The NHL commerce deadline is formally within the rear-view mirror, and the Stanley Cup Playoffs are proper across the nook.

Groups such because the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights added a large quantity of star energy on the deadline. Consequently, the Stanley Cup race simply acquired much more loaded than it could have beforehand been.

Let’s take a better take a look at what the Stanley Cup subject seems like with simply over a month remaining within the 2023-24 regular-season.

Florida Panthers

Present Report: 44-17-4 (92 factors)
Present Playoff Standing: 1st in Atlantic
Key Deadline Additions: Vladimir Tarasenko
Stanley Cup Outlook: The Panthers could be essentially the most full staff within the NHL because the postseason attracts close to. Florida might not have even wanted to make a transfer on the commerce deadline, however nonetheless managed to amass veteran winger Vladimir Tarasenko on a budget. Tarasenko makes the Panthers’ already loaded high six much more harmful, If goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky continues to play at an elite stage, the Panthers may very well be the favourite to win all of it heading into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Carolina Hurricanes

Present Report: 39-19-6 (84 factors)
Present Playoff Standing: 2nd in Metropolitan
Key Deadline Additions: Jake Guentzel
Stanley Cup Outlook: The Hurricanes landed the crown jewel of the commerce deadline when the franchise acquired star winger Jake Guentzel from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Carolina usually does not swing for the fences in terms of leases, however the staff altered their mindset this time round and it might pay enormous dividends. Guentzel is near returning and as soon as he makes his Carolina debut, he’ll give the Hurricanes a real purpose scorer. With goaltender Frederik Andersen not too long ago coming back from a blood clot problem, the Hurricanes are possible the Panthers’ largest competitors within the East.

Colorado Avalanche

Present Report: 40-20-5 (85 factors)
Present Playoff Standing: third in Central
Key Deadline Additions: Casey Mittelstadt, Sean Walker, Yakov Trenin and Brandon Duhaime
Stanley Cup Outlook: The Avalanche have been looking for a second-line middle behind Nathan MacKinnon ever since Nazem Kadri left following the staff’s 2022 Stanley Cup run. After the Ryan Johansen experiment failed, Colorado might have discovered the reply in commerce deadline acquisition Casey Mittelstadt. The 25-year-old has an abundance of potential and will thrive much more with the star energy he is taking part in with Colorado. Sean Walker improves their blue-line depth, and Yakov Trenin offers the staff some toughness of their backside six. With the entire star energy that the Avalanche possess, this can be a staff that has what it takes to make a run on the Stanley Cup.

Vancouver Canucks

Present Report: 42-17-7 (91 factors)
Present Playoff Standing: 1st in Pacific
Key Deadline Additions: Elias Lindholm
Stanley Cup Outlook: The Canucks made an enormous splash again in January once they acquired Elias Lindholm to assist stabilize their middle place. Rumblings advised that Vancouver made an excellent greater effort to amass extra expertise main as much as the deadline, however weren’t in a position to take action. Nonetheless, the Canucks have proved to be one of many extra harmful groups throughout the NHL this season. It is a staff that’s loaded with offensive firepower and a proficient goaltender in Thatcher Demko. The largest query mark could be whether or not the dearth of postseason expertise impacts the Canucks when the Stanley Cup Playoffs roll round.

Edmonton Oilers

Present Report: 39-21-3 (81 factors)
Present Playoff Standing: 2nd in Pacific
Key Deadline Additions: Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick
Stanley Cup Outlook: What a exceptional story that the Oilers have been all through the 2023-24 season. Edmonton was floundering out of the gate and ended up firing head coach Jay Woodcroft simply 13 video games into the marketing campaign. Since then, the Oilers have been one of many high groups within the NHL. The staff beefed up their ahead group with veteran Adam Henrique up the center and rugged ahead Sam Carrick on their fourth line. Connor McDavid and firm have but to interrupt by way of their proverbial glass ceiling in terms of reaching the Stanley Cup Closing. This actually has the potential to be the season if the goaltending holds up, however they will have loads of powerful groups to take care of within the West.

Vegas Golden Knights

Present Report: 34-23-7 (75 factors)
Present Playoff Standing: 2nd in Wild Card
Key Deadline Additions: Noah Hanifin, Tomas Hertl, and Anthony Mantha
Stanley Cup Outlook: The Golden Knights may very well be the most important wild card within the Stanley Cup subject. Vegas has handled a number of accidents all through the common season, and at present discover themselves occupying the ultimate Wild Card spot within the Western Convention. The Golden Knights had been extra lively on the commerce deadline than every other staff, which should not come as a shock to anybody. Vegas landed star defenseman Noah Hanifin in a commerce with the Calgary Flames to solidify their blue line. If that wasn’t sufficient, the staff despatched shockwaves by way of the league once they landed middle Tomas Hertl from the San Jose Sharks. Hertl figures to be wholesome come playoff time, and as soon as he’s, the Golden Knights possess the likes of Jack Eichel, Chandler Stephenson, William Karlsson, and Hertl up the center. So long as Vegas qualifies for the postseason, the defending Stanley Cup champions may very well be essentially the most deadly staff within the subject.

New York Rangers

Present Report: 41-18-4 (86 factors)
Present Playoff Standing: 1st in Metropolitan
Key Deadline Additions: Alex Wennberg and Jack Roslovic
Stanley Cup Outlook: The Rangers have had an incredible season up thus far. Nevertheless, it was anticipated that the franchise may’ve made an even bigger splash on the commerce deadline very like they did a season in the past. New York ended up marginally bettering their ahead group with the additions of Alex Wennberg and Jack Roslovic. Nonetheless, it wasn’t the big-time additions that will’ve put the Rangers excessive. The Rangers had property like Kaapo Kakko that they might’ve shipped out of city to doubtlessly purchase some star energy, however in the end did not achieve this. It is a very proficient roster, led by Artemi Panarin, however have they got sufficient firepower to compete with the likes of the Panthers and Hurricanes within the East? 

Dallas Stars

Present Report: 40-17-9 (89 factors)
Present Playoff Standing: 1st in Central
Key Deadline Additions: Chris Tanev
Stanley Cup Outlook: The Stars had been already trying like a juggernaut earlier than the commerce deadline. Dallas added to an already harmful roster once they acquired defenseman Chris Tanev from the Flames to assist stabilize their blue line. The Stars possess the second-best offense in the entire NHL as they common 3.62 targets and that is with star winger Jason Robertson having considerably of a down yr. It is a staff that reached the Western Convention Closing, and has the expertise to have the ability to have a repeat efficiency this time round.

Winnipeg Jets

Present Report: 40-18-5 (85 factors)
Present Playoff Standing: 2nd in Central
Key Deadline Additions: Sean Monahan and Tyler Toffoli
Stanley Cup Outlook: The Jets produced two of the extra underrated additions previous to the commerce deadline within the type of Sean Monahan and Tyler Toffoli. Monahan offers Winnipeg a real second-line middle behind Mark Scheifele, and Toffoli offers the Jets a large enhance within the goal-scoring division. On high of all of that offense, the Jets have obtained a Vezina Trophy-caliber season from goaltender Connor Hellebuyck this season. The Jets nonetheless are inside putting distance of the highest seed within the West with a month to go within the common season, and this may very well be essentially the most proficient squad that they’ve had since transferring again to Winnipeg.