Kristen Shilton, ESPN NHL reporter
The 2024-25 NHL season is simply two weeks previous and already chock stuffed with surprises.
Did we count on the Winnipeg Jets to be the final undefeated group? Or for the Calgary Flames to be steamrolling the competitors? And what of the Utah Hockey Membership, making growth life look good?
It has been an thrilling run — for some. For others, not a lot. There are backs towards the wall, so to talk.
However it’s nonetheless early … proper?
These 5 groups higher hope so.
We’re breaking down the golf equipment who got here into the 2024-25 marketing campaign rife with expectations that have not fairly lived as much as the hype. What’s holding them again? And the way apprehensive ought to followers be about their trajectory from right here?
It is our (in all probability) too-early Panic Meter readings! Let’s dissect the candidates:
Stanley Cup odds: +1400
Document: 2-2-0, sixth in Metro
The issues: Granted, the Hurricanes are solely 4 video games into their season. It is nonetheless unusual to see them at solely the .500 mark and forward of simply the Philadelphia Flyers and Columbus Blue Jackets within the Metro Division.
So, sure. It is a small pattern dimension. However Carolina has had some evident inconsistencies, too. The Hurricanes are hurting themselves because the fourth-most penalized group within the league (averaging over 5 minutes per recreation) and that is been a pricey, momentum-crushing development, taxing their Thirteenth-ranked penalty kill (83.3%) whereas retaining top-end skaters like Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov from doing what they do greatest on the offensive finish. Carolina’s nineteenth total offensively (3.00 objectives per recreation), and averaging the sixth-most pictures (32.8), so the alternatives to problem opponents are clearly there. It is a matter of the Hurricanes not being their very own worst enemy.
Carolina knew going into the season {that a}) goalie well being and b) goalie efficiency could be a major issue for them, and whereas Frederik Andersen has been good up to now, his counterpart Pyotr Kochetkov has struggled. The younger netminder is 1-1-0 with an .867 SV% and three.05 GAA, in comparison with Andersen’s .936 SV% and 1.53 GAA. Andersen has been run aground by accidents previously, so coach Rod Brind’Amour should be capable to depend on Kotchetkov to help the veteran. That is nonetheless a piece in progress.
One other trigger for concern is the curler coaster that’s Carolina’s prime defensive unit. Brent Burns and Jaccob Slavin have been on the ice for 3 of 4 objectives towards within the Hurricanes’ loss to the St. Louis Blues, proper after sparking Carolina to a dominant win towards the Pittsburgh Penguins. Burns is nearing 40 years previous, and it exhibits in his foot pace; carrying practically 23 minutes per recreation might not be sustainable, and it’ll require others on Carolina’s again finish to step up sooner or later and maybe take away a part of that stress.
Panic meter studying: 5.5/10. Carolina has stored up in each recreation; it is the little errors they have to begin cleansing up, although. Dangerous habits have a means of snowballing and that is an actual fear for the Hurricanes. Eliminating unhealthy penalties and maximizing their scoring depth — it is defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere at the moment main the group in objectives, with three — will give Carolina extra respiration room and that ought to push the Hurricanes up the standings.
If something, it appears like Carolina continues to be trying to find its identification and given the quick runway they’ve had into the season that is not surprising. Time is at all times of the essence — however on this case no less than it is on the Hurricanes’ facet.
Stanley Cup odds: +1200
Document: 2-4-0, seventh in Central
The issues: Colorado’s season started with an 0-4-0 mark for simply the second time in franchise historical past (the opposite incidence being 1998-99); it took overcoming a two-goal deficit towards the Anaheim Geese on Friday for the Avalanche to ultimately earn their elusive first win of the 12 months (in extra time, no much less). Sunday’s 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks — that includes a pair of objectives from Ross Colton and three factors by Cale Makar — is one other step in the best route. However Colorado has to show it will probably produce constructive outcomes towards the league’s would-be contenders too alongside the way in which right here too.
The Avalanche are thirty second already in objectives towards per recreation (4.83), due largely to atrocious goaltending. Aleksandar Georgiev is 1-3-0 with an .811 save share and 4.99 goals-against common by means of Colorado’s first 5 outings. Over these preliminary 4 losses, Colorado’s starter had let in a league-high 17 objectives. All of the goal-scoring magic Nathan MacKinnon may muster will not make up for that type of leaky netminding.
Particular groups have been a hindrance as effectively. Colorado picked up the place it left off within the second half of final season with an inconsistent penalty kill (twenty ninth within the league, at 68.4% by means of six video games) that is overshadowing their second-ranked energy play (38.1%). Once more, goaltending woes play a consider these poor short-handed stats, however the Avalanche’s prime penalty-killing unit (anchored by Makar and Colton) is not getting the job carried out both in entrance of Georgiev.
That stated, the Avalanche are lacking key items from the lineup, together with Gabriel Landeskog, Jonathan Drouin, Valeri Nichushkin, Devon Toews and Artturi Lehkonen. Having their lineup impacted to that diploma, with no method to substitute it, and coping with significantly sub-par goaltending is daunting activity. Colorado must be up for the problem.
Panic meter studying: 7.5/10. The Avalanche have MacKinnon, and Makar, plus a fiery Mikko Rantanen. That is a top-tier trio with game-changing potential (and it was MacKinnon, in fact, who potted that OT winner towards the Geese to safe Colorado’s preliminary win). The Avalanche have been stingy defensively, sitting fourth greatest in pictures towards per recreation (25.5) and so they’ve carried out effectively producing scoring alternative up entrance, notably from the slot.
That diminished scoring depth has contributed to why extra possibilities aren’t getting into (Colorado is eleventh in objectives, averaging 3.50 per recreation) however there is a brilliant spot there as effectively: coach Jared Bednar stated over the weekend he hopes Nichushkin, who’s again skating on his personal whereas finishing a six-month suspension in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA help program, will be capable to return by Nov. 13.
What the Avalanche should hope for is that its goaltending will enhance, too. Colorado claimed goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers over per week in the past, and he was lastly in a position to be part of the group on Saturday after coping with immigration points. As soon as he is up to the mark, there isn’t any doubt Colorado will insert him to take the sting off Georgiev. On the identical time, Colorado has to push Georgiev into turning the nook, too. With a victory beneath his belt, now there’s purpose for the goaltender to really feel higher about his personal recreation and permit that to translate into stringing additional wins collectively for Colorado from right here.
The Avalanche do not have cap area accessible to instantly tackle any areas of concern, so getting extra out of the present roster is their solely method to dig out of this early deficit.
Stanley Cup odds: +6000
Document: 2-3-0, eighth in Atlantic
The issues: The Pink Wings are off to a glacial 2-3-0 begin that features a pair of victories over the league’s solely winless group (Nashville). That is not a ringing endorsement for the place Detroit could possibly be headed. This was speculated to be a season the place the Pink Wings lastly punched their means again to the playoffs after being absent since 2015-16. Detroit got here achingly shut in 2023-24, falling simply in need of a postseason berth with a tie-breaking loss to Washington on the very finish. The Pink Wings might need hoped for some momentum to hold over into the brand new marketing campaign, however it’s been a tricky slog (apart from after they’ve confronted the Predators, naturally).
Detroit’s injured record has begun to replenish, with Tyler Motte and Christian Fischer struggling illnesses already. However that is no excuse. The Pink Wings’ total execution has lacked greater than something, notably off the draw. Detroit is twenty seventh in FOW% (46.4%) and so they’ve seen momentum snatched away from objectives scored instantly off a poorly executed faceoff (see New York Rangers winger Reilly Smith’s marker final week). Good groups have the small print dialled in; Detroit continues to be getting there.
The Pink Wings’ particular groups are one other problem. Detroit owns the second-worst penalty kill within the league (62.5%) and their energy play is a mediocre (15.8%). These areas of the sport that might enhance the Pink Wings aren’t coming by means of usually sufficient, and it is dragging them down. The identical is true with their collective group protection, a long-time concern that is failed to enhance over time. Detroit is tied for the second-most pictures towards per recreation (34.2) and even stable goaltending from each Alex Lyon (1-1-0, .938 SV%, 2.06 GAA) and Cam Talbot (1-1-0, 907 SV% and three.31 GAA) cannot fill the void.
Panic meter studying: 6.5/10. Detroit’s early schedule has been odd, with the 2 outings towards Nashville and two conferences already with the Rangers. Regardless, the Pink Wings are showcasing too lots of the identical previous issues to fully say they’re on monitor to a unique final result than seasons previous. Detroit has allowed 15 complete objectives in these three losses. Even with the likes of Dylan Larkin (who has three objectives), Andrew Copp (identical) and offseason addition Vladimir Tarasenko (two objectives) sparking the offense, the Pink Wings want much more arms to get on the best facet of those scoresheets.
It is actually whether or not Detroit can go all-in defensively that may seemingly decide their destiny (once more). Anticipating to outscore their different troubles — at 5-on-5 or particular groups — hasn’t labored earlier than, and will not work this season. If Detroit should purchase in to what coach Derek Lalonde is preaching and hold getting succesful goaltending and constant scoring, their recipe for achievement may get them again within the postseason combine earlier than later.
Stanley Cup odds: +750
Document: 2-4-0, seventh in Pacific
The issues: Edmonton will not be getting the goaltending it wants — and that is affecting the whole lot else. Stuart Skinner is 1-3-0 with an .851 SV% and 4.03 GAA. His backup Calvin Pickard is 1-1-0 with an .852 SV% and three.28 GAA. These are powerful numbers to beat at the perfect of occasions, however particularly when Edmonton can also be not producing a constant quantity of top-end offense.
Leon Draisaitl has three objectives on the season and Connor McDavid has a aim and 6 factors, however head coach Kris Knobloch has stored them collectively on a line with Zach Hyman (who has zero factors by means of six video games) and it does not make sense to load up a single unit when the outcomes are there usually sufficient. The living proof: Edmonton had a disappointing 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars on Saturday the place the Oilers fell behind 3-0, and solely Draisaitl’s late third interval aim stored Edmonton from being shut out for the second time in six video games, the primary one being a 6-0 drubbing by the Winnipeg Jets of their season opener.
Whereas Draisaitl is the Oilers’ main scorer, he is additionally been punished by Knobloch already for poorly timed penalties. And Edmonton’s particular groups have been putrid as effectively — the ability play is working at simply 6.7% (good for thirtieth total) and their penalty kill is dead-last within the NHL at 55%. If you’re additionally averaging the fewest objectives within the league (2.00) and are twenty seventh in objectives towards (4.00), it is a brutal mixture.
The underside line for Edmonton is that till their offense improves, the Oilers’ outcomes will not get higher, both. It is on Knobloch to make the best changes — at even energy and on the ability play — so the Oilers can thrive.
Panic meter studying: 8/10. Pay attention, the Oilers have fooled us earlier than. Final season Edmonton began 2-9-1 and turned issues round so drastically they wound up in Recreation 7 of the Stanley Cup Remaining. That is to not say historical past can repeat itself now, although. The Oilers’ 1-4-0 begin is nothing to be ok with, and exhibits there are an abundance of weaknesses in Edmonton’s lineup that have to be addressed.
It isn’t that the Oilers don’t get their possibilities. They have been the higher group towards Dallas within the first interval on Saturday, however could not capitalize. The Stars took over from there and that spelled bother for the Oilers. If they will discover methods to profit from these alternatives going ahead, it will be a unique story.
On the plus facet, Edmonton’s depth has been stable. Jeff Skinner has 4 factors in six video games, Corey Perry has been his common feisty self and there are vital indicators of life on the again finish. Edmonton has time to show issues round, however Knobloch should unfold his expertise out and let Draisaitl and McDavid drive their very own traces. The goaltending and particular groups have to be regarded into as effectively clearly, however what Edmonton wants greater than ever is confidence. And that comes from stringing some wins collectively.
Stanley Cup odds: +2000
Document: 0-5-0, eighth in Central
The issues: Enjoyable truth: no NHL group that has began 0-5-0 has reached the postseason since 2005-06. And Nashville is strictly that, boasting (?) a franchise-worst begin that took one other blow in Saturday’s lopsided 5-2 loss to Detroit. Suffice to say then, the Predators face an uphill battle to make the postseason.
Nashville’s new-look lineup has fallen effectively in need of expectations in a winless stretch to open this marketing campaign — they’re the final remaining NHL group with no level, besides — and the problems hold stacking up.
Let’s begin firstly. Nashville is permitting the second-most objectives (4.60 per recreation) and scoring the fewest (2.00). And that is whereas the Predators are additionally averaging probably the most pictures (35.4 per recreation) within the league. What conclusions will be drawn? Nashville’s goaltending — and talent to truly end on their possibilities — are out of whack.
Juuse Saros has regarded humbly human in web for the Predators, with an 0-4-0 report, .875 SV% and three.64 GAA. Scott Wedgewood is correct behind him and completely no higher at 0-1-0 with an .800 SV% and 4.21 GAA.
Offensively the Predators have not regarded practically as dominant as predicted given the additions they made within the offseason. Extremely prized free agent signees Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault have not clicked but within the system, and that is slowed the Predators’ assault. Stamkos did not rating for the primary time till Saturday’s loss towards Detroit, and whereas Marchessault has 4 factors in 5 video games, he hasn’t been an actual difference-maker out of the gate.
Nashville seems to be missing chemistry, and head coach Andrew Brunette is at a loss already to seek out mixtures that click on.
Panic meter studying: 9.5/10. This group is in a foul spot. There is no method to sugarcoat being the one NHL membership with no level, particularly when the roster has such depth of expertise. Nashville’s defensive efforts have not been horrible, both. The Predators have allowed the ninth fewest in pictures towards per recreation (27.4), however with out the saves it doesn’t suggest a lot to be respectable sufficient on the again finish. Roman Josi is averaging over 27 minutes per recreation — tied for many amongst defenseman with Quinn Hughes — and that is a heavy ask of the 34-year-old.
Brunette stated on Saturday the Predators’ terrible opening is not for “lack of making an attempt,” and that is true. Nashville is clearly placing in effort. It is that the Predators are making large errors — and there isn’t any getting back from these on a shift-by-shift foundation in case your goaltending is a large number. And the extra Nashville sees pucks getting into, the extra gamers are gripping their sticks too tightly — compounding these infuriating errors.
Are there silver linings? Possibly. Filip Forsberg has been stable out of the gate — he leads the group with two objectives and 5 factors — and there’s a genuinely robust management unit within the room headed by Ryan O’Reilly, Josi and, in time, Stamkos. The very fact Nashville can no less than create possibilities is nice, too.
The one answer for Nashville? Discover a method to win a recreation. It may be the scrappiest, ugliest, least-aesthetically pleasing victory. However what this group wants greater than something is simply to know it will probably get the job carried out as soon as — and confidence ought to construct from there.
