Everyone we are looking at now should be gunning for a playoff spot. They won't all make it, some may even fall out of the race early (hopefully it's not my turn again), but anything short of at least being in the race until the end would be a disappointment.
19. Edmonton Oilers: I've been too high on the Oilers before, so I'll be cautiously optimistic. They should at least be in the fight until the end like this last season. If things go right they could end up near the top. Oettinger is a budding star, and there are a lot of pieces in place.
18. Ottawa Senators: Two seasons ago they won the President's, last season they weren't even in the race (though they finished strong). Who knows where they'll end up this season, but they should at least bounce back enough to be in the race until close to the end.
17. Nashville Predators: They squeaked into the playoffs last season, but they aren't the juggernaut they once were. They've definitely got what it takes to make the playoffs, but they aren't a sure thing.
16. Washington Capitals: The impressive run of playoff appearances and contention came to an end last season, but if I were a betting man I'd put my money on it being a 1 season anomaly. They have plenty of star power and depth. They should make the playoffs, but last season has let the doubt in.
15. Seattle Kraken: They won the Cup... Then missed the playoffs. A lot of the pieces from the championship team are still in place, but not all. A return to the playoffs seems like a reasonable bounceback.
14. Detroit Red Wings: 2 consecutive playoff appearances have proven I was probably underestimating them in the past. I don't think they are heavyweights, but they should expect to be fighting for a spot at the least.
13. Toronto Maple Leafs: They really went for it with Connor McDavid added as a rental last season, but were stopped by the Philadelphia Old Stars Flyers. They still have a lot of the pieces that made them a cup threat, but McDavid is hard to replace. Maybe another rental can push them into the heavyweight territory.
12. Los Angeles Kings: LA seems to have turned a corner. I considered them as overachieving last season, but I think their off season moves make it repeatable. Pietrangelo is a big addition.
11. Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers were saved by others from Brent Burns's dead cap space, they then showed us they learned nothing from it and gave Ovie big money that they would carry if he retired. The result? A conference finals appearance, and you can't argue with results. You also have to respect a team with Ovechkin, Malkin, Marner, Kopitar and Josi. Until some of them retire or leave the Flyers should be a playoff team.
That was painful to write.
10. Arizona Coyotes: Before free agency, they were one of teams I had pegged for a big regression. Don't get me wrong, I definitely thought they were getting good and going in the right direction, but I expected less points this coming season. Enter Connor McDavid. That defense is still suspect if you ask me. But it's Connor McDavid damn it!
9. Boston Bruins: Patrice Bergeron's retirement, and to a lesser extent Zach Parise's retirement, hurts. But they can still count on Erik Karlsson and Tuukka Rask. The Bruins are one of the few teams who've found a way almost every season. Their Stanley Cup is starting to get further in the rear view mirror, but you have to respect their ability to be good every year.