After a long summer, the 2023-24 National Hockey League season is finally here. The first game of the new campaign will get underway tomorrow at 5:30pm ET as the Tampa Bay Lightning take on the Nashville Predators. Meanwhile, Connor Bedard will make his NHL debut at 8pm as the Blackhawks battle Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The final game of the opening night will see the Vegas Golden Knights raise their first Stanley Cup banner as they host the Seattle Kraken.
It was quite a busy offseason to say the least, with some surprising buyouts and plenty of intriguing free agent signings. With the NHL’s salary cap only going up by $1 million USD from last season to this one, it really handicapped what several teams could do as they tried to improve their rosters.
In previous years, I’ve tried to predict who I think will win the Stanley Cup and make the Playoffs, etc., but this season, it’s incredibly tough to do so because there is are a lot of teams who could win it all. In my opinion, this might be the most wide open and competitive NHL season we’ve seen in quite a long time.
Instead of doing Playoff and Stanley Cup predictions as well as what I think each team’s regular season record could be, I’m going to go through each division and team individually and take a look at what they did in the offseason and share what place I think they’ll finish within their respective division.
ATLANTIC DIVISION
Boston Bruins
- Key Additions: Kevin Shattenkirk, James van Riemsdyk, Milan Lucic (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Patrice Bergeron & David Krejci (retirement); Dmitry Orlov, Garnet Hathaway, Tyler Bertuzzi (free agency); Taylor Hall & Nick Foligno (traded to Chicago); Mike Reilly (buyout).
- Top Draft selection: Chris Pelosi (Sioux Falls – USHL) – 93rd overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 3rd.
Buffalo Sabres
- Key Additions: Connor Clifton, Erik Johnson (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Vinnie Hinostroza, Malcolm Subban (free agency); Ilya Lybushkin (trade to Anaheim).
- Top Draft selection: Zach Benson (Winnipeg – WHL) – 13th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 6th.
Detroit Red Wings
- Key Additions: Alex DeBrincat (trade with Ottawa), Klim Kostin (trade with Edmonton/signed for two-years); J.T. Compher, Shayne Gostisbehere, Daniel Sprong, Justin Holl, James Reimer, Christian Fischer (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Dominik Kubalik (trade to Ottawa); Robert Hagg, Alex Nedeljkovic, Jordan Oesterle (free agency); Filip Zadina (contract termination); Kailer Yamamoto (buyout).
- Top Draft selection: Nate Danielson (Brandon – WHL) – 9th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 7th.
Florida Panthers
- Key Additions: Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Dmitry Kulikov, Niko Mikkola, Evan Rodrigues (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Anthony Duclair (trade to San Jose); Radko Gudas, Givani Smith, Marc Staal (free agency); Aleksi Heponiemi (signed in Europe).
- Top Draft selection: Gracyn Sawchyn (Seattle – WHL) – 63rd overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 5th.
Montreal Canadiens
- Key Additions: Alex Newhook (trade with Colorado), Tanner Pearson (trade with Vancouver), Gustav Lindstrom (trade with Detroit); Lias Andersson (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Jonathan Drouin, Denis Gurianov (free agency); Paul Byron (retirement); Jeff Petry (trade with Pittsburgh, flipped to Detroit), Casey DeSmith (trade with Pittsburgh, flipped to Vancouver), Rem Pitlick (trade to Pittsburgh), Mike Hoffman (trade to Pittsburgh, then to San Jose), Joel Edmundson (trade to Washington).
- Top Draft selection: David Reinbacher (EHC Kloten – NL) – 5th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 8th.
Ottawa Senators
- Key Additions: Dominik Kubalik (trade with Detroit); Joonas Korpisalo, Vladimir Tarasenko (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Alex DeBrincat (trade to Detroit); Nick Holden (retirement); Cam Talbot (free agency).
- Top Draft selection: Hoyt Stanley (Victoria – BCHL) – 108th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 4th.
Tampa Bay Lightning
- Key Additions: Calvin de Haan, Conor Sheary, Tyler Motte (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Pat Maroon (trade to Minnesota), Corey Perry (trade to Chicago), Ross Colton (trade to Colorado); Alex Killorn, Ian Cole (free agency); Rudolfs Balcers (signed in Europe).
- Top Draft selection: Ethan Gauthier (Sherbrooke – QMJHL) – 37th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 2nd.
Toronto Maple Leafs
- Key Additions: Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, Ryan Reaves, John Klingberg (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Michael Bunting, Noel Acciari, Justin Holl, Ryan O’Reilly, Alex Kerfoot, Luke Schenn (free agency).
- Top Draft selection: Easton Cowen (London – OHL) – 28th overall).
- Division rank for 2023-24: 1st.
METROPOLITAN DIVISION
Carolina Hurricanes
- Key Additions: Michael Bunton, Dmitry Orlov (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Ondrej Kase (signed in Europe).
- Top Draft selection: Bradly Nadeau (Penticton – BCHL) – 30th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 1st.
Columbus Blue Jackets
- Key Additions: N/A.
- Key Subtractions: Gavin Bayreuther (free agency).
- Top Draft selection: Adam Fantilli (University of Michigan – NCAA) – 3rd overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 7th.
New Jersey Devils
- Key Additions: Tyler Toffoli (trade with Calgary), Colin Miller (trade with Dallas); Tomas Nosek, Chris Tierney, Cal Foote (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Yegor Sharengovich (trade to Calgary); Ryan Graves, Miles Wood, Jesper Boqvist, Tomas Tatar (free agency).
- Top Draft selection: Lenni Hameenaho (Assat – Liiga) – 58th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 2nd.
New York Islanders
- Key Additions: Julien Gauthier, Karson Kuhlman (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Josh Bailey (trade to Chicago, then bought out); Cory Schneider (retirement).
- Top Draft selection: Danny Nelson (USNTDP) – 49th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 6th.
New York Rangers
- Key Additions: Blake Wheeler, Jonathan Quick, Nick Bonino, Erik Gustafsson (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Vladimir Tarasenko, Niko Mikkola, Tyler Motte (free agency).
- Top Draft selection: Gabe Perreault (USNTDP) – 23rd overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 3rd.
Philadelphia Flyers
- Key Additions: Garnet Hathaway, Marc Staal, Victor Mete (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: James van Riemsdyk, Brendan Lemieux, Tony DeAngelo (free agency).
- Top Draft selection: Matvei Michkov (SKA St. Petersburg – KHL) – 7th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 8th.
Pittsburgh Penguins
- Key Additions: Erik Karlsson (trade with San Jose), Rielly Smith (trade with Vegas), Rem Pitlick (trade with Montreal); Noel Acciari, Lars Eller, Ryan Graves, Matt Nieto, Alex Nedeljkovic (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Jeff Petry (trade to Montreal, flipped to Detroit), Casey DeSmith (trade to Montreal, flipped to Vancouver), Mikael Granlund & Jan Rutta (trade to San Jose); Nick Bonino, Jason Zucker, Dmitry Kulikov (free agency).
- Top Draft selection: Brayden Yager (Moose Jaw – WHL) – 14th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 4th.
Washington Capitals
- Key Additions: Joel Edmundson (trade with Montreal); Max Pacioretty (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Conor Sheary, Connor Brown, Matt Irwin, Craig Smith (free agency).
- Top Draft selection: Ryan Leonard (USNTDP) – 8th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 5th.
CENTRAL DIVISION
Arizona Coyotes
- Key Additions: Alex Kerfoot, Nick Bjugstad, Jason Zucker, Matt Dumba, Troy Stecher (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Christian Fischer (free agency); Patrik Nemeth (signed in Europe).
- Top Draft selection: Dmitriy Simashev (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl – KHL) – 6th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 7th.
Chicago Blackhawks
- Key Additions: Taylor Hall & Nick Foligno (trade with Boston), Corey Perry (trade with Tampa Bay); Ryan Donato (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Alex Stalock, Caleb Jones (free agency).
- Top Draft selection: Connor Bedard (Regina – WHL) – 1st overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 8th.
Colorado Avalanche
- Key Additions: Ross Colton (trade with Tampa Bay);Jonathan Drouin, Tomas Tatar, Miles Wood (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Denis Malgin (signed in Europe).
- Top Draft selection: Calum Ritchie (Oshawa – OHL) – 27th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 1st.
Dallas Stars
- Key Additions: Matt Duchene, Craig Smith (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Will Butcher (free agency).
- Top Draft selection: Tristan Bertucci (Flint – OHL) – 61st overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 3rd.
Minnesota Wild
- Key Additions: Pat Maroon (trade with Tampa Bay); Vinni Lettieri (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: John Klingberg, Ryan Reaves, Matt Dumba (free agency).
- Top Draft selection: Charlie Stramel (University of Wisconsin – NCAA) – 21st overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 2nd.
Nashville Predators
- Key Additions: Ryan O’Reilly, Luke Schenn, Denis Gurianov (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Cal Foote, Rasmus Asplund (free agency).
- Top Draft selection: Matthew Wood (University of Connecticut – NCAA) – 15th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 5th.
St. Louis Blues
- Key Additions: Oskar Sundqvist, Malcolm Subban (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Logan Brown (free agency); Thomas Greiss (retirement).
- Top Draft selection: Dalibor Dvorsky (AIK – HockeyAllsvenskan) – 10th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 6th.
Winnipeg Jets
- Key Additions: Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari & Gabe Vilardi (trade with Los Angeles); Laurent Brossoit, Collin Delia (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Pierre-Luc Dubois (trade to Los Angeles); Karson Kuhlman (free agency).
- Top Draft selection: Colby Barlow (Owen Sound – OHL) – 18th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 4th.
PACIFIC DIVISION
Anaheim Ducks
- Key Additions: Ilya Lybushkin (trade with Buffalo); Radko Gudas, Alex Killorn (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Kevin Shattenkirk, Simon Benoit, Jayson Megna (free agency); Derek Grant (signed in Europe); Michael Del Zotto (retirement).
- Top Draft selection: Leo Carlsson (Orebro HK – SHL) – 2nd overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 7th.
Calgary Flames
- Key Additions: Yegor Sharengovich (trade with New Jersey); Jordan Oesterle (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Tyler Toffoli (trade to New Jersey); Michael Stone (retirement).
- Top Draft selection: Samuel Honzek (Vancouver – WHL) – 16th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 5th.
Edmonton Oilers
- Key Additions: Connor Brown, Drake Caggiula (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Kailer Yamamoto & Klim Kostin (trade to Detroit); Nick Bjugstad (free agency).
- Top Draft selection: Beau Akey (Barrie – OHL) – 56th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 1st.
Los Angeles Kings
- Key Additions: Pierre-Luc Dubois (trade with Winnipeg); Andres Englund (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari & Gabe Vilardi (trade to Winnipeg); Joonas Korpisalo, Lias Andersson (free agency); Samuel Fagemo (claimed off waivers – Nashville).
- Top Draft selection: Jakub Dvorak (Liberec – Czech) – 54th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 3rd.
San Jose Sharks
- Key Additions: Anthony Duclair (trade with Florida), Mike Hoffman (trade wtih Montreal), Mikael Granlund & Jan Rutta (trade with Pittsburgh); Filip Zadina (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Erik Karlsson (trade to Pittsburgh); James Reimer (free agency); Martin Kaut (singed in Europe); Evgeny Svechnikov (signed in Russia).
- Top Draft selection: Will Smith (USNTDP) – 4th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24:
Seattle Kraken
- Key Additions: Brian Dumoulin, Pierre-Edouard, Kailer Yamamoto (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Martin Jones (free agency).
- Top Draft selection: Eduard Sale (Brno Komenta – Czech) – 20th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 4th.
Vancouver Canucks
- Key Additions: Casey DeSmith (trade with Montreal), Sam Lafferty (trade with Toronto); Teddy Blueger, Ian Cole, Matt Irwin, Carson Soucy, Pius Suter (free agency).
- Key Subtractions: Tanner Pearson (trade to Montreal); Travis Dermott (free agency); Spencer Martin (claimed off waivers – Columb 8th.us).
- Top Draft selection: Tom Willander (Rogle BK – J20 Nationell) – 11th overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 6th.
Vegas Golden Knights
- Key Additions: Grigori Denisenko (claimed off waivers – Florida).
- Key Subtractions: Reilly Smith (trade to Pittsburgh); Teddy Blueger, Laurent Brossoit, Jonathan Quick (free agency).
- Top Draft selection: David Edstrom (Frolunda HC – J20 Nationell) – 32nd overall.
- Division rank for 2023-24: 2nd.
Thank you to everyone who has been reading, I really appreciate it! Enjoy the 2023-24 NHL season, it’s poised to be a great one!
-Cooper.