It’s almost impossible for a team to go from worst to first in the NHL. A lot must go right for a rebuilding team to take a significant leap in the standings and go from last place in the division one season to first place the next. The New Jersey Devils, in the 2022-23 season, came close to doing that (finishing in second place in the Metropolitan Division) but otherwise, a lot of fanbases are wishing on a star for it to happen.
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The Columbus Blue Jackets, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, and San Jose Sharks finished in last place in their divisions last season. Of the four teams, which has the best chance to finish in first place this time around? Let’s start with a team that is far from contention and coming off a disastrous offseason.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets are arguably the furthest team in the NHL from contention. Some of that has to do with outside circumstances, particularly, the tragic death of Johnny Gaudreau, which understandably, would be hard for any team to overcome. Along with losing a star both on and off the ice, the Blue Jackets are also depleted of talent elsewhere.
They traded away Patrik Laine this offseason and are hoping for the young forwards, notably Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger, to carry the offense. The defense will improve with the Jordan Harris addition, David Jiricek developing into a regular, and Denton Mataychuk looking to do the same, but goaltending remains a weakness and the team might look to move on from Elvis Merzlikins ahead of the 2025 Trade Deadline if the season is a lost cause.
The Blue Jackets have the right people to lead them back to contention with general manager (GM) Don Waddell in the front office and a new head coachin Dean Evason, two respected names who will set them up for success in the long run. The problem is that this team is a long way from contention and it will take a few seasons before they are back on track. They might finish this season with the worst record in the NHL or near the bottom of the standings which hopefully, will allow them to add young building blocks to strengthen the rebuild.
3. San Jose Sharks
The Sharks, like the Blue Jackets, are far from contending as last season showed. They went 19-54-9 to finish with the worst record in the NHL and in the process, receive the first=overall selection in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. That leads to the good news,…
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