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This is the ninth edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2020-21 season. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.
In this edition, we select each team's best newcomer this year. This could be a rookie, a free-agent addition, or a trade acquisition. In other words, someone who played their first game with the team during this campaign - or played elsewhere between previous and current stints with the club.
Previous rank: 2nd
Alex Pietrangelo hasn't quite lived up to the hype he generated in free agency, but the veteran rearguard has still been solid for the Golden Knights. He's racked up 18 points, averaged over 24 minutes per game, and has strong underlying numbers.
Previous rank: 3rd
The Hurricanes have a talented and established core group, but Jesper Fast has been a welcome addition this season. The 29-year-old is currently injured, but he's contributed 18 points in 41 games and had favorable expected goals for and scoring chances for percentages before getting hurt. Fast has also occasionally been entrusted with top-line minutes.
Previous rank: 1st
Many viewed the trade that brought Devon Toews to Colorado as a steal for the Avalanche, and his play has done nothing but justify that stance. The 27-year-old has made the team's top pairing as dynamic as any in the league, chipping in 25 points in 46 games while boasting a 63.68% expected goals rate at five-on-five.
Previous rank: 4th
Ross Colton has made the most of his opportunity with the Lightning, who have given some young players a look with a pair of superstars out of the lineup. Colton has posted eight goals and three assists in 26 games, and the 24-year-old has done it while largely playing a bottom-six role.
Previous rank: 6th
TJ Brodie has been everything the Maple Leafs needed and more. He's been a steadying presence on the top pairing and makes significantly fewer mistakes than any partner Morgan Rielly has ever had. Toronto has scored 66.6% of the goals with Brodie on the ice at five-on-five this season.
Previous rank: 8th
One of the Penguins' offseason goals was finding a second-line winger to play alongside Evgeni Malkin, and Kasperi Kapanen has filled that role nicely. Malkin hasn't played since March 16, but he and Kapanen showed great chemistry before his injury, and Kapanen finds himself with 26 points in 36 games.
Previous rank: 7th
What a steal Carter Verhaeghe has been for the Panthers. Poached from Tampa Bay on a two-year, $2-million contract in free agency this past offseason, the 25-year-old ranks third on the team with 35 points in 42 games.
Previous rank: 10th
The Bruins managed to bring in Taylor Hall at the deadline without paying a king's ransom, and the move is paying dividends so far. With five goals and five assists in 11 games with Boston, the winger is starting to look like his former MVP self. The Bruins desperately needed their second line to get going for the postseason, and it's heating up at the right time.
Previous rank: 9th
Kirill Kaprizov is probably the easiest pick in this entire exercise. The electric rookie leads the Wild with 43 points and is a lock to be nominated for the Calder Trophy. For a team that's lacked offensive flair for years, Kaprizov has been a godsend.
Previous rank: 5th
Anthony Mantha has been a perfect fit with the Capitals since they landed him in a blockbuster trade on deadline day. The 26-year-old has racked up four goals and two assists in nine games with Washington, further bolstering an already potent top six.
Previous rank: 11th
The veteran Islanders don't have too many candidates here, but Ilya Sorokin is the pick. The highly touted rookie netminder has made the most of a backup role so far, going 12-6-1 with a .918 save percentage and a 2.19 goals-against average.
Previous rank: 13th
The Oilers gambled on Tyson Barrie with a one-year, prove-it deal after his down year with Toronto last season. While his defensive game is still not great, he's been an offensive force throughout the campaign - which is what Edmonton was banking on. His 42 points so far are good for third among Oilers skaters and NHL defensemen.
Previous rank: 14th
Colin Blackwell has more than doubled his previous career high in points during his first season on Broadway, registering 22 in 43 games in a bottom-six role. The unheralded 28-year-old ranks fourth among Rangers forwards with 1.22 goals per 60 minutes this season.
Previous rank: 16th
The Predators' signing of Erik Haula didn't generate much buzz in the offseason, but the versatile forward has provided value on a $1.75-million cap hit. Haula has been an effective third-line center for Nashville, collecting 19 points in 48 games.
Previous rank: 15th
Jason Robertson would be the obvious choice here if he hadn't played three games with the Stars last season, but rules are rules. Instead, we're giving the nod to another exceptional Dallas rookie in Jake Oettinger. The freshman netminder has a .916 save percentage and 4.6 goals saved above average in 26 appearances this season.
Previous rank: 17th
The Canadiens had one of the busiest offseason in recent memory, but the addition of Tyler Toffoli was by far their best move. Not only does he lead the team with 27 goals, but that total is good for fourth in the NHL.
Previous rank: 20th
Mike Hoffman has come as advertised through 45 games for the Blues, ranking second on the team with 16 goals and third with 32 points.
Previous rank: 12th
Pierre-Luc Dubois has been just fine with the Jets since arriving in a trade for Patrik Laine, but Paul Stastny has arguably made more of an impact. The 35-year-old has averaged over two more minutes of ice time than Dubois, and he's edging him out in points per game with the team. Stastny also has slightly better underlying numbers than his 22-year-old teammate.
Previous rank: 22nd
Chris Tanev has lived up to his big-ticket contract in Year 1 with the Flames. He's not lighting up the scoreboard - that's not what he's paid to do - but he's been a rock in his own end while playing over 21 minutes per night. He leads all Calgary blue-liners with a 57% expected goals mark.
Previous rank: 18th
Kevin Lankinen seemingly came out of nowhere to snatch the starter's role with the Blackhawks for much of the season. He faltered a bit down the stretch, but he's still had a strong campaign with a .908 save percentage and a 16-14-5 record.
Previous rank: 29th
All eyes were on Tim Stutzle entering this season, and the rookie has delivered for the Senators. The third overall pick of the 2020 NHL Draft has shown flashes of his potential, scoring some highlight-reel goals throughout the year while racking up 26 points in 48 games.
Previous rank: 19th
The Flyers have underachieved, and their roster is largely unchanged compared to last season. But one newcomer has provided some hope. Wade Allison has only played nine games with Philadelphia, but the 2016 second-rounder buried his first NHL goal in his second contest and earned a quick call-up after posting four goals and five assists in eight AHL games.
Previous rank: 21st
Derick Brassard has provided experience for a Coyotes club that features more than a few players who are still developing. The 33-year-old journeyman has contributed 19 points in 49 games while playing both at center and on the wing in a bottom-six role.
Previous rank: 24th
Andreas Athanasiou has enjoyed a solid campaign after joining the Kings on a one-year deal during the offseason. The 26-year-old has racked up 10 goals and 12 assists in 41 games and proved he's a legitimate middle-six forward.
Previous rank: 26th
The Red Wings shocked the hockey world with a blockbuster trade on deadline day, parting ways with Mantha to bring in Jakub Vrana. The 25-year-old has been electric since joining Detroit, notching six goals and one assist in nine games.
Previous rank: 25th
Alexander Barabanov has only played four games with the Sharks, so we'll give the nod to Rudolfs Balcers, who's netted seven goals and nine assists in 36 contests. Not bad for a player San Jose drafted in the fifth round in 2015, traded to the Senators in the Erik Karlsson blockbuster in 2018, then reacquired from Ottawa on the waiver wire in January.
Previous rank: 27th
Some saw Jack Roslovic as a throw-in player in the Laine deal, but he's been one of the Blue Jackets' most productive players since that trade. Through 44 games with Columbus, Roslovic ranks second on the team with 30 points.
Previous rank: 23rd
The Canucks waited patiently for Nils Hoglander's NHL debut, and he's turned in a solid rookie campaign. The 20-year-old finally came over from Sweden and has totaled nine goals and 11 assists in 45 games so far. More importantly, he's shown what he can bring to the table for years to come.
Previous rank: 30th
Ty Smith was in the Calder Trophy race early in the season, but he's cooled off a bit after a hot start. Still, the rookie defenseman has had a great campaign with the Devils, racking up 23 points in 47 games. The 21-year-old figures to be a staple on New Jersey's blue line for the foreseeable future.
Previous rank: 28th
Ducks fans had reason to be excited watching top prospect Trevor Zegras' MVP performance at the world juniors this year, and now he's given them a taste of his NHL potential. He's scored twice and added eight assists in 20 games this season, showing that the team's future is in good hands.
Previous rank: 31st
There isn't much selection in terms of productive newcomers for the punchless Sabres, but Dylan Cozens has shown flashes in his rookie season. The 2019 seventh overall pick only has four goals and nine assists in 37 games, but he's already being trusted on Buffalo's top power-play unit and has seen his average ice time surpass 16 minutes over his last 12 contests.
(Analytics source: Natural Stat Trick)
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This is the eighth edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2020-21 season. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.
In this edition, we pick one player from each team who needs to step up in the final stretch of the season.
Previous rank: 1
Devan Dubnyk played well in his Avalanche debut Wednesday, stopping 31 of the 34 shots he faced in a 4-3 win. The 34-year-old trade acquisition will be relied upon to hold the fort in Colorado's crease following Philipp Grubauer's COVID-19 diagnosis.
Previous rank: 5
The Golden Knights have a lot of weapons at their disposal, but Vegas' second line has experienced a noticeable dip in production this season. Jonathan Marchessault's assists per game rate is up compared to last season, and his points per game rate is on par with his output over the last two campaigns. But he hasn't scored a goal in five games, and Vegas could use more of the secondary scoring he's struggled to provide this year.
Previous rank: 4
Martin Necas looked to be having a full-fledged breakout when he notched four goals and three assists over a three-game span in late March. But the talented forward has collected only two markers and three helpers in 10 contests since. He's shown flashes of his full potential this season, but the Hurricanes will be an even tougher out if he finds more consistency.
Previous rank: 3
Anthony Cirelli is already one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL, but the 23-year-old isn't yet on the offensive level of two-way stars such as Sean Couturier. Cirelli has no points in his last 11 games, and with Steven Stamkos on long-term injured reserve and Nikita Kucherov likely out until the postseason, the Lightning could certainly benefit from him creating more offense.
Previous rank: 7
Ilya Samsonov can be forgiven for needing time to find his game after recovering from COVID-19, but the Capitals goaltender has to provide more stability than he has since returning. Vitek Vanecek can't carry the club come playoff time. For now, Samsonov and his teammates are winning. Sooner or later, though, his mediocre play could hurt them.
Previous rank: 6
The Maple Leafs gave up a first-round pick to acquire Nick Foligno for a reason: He seemed like a perfect fit as someone who can theoretically play up and down the lineup and in all situations. When he finishes his quarantine and joins Toronto, the grizzled veteran will be expected to justify his cost, even if it was inflated.
Previous rank: 2
It's been a roller-coaster season for Keith Yandle, who found his groove after the Panthers nearly made him a healthy scratch in January. Points aren't everything, especially for defensemen. But the puck-moving blue-liner needs to help fill the void left by Aaron Ekblad's injury and contribute more than the two assists he's notched over the last 10 games.
Previous rank: 8
Jason Zucker made an immediate impact with the Penguins after they traded for him ahead of last year's deadline, but he's been underwhelming this season. The 29-year-old missed time earlier in the campaign due to injury but hasn't contributed enough when healthy. Pittsburgh needs better secondary scoring - especially while Evgeni Malkin remains out.
Previous rank: 10
Nick Bonino has historically been a well-rounded forward, and he has two Stanley Cup rings to show for it. But the Wild need more from the 32-year-old, who's now languishing on their fourth line despite his $4.1-million cap hit. It's not just his production that's declined, either. The veteran's underlying numbers are underwhelming this season, and Minnesota needs him to be better at driving possession.
Previous rank: 11
The Bruins now boast a lethal top six with the addition of Taylor Hall and Craig Smith's recent offensive surge. Jake DeBrusk is a third-liner, but the 2015 first-round pick has taken a step back offensively this season after showing promise in his first three campaigns.
Previous rank: 9
Josh Bailey has always been a pass-first player. But as a team that struggles to generate offense, the Islanders need more than six goals in 44 games from a $5-million winger.
Previous rank: 12
Pierre-Luc Dubois has been better lately, but he certainly has more to give. If the Jets are going to give the Maple Leafs a run for their money in the North Division, Dubois needs to elevate his game to the level he performed at in the 2020 playoffs.
Previous rank: 13
Kailer Yamamoto has taken a step back after an impressive late-season stint in 2019-20. The Oilers' dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will only carry the team so far; if Edmonton wants to be a serious Stanley Cup contender, key pieces like Yamamoto need to elevate their game.
Previous rank: 18
The Rangers already boast one of the league's deadliest offenses, so imagine if Kaapo Kakko found his groove. The 2019 second overall pick has struggled in his first 100-plus NHL games, and it would be a massive boost for New York if he found his scoring touch in the Big Apple.
Previous rank: 16
As unfair as this may be, the Stars really need Tyler Seguin to contribute immediately upon his return to the lineup. He's yet to play this year after offseason hip surgery, but he's expected back in about a week. Dallas desperately needs his offensive touch.
Previous rank: 15
Matt Duchene is back in action for the Predators after missing almost a month. With only eight points in 24 games this season, the club's highest-paid forward needs to start earning his paycheck.
Previous rank: 14
If the Canadiens are to have any chance of success, Carey Price needs to get hot - just as he did in the 2020 postseason bubble. He's had a rough year.
Previous rank: 22
Dylan Strome is in danger of enduring three straight seasons of declining production, which is the opposite of what the Blackhawks want to see from their 24-year-old pivot. It's safe to say he has to be better.
Previous rank: 21
As usual, the Flyers' goaltending has let them down. Carter Hart needs to find his game for Philadelphia to have a shot at the playoffs.
Previous rank: 20
Jaden Schwartz tallied four goals in nine games in the bubble. He's matched that total through 28 outings this season. The Blues' offense has been average this season, and Schwartz heating up down the stretch would be massive for the club's playoff hopes.
Previous rank: 17
The Coyotes are a team with little offensive depth and need more than one goal in 15 games from Conor Garland if they're going to snag a playoff spot in the West Division.
Previous rank: 27
The Flames need much more from one of their top offensive weapons. Sean Monahan is on pace to score fewer than 20 goals over 82 games for the first time in his NHL career, and Calgary's production has suffered greatly as a result.
Previous rank: 23
It's fair to give the Canucks a pass here. Returning to complete their season after a devastating COVID-19 outbreak - and beating the top team in the North Division in their first game back - is stepping up in our book.
Previous rank: 24
The Kings have fallen out of playoff contention, but it would be nice to see some growth from 2017 11th overall pick Gabe Vilardi down the stretch.
Previous rank: 19
Timo Meier's 0.60 points per game average this season is his lowest since his sophomore campaign. Called out by Sharks head coach Bob Boughner after Saturday's loss, the Swiss forward needs to catch fire down the stretch to keep San Jose's fading playoff hopes alive.
Previous rank: 29
Richard Panik hasn't done much since signing a four-year, $11-million ticket ahead of the 2019-20 season. The new Red Wings forward has a few weeks to show Detroit fans he was more than just salary filler in the deal that landed Jakub Vrana from Washington.
Previous rank: 26
Patrik Laine is a restricted free agent at the end of the season. The former 40-goal scorer needs to rediscover his form immediately to maximize his next paycheck and justify the price the Blue Jackets paid to acquire him.
Previous rank: 30
With Jakob Silfverberg managing just 16 points through 46 games, his $5.25-million cap hit looks like a complete disaster. The Ducks will look for him to show signs of life over the final weeks of the campaign.
Previous rank: 28
Matt Murray hasn't come close to living up to his splashy $25-million contract in his first year with the Senators. With three years left on the deal, Murray needs to prove Ottawa didn't make a colossal mistake; a hot stretch of play to end the campaign would certainly help his case.
Previous rank: 25
Jack Hughes had a red-hot start to the season but has since cooled off significantly. His underlying numbers are very strong, but the Devils would surely love to see him finish his sophomore campaign the way he started it: racking up points.
Previous rank: 31
Dylan Cozens has shown flashes of potential throughout his rookie season. If the 2019 seventh overall selection can make some serious strides down the stretch, Sabres fans will have something positive to take into the offseason after a disastrous campaign.
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It remains one of life's most perplexing questions: Who's the greatest athlete of all time?
Soon, we'll have our answer: Sixteen sporting icons entered our GOAT of GOATs bracket, and only four remain. Vote in the semifinals now, and vote in the final beginning Friday to crown the true 🐐!
Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
It remains one of life's most perplexing questions: Who's the greatest athlete of all time?
Over the past year, we've had nothing but opportunity to debate. So, we - you! - are going to answer this question once and for all. Check out our GOAT of GOATs bracket below, and vote now and throughout the rest of the week!
Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
This is the seventh edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2020-21 season. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.
In this edition, we grant every team one wish for the trade deadline.
Previous rank: 4
While landing another top-six forward would be a boon to Colorado's Stanley Cup aspirations, adding a goaltender may be the most sensible wish. There's a lot of inexperience behind Philipp Grubauer, and Pavel Francouz's return date remains unknown. Someone like David Rittich could provide nice insurance and ease Grubauer's load down the stretch.
Previous rank: 3
The Panthers need to bring in a defenseman for cheap after losing Aaron Ekblad for the season. It's not an easy task to replace a Norris-caliber defender, but there are several rearguards available who could be acquired without giving up significant assets, such as Niklas Hjalmarsson or Marc Staal.
Previous rank: 1
The Lightning are a nearly flawless team, which is remarkable considering they've been without injured superstar Nikita Kucherov all season. In a perfect world for Tampa Bay, Kucherov would return well ahead of schedule - say around April 12 - giving the club a major lift a month prior to the playoffs.
Previous rank: 5
When fully healthy, there are three goalies on the Hurricanes capable of being serviceable after the emergence of Alex Nedeljkovic. Carolina's wish is to find a team willing to pay up for either Petr Mrazek or James Reimer, which could in turn facilitate bringing in a talented forward like Mikael Granlund.
Previous rank: 2
Chandler Stephenson found a home between Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone on the Golden Knights' top line before receiving a three-game suspension, but just imagine Vegas with a true No. 1 center with those two star wingers. There aren't any elite pivots on the market right now, but Granlund can play down the middle, and he'd make a dangerous unit even more potent.
Previous rank: 8
With the North Division not expected to live beyond 2020-21, this could be Toronto's best chance to win the Stanley Cup. The Maple Leafs should go all-in at the deadline to get Taylor Hall, the best available rental, giving them the league's most lethal top-six forward group.
Previous rank: 7
The Capitals are one of the NHL's deepest teams, but even the best squads would benefit from an upgrade. Washington could use another reliable top-nine left winger to provide more scoring than Conor Sheary and Richard Panik are offering in 2021. Ryan Dzingel would be a nice fit.
Previous rank: 9
The Penguins could need to address a couple of areas after injuries to key forwards Evgeni Malkin and Kasperi Kapanen, and goaltender Tristan Jarry. The netminder is back practicing, so adding to the middle six up front appears to be the priority for Pittsburgh. If the injuries to trade candidates Rickard Rakell and Tanner Pearson aren't severe, either would be an ideal addition.
Previous rank: 6
The Islanders need to fill the void Anders Lee leaves behind after the team's captain was ruled out for the season with a torn ACL. The club is a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, so it would make sense to pursue one of the big names available, like Kyle Palmieri or Nick Foligno. Either would seemingly fit well into Barry Trotz's system.
Previous rank: 15
The Wild letting their elite blue line go to waste would be a shame. But they also shouldn't go all-in for just this season, as Minnesota will likely need to go through the Golden Knights and Avs at some point. That's why it would be wise to get a dynamic offensive producer like Johnny Gaudreau, who's signed through next season. However, the Flames may want to wait until the offseason before potentially moving him.
Previous rank: 11
The Bruins desperately need to inject some goal-scoring into their lineup, as the club ranks 29th in goals at five-on-five. Beyond David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron, and Brad Marchand, Boston's forwards have combined for just 34 goals. Palmieri would slide in well if the Bruins can fit him under the cap.
Previous rank: 12
No contending team needs a defenseman more than the Jets. Insert Mattias Ekholm, who would be Winnipeg's top blue-liner for both this season and 2021-22. The Predators may not be willing to sell now that they're back in the playoff race. But these are just wishes after all, right?
Previous rank: 10
The Oilers are essentially a dollar-in-dollar-out team ahead of this year's deadline, so general manager Ken Holland will need to get creative with barely any wiggle room. If he can pull off a deal, a third-line center should be atop the team's wish list, with options like Luke Glendening or Sam Bennett potentially fitting.
Previous rank: 14
General manager Marc Bergevin already made several big moves during the offseason, and he recently acquired Eric Staal for good measure. The Canadiens are extremely deep and right against the cap, and they also may get top prospect Cole Caufield in the lineup soon. Montreal needs to stand pat and hope to come out atop the North Division with its current roster.
Previous rank: 26
The Predators are back in the playoff hunt, but they clearly need to sell at the deadline regardless. So with an eye to the future, Nashville would do well to get its desired three-asset package for Ekholm. That would include a first-round pick and an elite prospect.
Previous rank: 22
Much like the Lightning, the Stars may not be busy prior to the deadline because they could get several impact players back from injury before the season ends. Dallas surely wishes for faster-than-expected recoveries from Tyler Seguin, Ben Bishop, Alexander Radulov, and Joel Kiviranta. If any of them return before the deadline - particularly either of the first two - the Stars wouldn't need to do much else.
Previous rank: 24
The Coyotes have played well lately, but they should still be deadline sellers. However, three of their biggest potential trade chips - Niklas Hjalmarsson, Antti Raanta, and Darcy Kuemper - are injured. Getting them all back before the deadline would help maximize Arizona's returns.
Previous rank: 20
The Rangers might seem like a bubble team based on their point total, but their points percentage indicates the club is all but out of contention in the competitive East Division. New York shouldn't sell everything off, but a successful deadline would involve getting a moderately valuable asset for veteran blue-liner Brendan Smith.
Previous rank: 25
The Sharks are reportedly willing to take on a cap hit in exchange for assets, and that's exactly what they'll need to do now. With more than $6 million in available space and just two draft picks over the first three rounds in 2021, the Sharks need to load up on picks or prospects to replenish their system.
Previous rank: 13
Mike Hoffman's struggles have created an unexpected top-six need for the Blues. St. Louis would clearly love to address that issue, and if cap space weren't holding the team back, snagging a winger like Hall or Palmieri would be ideal. In reality, nabbing a proven contributor like Bobby Ryan would be a safe move, albeit an uninspiring one.
Previous rank: 16
The Flyers have built a roster that can succeed, though reinforcements are clearly needed. Carter Hart has struggled immensely this season, but the defense in front of him has also been abysmal, and Matt Niskanen's absence has been felt. Bringing in a solid defender like David Savard or Brandon Montour would go a long way toward helping the Flyers get back on track.
Previous rank: 21
The Blackhawks have regressed a bit after a hot start, and they should sell rather than try to push for the playoffs. Mattias Janmark, Carl Soderberg, and David Kampf are all on expiring deals, and they could easily be attractive to contenders looking to add depth pieces.
Previous rank: 18
The only thing we can wish for the Canucks right now is a quick and full recovery from their ongoing COVID-19 battle.
Previous rank: 23
In a perfect world, the Kings wish for a team to take Jonathan Quick off their hands. Cal Petersen has essentially snatched the starting role in net for Los Angeles, and there are two more years left on Quick's contract at $5.8 million. Moving the veteran likely won't happen, but it sure would help the Kings out a ton.
Previous rank: 27
The Devils need to load up on assets to keep smoothly rebuilding around their young stars. The club shouldn't stop at just potentially parting ways with Palmieri. Defenseman Sami Vatanen and veteran Travis Zajac are both on expiring deals, and New Jersey needs to at least gauge what they would fetch.
Previous rank: 19
Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen won't admit it, but his team should absolutely sell. Savard is the Blue Jackets' best trade chip, and while his value is debatable, Columbus would do cartwheels if the club could get a first-round pick in return.
Previous rank: 17
For a team to fall in love with Sam Bennett. It's no secret that the 2014 fourth overall pick is available for trade, but so far there haven't been any takers. Perhaps a club will look at his strong postseason track record (11 goals and eight assists in 30 games) and take a flier on him.
Previous rank: 29
For someone to overpay for Mike Reilly. Defensemen are always a hot commodity at the trade deadline, and Reilly is Ottawa's most valuable trade chip on an expiring deal. He's just 27 years old, his cap hit is only $1.5 million, and he's quietly producing a strong season. If GM Pierre Dorion can create a bidding war for Reilly's services, he could net a better return than many expect.
Previous rank: 28
To take on some cap hits. With most of the league's top contenders right up against the cap, the Red Wings should take on hefty contracts in exchange for some valuable assets.
Previous rank: 30
For Ryan Getzlaf to waive his no-movement clause. The captain has declined, but with so few centers on the trade market, the Ducks could probably reel in a decent return if the pending UFA wants to go ring chasing.
Previous rank: 31
A first-round pick for Taylor Hall. There's no guarantee Buffalo gets that return given the 2018 Hart Trophy winner's struggles this season. But getting a first-rounder - or an equally valuable prospect - would be a nice victory for the Sabres in a season that's provided little optimism.
(Analytics source: Natural Stat Trick, Evolving Hockey)
Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
This is the sixth edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2020-21 season. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.
In this edition, we pick every team's MVP for the first half of the season.
Previous rank: 1st
The defending champs have a few worthy options, but goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy continues to play out of his mind. The 26-year-old is 20-3-1 on the season with a .933 save percentage and 17.4 goals saved above average.
Previous rank: 2nd
Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty have been sensational for the Golden Knights, but Marc-Andre Fleury's brilliance between the pipes with Robin Lehner injured for over a month has been the backbone of the club's success.
Previous rank: 5th
It's close between Aleksander Barkov and Aaron Ekblad, but the former gets the nod. Barkov could be in line for his first Selke Trophy, as he leads the league in expected goals percentage. He also paces the Panthers with 37 points in 31 games.
Previous rank: 10th
Even with Nathan MacKinnon sidelined on separate ocassions, Mikko Rantanen has delivered for the Avalanche. He ranks fifth in the NHL with 17 goals, and paces Colorado with 35 points in 29 games.
Previous rank: 4th
Sebastian Aho deserves an honorable mention, but Dougie Hamilton has been Carolina's MVP this season. The pending UFA blue-liner is tied for second on the team with 24 points and his underlying metrics are some of the best in the entire league among defensemen.
Previous rank: 6th
Mathew Barzal is the only player on the Islanders that opponents need to focus on shutting down. He leads the team with 25 points, and without him, their offense wouldn't strike fear into anybody.
Previous rank: 7th
Nicklas Backstrom continues to quietly produce outstanding numbers. The silky-smooth veteran pivot leads the Capitals with 34 points in 31 games, and is quickly closing in on 1,000 for his career.
Previous rank: 3rd
Mitch Marner leads the Maple Leafs with 40 points, but there's no debating Auston Matthews is their MVP. The 6-foot-3 center is a goal-scoring machine and has vastly improved his defensive game.
Previous rank: 15th
Sidney Crosby continues to be a steadying presence for a Penguins team mired by injuries yet again. The star pivot leads the team in both assists (20) and points (32) through 31 games this season.
Previous rank: 17th
Connor McDavid. No questions asked.
Previous rank: 7th
Brad Marchand is seemingly improving with age. The 32-year-old leads the Bruins in points (34) in 28 games and has continued to play a critical role on both the club's power play and penalty kill.
Previous rank: 11th
There's a strong case for Connor Hellebuyck, given how much Winnipeg relies on its goaltender, but Mark Scheifele has been too good to ignore this season. The top-line center paces the club with 37 points in 31 games.
Previous rank: 12th
It's time the hockey world shines some light on David Perron. The unheralded Blues forward leads the club in scoring in 2021, and over the past three-plus seasons, he ranks 10th among all left wingers with 205 points in 229 games.
Previous rank: 14th
Jeff Petry is having the best season of his career at age 33 and has been absolutely paramount to the Canadiens' success. The veteran sits first among all blue-liners in goals (11) and fourth in points (27). Montreal owns a 57.92% share of expected goals at five-on-five with Petry patrolling the ice.
Previous rank: 13th
Kirill Kaprizov has injected energy and life into a Wild team that's lacked it for years. The Russian dynamo has mid-season MVP wrapped up, and is the runaway favorite for Rookie of the Year as well.
Previous rank: 9th
Who saw this season coming from James van Riemsdyk? The veteran winger has been the Flyers' most consistent presence, leading the team in both goals (13) and points (29) over 29 outings. Of van Riemsdyk's 16 assists, 15 have come at even strength, which is good for eighth among all players.
Previous rank: 22nd
Elias Lindholm could be the Flames' best all-around talent, and the 26-year-old is putting it to the test this season. He leads the team with 28 points and plays a major role on both the penalty kill and power play. Lindholm's also versatile, and his ability to seize his full-time role at center this season has made the Flames that much deeper.
Previous rank: 23rd
Brock Boeser's offensive production, J.T. Miller's versatility, and Bo Horvat's leadership all create strong cases, but Thatcher Demko deserves the honor. Vancouver allows the most expected goals against per 60 minutes, but the young netminder still has a .921 save percentage. Demko ranks third in the league in goals saved above expected.
Previous rank: 24th
The Blue Jackets are ripe with underachievers this season, but Oliver Bjorkstrand leads the offensively starved club with 27 points and is having the most productive campaign of his career.
Previous rank: 18th
Panarin is arguably the answer even though he's missed over a third of the team's games. However, it's hard to imagine where the Rangers would be without Adam Fox this season. The second-year defenseman leads the team in ice time and xGF% at five-on-five.
Previous rank: 15th
No need to overthink this one. If it wasn't for Patrick Kane's all-world abilities, the Blackhawks would likely be lottery players rather than playoff contenders at this point of the season.
Previous rank: 21st
Joe Pavelski has been Dallas' best player by a landslide. The ageless veteran has six more goals and nine more points than the next most productive Stars skater.
Previous rank: 19th
Both Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty are having a standout campaign, but the Kings' offense would be razor thin if it weren't for the former's brilliance. Kopitar's 37 points are 17 more than the club's next forward, and he ranks fourth among all centers in average ice time.
Previous rank: 20th
Jakob Chychrun has been exceptional at both ends of the ice this season, leading the Coyotes in ice time while ranking third with 21 points.
Previous rank: 26th
Evander Kane is averaging more minutes (19:40) than any Sharks skater this season and is producing at a career-best 0.9 points per game thus far.
Previous rank: 25th
Filip Forsberg's game has continued to blossom. The Swedish sniper leads the team in goals (11) and points (28) and is playing at a career-best 72-point pace over 82 games.
Previous rank: 28th
Jack Hughes' development has been a positive takeaway from a difficult season for the Devils. The 19-year-old has already matched his goal total from 2019-20 in less than half the amount of games. He ranks second on the team in points (16) while leading Devils' forwards in average ice time.
Previous rank: 31st
Posting a .918 save percentage behind this Red Wings roster deserves plenty of praise. Hats off to Jonathan Bernier for putting together a terrific stat line in a difficult situation.
Previous rank: 30th
Thomas Chabot has been a horse for the Senators this season, leading the team in points per game and ranking third in the league in average ice time.
Previous rank: 27th
Rickard Rakell leads the team with 21 points even though he's shooting a career low 5.9%. He's one of the few that makes things happen on the Ducks offensively, as his 101 shots are 38 more than second place on the team.
Previous rank: 29th
The Sabres have just one win without Linus Ullmark between the pipes and have lost 13 straight games since the Swedish puck-stopper was shelved with an injury. If there are any positives to draw from Buffalo's nightmare season, it's that they may already have themselves a future No. 1 in goal.
(Analytics source: Natural Stat Trick, Evolving-Hockey)
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This is the fourth edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2020-21 season. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.
In this edition, we examine the biggest surprise for each team thus far.
Previous rank: 4th
The Leafs have been carried by a dominant attack for the entirety of the Auston Matthews era, and while Toronto's offense is still quite potent, ranking top-10 in shots against per game is a significant shake-up.
Previous rank: 8th
After scoring 31 goals and 75 points in 2017-18, Vincent Trocheck seems to have finally regained his scoring touch with the Hurricanes. He's currently tied for both the team-lead in goals (9) and points (16) and his 82-game pace has him on track to have the best season of his career.
Previous rank: 6th
Goaltending was considered the Avalanche's weakness entering the season, but Philipp Grubauer has silenced the critics. He's posted a .936 save percentage and a 1.67 goals-against average while starting all but two of Colorado's games with backup Pavel Francouz sidelined.
Previous rank: 1st
The defending champs have suffered injuries to numerous key forwards this season, but Mikhail Sergachev emerging as an offensive contributor is a notable surprise. The 22-year-old defenseman ranks fifth on the club in scoring and currently boasts a career-best 0.73 points per game.
Previous rank: 3rd
Despite losing defensemen Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara, the Bruins remarkably entered Sunday as the league's best shot-suppressing team at five-on-five.
Previous rank: 7th
Carter Verhaeghe's hot start is one of the most surprising in the NHL. The 25-year-old entered the campaign with only 52 career regular-season games under his belt - most of which were spent on the Lightning's fourth line. He's now tallied seven goals and six assists in 16 games while riding shotgun on the top line with Aleksander Barkov. Not bad for a two-year, $2-million UFA signing.
Previous rank: 2nd
Everybody pegged Robin Lehner as the Golden Knights' new No. 1 netminder, but Marc-Andre Fleury turning back the clock and posting a .935 save percentage through 10 starts is the unexpected story of the season thus far in Sin City.
Previous rank: 23rd
It appears Darnell Nurse may have finally blossomed into the bonafide No. 1 defenseman the Oilers have been hoping for. He's tied for the lead among all defensemen in goals (6), tied for second in points (16), ranks sixth in time on ice (25:30), and fifth in hits (52).
Previous rank: 13th
Jordan Kyrou has established himself as a key player for the Blues this season, ranking second on a team full of veteran stars with 17 points in 18 games despite averaging under 15 minutes per contest.
Previous rank: 9th
Andrew Copp was predominately used as a bottom-six checking winger during his first five NHL seasons, but he's performed well with top-line minutes, driving play at a high rate and chipping in offensively.
Previous rank: 5th
Many thought Jake Allen would provide Carey Price some breathing room to flourish in the crease, but the backup netminder has actually heavily outplayed the former Hart Trophy winner thus far. Allen's .932 save percentage and 2.14 goals-against average in seven games is dazzling compared to Price's .893 save percentage and 2.87 goals-against average.
Previous rank: 10th
Travis Konecny looked like a star in the making with a breakout 2019-20 campaign, but the Flyers' feisty winger has slumped to the tune of just eight points in 12 games so far. He's been held off the scoresheet in seven contests and was a surprise healthy scratch this season.
Previous rank: 17th
If you thought Teddy Blueger would have as many points (10) as Evgeni Malkin through 16 games, you're a liar. Blueger has been excellent, posting strong underlying numbers despite an offensive zone start percentage of just 26.2% while centering Pittsburgh's checking line.
Previous rank: 11th
Goaltending was the Capitals' biggest question mark entering the season, and that was with a duo of Ilya Samsonov and Henrik Lundqvist. With the former spending most of the campaign on the COVID-19 list and the latter sitting out due to a heart condition, Vitek Vanecek has been thrust into action. He's kept the team afloat with reliable play (.907 save percentage, 2.92 goals-against average).
Previous rank: 25th
Undrafted rookie goaltender Kevin Lankinen has compiled a 7-3-3 record with a sparkling .927 save percentage and 2.43 goals-against average and has helped the Blackhawks remain competitive this season.
Previous rank: 20th
Many expected blue-chip goalie prospect Ilya Sorokin to make an instant impact on Long Island, but a .895 save percentage through four starts was not in New York's plans. We'll give the youngster some more time to figure out life in the NHL, though.
Previous rank: 16th
Minnesota's power play is clicking at an awfully low rate of 7.7% this season, having just scored four times so far.
Previous rank: 29th
Calvin Petersen is quietly putting up some sparkling numbers in Tinsel Town this season. The Kings' young netminder has only won three of nine appearances, but owns a .926 save percentage and 5.3 goals saved above average - good for seventh among all goalies this season.
Previous rank: 14th
Jack Roslovic was viewed by many as an afterthought in the Pierre-Luc Dubois-Patrik Laine trade, but the former first-round pick has found his game with his hometown team, notching 10 points in 12 contests with the Blue Jackets.
Previous rank: 21st
While his progression may not surprise those who follow the Coyotes closely, Conor Garland is establishing himself as a serious offensive threat every time he steps on the ice. The former fifth-round pick is playing at a 72-point pace (over 82 games) and his underlying numbers are tremendous.
Previous rank: 15th
Even after bringing in Jacob Markstrom and reinforcing their blue line in the offseason, the struggling Flames rank 22nd in goals against this season and own a minus-7 goal differential. Not good enough for a team that was expected to be a contender in the North Division.
Previous rank: 12th
Joe Pavelski had a quiet regular season in his first with the Stars last year but really came alive during the postseason. His magnificent play carried over to this campaign, as he's racked up 17 points in his first 12 games - putting him on pace to shatter his career-high numbers.
Previous rank: 19th
The Devils allow the fewest goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five (1.54) in the entire NHL. The team ranked 29th in that regard a year ago, and starting goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood has been limited to just six games.
Previous rank: 27th
On a blue line full of aging veterans with big contracts, Mario Ferraro has been a pleasant surprise. The 22-year-old has not looked overmatched while averaging over 23 minutes per contest.
Previous rank: 22nd
Mika Zibanejad led the NHL with 0.72 goals per game last season, yet somehow only has two tallies and two assists through 16 games in 2021. His dreadful start is one of the biggest surprises league-wide, and it's hurting the Rangers.
Previous rank: 28th
The Canucks' season hasn't gone according to plan, but rookie Nils Hoglander has been a bright spot. The 20-year-old is the only player chosen beyond the first round of the 2019 draft to play more than one NHL game. He also ranks fourth in the entire draft in career points.
Previous rank: 26th
We knew the Ducks would struggle to score this season, but it's still quite shocking they're the only team in the league without a double-digit point producer.
Previous rank: 24th
Only two Predators players (Filip Forsberg and Calle Jarnkrok) have scored more than three goals this season. The overall offensive futility from a team that won the Presidents' Trophy only three years ago is truly mind-boggling.
Previous rank: 18th
Since inking an eight-year, $72-million deal with the Sabres, Jeff Skinner has been unable to get anything going. He finished last season with 14 goals and nine assists in 59 games and is faring even worse this campaign, with just one assist through 14 contests.
Previous rank: 30th
The Red Wings are awful, but Jonathan Bernier's .910 save percentage and 2.74 goals-against average is surprisingly impressive. Detroit allowed a league-worst 3.73 goals against per game last season but has improved slightly this year, reducing that to 3.20 - good for 23rd in the league.
Previous rank: 31st
The Senators are in for another long year, but Ottawa's up-and-coming outfit surprisingly ranks fourth in the NHL with 31.9 shots per game.
(Analytics source: Natural Stat Trick)
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The time's come to crown sports' greatest dynasty.
Sixteen contenders enter our bracket, with regions broken down by league: MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL. Vote below, and vote all week!
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This is the third edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2020-21 season. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.
In this edition, we provide one incredible stat from each team during the early part of the season.
Previous rank: 3
Andrei Vasilevskiy has been a workhorse this campaign, as he's played every minute of the Lightning's nine games. The Bolts lead the NHL with a .949 save percentage at five-on-five.
Previous rank: 1
Sophomore blue-liner Nic Hague is turning into a stud for the high-powered Golden Knights. The club owns a 73.29% share of expected goals for at five-on-five when he's on the ice this season, which is the best mark among all defensemen.
Previous rank: 5
The Bruins are the NHL's best faceoff team, winning 56.7% of their draws.
Previous rank: 4
The Maple Leafs' power play is operating at a league-best 38.5%. They've scored on the man advantage in 11 of their 12 games this season.
Previous rank: 2
You could make the case the Habs should be higher on this list, as they lead the NHL with a plus-17 goal differential.
Previous rank: 6
The Avs own the NHL's best penalty kill at 89.7%.
Previous rank: 19
With Sergei Bobrovsky struggling in net once again, goaltender Chris Driedger has been red hot. Despite entering the season with 15 career appearances, he has a minuscule 1.97 goals-against average and .937 save percentage in five games this year.
Previous rank: 11
The budding Hurricanes are off to a torrid start. They won six of their opening seven contests in consecutive seasons for the first time since the franchise moved to Carolina in 1997-98.
Previous rank: 12
Adam Lowry has enjoyed a breakout campaign for the Jets. The 27-year-old had four goals and 10 points through 49 games in 2019-20 and has already tallied four goals and nine points through 11 contests this season.
Previous rank: 15
James van Riemsdyk was a healthy scratch at times last campaign, but he's collected 18 points in his first 13 games of 2020-21, putting him on pace for 114 in 82 games. The 31-year-old's best season of his career was 62 points in 2016-17 with Toronto.
Previous rank: 10
After blasting the 710th goal of his career past Carter Hart on Sunday, Alex Ovechkin has now scored against 144 different goaltenders since breaking into the league.
Previous rank: 13
The Stars entered Sunday with the fewest slap shots taken in the NHL (17), but they've converted on them at a league-best 17.7%.
Previous rank: 7
The Blues have the worst net penalties in the league with a minus-14 rating. They've drawn 45 penalties but have taken 59.
Previous rank: 18
The Blue Jackets have been outshot in all five of their wins this season. In fact, Columbus has outshot its opponent just once in 13 outings.
Previous rank: 14
Johnny Gaudreau became the fifth-fastest left winger in NHL history to reach 300 career assists on Saturday.
Previous rank: 17
Minnesota's defense has been rock solid at limiting opponents' opportunities to start the season. At even-strength, the Wild have allowed the second-least amount of high-danger scoring chances against (56).
Previous rank: 9
The Penguins have saved their best hockey for last. Pittsburgh has won three of its five games when trailing after two periods, which is the most in the league.
Previous rank: 23
Jeff Skinner has managed to collect just one assist and no goals through his first 10 games of 2020-21. Since his rookie year, he's averaged 8.4 points over the first 10 games of a season.
Previous rank: 16
Mackenzie Blackwood's .982 save percentage at five-on-five leads all goaltenders.
Previous rank: 8
The Islanders are one of the best at closing out games. In 10 contests, they've allowed just four goals in the third period, which tops the NHL.
Previous rank: 20
The Coyotes own the best penalty kill on the road (96%), giving up just one power-play goal away from home.
Previous rank: 24
The Rangers aren't going anywhere this season if they can't muster more offense late in games. Of the club's six third-period tallies, a pair has been deposited into an empty net, and only two have come at even strength.
Previous rank: 21
Connor McDavid leads the NHL with 26 points in 13 games. This puts him on pace for 112 over 56 contests or 164 over 82 games. The latter would be the most in a season since Wayne Gretzky (168) and Mario Lemieux (199) in 1988-89.
Previous rank: 22
The Predators' offense has been almost non-existent until the final frame on most nights. Nashville has scored just five goals in each of the first and second periods compared to 16 in the third.
Previous rank: 29
Rookie puck-stopper Kevin Lankinen's sparkling .928 save percentage has kept the Blackhawks afloat early on this season.
Previous rank: 27
Ducks goalie John Gibson has been busy to start the campaign. He's faced the most high-danger shots against (102) in the league and has the second-highest expected goals against (28.68).
Previous rank: 25
Patrick Marleau can move into sole possession of third place on the NHL's all-time games played list on Tuesday.
Previous rank: 28
The Canucks have allowed the most goals against (60) and shots per game (35.7) in the entire league so far but have also scored the most at five-on-five (35).
Previous rank: 26
Anze Kopitar entered the season needing 50 points to reach the 1,000-point milestone. His scorching start has seen him rack up 14 points in 11 games, putting him on pace to easily get the mark.
Previous rank: 30
The last time a goaltender other than Jonathan Bernier won a game for the Red Wings was on Oct. 29, 2019 - or 467 days ago. Thomas Greiss helped snap that streak Sunday with a win against the Panthers.
Previous rank: 31
Brady Tkachuk continues to be the focal point of Ottawa's offense, leading the team with seven points. His continuous effort on the ice is evident, and he leads the league in shots on goal (51) and has also drawn the most penalties (15).
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