1. Chicago: Is this the year the Stanley cup goes back to the Western Conference. Who knows? But if there's one team capable of doing it, it’s Chicago. This team has it all, great goaltending in Bobrovsky, a solid defensive core led by Schultz and Vatanen, and a young core of forwards led by Laine, who took quite the pay cut to keep this team together! Chicago will definitely be the team to beat this year!
2. Toronto: The team leading the always strong eastern conference this year has to be the Leafs. After finishing tied for first last season, and losing in game 7 of the second round to the eventual Stanley Cup winners, the Leafs will look to keep the Cup in the East for another season…hopefully their preseason performance is no indication of what’s to come!
3. New York Rangers: The Rangers are definitely a close second for the title of best in the East…I went back and forth wrestling with this one. But ultimately, it was Toronto’s superior goaltending that gave them the edge in this one. In order for the Rangers to finish 1st in the East, Varlamov will definitely have to step up his game and prove that his sub 0.900 save percentage was nothing more than an abnormality. However, when it comes to firepower upfront, I don’t think there are many teams that can compete with the Rangers!
4. Washington: On paper, Washington boasts probably the best roster in the CCHL, with 7 80OV+ players currently on the team, which is the most in the league. Only 1 season removed from their Stanley Cup victory, the Capitals can easily challenge the Leafs and Rangers, with the only thing holding them back being their lack of defensive depth. However, the Capitals will for sure be a force this year and for many seasons to come!
5. Buffalo: The Defending Stanley Cup champs didn’t get much love, ranking only 5th in these rankings. This, of course, is a testament to how many good teams there is in the league…especially in the East! Buffalo will definitely have a difficult road ahead if they are looking to be the first team in CCHL history to win back-to-back Cups…but they definitely have the roster to pull it off!
6. Calgary: After coming up short in the finals last year, you can expect the Flames to come out of the gate firing this year! They boast an impressive roster than can rival any team, and are more than capable of making back-to-back Stanley Cap finals appearances and maybe even win it this year! However, with an aging core and not much in the pipeline, their window to win should be sooner rather than later.
7. Ottawa: After winning the free agency sweepstakes of both Kadri and Kessel, Ottawa is looking to build off an impressive season last year and make a push in the always difficult Atlantic division. With a solid offensive and defensive core, the only real question is whether or not Matt Murray can repeat his performance that won him both the Hart and Vezina trophy last season!
8. Tampa Bay: The Lightning were by far the biggest surprise of the 2020-2021 season! A team boasting a top line with Stamkos and Kucherov should not be finishing second last in the league. But Simon T had different plans in mind, and as a result, the Oilers were gifted Kirby Dach in the offseason. However, I don’t expect this to be the case again this year. This team is simply too talented not to make the playoffs this year!
9. Nashville: After what can only be described as a lacklustre playoff performance, the Predators will be looking to shake off their disappointing end to the season and challenge the Blackhawks for top seed in the Central division. The only team to finish with 100 points in the Western Conference last year, they are more than capable of repeating that, led by superstar Jonathan Huberdeau.
10. Colorado: Led by superstars Mark Scheifele and Mika Zibanejad, the Avalanche are always force to be reckoned with, and I don’t see that changing this year! The only thing that might get in the way of them challenging for first in the Central division is their lack of goaltending. Robin Lehner will definitely have to bounce back from what can only be called a very disappointing season if the Avalanche have any chance to beat the Blackhawks and the Predators.
11. New York Islanders: For all the love Connor McDavid gets in the NHL…that sure hasn’t translated into the CCHL. For a man making just under 12M a year, anything less than a Hart Trophy calibre season should be a disappointment…and last season definitely was a disappointment. After resigning aging veterans Weber and Suter, the Islanders possess a talented team…but their window to win is now!
12. Montreal: Making the playoffs last year and winning GM of the year clearly wasn’t enough for Mark Carter, as he went out and make decided to bolster his already impressive forward core with the additions of Larking and DeBrincat. With fire power up front and Price in net, the only real question is whether or not the defensive core is strong enough to lead this team to the playoffs once again!
13. Boston: The bruins are a talented team…there’s no doubt about that. Heck, their backup goalie has better ratings than quite a few starting goalies in this league. But is talent going to be enough to push them into a playoff stop this year, in what is arguably the toughest division in the league. Only time will tell, but Grant is gonna have to make something happen soon, as their Stanley Cup window might be closing!
14. Pittsburgh: If you simply looked at the Penguins roster on paper, they could easily rank top 5 in the league. They boast one of the deepest teams in the CCHL, with arguably two of the best defencemen in the league, McDonagh and Josi. If Pittsburgh was in the West, I’d say they were playoff bound for sure…but in the East they will have their work cut out for them. But I believe they have a roster strong enough to push for a playoff stop this year!
15. Columbus: Speaking of teams too talented not to make the playoffs, Columbus might in fact boast the best 1st line in the CCHL, with Marchand, Bergeron and Wheeler. Steph has made numerous changes trying to address their lacklustre regular season performances in the past few seasons…but will it be enough? On paper they are a solid team, but the lack of regular season success makes it very difficult to rank them any higher.
16. Quebec: After a disappointing end to the season, where Quebec lost a staggering 10 games in a row down the stretch causing them to miss the cut by only 1 point! They will surely be hoping for better results this year. With a team led by superstar captain Sidney Crosby, who is arguably the best player in the CCHL, anything is possible!
17. Anaheim: The Ducks finished strong last season and I foresee them being a playoff team once again this year! After signing Gaudreau to a long term deal, the core is locked in for the next few seasons…the only thing pushing Anaheim so low in the rankings is the question they have in net…will Rittich be able to replicate his numbers from last year?
18. Winnipeg: A team with names like Tavares, Hoffman, Spurgeon and Hellebuyck deserves to be in the playoff conversation! With the offseason additions of Hayes and Bowey, the Jets looked primed to challenge for a playoff stop once again this year. The only real question is whether they have enough depth on the back end to push them past the first round!
19. Seattle: After their blockbuster trade with Columbus last year, Seattle did a good job addressing their aging core. They now possess a good combination of youth and experience with guys like Malkin, Mackinnon, Rantanen and Byfuglien. With a team like that, I don’t see any reason why Seattle can’t once again make the playoffs…but in order to make a deep run, they might be looking to add more depth throughout the season!
20. New Jersey: One of the 3 teams having the unfortunate status of never having played a game in the postseason, NJ will definitely look to change that this year. Boasting a pretty impressive defensive core, and led by Holtby in net, the real question is whether or not NJ has enough firepower upfront to push one of the big boys out of the playoffs and make their first appearance in CCHL history.
21. Dallas: After claiming the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, and knocking out the 1st place Predators, it was a pretty successful end to the season for the Stars given the roster they had. With the offseason addition of Giordano, will they be able to repeat their success from last season? My money is on no…but Simon T has made some stranger things happen in the past!
22. Los Angeles: The kings possess a pretty nice core of players, and with the offseason additions of Subban, Alzner and Little…not too many teams made out better than them during free agency. But will it be enough to get them into the playoffs…I think it’s possible…the only thing holding them back is their goaltending!
23. Edmonton: Edmonton might have one of the best young cores in the CCAHL…the future is definitely bright for this franchise! Are they a playoff team this year…probably not. But given the players they have in the pipeline, their young core and 2 rerates coming in the offseason, I see the Oilers being a contender for many years to come…and sooner rather than later!
24. San Jose: After trading aging superstar Wheeler for young gun Mith Marner last season, San Jose has made it clear that future success is more important than current success. With a solid young core, all their draft picks, and a nice pool of prospects, San Jose will be looking to compete in the next few years to come!
25. Carolina: After suffering some pretty big losses in the free agency department, this will be a make it or break it year for Carolina. If they are in a playoff position come trade deadline day…it’s possible the core remains together for the year. However, given the strength of the Eastern division, my best guest is Carolina is going to be one of the biggest sellers in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline in order to expedite the inevitable rebuild that is coming.
26. Vegas: After moving the 3rd OV pick last offseason, the Golden Knights are making it clear that they are looking to compete! With players like Ovi, Pastrnak and Barzel upfront…a case can be made for a higher placement in these rankings. However, their lack of depth and questionable goaltending makes it difficult to bet on them finishing in a playoff stop. But if their offence is able to carry the team, it’s not out of the question either.
27. Detroit: Detroit had quite the turnaround last season, going from bottom of the league to challenging for a playoff stop. Will we be seeing something similar again this year? Probably not given they play in the Atlantic, but anything is possible with the Tkachuk brothers! With a good young core, I see good things in the future for this team!
Bottom 5 teams (In no particular order)
Arizona: After trading for Kesler in the offseason, Queen can only hope that his veteran presence will help develop her youth on the team. With Kappo and Cozens in the wings, I believe the Coyotes days of success lie ahead…but as of right now, I don’t expect Arizona to challenge for a playoff spot.
Philadelphia: Sumit had quite the season last year! After going from contending team, to retooling, to contending again…it was difficult to tell what the strategy was…that is until he decided to go into full rebuild mode in the offseason. After trading all their assets for futures and prospects, the future looks bright in Philadelphia. But their current roster can be described as mediocre at best. However, if there's a GM capable of leading this ECHL team to the playoffs…it’s probably Sumit!
Minnesota: After being represented by Roman Polak at the All-Star game last year…much of was to be desired from this team! Given their current roster, it doesn’t seem likely that the Wild will be making a playoff appearance, but a solid season of development for newly acquired Hischier would be great for this young team!
Vancouver: With an impressive young core of players and solid prospects in the pipeline, Vancouver is a team destined for future success. Players like Tolvanen and Petersson are going to be franchise cornerstones for years to come…however the fan base might have to be a little patient as some growing pains are expected for the next few seasons to come.
St-Louis: After trading the 1st overall pick last offseason, the question becomes, is St-Louis looking to rebuild or compete? Johanson was definitely a nice off-season addition…but is it going to be enough to push them into the playoffs…or are they destined for another lottery pick? My money would be St-Louis finishing outside the playoffs once again…but anything is possible in the West!