Funny story about the 2024-25 Puck Drop Preview: people don’t want to hear about their teams missing the playoffs. But they also don’t want to appear too hopeful, or else their optimism will somehow jinx the team. The season has officially started, so it’s too late to back out now, suckers! Here’s our compiled list – with links, of course – of where teams will finish this season.
The 2024-25 Puck Drop Preview Complete
Top 10-ish Toughs
Even the most cautious fans know sometimes their team will win more than they’ll lose. It’s almost like their lucky charms actually worked this year! So shaking a defiant fist at the vagaries of fate, we start at the top of the league.
New York Rangers
What We Say: “First in the Metropolitan Division.”
Key Line: “[Lafreniere’s] stats have steadily increased over his four seasons with the Blueshirts so far, and the only way to go is up.
Florida Panthers
What We Say: “The Panthers remain the class of the Eastern Conference.”
Key Line: “Replacements will have to come from internal growth.”
Dallas Stars
What We Say: “Stanley Cup Final.”
Key Line: “The Stars’ top six is as strong as any in the league.”
Boston Bruins
What We Say: “Second in the Atlantic.”
Key Line: “With the addition of Lindholm to his line, it’s looking like Pastrnak will have another incredible season.”
New Jersey Devils
What We Say: “This year they’ll be back to either secure a wild card spot or work their way back to being one of the top teams in the Metro.”
Key Line: “Once he returns from injury, it will be interesting to see where Luke Hughes ends his season.”
Colorado Avalanche
What We Say: “They are a lock to make the playoffs[…and will] advance to the second round.”
Key Line: “This [goaltending] is the biggest X-factor for the 2024-25 season for the Colorado Avalanche.”
Vancouver Canucks
What We Say: They should flirt with triple-digits.
Key Line: “Doubt him [Pettersson} at your own risk, especially if he finally gets regular linemates all year long.”
Edmonton Oilers
What We Say: “Second in the Pacific Division.”
Key Line: “The other Skinner on the Oilers, Jeff Skinner, is also a player to watch this upcoming season.”
Nashville Predators
What We Say: “Third in the Central Division.”
Key Line: “Coming to town is former Lightning captain Steven Stamkos[…]Brady Skjei and Jonathan Marchessault. ”
Carolina Hurricanes
What We Say: “Third in the Metropolitan Division.”
Key Line: “Ryan Suzuki could come in and make a case for this spot but he needs to show up.”
Toronto Maple Leafs
What We Say: 3rd in Atlantic Division
Key Line: “For Marner, there’s no reason he can’t get around 30 goals and 70 assists to finally hit the 100-point mark.”
Fine. This is Fine.
Half the league’s prognosticators try fitting their team in here. Pretty good, has a shot, but don’t get those hopes too high. A handful of points, never mind wins, will make all the difference here. Lightning might strike teams dead – or they could catch it in a bottle. Teams scrabbling up the hill meeting ones clinging to the edge. Either way, fingernails are going to suffer.
Winnipeg Jets
What We Say: 4th in Central, Wild Card
Key Line: “Jets fans should have both their eyes locked on No. 81 this season.”
Vegas Golden Knights
What We Say: Competing for the top three in the Pacific.
Key Line: “It’s easy to look at the Golden Knights’ offseason and be…less than enthused.”
Los Angeles Kings
What We Say: “In fact, the Kings should finish no worse than the third spot in their division.”
Key Line: “It can be argued Fiala is the biggest X-factor on the team heading into the new season.”
Detroit Red Wings
What We Say: “If the Wings are strong between the pipes, the team should expected to be right in the mix for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.”
Key Line: “It is said Father Time is undefeated, but Kane has not appeared to succumb to the adage.”
Philadelphia Flyers
What We Say: “I see this Flyers team taking one of those wildcard spots in the East.”
Key Line: “Although he [Sam Ersson] had a losing record after starting so hot, he showed that he could be the Flyers number one.”
New York Islanders
What We Say: “Wild Card playoff spot.”
Key Line: “Getting to the playoffs hasn’t been the issue, its what you do when you get there.”
Pittsburgh Penguins
What We Say: “The Penguins are barely able to secure the playoff spot they missed last season.”
Key Line: “The Pittsburgh Penguins’ top six forwards group is promising, but not necessarily inspiring.”
Ottawa Senators
What We Say: “Fourth in the Atlantic.”
Key Line: “If Greig can get near 50 points in a third line role, it will be a sign that the Sens are entrenched in a playoff battle.”
Minnesota Wild
What We Say: “The Wild will likely be a bubble playoff team.”
Key Line: “Rossi will have to take another step to cement his place as a foundational place of this team.”
Seattle Kraken
What We Say: “Look for them to be competing for a wild card spot in the Western Conference.”
Key Line: “If this Kraken team wants to step back into the playoff mix, it has to come from the high-end talent that Beniers showed he has.”
Tampa Bay Lightning
What We Say: Tampa Bay makes the Stanley Cup Playoffs once again, but it’ll be a fight for that spot.
Key Line: “[Guentzel will] have to start fast in order to silence the doubters. However, a fast start by Stamkos could make the pressure even greater.”
Montreal Canadiens
What We Say: Fifth in the Atlantic
Key Line: “Quite possibly the main off-season highlight, along with drafting Demidov, was acquiring Patrik Laine.” {Editor’s note: Oof.]
Buffalo Sabres
What We Say: “The drought will likely continue despite all the changes.”
Key Line: “There’s loads of young talent in the top four of the Sabres lineup.”
We’ll Get Them Next Year(s)!
It’s hard to be at the bottom of the last category or the top of this one. But there are reasons to hope for most teams, even here. Draft picks await the teams at the bottom, and steady improvement is hopefully happening at the top. But almost every team has a player or two worth watching, even in a losing – for now – cause.
Utah Hockey Club
What We Say: “2024-25 may not be their year, but 2025-26 might be.”
Key Line: “Utah’s top line consist of offensive ability and some questions.”
St. Louis Blues
What We Say: “It is going to be hard for the Blues to compete for anything more than a wild card spot.”
Key Line: “Do not be preparing for a Stanley Cup parade, or even a trip to the second, but be prepared to be excited about the direction the team is going.”
Washington Capitals
What We Say: “The Capitals got lucky by making the playoffs last year, and they are not necessarily wrong.”
Key Line: “[…T]he entire sports world will be on “Ovechkin Watch” this season.”
Calgary Flames
What We Say: “Competitive in games, but lose more than they win.”
Key Line: “With no clear starter for the Flames, this is Wolf’s chance to prove what he is in the NHL.”
Columbus Blue Jackets
What We Say: “Don’t look for them to be a playoff team in 2024-25.”
Key Line: “In the end, win or lose, they play 2024-25 for one reason[…]: the legacy of Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau.”
Anaheim Ducks
What We Say: “It also should not surprise anyone to see the Ducks picking in the top-five again.”
Key Line: “After only playing in a single game last year, Gauthier will come into the 2024-25 season looking to make a strong impact on the Ducks offense.”
San Jose Sharks
What We Say: “Last in the Pacific Division.”
Key Line: “Expect there to be some growing pains along with way, mixed in with some flashes of brilliance.”
Chicago Blackhawks
What We Say: “[T]he team is still projected to finish near the bottom of the standings.”
Key Line: “It would be exciting to see Teräväinen and Bedard paired together, though Bedard and Kurashev led the team in points last year.”
The 2024-25 Puck Drop Preview is Done. Long Live the 2024-25 Season!
That’s our collection for the upcoming year. The pre-season injuries and movement have shaken up some of these predictions, sure. And no doubt you’ve noticed some contradictions to argue over, and welcome to it. Now that the season is up and running, we get to see how our guesses play out.
Drop the puck!
Main photo by: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
