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