The Pacific Division gave hockey followers loads to salivate over in the course of the 2021-22 marketing campaign and the joy solely ramped up within the post-season, highlighted by a wild Battle of Alberta playoff collection that preceded an low season these in Calgary are nonetheless processing.
Will the Oilers have the ability to construct off a visit to the Western Convention remaining? Can Vegas bounce again after lacking the playoffs for the primary time in franchise historical past, and what enhancements will Seattle make in its sophomore season? Vancouver and two of the three California groups have constructive momentum heading into the 12 months, however how will 2022-23 unfold?
With pre-season underway and opening week simply across the nook, right here’s a have a look at the eight groups vying for the Pacific Division title.
ANAHEIM DUCKS
2021-22 season final result: 31-37-14, seventh in Pacific Division, missed playoffs
Notable low season roster additions: John Klingberg, Ryan Strome, Frank Vatrano, Dmitry Kulikov, Olli Juolevi
Notable low season subtractions: Ryan Getzlaf, Sam Metal, Sonny Milano, Zach Aston-Reese, Andrej Sustr, Vinni Lettieri
The excellent news: This Geese group made some clear enhancements in the summertime at each ends of the ice. Changing retired captain Ryan Getzlaf with Ryan Strome who’s coming off a profession excessive 21 objectives, plus including one other former Ranger in Frank Vatrano strengthens a burgeoning top-six. Vatrano made a noticeable impression throughout New York’s run to the East remaining this previous spring. Total, the ahead group boasts many promising children, together with 37-goal man Troy Terry, puck magician Trevor Zegras and potential Calder Trophy hopeful Mason McTavish. John Klingberg was among the many most coveted free brokers and Anaheim lured him to their roster. From a long-term standpoint the group additionally seems in good standing. GM Pat Verbeek has three second-round picks and an additional third-round choice in 2023 to doubtlessly make the most of.
The dangerous information: The group will want extra out of a goalie tandem that allowed the Tenth-most objectives in opposition to in 2021-22. John Gibson hasn’t completed any of the previous three seasons with a sub-2.98 GAA or save share above .904. Gibson had beforehand averaged a .922 save share and a pair of.32 GAA throughout 210 appearances between 2015 and 2019. Anthony Stolarz is coming off a career-high 28 video games performed however didn’t win two consecutive begins after the flip of the calendar. Klingberg solely signed a one-year cope with a modified commerce clause that kicks in after Jan. 1, per CapFriendly, so there stays some long-term uncertainty on the blue-line; the group traded Hamus Lindholm to Boston earlier than the 2022 commerce deadline.
CALGARY FLAMES
2021-22 season final result: 50-21-11, first in Pacific Division, beat Stars in seven video games, eradicated by Edmonton in 5 video games
Notable low season roster additions: Jonathan Huberdeau, Nazem Kadri, MacKenzie Weegar, Cody Eakin (PTO), Michael Stone (PTO), Sonny Milano (PTO)
Notable low season subtractions: Matthew Tkachuk, Johnny Gaudreau, Calle Jarnkrok
The excellent news: Brad Treliving made essentially the most of primarily the worst-case situation for any GM and fan base – your two finest gamers and franchise cornerstones go away city in dramatic vogue inside 10 days of each other when one takes much less cash than you supplied him to hitch a brand new group in free company and the opposite requests a commerce. Treliving primarily managed to switch Johnny Gaudreau (115 factors, second in league scoring, fourth in Hart Trophy voting) with Jonathan Huberdeau (additionally had 115 factors, identical age as Gaudreau, fifth in Hart Trophy voting) and Matthew Tkachuk (coming off profession excessive in factors, acquired Selke votes) with Nazem Kadri (coming off profession excessive in factors, acquired identical variety of Selke votes as Tkachuk). The Flames additionally added MacKenzie Weegar, who needs to be a boon to Calgary’s already-staunch again finish as one in all 14 defencemen to obtain a number of Norris votes final season. The identical goalie tandem that allowed the third fewest objectives in 2021-22 returns led by Vezina runner-up Jacob Markstrom.
The dangerous information: That’s an enormous change to the core of the group, so it could be pure for chemistry to be a problem early within the season. Treliving nonetheless must signal Weegar, a pending 2023 UFA, to a contract extension. The Flames had been eradicated by Edmonton following an intense five-game second-round collection. Will the daring low season modifications enable them to maintain tempo with their rising provincial rival? Markstrom allowed practically 5 objectives per recreation to the Oilers in that collection.
EDMONTON OILERS
2021-22 season final result: 49-27-6, second in Pacific Division, beat Kings in seven video games, beat Flames in 5 video games, swept by Avalanche in Western Convention Ultimate
Notable low season roster additions: Jack Campbell, Mattias Janmark, Ryan Murray, Calvin Pickard, Jake Virtanen (PTO)
Notable low season subtractions: Zack Kassian, Derick Brassard, Mikko Koskinen
The excellent news: Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are one of the best one-two punch in hockey, and they seem like getting higher. Janmark was a top quality depth addition up entrance. Kane, who led the 2022 playoffs in objectives and loved a stretch of 19 objectives in 19 video games from mid April to late Could, was re-signed. He’s one in all three Oilers forwards with reputable 40-goal potential primarily based off how nicely he carried out in an Oilers uniform.
The dangerous information: The ahead group continues to be thought-about top-heavy and the group may run into cap points. Is it truthful or cheap to count on McDavid and Draisaitl to proceed producing on the elite charge they’ve been, and in the event that they go chilly at any level will there be sufficient supplementary scoring? Is Campbell the reply between the pipes? The previous Maple Leafs netminder’s GAA rose and his save share dropped from the earlier season and he’s coming off his highest workload on the NHL stage – Campbell appeared in 49 video games final season in comparison with 48 over the earlier two seasons mixed. If Campbell struggles, it may fall on 23-year-old Stuart Skinner’s shoulders.
LOS ANGELES KINGS
2021-22 season final result: 43-31-8, third in Pacific Division, eradicated by Edmonton in Spherical 1 in seven video games
Notable low season roster additions: Kevin Fiala
Notable low season subtractions: Dustin Brown, Olli Maatta, Andreas Athanasiou
The excellent news: The Kings are a group on the rise after ending a three-year playoff drought and pushing the Oilers to the brink within the opening spherical. Drew Doughty solely suited up for 36 video games because of accidents however he proved he’s nonetheless succesful logging high quality top-pair minutes and main an influence play. Between Doughty’s return and the thought latest top-five draft picks Quinton Byfield and Alex Turcotte may break by way of on the NHL stage, the Kings stay in a great place. Free agent signing Kevin Fiala is coming off a career-high 33 objectives and 85 factors and joins a ahead group that prioritizes a 200-foot recreation and boasts centre depth.
The dangerous information: They may have hassle holding tempo with the remainder of the division within the offensive zone. Anze Kopitar is the group’s oldest ahead and was the best participant with 67 factors in 81 video games. No different Kings participant hit the 55-point mark and counting on a handful of younger, unproven gamers to offer key scoring is dangerous. There might be plenty of strain on Cal Petersen with Jonathan Fast coming into the ultimate 12 months on his contract.
SAN JOSE SHARKS
2021-22 season final result: 32-37-13, seventh in Pacific Division, missed playoffs
Notable low season roster additions: Steven Lorentz, Oskar Lindblom, Luke Kunin, Aaron Dell, Matthew Benning, Evgeny Svechnikov, Markus Nutivaara
Notable low season subtractions: Brent Burns, Adin Hill
The excellent news: First-year Sharks GM Mike Grier appears to have a transparent imaginative and prescient for the group and was comparatively daring within the low season. There’s not a lot strain to make the playoffs regardless of the actual fact they haven’t been there in three years. Brent Burns, the 2017 Norris winner and longtime fan favorite, was traded to Carolina and Grier introduced in a bunch of latest faces to hopefully generate chemistry with these left over from the 2021-22 roster. What they lack in high-end expertise they make up for in depth.
The dangerous information: The growing old defence corps leaves a lot to be desired, particularly with out Burns who ranks first in factors amongst all lively blueliners. Two-time Norris winner Erik Karlsson is second on that record however his efficiency has declined in latest seasons together with the group’s. San Jose allowed the Twelfth-most objectives in opposition to final 12 months and are anticipated to be within the backside third of the league once more with James Reimer and Kaapo Kahkonen the first netminders.
SEATTLE KRAKEN
2021-22 season final result: 27-49-6, eighth in Pacific Division, missed playoffs
Notable low season roster additions: Shane Wright, Andre Burakovsky, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Justin Schultz, Martin Jones
Notable low season subtractions: Victor Rask
The excellent news: Matthew Beniers seems to be like a blue-chip prospect and after 9 factors in his temporary 10-game stint late final season there’s rising buzz across the 2021 second-overall decide’s ceiling. GM Ron Francis additionally improved the ahead unit by signing Andre Burakovsky and buying and selling for Oliver Bjorkstrand, each of whom are more likely to slot into the highest six and doubtlessly on the highest line with Beniers. Rookie Shane Wright fell to Seattle at No. 4 within the 2022 NHL Draft after being the projected No. 1 decide and might be an x-factor. Seattle’s outlook at ahead is extra optimistic than many groups – not dangerous contemplating the franchise is coming into simply its second season.
The dangerous information: There might be sophomore struggles looming after the Kraken’s inaugural season noticed them end as a bottom-five group in photographs and objectives allowed. Martin Jones was signed to problem Philipp Grubauer, who’s aiming to bounce again from a poor first 12 months in Seattle. There’s a dearth of expertise below 25 on defence. Justin Schultz may assist a power-play that capitalized on lower than 15 per cent of its alternatives. The group additionally ranked thirty first on the penalty kill. Particular groups should enhance drastically general.
VANCOUVER CANUCKS
2021-22 season final result: 40-30-12, fifth in Pacific Division, missed playoffs
Notable low season roster additions: Ilya Mikheyev, Andrei Kuzmenko, Curtis Lazar, Danny DeKeyser (PTO)
Notable low season subtractions: Brad Richardson, Juho Lammikko
The excellent news: Vancouver will start the season with Bruce Boudreau on the bench. The Canucks went 32-15-10 after Boudreau changed Travis Inexperienced, lacking the playoffs by simply 5 factors following an unpleasant 8-15-2 begin. GM Patrik Allvin locked up J.T. Miller to an eight-year deal, eliminating that potential distraction, and introduced in Mikheyev who’s coming off a powerful season with the Maple Leafs scoring 21 objectives in 53 video games. Thatcher Demko is trending in the correct path as he enters his prime years. The 26-year-old’s GAA has gone down in three consecutive seasons and he’s coming off a career-high 33 wins and 61 begins. Demko’s confidence can enable Quinn Hughes and the defence to play with extra freedom.
The dangerous information: Boudreau’s win share worsened in his second season with each the Capitals and Wild (it went up in his second 12 months with the Geese). Miller, Hughes, Elias Pettersson and Bo Horvat are all coming off profession highs in factors and/or objectives, which can be troublesome to maintain year-over-year. There’s a relative lack a depth between the pipes and that’s all the time a priority over an extended season.
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
2021-22 season final result: 43-31-8, fourth in Pacific Division, missed playoffs for first time in franchise historical past
Notable low season roster additions: Phil Kessel, Adin Hill
Notable low season subtractions: Max Pacioretty, Mattias Janmark, Byron Froese, Michael Hutchinson, Dylan Coghlan
The excellent news: Jack Eichel is prepared for his first full season with the Golden Knights. The star centre performed 34 video games final season however didn’t fairly regain the shape he had when he was wholesome in Buffalo. The addition of Phil Kessel at simply $1.5 million may show priceless if he can bounce again from a profession low eight-goal season in 2021-22. The group additionally has a brand new voice on the bench with Bruce Cassidy the brand new head coach. Cassidy, whose worst win share with the Bruins was .652, is simply two years faraway from profitable the Jack Adams as coach of the 12 months.
The dangerous information: Accidents are already a priority to start the season. The typical age of the defence corps stayed intact however is simply shy of 30 years previous and beginning netminder Robin Lehner received’t play this 12 months, leaving the group with the uninspiring trio of Laurent Brossoit, Logan Thompson and Adin Hill. Ahead Nolan Patrick can be anticipated to overlook the whole season and Mark Stone started coaching camp in a non-contact jersey. It’ll be powerful changing Evgenii Dadonov’s 20 objectives and Max Pacioretty’s close to point-per-game manufacturing from a season in the past. Cap woes resulted within the group dealing these two forwards and all they received in return was Shea Weber’s contract – not the primary time they’ve made notable salary-dump offers. One silver lining is a few of their wage issues will go away as soon as gamers are formally moved to LTIR.
