The Wraparound is here once again with more NHL and hockey topics in bite-sized segments.Here's what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello and Adam Kierszenblat discussed in this episode:

0:00: Could Jakob Chychrun be entering the conversation as one of the NHL’s top offensive defensemen?

4:01: What is the offensive ceiling for Morgan Geekie with the Boston Bruins?

8:05: Will Pete DeBoer end up in an NHL coaching role this season?12:11: Which teams could take a shot at signing Robby Fabbri?

15:49: Breaking down standout performers at the CHL USA Top Prospects Challenge

19:40: Is Scott Wedgewood one of Team Canada’s top options in net?

25:23: Has Cutter Gauthier earned himself a spot on Team USA?

31:00: Will the Buffalo Sabres or Toronto Maple Leafs work out their struggles on the road?

What Is Morgan Geekie's Offensive Ceiling With Bruins? by The Wraparound

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So far, the 2025-26 NHL season has been a tale of superstars getting their paychecks and young guns like Connor Bedard and veterans like John Tavares hitting their stride.

However, while some players have found their game or remain the stars we know, others have had less-than-ideal starts to their 2026 campaign.

Here is one NHL player at each position in need of a spark.

Center: J.T. Miller

Although J. T. Miller wasn't particularly remarkable during his first stint in New York or his short time in Tampa Bay, he cemented himself as a point-per-game player following his trade to Vancouver, including a 103-point effort in 2023-24.

Miller recorded 35 points in 32 games following his trade back to Broadway in 2024-25 and was even named captain in the off-season. But his scoring fell as the Rangers struggled to score overall, especially at home.

Miller has 13 points in his first 23 games this season. Despite this, Miller has not shied away from being blunt with the media about his struggles, telling them after their 3-2 loss to the Golden Knights that he expects a “hell of a lot more” production than what he has.

A three-game point streak, with two goals and two assists, is an encouraging sign that the center is already stepping up his game.

Left Wing: Dylan Holloway

After turning his back on Edmonton and signing an offer sheet with the St. Louis Blues, Dylan Holloway surprised everyone in the 2024-25 campaign with 63 points. He even received votes for the Lady Byng Trophy and Selke Trophy in the process, although he would miss their first-round series against Winnipeg with an injury.

Though Holloway has since returned, it seems as if he’s struggled to maintain that form early in 2025-26. So far, Holloway has 11 points and a minus-9 rating through his first 24 games on a struggling Blues squad. With that said, Holloway is only 24, so in comparison to some others on this list, there is not much reason to panic just yet.

Right Wing: Mitch Marner

Mitch Marner headlined the off-season leading up to and following his divorce from the Toronto Maple Leafs, getting a much-needed fresh start with the hotter Vegas Golden Knights.

Although Marner has had hot stretches earlier this season, he has three points in his last eight games. He hasn’t finished a season averaging fewer than a point per game since his sophomore year in 2018, but he currently only has 22 points in 23 contests.

Considering his infamous playoff underperformances in Toronto, Marner could be working with a shorter leash than expected if he can’t recapture that regular-season consistency that was his bread and butter in Toronto.

Defense: MacKenzie Weegar

Arguably Calgary’s top defenseman the past few seasons, MacKenzie Weegar has had perhaps a more drastic fall than anyone else on this list. The once-dependable two-way defenseman has a mere four points in 25 games, all assists, and a rating deep in the minuses at minus-20.

Weegar is on pace for the lowest production of his career since he was a rookie in Florida. Although the Flames’ issues run deeper than any one player, losing Weegar’s production has certainly hurt the team, which currently finds itself hanging around the bottom of the Western Conference.

With Jonathan Huberdeau’s struggles also continuing, the Matthew Tkachuk trade looks worse than ever before for the Flames.

Goalie: Dustin Wolf

Staying on the topic of underperforming Flames, Dustin Wolf is also on the list.

Last season, Wolf nearly willed the Flames into the playoffs on his own. But since signing his seven-year contract extension, Wolf's stats fell. His .890 save percentage and 3.17 goals-against average both mark significant regressions from that campaign, and it’s no surprise the Flames have struggled the way they have partly because of it.

The silver lining is Wolf is still young and locked up long-term, with plenty of runway to turn it around.

Benjamin Kirshenblatt is an intern at The Hockey News.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

Sometimes, NHL figures on the hot seat deserve a bit of credit.

Even if a team sits near the bottom of the standings, if it can string together some wins, it's showing some glimpse of hope that it can turn things around and climb back into the playoff race. 

On this week's edition of the NHL's Hot Seat Radar, the Buffalo Sabres' coach did earn that credit despite his team still being 4-6-0 in its last 10 games.

But a Calgary Flames executive did not get his flowers for his team winning three straight in the past week. In fact, he's featured on the Hot Seat Radar for the first time despite GM Craig Conroy and coach Ryan Huska being mentioned previously as having a lot of pressure to steer the team in the right direction.

As a reminder, being on TheHockeyNews.com's Hot Seat Radar doesn't automatically mean the person is about to get sent away from the team. But in every case, it means there's a lot of pressure to improve. And if you're looking for Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube, read last week's edition for more on him. Onward, ho:

Cooling Down: Lindy Ruff, Coach, Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres were on death’s door early in the season, as they sunk to the bottom of the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference.

But you have to give credit to Ruff's Sabres, which won four of their past six games – including wins over the Carolina Hurricanes, Edmonton Oilers and Detroit Red Wings.

Wednesday's loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins means they're back in last place in the Eastern Conference, so it's baby steps for sure in Buffalo.

Ruff probably doesn’t have to worry about being replaced in the next few weeks at least, but he’s still under tremendous pressure to continue producing wins. 

There are no more moral victories in Sabres Land. If Ruff strings together a few losses instead of wins, he'll be back to having a red-hot seat on our radar.

Warming Up: Don Maloney, President Of Hockey Operations, Calgary Flames

The president of hockey operations of the team that's second-last in the NHL said "no one has an appetite to just burn it to the studs, take it all down," amid a three-year playoff drought.

That's what Don Maloney told Sportsnet's Eric Francis in a lengthy Q&A published last Friday.

He said there's examples of teams taking potentially decades to rebuild (hello, Buffalo), and the draft is an inexact thing where there's no guarantee they can get a superstar or franchise-level player.

"We prefer a Dallas model, where they got Miro Heiskanen at three, but also got good players in the 20s, in the 30s," Maloney told Francis. "We’ve got to be better in our drafting and developing, versus saying, 'let's just lose easy for everybody.' We don't want that culture as part of this organization."

When asked whether it's enticing to simply lean into this rough start when there's a top-heavy draft including Gavin McKenna, Maloney said this isn't fantasy hockey, and the Flames hope to get a top-level player no matter where they draft.

The Flames have made the playoffs five times in 16 seasons. Their top scorer is 35-year-old Nazem Kadri, with 18 points.

They have promising youngsters Dustin Wolf, Matt Coronato and Zayne Parekh as potential future leaders of the core, with Cullen Potter, Cole Reschny and Hunter Brzustewicz as blue-chip prospects. But they need a lot more than them to have an elite team in the long term.

So it's no surprise #FireDonMaloney was spammed on the Flames' Instagram page. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman even described the comments as pouring gasoline on the fire in the Canadian market. And it's no surprise Maloney lands in this week's Hot Seat Radar.  - Jonathan Tovell

The Nashville Predators' Future Depends On Their Response To A Nearly Lost SeasonThe Nashville Predators' season-long slump is signalling an impending roster shakeup. Should they trade Steven Stamkos, Ryan O'Reilly and Jonathan Marchessault?

Warming Up: Andrew Brunette, Coach, Nashville Predators

It’s getting bowling-shoe ugly in Nashville, as the Predators lost eight of their last 10 games and have the fewest points in the NHL.

Preds GM Barry Trotz gave Brunette a vote of confidence in an interview with The Tennessean. Let's just say it's not a good situation if a GM has to give a coach a vote of confidence. Leafs fans will remember Brian Burke continuously defending coach Ron Wilson before it couldn't go on any longer.

“When (St. Louis Blues GM) Doug Armstrong hired (Jim) Montgomery, he said, ‘This is my coach for a while,” Trotz said. “When I hired (Brunette), I said, ‘This is my coach for the next while.’ ”

Trotz also questioned whether it's the right thing to get rid of a young coach for what he suggested is a sugar high of a coaching bump.

We’ll see how Trotz reacts when Nashville’s playoff hopes are a smoking pile of ash.

Brunette wouldn’t be the first coach to pay the price for prolonged stretches of terrible hockey, and he wouldn’t be the last. And while Trotz has to be held to account for giving Brunette this group of players, Trotz is going nowhere. Brunette, on the other hand, is another story entirely.

Edmonton Oilers' Inability To Sustain Momentum Is A Major ProblemThe Oilers have to correct what is holding them back from putting together more than two good games in a row as they continue to falter against the best of the NHL's Western Conference.

Warming Up: Kris Knoblauch, Coach, Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers got crushed Tuesday when the Dallas Stars showed them what a real Cup front-runner looks like, beating Edmonton 8-3. The loss dropped the Oilers’ record to 10-10-5. They currently sit 11th in the Western Conference and sixth in the Pacific Division. 

If you told people over the summer that the San Jose Sharks would be ahead of Edmonton in the Pacific standings by American Thanksgiving, you didn't deserve to be laughed out of the room.

Nobody’s laughing in Oilers World right now – least of all, Knoblauch, who can’t coax a solid defensive game out of his team. And once again, goaltending is proving to be an issue in Edmonton. The Oilers look lost on ‘D’, and they currently can’t protect Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard.

It’s all adding up to Knoblauch feeling tighter around the collar than he was prior to Game No. 1 this season. That first game came against the Calgary Flames, and the Oilers blew a 3-0 lead to lose 4-3 in a shootout. That has set the tone for a thoroughly disappointing year for this team.

Knoblauch is now tasked with righting Edmonton’s ship, but sooner than later, there could be dire straits ahead for the Oilers. He’s not going to be fired imminently, but he will feel more heat if he can’t end the misery around his team.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

On Wednesday, we noted that TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported the Montreal Canadiens were considered among the suitors for Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly.

They could also be monitoring the trade market for a possible upgrade between the pipes.

The Canadiens' goaltending woes throughout November had Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman suggesting they could be monitoring Buffalo Sabres' starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

Appearing on The FAN Hockey Show last Friday, Friedman noted the 26-year-old Luukkonen had surfaced in the rumor mill following his slow start after recovering from an early-season injury. Meanwhile, they've been getting solid goaltending from backup Alex Lyon and call-up Colten Ellis.

The Sabres can't risk sending Ellis back to their AHL affiliate in Rochester because he's unlikely to clear waivers. Friedman isn't sure how this situation will be resolved, but he believes the Canadiens are among the teams “doing their research” on Luukkonen.

Luukkonen is signed through 2028-29 with an annual cap hit of $4.75 million. He also has a five-team no-trade list that kicks in next season.

It's doubtful that the Sabres will trade Luukkonen when they don't know yet whether Ellis is fully NHL-ready. For now, they're likely to continue carrying three goaltenders.

Earlier this week, we noted a report by Friedman claiming Andrei Svechnikov was unhappy with his limited playing time earlier this season, so much so that he was open to a trade if the Carolina Hurricanes were thinking of moving him.

Friedman indicated that the situation has since been sorted out, with Svechnikov returning to the Hurricanes' top line. Nevertheless, the 25-year-old right winger shrugged off any talk of him wanting out of Carolina.

Svechnikov told reporters there was no validity to the report. Meanwhile, coach Rod Brind'Amour said he was unaware of any unhappiness from Svechnikov earlier in the season, adding that his improved performance since October had resolved his ice-time situation.

Turning to a player who could be on his way out, it's been a week since Winnipeg Jets center Brad Lambert was reportedly permitted to speak with other clubs.

Murat Ates of The Athletic indicated that the Jets aren't in any hurry to acquiesce to Lambert's request. He pointed out that they hold all the leverage with the 21-year-old being waiver-exempt until next season.

Ates said GM Kevin Cheveldayoff won't trade Lambert unless it's for a return that benefits the club. He didn't rule out the youngster getting bundled with a draft pick at the March 6 trade deadline for an impact player. Otherwise, Cheveldayoff is content to hang onto Lambert until he's NHL-ready.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

The online countdown of the top 100 hockey players aged 21-and-under continues.

The Hockey News' Prospects Unlimited issue's annual ranking of hockey's youngest talent is compiled by Ryan Kennedy, and while he uses our Future Watch rankings as a resource, this is a completely independent compilation.

Future Watch is based on a survey of NHL scouts, while the PU Top 100 is cobbled together by Kennedy based on his projections of what the players will be once they hit their primes.

Since different positions have different prime years, take that to mean we are projecting how good these forwards will be when they are 23 or 24 years old, the defensemen when they are 24 or 25 and the goalies when they are 25 or 26.

The birth year cutoff for this year’s list is 2004. Ages noted are as of Oct. 1.

As we share the top 100 list on TheHockeyNews.com, you can see the full list with player bios and draft information for each of them right now by being a subscriber to The Hockey News and accessing the Archive or by opening the magazine if you've already received it in your mailbox.

Catch up on the players ranked 61st to 80th and 81st to 100th. Here's the next batch.  

60. Jackson Smith, D, 18 years old, Columbus Blue Jackets
Penn State (Big Ten)

59. Trey Augustine, G, 20, Detroit Red Wings
Michigan State (Big Ten)

58. Dmitri Simashev, D, 20, Utah Mammoth
Utah (NHL)

57. Kevin Korchinski, D, 21, Chicago Blackhawks
Rockford (AHL)

56. Tynan Lawrence, C, 17, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
NHL Draft: 2026

55. Denton Mateychuk, D, 21, Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus (NHL)

In his second season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Denton Mateychuk has already made an impact on and off the ice. If he continues along that path, a hometown billboard will be next.  Go to the full feature on Mateychuk by clicking here. 

54. Mikhail Yegorov, G, 19, New Jersey Devils
Boston Univ. (HE)

53. Max Penkin, C, 16, Adler Mannheim (Ger.)
NHL Draft: 2027

52. Ivar Stenberg, LW, 18, Frolunda HC (Swe.)
NHL Draft: 2026

51. Mason West, C, 18, Chicago Blackhawks
Fargo (USHL)

50. Jiri Kulich, C, 21, Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo (NHL)

49. Gabe Perreault, RW, 20, New York Rangers
Hartford (AHL)

48. Isaac Howard, LW, 21, Edmonton Oilers
Bakersfield (AHL)

47. Alexis Joseph, C, 16, Saint John Sea Dogs
NHL Draft: 2027

Thanks to his size and skill, Sea Dogs center Alexis Joseph has pushed his way into the debate over who'll be the No. 1 pick in 2027. Go to the full feature on Joseph by clicking here.  

46. Marco Kasper, C, 21, Detroit Red Wings
Detroit (NHL)

A quick study after making his NHL debut last season, Marco Kasper has already established himself as a big part of the Detroit Red Wings' core. With the trust of his coaches and teammates already on his side, the future looks bright. Go to the full feature on Kasper by clicking here.  

45. JP Hurlbert, RW, 17, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
NHL Draft: 2026

44. Berkly Catton, C, 19, Seattle Kraken
Seattle (NHL)

43. Jacob Fowler, G, 20, Montreal Canadiens
Laval (AHL)

42. Logan Cooley, C, 21, Utah Mammoth
Utah (NHL)

41. James Hagens, C, 18, Boston Bruins
Boston College (HE)

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

The Toronto Maple Leafs placed left winger Sammy Blais on NHL waivers on Wednesday, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Friedman also reported that New York Rangers center Juuso Parssinen has cleared waivers after hitting the wire on Nov. 25.

The Maple Leafs claimed Blais off waivers at the beginning of the 2025-26 season from the Montreal Canadiens. If Montreal claims him back, and no other team submits a claim, the team can assign him to the AHL.

Blais appeared in eight games this season with the Maple Leafs, posting one goal, three points, 28 hits and a minus-2 rating. This is after he recorded 14 goals, 26 assists, 40 points, and 44 penalty minutes in 51 games with the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL last season. 

If the Canadiens don't claim Blais back, he could generate interest from clubs looking for more grit and forward depth. This is especially true given that he has a $775,000 cap hit for just this season. 

As for Parssinen, he can now be assigned to the Rangers' AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, after clearing waivers.

In 14 games this season with the Rangers, the 6-foot-3 forward has posted two goals, one assist, 20 hits, and a plus-3 rating. This is after he had six goals and 16 points split between the Nashville Predators, Colorado Avalanche and Rangers last season. 

With Parssinen being only 24 years old, it seemed possible that a team could claim him. However, him being signed until the end of the 2026-27 season with a $1.25 million cap hit could have been what kept teams away. 

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

It’s never too early to start predicting which teams will meet in the Stanley Cup final.

If you’re wondering, there are a bunch of prospective matchups that are about as likely to occur as being struck by lightning. 

A Buffalo Sabres vs. Calgary Flames Stanley Cup final is one such example, with a 0.01 percent probability. 

With that far-fetched notion taken under advisement, which are the more feasible possibilities at the quarter mark of the regular season?

Florida Panthers vs. Colorado Avalanche (+1400)

The Florida Panthers meeting the Colorado Avalanche in the Stanley Cup final is the most likely matchup. This prospective final has a 6.67 percent chance of happening. 

It shows the faith BetMGM oddsmakers have in the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions making it to a fourth consecutive Stanley Cup final despite being on the outside of the playoff picture. 

Colorado Avalanche vs. Carolina Hurricanes (+1450)

Oddsmakers give this prospect a 6.45 percent chance of coming to fruition. It would pit the league’s current best team and Stanley Cup odds favorites against the Eastern Conference finalists from two of the previous three seasons. 

Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers (+2500)

I doubt many people desire another Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers final. It would be the third time in three seasons that those teams battled for the Holy Grail. 

I cannot fathom the Oilers losing three Stanley Cup finals in a row to the same team. That unthinkable possibility, if it occurred, would mark the first time a team would lose three straight finals to the same foe, a remarkable prospect considering the NHL started with six teams.  

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Dallas Stars (+3500)

Two teams that seemingly can’t summit the final hurdle have a 2.78 percent chance of meeting in the dance. The Dallas Stars reached the Western Conference final in the previous three seasons, losing to the Vegas Golden Knights and the Oilers twice. 

The Hurricanes, meanwhile, fell to the Panthers in two of the previous three seasons, winning just one of nine games. 

Ottawa Senators vs. Edmonton Oilers (+10000)

How about a whimsical thought to cap things off? The last all-Canadian Stanley Cup final occurred in 1989, when the Calgary Flames beat the Montreal Canadiens in six games. 

The Senators represent a solid dark horse pick. If Linus Ullmark can start resembling the form that won him a Vezina Trophy, anything is possible. In this case, it amounts to a 0.99 percent chance. 

We’ve reached the American Thanksgiving mark and, historically, three-quarters of the NHL teams currently in playoff position will make it. 

There are currently six teams that made the playoffs last season currently on the outside looking in, including the two Cup finalists – an unfathomable thought at the beginning of the season. 

Not all hope is lost with the Oilers sitting two points out of a playoff spot – it feels like a lot more, honestly – and the Panthers just one point behind, but we also have to consider how much tighter the East is relative to the West. According to moneypuck.com’s playoff odds, the Panthers have a 71.3 percent chance of making the playoffs, while the Oilers sit at a distressing 26 percent.

In this week’s NHL power rankings, we take a quick look at those in Cup contention, playoff contention or who should be looking to give up on the season. All playoff probabilities courtesy moneypuck.com, and Cup odds are courtesy of BetMGM. 

1. Colorado Avalanche (16-1-5, +38. PR: 1)

The Avs are the top contender, sitting five points ahead of the Stars with an outrageously good goal differential and on pace to be just the second team in the cap era to earn over 130 points. They are virtually guaranteed to make the playoffs (99.3 percent) and the best Cup odds (5.00/+400). They have arguably the best forward and the best goalie tandem, and they definitely have the best defenseman in the league.

2. Dallas Stars (14-5-4, +15. PR: 2)

The Stars are the most serious challenger to the Avs despite having the fourth-best Cup odds (15.00/+1400) in the West. Not to bemoan the current divisional playoff format again and again, but it’s a near certainty they will meet in the first two rounds rather than in the conference final, where they should be.

3. Anaheim Ducks (14-7-1, +11. PR: 5)

The Ducks are on track to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017-18, and given how outstanding Lukas Dostal and their young core have been this season, it’s hard to see them fall off. Joel Quenneville’s experience will be a huge asset in the playoffs, but their roster’s relative inexperience makes them shy of being a top contender. Hockey can be weird; you almost need to go through a massive heartbreak in the playoffs before busting through. 

4. Carolina Hurricanes (14-6-2, +13. PR: 4)

It’s been a tough stretch alternating wins and losses for the past two weeks, and I’m not sure trying to juggle a three-goalie rotation really helps. The Canes have been labelled as contenders for many seasons now – their Cup odds (9.00/+800) are always quite high – but their playoff runs always just fizzle out.  

5. Tampa Bay Lightning (13-7-2, +9. PR: 7)

The Lightning are the second-best team based on points percentage since their four-game losing streak ended, and it’s actually pretty amazing considering how many of their key players have missed time. From the start of 2024-25, Andrei Vasilevskiy’s numbers (.920 SP, 2.22 GAA) are actually quite comparable to Connor Hellebuyck’s (.923 SP, 2.10 GAA), and once again, I think the Lightning are an intimidating foe at full strength in the playoffs.  

6. Los Angeles Kings (11-6-6, -2. PR: 6)

Losing three straight is slightly concerning but a little less so when they’re one-goal games. The Kings can be a rock-solid team, but at times it does seem like they get in front of themselves. It’s taken them a while to put together what should be a bona fide scoring line with Quinton Byfield between Kevin Fiala and Adrian Kempe when it seemed like an obvious choice, and they’re still not playing Brandt Clarke on PP1. I wouldn’t have believed you if you said the Kings were more legit contenders than the Oilers before the season started, but here we are. 

7. Minnesota Wild (12-7-4, +4. PR: 13)

The biggest turnaround, of course, has been their goaltending. Obviously, Jesper Wallstedt and Filip Gustavsson won’t keep this up, but as long as they aren’t as disastrous as they were in October, the Wild will be fine. Playoff contender? Yes. Absolutely terrible they might have to face the Stars or Avs in the first round? Also, yes. 

8. Winnipeg Jets (12-9-0, +8. PR: 3)

The Jets need to avoid going on an extended losing streak, otherwise it’s going to put some pressure on them to make the playoffs, especially with the Wild getting hot and this year’s race being particularly tight. The Jets are still likely to make the playoffs barring a delay in Connor Hellebuyck’s return, at a 74.4 percent probability.

NHL Vezina Trophy Rankings: Hellebuyck's Injury Changes The RaceConnor Hellebuyck's injury threatens his chance of winning three straight Vezina Trophies. But youngsters Spencer Knight and Yaroslav Askarov have been excellent early on.

9. New Jersey Devils (14-7-1, +2. PR: 9)

They nearly blew a two-goal lead against the Wings and hung on for just their second regulation win this month. The Devils will make the playoffs, but they’re clearly missing Jack Hughes’ offense and really need to shore up their play on the road to be a serious Cup contender. 

10. Detroit Red Wings (13-9-1, -5. PR: 11)

How much better would be the Wings’ record be had they just stuck with Cam Talbot? The Wings sit second in a tough Atlantic, but this season has all the makings of their playoff hopes coming down to Game 82 once again. Their playoff probability currently sits at 51 percent. 

11. Ottawa Senators (11-7-4, even. PR: 15)

The two one-goal losses to the Kings aside, this has been the Sens’ best stretch of play all season. Being able to grind out close games is a really good sign, and the Sens are in a good position to make consecutive playoff appearances for the first time in a decade. 

12. Chicago Blackhawks (10-8-4, +7. PR: 8)

With the way Connor Bedard and Spencer Knight are playing, the Blackhawks are definitely a playoff contender but still face an uphill battle at 28 percent. When you’re playing seven defensemen on a semi-regular basis, it tells me you’re not exactly deep up front. I thought it was really encouraging, however, that following a 9-3 shellacking against the Sabres, they put up a pretty good fight against the Avs. 

13. San Jose Sharks (11-9-3, -4. PR: 12)

The Sharks fell really far behind with an 0-4-2 start. In a tight season, that might be the difference-maker. Yarsolav Askarov has been brilliant, and what the Sharks now lack is an elite defenseman to make them a legit playoff contender. They’re still way on the outside looking in – 17.6 percent feels a little low – but it’s clear this team is on an upward trajectory, and even being in the playoff race at the end of the season is a huge win for a fan base that has a lot to be excited about. 

14. Vegas Golden Knights (10-5-7, +3. PR: 18)

Since Oct. 20, the Knights have won consecutive games just once (!). They really should be a lot better than their record, and it’s a little perplexing how unlucky and bad they’ve been in overtime. Those extra points lost to division opponents such as the Kings, Kraken and Ducks (twice) can be really penal, and you wonder if that will haunt them later. The Knights are still a formidable team, but they haven’t been dominant like everyone expected in a pretty weak division.

15. New York Islanders (13-8-2, +5. PR: 17)

It took three OT wins, but the Isles were an impressive 6-1-0 during their road trip with the lone loss coming against the league’s best team. There’s an energy surrounding the Isles this season that’s been lacking for eons, and if Ilya Sorokin and Matthew Schaefer keep playing like they are, they’ll be contending for the playoffs all season. 

16. Seattle Kraken (11-5-6, -2. PR: 23)

Based on points percentage, the Kraken are the seventh-best team in the league, but based on regulation wins, they’re firmly in the middle of the pack. In a season with such volatility in the standings, the Kraken have been consistently slightly above average, never winning or losing more than two games in a row. They haven’t looked this solid in three seasons, and their playoff probability currently sits at 62.6 percent, the lowest among West teams currently in playoff position.

17. Pittsburgh Penguins (10-6-5, +6. PR: 10)

It’s been a tough stretch with a 2-4-3 record in November, and they’ve fallen to third in the wild-card race. We should never count out Sidney Crosby, but it looks like the Pens are losing a lot of steam. They’re in danger of going from surprise playoff contender to Dennis Green’s “they are who we thought they were” territory.     

18. Florida Panthers (12-9-1, +2. PR: 19)

We’re all waiting to see what the Panthers do when Matthew Tkachuk returns. They’ve been better lately, winning consecutive games twice for the first time since the first week of the season. You simply cannot discount the two-time Cup champs, and their playoff probability at 71.3 percent is pretty high relative to their current position in the standings.

19. Washington Capitals (12-9-2, +13. PR: 20)

Signs of a turnaround? The Caps have now won four of their past five after losing eight of their previous 10, and they’re tied with the Canes for the best goal differential in the East. That’s really telling, and while the Caps clearly won’t win the conference this season, it’d be surprising if they missed the playoffs. Their playoff probability is actually slightly lower at 65.5 percent compared to the Panthers; they’re one point ahead, but the Panthers have one game in hand. 

20. Philadelphia Flyers (11-7-3, +1. PR: 22)

Not quite sure what to expect from the Flyers prior to the season, but they’ve been quietly impressive. They had some long losing streaks last season that they’ve avoided this season (so far), and as much criticism Rick Tocchet has received online, you can’t fault their current record. They’re a dark horse playoff contender, but the East is so tight, I’m not convinced their roster is good enough to make the cut.

21. Montreal Canadiens (11-7-3, -4. PR: 14)

It has not been a good month at all for the Habs, which have the fifth-worst points percentage in November. What’s most concerning is the fashion in which they’ve lost, allowing five goals against the Kings, seven against the Stars and eight against the Caps. The Habs should stay in playoff contention all season, but they need to stop their current slide in a hurry. Their playoff probability has dropped to 42.4 percent. 

22. Boston Bruins (13-11-0, -2. PR: 16)

It does seem like the Bruins can make the playoffs if they can get hot at the right time. They’ve been incredibly streaky; either goaltending and defense is a problem, or scoring goals is a problem. Given how tight the Atlantic is right now, the Bruins are a playoff contender by default holding onto the last wild-card spot, but among the top eight, I think they’re the most likely to miss the cutoff come April. Their playoff probability is below 50 percent right now. 

23. Utah Mammoth (12-8-3, +3. PR: 21)

The two wins against the Rangers and Knights were an encouraging sign after they lost seven of their previous eight. I think fatigue was a factor with all the travel – they’re 5-6-2 on the road – but once again the Mammoth will go on a lengthy six-game road trip next week. They’re hanging onto a playoff spot by a thread at the moment and certainly have enough talent to make the cut. It’s just a question of consistency.

24. Columbus Blue Jackets (11-9-3, -7. PR: 26)

A rash of injuries has suddenly hit the Blue Jackets – no one is immune this season – and they most certainly will have trouble winning without Zach Werenski. Two bright spots going forward: Adam Fantilli is really coming into his own as a No. 1 center, and Jet Greaves looks like he could be a long-term starter. 

25. Buffalo Sabres (9-9-4, -4. PR: 29)

Some really strong showings by the Sabres recently, including a 4-1 win against the Canes in a matchup where they’ve been dominated over the past decade. There’s a very teeny chance they make the playoffs (7.7 percent), but a really poor stretch of play in late October and early November might’ve killed their chances. 

26. New York Rangers (11-11-2, -2. PR: 24)

First, the Rangers can’t win at home, now they can’t win on the road. The emotional high from Vincent Trocheck’s return has worn off, and the attention turned particularly negative against J.T. Miller, whose captaincy has not been particularly well-received. With a 36.9 percent chance of making the playoffs, however, they’re not doomed. 

27. Edmonton Oilers (10-10-5, -18. PR: 27)

This is definitely the lowest point in the Connor McDavid-led Oilers era. Against a team they dispatched in the conference finals two seasons in a row, the Oilers were embarrassed in an 8-3 loss in a game that was long finished before the final buzzer. The Oilers are still somehow two points out of a playoff spot, but without some drastic changes – can they afford to wait until December?! – the Oilers are in danger of missing the playoffs after reaching the Cup final, and I think they’d be the only franchise in league history to do so twice following 2006. They have the sixth-lowest playoff probability in the West. 

28. Toronto Maple Leafs (9-10-3, -8. PR: 25)

Not quite sure how the Leafs turn this season around. They’ll need Auston Matthews to return, first of all, but also improve a defense that keeps bleeding quality chances. The Leafs are last in the East, and their prospects are looking bleak with the lowest playoff odds in the East at seven percent. Maybe it’s because they’ve been so good the past few seasons, but it doesn’t feel quite that dire just yet… but should it?

Did The Maple Leafs Miss The Mark By Adding Joshua And Maccelli?The Toronto Maple Leafs' off-season gambles on veteran wingers Dakota Joshua and Mattias Maccelli have not paid dividends, instead costing millions without any notable impact on the struggling Buds squad.

29. Calgary Flames (8-13-3, -14. PR: 32)

The Flames are showing a little life with an offense that’s been ignited with strong play from Jonathan Huberdeau and Matt Coronato. They’re still not a good team and have fallen so far behind it’s highly unlikely they’re going to make the playoffs. The question now is if and when the Flames start dealing their veterans.

30. St. Louis Blues (7-10-6, -24. PR: 30)

If Jordan Binnington wasn’t so good at 4 Nations, he’s played himself off Team Canada by this point. His .895 SP at 5-on-5 ranks 25th out of 33 goalies (min. 500 TOI) per naturalstattrick.com, and despite having a very talented team on paper, Justin Faulk (!) is tied-first on the Blues in both goals and points.

31. Vancouver Canucks (9-12-2, -15. PR: 28)

When you send out a league-wide memo that you’re open to trading your veterans, that’s a white flag. The Canucks say they want to get younger – by the way, the Canucks had the seventh-youngest roster by average age on Oct. 19 – with players who can step in right away, but fixing the roster on the fly is something this fanbase has heard too many times and it’s never really worked out.

32. Nashville Predators (6-12-4, -29. PR: 31)

Barry Trotz says “I need more” and for a second Preds ownership panicked because they thought he was talking about next summer’s free agency.

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The Vancouver Canucks are sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference standings. That has management poised to become sellers.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Tuesday the Canucks informed the rest of the league they're willing to entertain offers for their veteran players. Jim Rutherford, the president of hockey operations, subsequently confirmed that his club had to get younger.

Rutherford said they're not moving all their veterans. Friedman said the Canucks could entertain offers for players eligible to become UFAs next summer and those who have a year or two left on their contracts. However, that does not include superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes.

The pending UFAs include forwards Evander Kane and Kiefer Sherwood. Those in the latter category include defenseman Tyler Myers and forwards Filip Chytil and Drew O'Connor.

The Hockey News' Adam Kierszenblat said the Canucks appear to be aiming for a retool, since Rutherford and GM Patrik Allvin have made it clear a more aggressive rebuild isn't a route they want to take. He also noted that Kane has a 16-team approved trade list, and Myers has a no-move clause this year that changes to a 12-team no-trade clause next season.

TSN's Darren Dreger weighed in on what this decision would mean for Canucks captain Hughes. Dreger reminded everyone the 26-year-old defenseman is signed through next season, but his future in Vancouver remains uncertain if the club doesn't become more competitive.

Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre suggested the Canucks' slow start and the possibility of trades that might weaken the team in the short term raise the chances of Hughes requesting a trade by next summer, if not sooner.

Of the Canucks' pending UFAs, MacIntyre believes the feisty Sherwood is the most marketable. He has 12 goals in 23 games, but contract talks between the two sides remain stalled.

Speaking of teams that could become sellers, the Nashville Predators are making a difficult transition from aging veterans to younger talent. TSN's Pierre LeBrun believes that process will continue throughout this season.

LeBrun said forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault continue to surface in the rumor mill despite their no-movement clauses. He believes the Predators will be open to offers for those two.

However, it's Ryan O'Reilly that's drawing the most interest. He's signed through 2026-27 with an affordable $4.5 million average annual value. Unlike Stamkos and Marchessault, he lacks no-trade protection, though the Predators are treating him as though he has it.

LeBrun believes O'Reilly will attract teams that are looking for a center with Stanley Cup experience. He indicated the Montreal Canadiens were among the suitors. If the Predators peddle O'Reilly, LeBrun believes the asking price is a first-round pick and an “A-level prospect.”

The Canadiens can afford to part with that return, but they could be reluctant to do so for O'Reilly. GM Kent Hughes prefers adding younger players who can fit among their youthful roster core. Adding the 34-year-old O'Reilly would be a significant step away from that template.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

The Wraparound is back with more rapid-fire NHL and hockey topics.

Here's what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello, and Diandra Loux discussed in this episode:

0:00: What has been the biggest factor in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s recent success?

5:02: How concerning is Sergei Bobrovsky’s start to the season?

8:15: Could the Ottawa Senators end up being the top Canadian team in the standings this season?

11:55: Will Alexandar Georgiev get another shot on an NHL team?

16:18: Breaking down Don Maloney’s comments regarding the Calgary Flames

20:45: Will the Carolina Hurricanes trade Andrei Svechnikov this season?

24:45: Which players stand out as potential trade pieces for the Vancouver Canucks?

Could The Senators Be Canada's Top Team This Year? by The Wraparound

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