NHL Network Radio’s Jim Gordon shares his NHL Team Previews
Over the summer, we did team previews again on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio, a look ahead to the coming season for every club. Part of the previews were the numbers that matter—good, bad, and trivial stats that speak to what the team was or may become. I hand-picked one number for each team that interests me as we head into the new season.
Anaheim Ducks 2.57… Since 2015, the Anaheim Ducks have averaged 2.57 goals per game, the worst in the NHL. The Ducks haven’t developed any real scoring since drafting Getzlaf and Perry 21 years ago. It’s time for the kids to step up and show they can produce.
Boston Bruins 43…David Pastrnak finished last season with 43 more points than any other Bruin (Brad Marchand 110/67). The Bruins finished tied for 13th in goals, so scoring is not a liability. However, secondary scoring will be key if they want to take on the big boys in the Eastern Conference.
Buffalo Sabres 54….The Sabres reduced their goals against by 54 last season (297/243). No team has given up more goals in the last decade, so this was a huge step. Unfortunately, there was a similar drop in scoring. A return to form from Tage Thompson, the power play, and the Sabres might finally be in business.
Calgary Flames 4…Two years ago, the Flames had 111 points and won the Pacific Division. Only 4 players remain from that team (Backlund, Andersson, Coleman, Vladar). It has been a complete overhaul. You will need a program.
Carolina Hurricanes 7.7…The Canes led the league in shot differential again last year (33.3/25.6). The plus 7.7 differential is very strong. Critics of the volume buy approach would argue that in the last 2 playoffs, Carolina outshot their opponents 23 times and lost 12 of the games. It can be frustrating.
Chicago Blackhawks 8…Only 8 members of the Hawks scored more than 5 goals last year. Brutal! 432 players scored at least 6 league-wide, so other teams averaged around 14. Hoping for better this season.
Colorado Avalanche 10… In the past two seasons, Val Nichushkin has scored 10 goals in 10 playoff games. The Avs have played 18 playoff games in that time frame. This speaks to how much they need him and how hard it will be to trust him.
Columbus Blue Jackets 11…Dean Evason is the 11th full-time head coach in the Jackets’ 23-year history. This has to stop. A new coach and a new GM are needed. It’s time to grow roots and establish stability from the top down.
Dallas Stars 8….The Stars had 8 players score at least 21 goals. 123 NHL players hit that number last year, so other teams averaged about 3.7. 9 Stars also registered at least 52 points. Dallas enters the season with the best scoring depth in the NHL.
Detroit Red Wings 34….It has been 34 years since the Wings have had a top 3 pick at the draft (Keith Primeau). For all the losses in recent years, the Wings only picked in the top 5 once (Lucas Raymond/2020). Fair to ask if this rebuild will have a ceiling due to poor luck at the draft lottery. 14 of the last 16 Cups have been won by a team with a player in a lineup that they selected first or second overall.
Edmonton Oilers 18…Connor McDavid enters the season 18 points shy of 1,000 on the career. He will reach that mark in his 657th career game at his current pace. Sidney Crosby hit 1,000 in his 757th career game. 100 games faster than Sid??? The term generational talent seems like a significant undersell.
Florida Panthers 3…the Panthers just won a Cup with only 3 players in the lineup they drafted (Barkov, Ekblad, Lundell). Bill Zito has delivered a master class in roster construction. Using every tool at his disposal. His Midas touch will need to continue if the Panthers want to defend. The champs had hard decisions again this summer.
Los Angeles Kings 10….It has been 10 years since the Kings won a playoff series. 5 missed playoffs and 5 first-round exits since Alec Martinez beat Lundqvist. It is put up or shut up time for the Kings. Avoiding the Oilers might help, too.
Minnesota Wild 0…The Holy Trinity of the Central Division last year consisted of the Stars, Jets and Avs. In 11 games against those clubs last season, the Wild went 0-10-1. They were pummeled to the tune of 52-21 in those matchups. They were not up to the challenge last year. Will this year be different?
Montreal Canadiens 903…In the last 3 seasons, the Habs have allowed 903 goals. Only Columbus has given up more. Much focus is on whether the Canadiens are generating enough firepower. Keeping pucks out is likely job one.
Nashville Predators 140…Three members of the Preds combined for 140 goals and 49 power-play goals (Forsberg, Stamkos, Marchessault). They are all right-shot forwards. It will be up to Andrew Brunette to figure out how they all fit.
New Jersey Devils 59…The Devils allowed 59 more goals than the year previous (222/281). Tom Fitzgerald went all in this summer with the addition of Markstrom, Pesce and Dillon. We shall see if this is the fix. The Devils gave up the first goal a league-high 57 times. That needs fixing, too.
New York Islanders 45…The Islanders had 45 points in 37 games under Patrick Roy. That projects to 99.7 points over 82. It will be fascinating to see what Roy does in his first full season.
New York Rangers 2…Alexis Lafreniere had only 2 power-play goals and 6 power-play points last season but still ended up with 57 points. His 26 even-strength goals were top 20 in the league. He was in the top 40 in even strength points with 51. Look out if he gets access to that lethal Rangers PP. By the way, this is a contract year.
Ottawa Senators 2,744…Over the last 11 seasons, the Sens have surrendered 2,744 goals. Most in the NHL. Is it goaltending? Matt Murray wasn’t the answer. Neither was Joonas Korpisalo. Liunus Ullmark, step right up.
Philadelphia Flyers 6…The Flyers already have 6 picks in the first two rounds of the 2025 draft. 3 firsts and 3 seconds. There is plenty of excitement about the start of the Matvei Michkov era. But Daniel Briere continues to look to the future.
Pittsburgh Penguins 23….The Pens scored 23 fewer power play goals than a year before(63/40). That’s over a quarter goal per game. If they can fix the PP, Pittsburgh can aim for a return to the playoffs after consecutive misses.
San Jose Sharks 142…The Sharks had a goal differential last year of dash 142. They weren’t bad; they were historically bad. They will need to improve a lot just to be terrible. The Celebrini/Smith era begins with a lot of excitement, but patience will be required.
Seattle Kraken 75…The Kraken score 75 fewer goals than the previous season (289/214). The Kraken went from fourth best in the league to fourth worst. Will this year lie somewhere in the middle? Kraken need to rediscover their scoring touch.
St. Louis Blues 66…66 Blues games were won last year by the team that scored first. Easily a league-high. In 39 games where they scored first, the Blues went 33-4-2. Unfortunately, they were equally bad, allowing the first goal.
Tampa Bay Lightning 190…The Lightning allowed 190 goals at 5 on 5 last season. 5th worst in the NHL. The Bolts were outscored 190-172 at even strength…Bah Gawd, that’s Ryan McDonagh’s music. Even strength numbers will need to improve significantly if Tampa wants to contend again.
Toronto Maple Leafs 53.1…The Leafs will allocate 53.1 percent of payroll to the big 4. Raises for Matthews and Nylander bring the big 4 up to 46.7 million dollars this year. You can argue that the Avs and Lightning won Cups using top-heavy economics, but they were also paying Makar and Hedman. Can it work with 4 forwards? Is this the last year they try?
Utah Hockey Club 29…Utah/Arizona increased scoring by 29 goals last year(225/254). The days of this team being challenged to score are over. The kids are growing up, and the future is bright.
Vancouver Canucks 12…The Canucks scored on 12 percent of their shots last year. Tied for best in the NHL. Critics of the team suggest that this is not sustainable and that regression is inevitable. They will set out to prove everybody wrong.
Vegas Golden Knights 616…Over the last 3 seasons, the Knights have been shorthanded 616 times. Fewest in the league. In fact, they have had the fewest minors in the league in each of the last 3 seasons. The Panthers and Coyotes each were shorthanded 841 times in the same period. Vegas masquerades as a nasty team. They stay out of the box.
Washington Capitals 36…The Capitals made the playoffs last year with a minus-36 goal differential. How is this possible? The Caps played in 33 one-goal games and only had 2 regulation losses. That is a league-best. And they lost 24 games by 3 or more. Only the Sharks and Hawks had more. This is not a formula for long-term success.
Winnipeg Jets 353…Over the last 6 seasons, Connor Hellebuyck has started 353 games for the Jets. That is 31 more than his nearest competitor (Vasilevskiy). He is a throwback. But the reigning Vezina winner is now 31 and could be staring at a starting gig in the 4 Nations Cup. Is it time to scale back the minutes?
GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!
Hear NHL Network Radio’s Jim “Boomer” Gordon on The Point Monday-Friday at 1 pm ET.
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