Here at NHLNOR we can’t wait until the new season starts today!

Therefore we have made a season preview of all of the teams in the NHL and ranked them in specific categories in regards to how good we think they are and ended up with an overall ranking of how we think this years NHL should pan out based on these factors.

Our NHLNOR-ranking is based on these categories:

Goaltending
Defense
Forwards
Team Composition
Leadership Presence
Skill Value

The teams were able to get 10 points per category as maximum which would end up in a total score.

Total Score: 60/60

A short explanation of the categoires:

Goaltending – Quality of starting goaltender & how good is your duo?
Defense – Quality of defense is, taking playing system into account.
Forwards – Quality of the forwards, taking playing system into account.
Team Composition – Quality of team structure, close to a serious contender?
Leadership Presence – Amount of leadership and veterans in the team.
Skill Value – Quality of skill within the team+prospects who can add value?

The reason we chose these categories (some real, some made), is because in reality, when looking at the teams that have become champions over the last 100 years or so, this is the kind of qualities those teams needed to have a certain amount of value in.

We decided not to rank the teams GM’s or head coaches, but give a little description towards what we believe they need to do, or can do this season and the upcoming offseason.

With this in mind, we made our list and this is how the NHL according to us should end this 2016/17-season, and what you as a viewer or supporter can expect from your team and the other teams within your division, conference and league.

 

Eastern Conference:

1. Washington Capitals – 54/60
2. Pittsburgh Penguins – 54/60
3. Tampa Bay Lightning – 54/60
4. New York Rangers – 50/60
5. Montreal Canadiens – 50/60
6. Florida Panthers – 47/60
7. Detroit Red Wings – 45/60
8. Boston Bruins – 45/60
9. Philadelphia Flyers – 45/60
10. Ottawa Senators – 44/60
11. New York Islanders – 43/60
12. Buffalo Sabres – 34/60
13. Carolina Hurricanes – 34/60
14. Columbus Blue Jackets – 33/60
15. New Jersey Devils – 33/60
16. Toronto Maple Leafs – 31/60

 

Western Conference:

1. St. Louis Blues – 54/60
2. Chicago Blackhawks – 53/60
3. San Jose Sharks – 52/60
4. Los Angeles Kings – 51/60
5. Nashville Predators – 51/60
6. Dallas Stars – 49/60
7. Anaheim Ducks – 49/60
8. Minnesota Wild – 45/60
9. Colorado Avalanche – 39/60
10. Edmonton Oilers – 35/60
11. Calgary Flames – 34/60
12. Winnipeg Jets – 33/60
13. Vancouver Canucks – 32/60
14. Arizona Coyotes – 29/60