by: Nate Underdog
Washington Capitals – Washington revamped its goal-tending, signing unrestricted free agents Darcy Kuemper and Charlie Lindgren to replace Ilya Samsonov. With Backstrom out indefinitely while recovering from a resurfacing surgery on his left hip and Wilson not expected back before December, they will need to lean on newcomers Dylan Strome and Connor Brown for production. The Washington Capitals head into training camp acutely aware that they haven’t won a Stanley Cup Playoff series in the four seasons since winning the Cup in 2018.
Players to watch
Connor McMichael- The 21-year-old is looking to break into the Washington lineup this season and make an impact.
Dylan Strome – Can he replace the production lost with Backstrom.
Nashville Predators – Goalie Juuse Saros led the NHL with 67 games last season after never having started more than 35 playing that much took a toll on him so they went and signed Kevin Lankinen to take some the pressure off. The Predators need Eeli Tolvanen, now 23, to break out and be the goal scorer he has been at every level and elevate his game to a new level after posting 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 75 games last season. The Predators traded for defense-man Ryan McDonagh to join a unit that is led by Norris Trophy winner Roman Josi and Mattias Ekholm, and they signed six-time 20-goal scorer Nino Niederreiter to provide secondary scoring.
Players to watch
Philip Tomasino – The 21-year-old averaged 1.74 points per 60 mins but only played 10 mins a game. look for him to build on that this season.
Nino Niederreiter – He led the Hurricanes last season, The Wild before that. Look for him to boost the Predators offense now.
Edmonton Oilers – The Oilers are hoping they solved their biggest concern by signing goalie Jack Campbell – He was 31-9-6 with a 2.64 goals-against average last season with Toronto – Evander Kane made a huge impact scoring 22 goals in 43 regular season games and 13 more in 15 playoff games, they look for him to give the 2nd line a huge boost with a full season. They will lean on their young defense-man like Evan Bouchard who broke out last season with 43 points in 81 games, Adding Ryan Murray to a 1-year contract this teams hopes are to improve the defense and goal-tending that has been the plague of stopping them from a Stanley Cup.
Players to watch
Dylan Holloway – The 21-year-old had 22 points 8 goals and 14 assist in 33 games last season, look for him to make a bigger impact this season.
Evander Kane – Look for him to take another step forward and make a play for 100 points this season next to McDavid and Draisaitl.
Pittsburgh Penguins – Health was the biggest problem for the Penguins last season with 6 key players all playing less than 70 games. Age is the other factor can they have young players take the pressure off Crosby 35, Malkin 36 and provide the secondary scoring this team needs. Last season Jake Guentzel had a team high 40 goals and Rust had a career high 58 points, can they replicate that kind of production? Tristan Jarry answered any questions about his ability to be a No. 1 NHL goalie last season can he carry that momentum into this season and continue where he left off?
Players to watch
Kasperi Kapanen – The 26-year-old needs to finally have a breakout season for the Penguins only having 11 goals in 79 games and 2 goals in his final 39 last season.
Rickard Rakell – Had 13 points in 19 games after being traded last season. look for him to have a big year with a full off-season with his new teammates.
Carolina Hurricanes – Can the Canes get a repeat performance from their goalies who were incredible last year? Frederik Andersen was 35-14-3 in 52 games and was second in the NHL in goals-against average (2.17) and tied for third in save percentage (.922), Raanta was 15-5-4 with a 2.45 GAA and .912 save percentage in 28 games. How big will the impact of Brent Burns be? Acquired in a trade to play top defensive pair had 54 points 10 goals 44 assist and was 3rd in ice time amongst defense-man last season. Paul Stastny signed a one-year contract and brings a veteran leadership and a 7-time 20 goal scorer.
Players to watch
Jesperi Kotkaniemi – The 22-year-old is looking at a bigger role this season after 29 points 12 goals, 17 assist in 66 games last season.
Ondrej Kase – Limited by injuries the past two seasons if healthy can provide the offense this team needs with Max Pacioretty out the 1st half of the season.
Tampa Bay Lightning – The Lightning played 71 Stanley Cup Playoff games the past three seasons in winning the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021 and losing in the Cup Final last season. That’s the most playoff games in a three-season span in NHL history. Another short off-season could impact the Lightning during the grind of the regular season. Mikhail Sergachev will step into a bigger role among Tampa Bay’s defense-men following the trade of Ryan McDonagh. With Ondrej Palat signing with the New Jersey Devils and Cirelli out to start the season, the Lightning will need to replace two top-six forwards.
Players to watch
Cole Koepke – The 24-year-old is ready for a regular role this season.
Nicholas Paul – Should be 2nd line center to replace Palat and could have a huge fantasy impact.
Boston Bruins – The Bruins will begin the season already behind with injuries to three crucial players: forward Brad Marchand (both hips) and defense-men Charlie McAvoy (left shoulder) and Matt Grzelcyk (right shoulder). The hope for the Bruins is that they remain competitive while also getting a look at prospects. The Bruins ranked in the middle of the pack offensively last season (15th in the NHL, 3.09 goals per game) and without leading scorer Marchand (80 points) they’ll have to find scoring somewhere else to start the season.
Players to watch
Jakub Zboril – Taken 13th in the 2015 draft he’s out to prove doubters wrong this season.
Taylor Hall – Look for him to fill in the production lost with Marchand on the IR.
Minnesota Wild – Can the 3 youngsters Ryan Hartman, Joel Eriksson Ek, Frederick Gaudreu repeats what they did last season when Hartman had 65 points breaking his career high of 31. Eriksson Ek had 49 previous best was 30, Gaudreau had 44 points his previous high was 10? Marc-Andre Fleury signed a two-year contract July 7 after he was 9-2-0 with a 2.74 goals-against average and .910 save percentage in 11 regular-season games following being acquired in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks they need to find a way of Replacing Fiala production of 85 points after not being able to come to contract agreement and trading him. This team will rely heavy on their superstar Kirill Kaprizov to carry the squad.
Players to watch
Marco Rossi – The 20-year-old will look to work his way up the roster and could be the answer to their center issues. He had 53 points in 63 games in the AHL last season.
Kirill Kaprizov – One of the most talented players in the NHL look for him to improve even more on the 108 points 47 goals and 61 assist of last season.
Florida Panthers – Playoff success has been an issue for the Panthers, and they’re hoping that changes with Maurice, He led the Winnipeg Jets to the Stanley Cup Playoffs four straight seasons from 2017-21 Sergei Bobrovsky went 39-7-3 with a 2.67 goals-against average, .913 save percentage and three shutouts in 54 games, That’s the Bobrovsky the Panthers need more of going forward The Panthers acquired forward Matthew Tkachuk, Tkachuk’s hard-nosed, edgy style of play is what the Panthers need.
Players to watch
Carter Verhaeghe – He led the Panthers with 12 points (six goals, six assists), all at even strength, in 10 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season.
Lucas Carlsson – Can the defense-man be a bigger more consistent presence in FL with 9 points in 40 games last season.
Colorado Avalanche – Georgiev as the new No. 1, They acquired Georgiev in a trade with the New York Rangers he’s never been a #1 goalie in the NHL, He is 58-48-11 with a 2.94 goals-against average. Nazem Kadri had 87 points (28 goals, 59 assists) in 71 games and left for Calgary so who will they have filled his production? They will likely try to fill the hole with J.T. Compher the Avalanche got over the hump last season after losing in the second round of the playoffs three straight seasons. But returning as Stanley Cup champions also means becoming the hunted, and how they handle the pressure that comes with success will be telling. Meyers, a rookie center, will get a chance to fill one of the lineup spots opened by the departures of forwards Andre Burakovsky (Seattle Kraken), Nico Sturm (San Jose Sharks) and Kadri in free agency.
Players to watch
Bowen Byram – The 21-year-old defense-man broke through in the playoffs last season where he played all 20 games and had 9 assists.
Alex Newhook – He had 33 points in 71 games last season playing the bottom six. This season he should find his way in the top 6 and elevate those numbers.
Calagry Flames – The Flames will look different this season, and how they adjust will determine how far they go. Gone are forwards Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk, In are Jonathan Huberdeau, who also had 115 points (30 goals, 85 assists) last season, Nazem Kadri, who had a career-high 87 points (28 goals, 59 assists) Jacob Markstrom was the runner-up for the Vezina Trophy as the best goalie in the NHL last season after setting career highs in starts (63), wins (37), save percentage (.922) and shutouts (nine), and a career-best 2.22 goals-against average.
Players to watch
Jakob Pelletier – He’s never played in the NHL but has been a top scorer at every other level he has played.
Blake Coleman – Being on the 2nd line with newly acquired Kadri should help elevate his game to another level.
Toronto Maple Leafs – Goalie carousel, Goalie has been a huge need with Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov battling various injuries the past two seasons. Outside of Reilly the defense needs to step up its lack of depth and production has held back this elite scoring offense. By keeping the core of Marner, Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Morgan Rielly together, management has shown it believes these players finally can find success.
Players to watch
Nicholas Robertson – The past two seasons he’s just dealt with a variety of health issues the 21-year-old is finally healthy and his talent is obvious.
Mark Giordano -The Defense-man had 12 points 2 goals and 10 assist in 20 games after being traded.