Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Welcome back to The Hockey News’ NHL power rankings, where we rank all 32 teams based on their weekly performance.
Happy holidays to all. This will be the final edition of the NHL power rankings until the calendar turns to 2025 when we return on New Year’s Day.
In light of the holiday season, it’s time to figure out each NHL team’s ultimate wish on their holiday list. Let’s start with the new No. 1.
1. Washington Capitals (21-8-2, +35. Last week: 2)
A swift return for Alex Ovechkin because then he can resume his chase for Gretzky’s record. An unexpectedly strong season, top spot in the power rankings and breaking the all-time goals record? That would be an awesome way to cap off their 50th anniversary season.
2. Minnesota Wild (20-7-4, +18. Last week: 1)
The Wild will gain a little over $13 million in cap space once the Suter and Parise buyout penalties come off the books, so you know what would make it even better? A massive increase to the cap ceiling beyond the projected $92.4 million.
3. New Jersey Devils (21-10-3, +27. Last week: 6)
Some sort of bubble wrap around Jack Hughes so we don’t collectively lose our minds when he’s skating 100 mph into the offensive zone with the puck and loses an edge or, god forbid, tries to hit someone twice his size again.
4. Vegas Golden Knights (20-8-3, +16. Last week: 4)
What do you get for a team that already has everything – nice weather, great fans and a banner – and enough money to buy all the shiniest toys on the market? A nice banana peel, maybe, so when Mark Stone slips on it and tweaks his back, they can LTIR him until the playoffs again.
5. Carolina Hurricanes (20-10-1, +25). Last week: 7)
GM Eric Tulsky is super smart, and he was basically the original champion of possession-based hockey – which every team essentially copies these days – but perhaps a copy of “The Idiot’s Guide to Unlocking Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s Potential” would be super helpful.
6. Winnipeg Jets (23-9-1, +37. Last week: 8)
Beyond better attendance for arguably their most dominant team ever, how about trying to beat the Knights for once?! Dating back to their first-round matchup in 2023, the Jets have beaten them just once(!)…