Stanley Cup championship teams have won back-to-back titles twice in the past 10 years so why can’t the Florida Panthers make it a hat trick?
They have most of their key players back, including ex-Flyer goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.
Discounting the Global Series games played by New Jersey and Buffalo in the Czech Republic this past week, the NHL got its season underway on Tuesday.
It should be an interesting one.
Edmonton took the Panthers to the seven-game limit and nearly came back from an 0-3 deficit.
A repeat of these two team in the 2025 Final doesn’t seem all that far-fetched.
Here’s how we see the new season shaping up: (*-befoer playoff teams)
>EASTERN CONFERENCE
>Metropolitan Division
- *New York Rangers, 2. *New Jersey Devils, 3. *Carolina Hurricanes, 4. Pittsburgh Penguins, 5. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS, 6. New York Islanders, 7. Washington Capitals, 8. Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Devils have a new coach (Sheldon Keefe) and a new goalie (Markstrom). New York did win the Presidents’ Trophy last season and didn’t lose much. Carolina re-signed coach Rod Brind’Amour and the ‘Canes are always a contender. Pittsburgh still have Crosby-Malkin. The Flyers should be better with rookies Matvei Michkov and Jett Luchanko. The Isles, the Caps and the Jackets will need to exceed expectations.
>Atlantic Division
- *Florida Panthers, 2. *Boston Bruins, 3. *Toronto Maple Leafs, 4. *Tampa Bay Lightning, 5. *Detroit Red Wings, 6. Ottawa Senators, 7. Montreal Canadiens, 8. Buffalo Sabres.
Boston and Toronto might threaten Florida for the division crown but the Panthers appear to have too much depth. The Maple Leafs should do better in the playoffs under new head coach Craig Berube. Tampa Bay lost sharpshooter Steven Stamkos, a big part of their championship teams. Detroit is improving and could be a factor. Ottawa, Montreal and Buffalo still have work to do.
>WESTERN CONFERENCE
>Central Division
- *Colorado Avalanche, 2. *Nashville Predators, 3. *Dallas Stars, 4. *Winnipeg Jets, 5. Minnesota Wild, 6. Utah Hockey Club, 7. St. Louis Blues, 8. Chicago Blackhawks.
The Avalanche still have plenty of pieces left over from their ’22 Stanley Cup. Nashville loaded up on free agents, including Stamkos. The Stars play an unselfish style and seemed to be a legit threat every season. Minnesota, Winnipeg and St. Louis are borderline teams; Chicago and Utah aren’t.
>Pacific Division
- * Edmonton Oilers, 2. *Vegas Golden Knights, 3. *Los Angeles Kings, 4. *Vancouver Canucks, 5. Calgary Flames, 6. Anaheim Ducks, 7. Seattle Kraken, 8. San Jose Sharks.
Doesn’t the Oilers tandem of Connor McDavid-Leon Draisaitl have to win one of these things one of these years? Ex-Flyer Rick Tocchet did a great job coaching the Canucks last year. Look for more of the same this year. Vegas has the highest winning percentage since it entered the league in 2017. Los Angeles surprised some people last year and might again. The Flames, Ducks, Kraken and Sharks not in contention yet.