Late last week, we looked at five NHL teams who could regress this coming season. Today, we’ll look at five teams who struggled a season ago and have bounce-back potential in 2024-25. Let’s get right to it.
Seattle Kraken
2023-24 season: 34-35-13, 81 points, 6th in Pacific
The Seattle Kraken took a significant step back a season ago after making the playoffs in 2022-23 and totaling 100 points in the standings. That wasn’t necessarily a surprise, as they rode some unsustainable percentages in 2022-23, but I’m sure the expectation was to be more competitive last season than they were.
I’m not saying the Kraken will return to being a 100-point team this season, but they are good bounce-back candidates. Dan Bylsma hasn’t coached in the NHL in quite some time, but his AHL teams with the Coachella Valley Firebirds were absolute wagons; the Firebirds went 45-16-6 this past season. Time will tell, but he’s a good bet to be an upgrade over Dave Hakstol.
Kraken general manager Ron Francis also made some additions this offseason to help Bylsma, specifically offensively. Brandon Montour might be a defenseman, but he should help provide offense from the back end. The Chandler Stephenson contract may be burdensome, but he should give them some center depth in the near term and help shield Matty Beniers, who did struggle a bit in his second NHL season in 2023-24.
Related: 5 NHL Teams Who Could Regress in 2024-25
Speaking of Beniers, internal improvement is a significant reason I think the Kraken could be more competitive. This is not to say Beniers will become a 75-80 point scorer, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he totals 50-plus points and comes close to 60. Shane Wright will probably contribute some, and bounce-back years from Yanni Gourde and Jaden Schwartz would go a long way.
The concern I have with the Kraken is goaltending. Philip Grubauer has not lived up to his six-year, $36 million contract. And though Joey Daccord was excellent a season ago, the Kraken need Grubauer to be at least league-average and take some of the pressure off Daccord.
The Kraken’s over/under for this season is 87.5, but I like their chances of hitting the over. They might not be a playoff team, but I can see them being in the 90-95-point range and competing for a playoff spot.
Minnesota Wild
2023-24 season: 39-34-9, 87 points, 6th in Central
The Minnesota Wild didn’t do much this offseason because of cap reasons, with
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Hockey Writers…