This is the fifth edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2022-23 campaign. Check back for updated rankings every other Monday during the regular season.
In this edition, we've invited Santa Claus to drop off a gift for each team in celebration of the holiday season.
1. Boston Bruins (24-4-2)
Previous rank: 1
π A fully healthy Brad Marchand. The Bruins star made a speedy recovery from hip surgery, but he's been frustrated by his performance as he gets back up to speed. Marchand is typically one of Boston's most reliable five-on-five scorers, but he has just seven even-strength points so far this campaign.
2. Carolina Hurricanes (19-6-6)
Previous rank: 7
π The Teuvo Teravainen of old. After ranking second on the Hurricanes in assists and first in power-play points last season, Teravainen has only managed one goal and nine helpers in 2022-23. He's battled injuries, but a return to form for the dynamic winger would be a big boost for a red-hot Carolina squad.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning (20-9-1)
Previous rank: 3
π A salary-cap jump for 2023-24. Gary Bettman said at the Board of Governors meeting last week that the NHL is now projecting a $1-million increase to the salary cap next season. With significant raises kicking in for Mikhail Sergachev, Anthony Cirelli, and Erik Cernak, it'd be a whole lot nicer for the Lightning to get the potential $4-million boost that Bettman mentioned earlier this season.
4. Toronto Maple Leafs (19-7-6)
Previous rank: 4
π A new point streak for Mitch Marner. The Rangers held the creative Maple Leafs winger off the scoresheet Thursday, snapping his franchise-record point streak of 23 games. Toronto won a ton while Marner was hot.
5. New Jersey Devils (21-8-2)
Previous rank: 2
π A lump of coal. No, not because the Devils have been naughty, but because they've run out of steam. They're the owners of a five-game winless streak. New Jersey needs some more fuel to get the train rolling again.
6. Pittsburgh Penguins (18-9-4)
Previous rank: 11
π Continued good health for Kris Letang. The Penguins already got the best gift imaginable when the defenseman returned to game action 12 days after having a stroke. All we want for Letang and the Penguins is for them to enjoy the holiday season with their loved ones.
7. Vegas Golden Knights (22-10-1)
Previous rank: 6
π Bug repellent. The injury bug - which derailed the Golden Knights' 2021-22 season - is again hitting them hard. Despite looking strong under new head coach Bruce Cassidy, having key contributors on the shelf will slow any team down. That's exactly what Vegas hopes to avoid as it chases the Pacific Division crown.
8. Winnipeg Jets (20-10-1)
Previous rank: 8
π A returning Nikolaj Ehlers. The Jets winger skated for the first time since undergoing sports hernia surgery last week. Limited to just two games this season, adding a healthy Ehlers early in the new year would be a major boost for Winnipeg's hopes of capturing the Central Division title.
9. Dallas Stars (18-8-6)
Previous rank: 10
π Fat holiday bonuses for the scouting staff. Within the first 39 picks of the 2017 draft, the Stars landed Miro Heiskanen, Jake Oettinger, and Jason Robertson - a.k.a. the core of the franchise. It took five years of development, but everyone who played a hand in landing that trio deserves a hefty raise.
10. New York Rangers (18-10-5)
Previous rank: 20
π An offensive breakout for one of the kids. The Rangers' three recent top-10 picks - Alexis Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko, and Vitali Kravtsov - are all scoring less than expected at this point in their development. One of their high-potential young players finding another level of offense would add a significant amount of depth to this surging New York team.
11. Minnesota Wild (18-11-2)
Previous rank: 15
π League approval to wear Reverse Retros permanently. This might be the one item on every hockey fan's list. Come on, Wild, it's time to bring back the green and gold.
12. Colorado Avalanche (16-11-2)
Previous rank: 9
π A brief, merciful respite from the injuries. Sure, the Avalanche have gotten some guys back, like Valeri Nichushkin and Evan Rodrigues, but they're still missing the likes of Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog. Please spare Colorado from any further damage.
13. New York Islanders (18-13-1)
Previous rank: 12
π A season sweep against the Rangers. The Islanders have already picked up two wins against their New York rivals this season. A victory in the third and final regular-season meeting Thursday would see the Islanders sweep the season series against the Rangers for the first time since 2017-18.
14. Washington Capitals (16-13-4)
Previous rank: 26
π 1 more goal for Alex Ovechkin. We're not asking for a lot here, only one. Just one! The Capitals star is currently sitting at 800 career tallies. He'll tie Gordie Howe for the second-most goals in NHL history the next time he lights the lamp.
15. Seattle Kraken (17-10-3)
Previous rank: 5
π A replica Calder Trophy for Matty Beniers. Just so the Kraken rookie can prepare himself for when he wins the real thing in a few months. He has to be ready for his photo op at the 2023 NHL Awards.
16. Los Angeles Kings (17-12-5)
Previous rank: 19
π Saves. Despite boasting strong underlying numbers and sitting in a Pacific Division playoff spot, the Kings haven't reached their full potential due to a league-worst .880 all-situation save percentage.
17. Edmonton Oilers (17-14-1)
Previous rank: 14
π A trip to the spa for Jack Campbell. The Oilers goaltender is notoriously hard on himself when he isn't playing well, and his first campaign in Edmonton is going poorly. Maybe he can still save his season if he takes a moment to relax, refocus, and reset.
18. Florida Panthers (15-13-4)
Previous rank: 13
π A salary-cap gift card. Various injuries, combined with the Panthers' lack of cap space to recall players, have forced Florida to play shorthanded multiple times this season. The team currently has five players on the roster as emergency loans. A few extra dollars to work with would help ease the current roster strain.
19. St. Louis Blues (15-15-1)
Previous rank: 21
π A time machine set to 2019. The Blues find themselves outside the playoff picture because they're one of the league's most inconsistent teams. Without a clear direction, perhaps St. Louis needs to be inspired by the miracle mid-season turnaround it put together three years ago en route to winning the Stanley Cup.
20. Ottawa Senators (14-15-2)
Previous rank: 23
π Ryan Reynolds. This is surely the most expensive gift on the list, but bringing the actor into the new Senators ownership group would make for some "frothy, rabies-infused" fun.
21. Buffalo Sabres (15-14-2)
Previous rank: 22
π Anti-aging potion. Craig Anderson, 41, has turned back the clock with the Sabres to post a .922 save percentage this campaign. That makes him the only Buffalo goaltender with a mark above .890. Unfortunately, the Sabres can't count on Anderson as more than a short-term answer in the crease.
22. Calgary Flames (14-12-6)
Previous rank: 18
π Smelling salts. Flames stars Jonathan Huberdeau and Jacob Markstrom need a jolt to get this season on track after so far failing to meet high expectations.
23. Detroit Red Wings (13-11-6)
Previous rank: 17
π Rookie Moritz Seider. The 2022 Calder Trophy winner has had quite the sophomore slump. Seider has seen his production drop significantly, and the Red Wings have been outshot, outchanced, and outscored while he's been on the ice. The sooner he finds his form again, the better for Detroit's playoff hopes.
24. Vancouver Canucks (13-14-3)
Previous rank: 25
π Answers. The Canucks don't want to commit to a full rebuild, but they're reportedly making the majority of their roster available in trade. They're also reportedly likely to move on from head coach Bruce Boudreau after one year but are yet to pull the trigger. For the sake of the fans and players, commit to a plan.
25. Montreal Canadiens (14-15-2)
Previous rank: 24
π A Cole Caufield extension. Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes has plenty of experience negotiating contracts as a former player agent, but his first big task on the other side of the table is upcoming in Caufield's new contract. A big payday is coming sometime in 2023 for the budding star.
26. Nashville Predators (12-13-4)
Previous rank: 16
π Gasoline, to light a fire under the offense. Nashville tied for 11th in goals for en route to the playoffs last season, but this year's Predators outfit ranks 31st with 70 goals in 29 games. That's not going to cut it in the competitive Central Division.
27. San Jose Sharks (10-17-6)
Previous rank: 28
π A day off for Erik Karlsson. The 32-year-old's return to form has been one of the stories of the NHL season. Karlsson ranks seventh in time on ice per game and has played over 30 minutes four times since the start of November. Mario Ferraro's recent absence has only added to Karlsson's workload.
28. Arizona Coyotes (10-15-4)
Previous rank: 30
π A committed trade partner. The Jakob Chychrun saga has hung over the Coyotes' heads long enough. Arizona is right to wait on its desired return for the blue-chip defenseman, but the sooner a trade is made, the more value the club can fetch.
29. Philadelphia Flyers (10-15-7)
Previous rank: 31
π Literally anything positive. Injuries, healthy scratches, and an irritated John Tortorella have ruled the headlines for Philadelphia since its good start came crashing down to earth. The Flyers could use any positivity heading into 2023.
30. Columbus Blue Jackets (10-18-2)
Previous rank: 27
π Sustained optimism. Hopes of a successful season coming off an exciting summer are all but shot for the Blue Jackets and their fans, but with a lottery pick and a healthy roster next year, maybe 2023-24 is Columbus' time.
31. Anaheim Ducks (9-20-3)
Previous rank: 32
π A bundle of draft picks. It's been a rough campaign for the Ducks, who have as many regulation wins as completed months of the 2022-23 schedule. With multiple players that could be of interest to contending teams, Anaheim GM Pat Verbeek will hope to find a first-round pick in his stocking as the March 3 trade deadline slowly approaches.
32. Chicago Blackhawks (7-19-4)
Previous rank: 29
π Whatever Blackhawks fans want. Firstly, they were such good sports after Ovechkin scored his 800th goal in Chicago. Secondly, they've willingly watched the Blackhawks this season. Those fans deserve something nice.
(Analytics sources: Evolving Hockey, Natural Stat Trick)
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