The trade deadline may have teams swapping players, but here in the NHL power rankings, teams are swapping positions. As always a loss or win doesn’t necessarily mean that one team will be ranked higher than a team they beat or lost to. Let’s rock and roll.
Numbers in parentheses reference last week’s rankings and all stats are current as of 3/20.
Make sure to check out all NHL Trade Deadline Previews too.
No.32: Seattle Kraken (+0)
The Kraken has certainly experienced some growing pains in their first year. Currently 3-5-2 in their last ten games, they are clearly sellers at the deadline and have moved Mark Giordano, Calle Jarnkrok, and Colin Blackwell just to name a few. They need improvements in multiple facets, but goaltending continues to be a major problem in the Pacific Northwest.
No.31: Ottawa Senators (-4)
The Senators take a massive fall this week. They are currently 3-7 in their last 10 and are still struggling to generate offense without Drake Batherson. They’ve started to see more contributions from Tim Stutzle though, which is a great sign.
No.30: Arizona Coyotes (+0)
On a two-game losing streak, the Coyotes have lost some significant momentum as of late. However, Clayton Keller has been mindblowing this season. averaging a point per game with 61 points in as many games.
No.29: New Jersey Devils (-2)
The Devils are also on a losing streak of their own, but their streak is three games. Their offense has gotten better, but their defense is still a problem. Jesper Bratt has had a fantastic year with 60 points in 57 games.
No.28: Philadelphia Flyers (+3)
The Flyers have had a decent run as of late, going 4-5-1 in their last 10. It’s been a hard deadline for Flyers fans saying goodbye to Claude Giroux. Now, it’s time to see who steps up to carry the offensive load.
No.27: Detroit Red Wings (-2)
The Red Wings continue their skid. Still 2-7-1 in their last 10, the Red Wings look likely to be sellers this season. Tyler Bertuzzi looks to be the most interesting piece that could be on the way out.
No.26: Chicago Blackhawks (-3)
The Blackhawks are going through some struggles of their own. They are 3-6-1 in their last 10 and are on a two game losing streak to boot. With Brandon Hagel gone and Marc-Andre Fleury potentially on his way out too, by next week this team could look very different.
No.25: San Jose Sharks (-2)
The Sharks fall two spots this week. This is mostly due to their horrid defense as of late, letting in seven goals in their last two games. Timo Meier has certainly slowed down but is still carrying the Sharks offensively. That needs to be fixed.
No.24: Buffalo Sabres (+5)
What a jump up for the Sabres. With other teams struggling as of late, the Sabres have managed to start a two-game winning streak after a thrilling overtime win over the Canucks Sunday. Their offense is still their main issue, but it’s starting to have a breakthrough.
No.23: Montreal Canadiens (+3)
The Canadiens are mostly the benefactors of some difficult play of the teams below them. But nonetheless, this is the highest they’ve been on the rankings in a long time, potentially ever. Cole Caufield is thanking his lucky stars that Martin St. Louis has come to Montreal, that’s for sure.
No.22: Anaheim Ducks (-2)
The Ducks are on a horrid run, going 2-6-2 in their last 10. Even the fanciest Trevor Zegras play couldn’t save them now. They have clearly decided to sell with the main piece being Hampus Lindholm being dealt to Boston.
No.21: Columbus Blue Jackets (+1)
The Blue Jackets move up this week. Their offense is slowly but surely becoming one of the most lethal in the league. Their goaltending this season, however, is another story.
No.20: New York Islanders (+1)
The Islanders continue to roll up the rankings. They are 6-3-1 in their last 10. But, their offense is an issue, big time. The only player they have at 40 points is Mathew Barzal. That’s not good.
No.19: Vancouver Canucks (-3)
The Canucks take a fall this week to 19. Their defense is starting to take a little bit of a downturn, but that’s to be expected when Thatcher Demko has been carrying the load. At least they got rid of Travis Hamonic.
No.18: Dallas Stars (-3)
A very familiar spot for Dallas this week. It isn’t necessarily through any fault of their own, although improving their offense would certainly help their standing
No.17: Winnipeg Jets (+2)
The Jets move up this week, but it seems that they won’t be moving up for long. They have been rumored to be selling at the deadline, with Andrew Copp being rumored to be on the block. But think of it like this, Jets fans, at least you got Mason Appleton back.
No.16: Nashville Predators (-1)
The Predators move down a spot this week, but once again through no fault necessarily of their own. Their offense still could use some slight work, but their defense has continued to be stellar with Juuse Saros in the crease.
No.15: Vegas Golden Knights (+2)
You’re lucky you’ve got a two-game winning streak going, Vegas. The Knights are still on a 4-6 run in their last 10 games and have looked like a shell of themselves as of late. However, Jack Eichel has made quite the impact with 11 points in 16 games.
No.14: Edmonton Oilers (+4)
The Oilers are on a five-game winning streak and are looking good as of late. Their goaltending still needs to be worked on, but the offense is as effective as its ever been. But aside from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers have very little offensive production. You could combine the next two leading points scorers and they still wouldn’t equal Draisaitl’s points by himself.
No.13: Los Angeles Kings (-2)
The Kings slide down once again this week due to a 5-4-1 run, which is something that isn’t very good for the Kings. Their offense still could use some work as they have the same problem as Edmonton does with Anze Kopitar taking most of the offensive load.
No.12: Minnesota Wild (+1)
The Wild are on a two-game winning streak, but they still are a very inconsistent team with a lot of questions, especially on the defensive side of things. On the offensive side, they have the most lethal offense, perhaps, in franchise history. Also, the fact Matt Boldy isn’t in the Calder Trophy conversation is ludicrous.
No.11: St. Louis Blues (-2)
The Blues are on quite the interesting run as of late. And that run isn’t adequate for a team of their skill. They are currently 3-4-3 in their last 10 and still have some issues in net as they continue to go with Jordan Binnington.
No.10: Toronto Maple Leafs (-2)
The Maple Leafs are clinging of the top 10. We have reached the point in the rankings where things start to become difficult. The Maple Leafs still certainly have one of the most intimidating offenses in the league, led by Auston Matthews.
No.9: Tampa Bay Lightning (-3)
The Lightning is 5-5 in their last 10, which isn’t something that everyone is accustomed to seeing from this team. But there should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that this will be a short-lived slide for the Lightning.
No.8: Washington Capitals (+4)
Quite a jump for the Capitals this week. Alex Ovechkin has finally passed Jaromir Jagr and is now in sole possession of third all-time in goal scoring. Everything seems to be clicking well in Washington with them currently on a 7-2-1 run in their last 10.
No.7: Boston Bruins (+0)
The Bruins stay put at seven this week. They may be one of the most underrated teams in the league this year. They’re getting plenty of offensive contributions from everywhere in the lineup.
No.6: New York Rangers (+4)
The Rangers also experience quite the jump this week. Their offense is still improving, and Artemi Panarin has been rolling with 72 points in 57 games. It’s been fun to watch this team, that’s for sure.
No.5: Carolina Hurricanes (-4)
The Hurricanes fall down to five this week. To maintain the second spot, the Hurricanes need to have a better run than 4-4-2 in their last 10 games. It won’t be long until they’re back near the top.
No.4: Calgary Flames (+1)
The Flames move up to four this week. They are still one of the best overall teams in the NHL and could make themselves even stronger before the end of the trade deadline to help their offense.
No.3: Colorado Avalanche (+2)
Colorado moves up as many spots as their current winning streak. If there was one issue that fans may have been worried about, it was goaltending for the Avs. That issue seems to have resolved itself.
No.2: Pittsburgh Penguins (+1)
The Penguins are also on a two-game winning streak and are looking like they could be a sneaky team come playoff time. If there’s anything to complain about, their offense could use a little bit of extra work.
No.1: Florida Panthers (+0)
The Panthers stay put at the top this week. They were already a strong team, but now with the acquisitions of Giroux, Ben Chiarot, and Robert Hagg? They have put themselves at, or near, the top of the contenders for the Stanley Cup.
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