Each NHL season has its share of surprises. Inevitably, a group that everybody thinks is a playoff lock can be on the surface trying in, and a group everybody wrote off will come out of nowhere to steal a postseason spot.
We’re looking at some candidates for the latter class at present, looking for some squads that would escape after middling to poor seasons a 12 months in the past. One factor all 4 groups on this record have in frequent is a roster stuffed with younger expertise that appears poised to take an enormous step ahead.
Within the fashionable NHL, with wage cap restrictions limiting what groups can do in free company and on the commerce market, having younger and cost-controlled stars is a should. Every of those groups have that, and that offers them hope that their time to shine is on the horizon.
Let’s check out the 4 groups that would sneak up on the remainder of the NHL in 2024-25.
In one of many largest trades on the 2024 NHL Draft, Utah acquired defenseman Mikhail Sergachev from the Tampa Bay Lightning. He provides the franchise a bona fide stud on the blue line, and in a extra under-the-radar transfer, Utah additionally landed John Marino from the New Jersey Devils. Put these two into the combination with Sean Durzi, and out of the blue the defensive corps is worthy of some pleasure.
These defensemen ought to get some run help from one of the crucial promising ahead teams within the NHL. They’re led by Clayton Keller, who’s coming off a 76-point marketing campaign in 2023-24. Round Keller, there may be every kind of potential. Logan Cooley, the No. 3 general choose in 2022, notched 20 targets and 44 factors as a rookie. Dylan Guenther, the No. 9 general choose in 2021, simply acquired paid after placing up 35 factors in 45 video games. Matias Maccelli, 24, has flashed some glorious playmaking means.
In internet, Connor Ingram had one of many extra underrated seasons from any goalie final season. The standard numbers did not soar off the web page, however he did save 5.05 targets above common and boasted a .841 high-danger save share, per Pure Stat Trick. He provides Utah some stability between the pipes, and his defensive surroundings needs to be higher this season.
On high of the brand new additions and growth from its prospects, Utah will most likely be higher off now that the rumors of relocation are behind it. All of the hypothesis final season needed to weigh on the gamers, and now that weight is off their shoulders.
One of many largest issues holding the Wild again in recent times was a scarcity of true offensive game-changers exterior of the nice Kirill Kaprizov. There’s an opportunity, if a pair younger gamers step up, that may change in 2024-25.
Followers not accustomed to Matt Boldy can be quickly sufficient. By way of simply 203 NHL video games, Boldy has already amassed 75 targets and 96 factors. In every of the final two years, Boldly has scored at a 30-goal tempo, and he is solely 23 years outdated. He ought to give Minnesota one other offensive celebrity to pair with Kaprizov, and Marco Rossi may give them one other.
Rossi totaled 40 factors in his first full season, and the previous No. 9 general choose appeared to seek out his footing on the NHL stage. Rossi performed the second-most five-on-five minutes of any Wild ahead, and the group managed 52.9% of the anticipated targets in that point, per Pure Stat Trick.
The kicker for Minnesota would be the goaltending as a result of the protection needs to be a energy once more, and Brock Faber already appears like he’ll be within the Norris Trophy dialogue for a really very long time. Final 12 months, Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury mixed to permit 14.3 targets above common, and I am unable to think about they’re going to be that dangerous for the second consecutive season.
The folks of Buffalo have been ravenous for his or her first playoff look since 2011. If the Sabres are going to finish their 13-year drought, they’ve some work to do, but it surely’s definitely inside the realm of chance.
The very first thing the Sabres want are bounce-back campaigns from Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson. After totaling 36 targets and 43 assists in 2022-23, Tuch solely reached 22 targets and 37 assists final season. Thompson battled accidents and was nonetheless productive, however his 56 factors in 71 video games have been an enormous drop off from 94 factors in 78 video games the prior 12 months. To a point, these two noticed pure regression final season, however they’re nonetheless able to greater than they confirmed.
Elsewhere on the roster, the younger prospects want to show potential into tangible manufacturing. JJ Peterka hit 28 targets and 50 factors as a 22-year-old, so I anticipate even larger issues from him this season. Jack Quinn, the No. 8 general choose in 2020, missed a lot of final 12 months because of accidents, and he’s a breakout candidate in his personal proper. Quinn scored 14 targets as a rookie in 2022-23. Add Zach Benson, 19, to this record and Buffalo may present some actual progress up entrance.
Ukko-Pekka Luukonen proved final 12 months that he’s the reply in internet for the Sabres, posting 10.1 targets saved above common regardless of not all the time getting essentially the most assist. In entrance of Luukonen is among the most enjoyable blue traces within the league. With the acquisition of Bowen Byram final 12 months, the Sabres now have three top-four picks on protection.
The time period “breakout” is doing a little work right here as a result of I do not suppose the Canadiens can be an actual menace for a playoff spot. Having stated that, they appear poised to take a notable step ahead and blow previous their 76-point mark from 2023-24.
That leap will begin with the 2 franchise cornerstones, Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. That duo mixed for 61 targets and 81 assists final season, they usually’re solely 24 and 23, respectively. The massive X-factor can be how a lot progress former No. 1 general choose Juraj Slafkovsky makes this season. It took a minute for Slakfkovsky to get adjusted to the NHL, however he got here on sturdy final 12 months and ended with 20 targets and 30 assists.
One other potential star is defenseman Lane Hutson, who performed two video games final season however is predicted to get his first full dose of NHL hockey this 12 months. An electrifying playmaker from the again finish, Hutson put up 97 factors in 77 profession video games at Boston College. If that manufacturing carries over to the Canadiens, Hutson can be a blast to observe.
It is a disgrace that Patrik Laine suffered what seems to be a severe knee damage in a preseason sport, however hopefully he can return to the lineup earlier than the top of the season as a result of he provides somewhat extra firepower on the wing.
