NHL Power Rankings: Flames Sit Number One With Panthers Closing In

Welcome back to another edition of the NHL Powers Rankings. The Flames remain at the top with the Panthers making a case for number one.

Welcome back to another edition of NHL Power Rankings here at Full Press Hockey.

The trade deadline is just six days away now. The first move ahead of the deadline was made with Josh Manson being traded from Anaheim to Colorado. This has put Colorado in a position to make a deep run in the playoffs. Other contenders in the West include the Calgary Flames who remain atop the NHL Power Rankings this week. There is a slight change in the Top 10, but not much as the trade deadline approaches. The teams in playoff positions will be looking to add. Though there will be some sellers that turn into buyers if the price is right. Let’s see what other changes there were this week.

Time to dive into the NHL Power Rankings and find out where these teams stand.

NHL Power Rankings

1. Calgary Flames (Last Week 1) 

No surprise the Flames remain at number one. The Flames continue to show why the choice to hire Darryl Sutter was the right one. Tyler Toffoli has been great for this team. Having two capable goalies to play is an advantage. If anything the Flames can sure up their defence.

2. Florida Panthers (Last Week 4)

The Panthers have climbed to the two spot this week. There are not many flaws with this team. They will be major players at the deadline. Having Spencer Knight playing so well takes the pressure off Sergei Bobrovsky. The key for the Panthers is can they win a playoff series. They have not done so since 1996.

3. Colorado Avalance (Last Week 2) 

The Avalanche are dealing with injuries to Gabriel Landeskog and Samuel Girard. Adding Josh Manson will help their defence. Their next move will all depend on how they use their LTIR space and when Girard and Landeskog come back. This team is a favourite to win the Stanley Cup.

4. Carolina Hurricanes(Last Week 5)

The Hurricanes are quietly going about their business. They are generating great scoring chances. Not to mention their goaltending has been really. Oh yeah, they will be re-signing Jesperi Kotkaniemi to a new eight-year deal. The Canes are a team ready to win right now.

5. Pittsburgh Penguins (Last Week 8)

The Penguins continue to be right in the mix for the top spot in the Metro Division. It clearly is the best division in hockey. While Pittsburgh would like to add a scoring winger, the salary cap will be an issue for them. However, never count this team out. They may have a trick or two up their sleeve.

6. Boston Bruins (Last Week 7) 

The Bruins continue to play well with Jake DeBrusk on the top line. Getting that second line going is key to the Bruins success. Erik Haula has done well, but it feels like they still need to add a second-line centre of defenceman.

7. Tampa Bay Lighting (Last Week 3) 

The Lightning had a rough week. They are still right in the thick of things in the Atlantic Division. Jon Cooper said it best it does not matter if his team has home-ice advantage or not. Tampa Bay is still a tough out come the playoffs. They will look to sure up their depth.

8. New York Rangers (Last Week 6) 

The Rangers have salvaged their road trip ending it on a high note. They still have work to do to make this team a contender to win the Stanley Cup. The question will be for Chris Drury does he feel this team is a true contender. Because if he does then you mortgage the future. If not, maybe he stands pat and just adds depth to win a round or two.

9. Los Angeles Kings (Last Week 10) 

The Kings were able to rebound after back-to-back losses to the Sharks. This team is in buyer mode as they deal with injuries to some key players. The Kings are doing things the right way and just like the Rangers, their time will come again.

10. Washington Capitals (Last Week 14) 

The Capitals are getting rock-solid goaltending from Vitek Vanecek once again. Washington is back in the top 10 of the NHL Power Rankings after getting five out of a possible six points in Western Canada. Washington needs a bottom-six forward at most. This team is out in the first round anyway.

11. Dallas Stars (Last Week 10) 

The Stars are just on the outside looking in on the playoffs. They will be in that position all season. With Joe Pavelski signed for another season, the Stars are in a good position. A shame Miro Heiskanen is dealing with an illness. Because it is all on John Klingberg now as he is not going to be traded.

12. St.Louis Blues (Last Week 13) 

The Blues had a nice bounce-back week. They continue to battle the Wild for the second spot in the Central. Ville Husso is clearly the number one in St. Louis right now. The Blues are in need of depth defencemen as Ben Chiarot continues to be linked to them.

13. Toronto Maple Leafs (Last Week 11 ) 

The Maple Leafs continue to struggle as defence and goaltending continue to be an issue for this team. While they would like to add a goaltender, it feels like they will ride with Petr Mrazek and defence to sure things up in front of him with Jack Campbell out of the lineup. Not to mention Auston Matthews suspended for two games doesn’t help.

14. Nashville Predators (Last Week 16) 

Nashville is right in the thick of things in the playoff race. They hold the first wild card spot in the West and within striking distance of the top three in the Central. It feels they will be using Filip Forsberg as their own rental.

15. Minnesota Wild (Last Week 15) 

The Wild are playing better as of late. They still need to add another top-six forward to take the pressure of Kirill Kaprizov. Not to mention they need to resolve their goaltending issue.

16. Las Vegas Golden Knights (Last Week 12)

The Vegas Golden Knights are broken. Who would have thought they would be a fringe team at the start of the year. Their record is 4-9-1 with Jack Eichel in the lineup. But this team is hurting because of injuries, but something else is missing. Their identity.

17. Edmonton Oilers (Last Week 19) 

The Oilers are back in the thick of things in the Western Conference as they sit in the top three in the Pacific Division. Goaltending has to be better if the Oilers want to have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in the playoffs.

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18. Vancouver Canucks (Last Week 18) 

The Canucks are still in the heart of things in the West. J.T. Miller is riding a 13-game point streak as the Canucks are clearly not trading him anymore. It will be interesting to see who they trade considering the last two spots are open in the Western Conference.

19. Winnipeg Jets (Last Week 20) 

The Jets have to be realistic about their playoff chances. Winnipeg is right in the thick of things, but they have players like Andrew Copp and Paul Stastny that could help contending teams make deep playoff runs.

20. Columbus Blue Jackets (Last Week 17) 

Columbus is holding their own in the East, but let’s face facts, the playoff teams are set in the East. The Blue Jackets are looking towards the future and maybe making a move or two will benefit them in the long run.

21. New York Islanders (Last Week 24) 

The Islanders still have the belief they are in the hunt for the playoffs. But let’s be realistic here time has run out. They are playing better as they are getting goals from Kyle Palmieri now. It will be interesting to see what players move at the deadline.

22. Montreal Canadiens (Last Week 24)

The Montreal Canadiens continue to play well under Martin St. Louis especially Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki. This team will be sellers at the deadline. Ben Chiarot is the first to sit because of asset protection let’s see if others follow.

23. Detroit Red Wings (Last Week 22) 

The Detroit Red Wings have so much hope going forward. They have good young pieces to build around including Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond. Detroit is on the cusp of being good again. They are a nice story, but they are looking to make moves for the future.

24. Chicago Blackhawks (Last Week 27) 

The Chicago Blackhawks have a nice trio for the future of Patrick Kane, Dylan Strome, and Alex DeBrincat. You have to wonder if Calvin de Haan is held out of the lineup for the trade deadline.

25. Arizona Coyotes (Last Week 25)

The Arizona Coyotes are in a position to sell at the deadline. Though you wouldn’t know by the way they are playing. With Jakob Chychrun sideline for up to four weeks, you have to wonder if they make this move in the summer now.

26. New Jersey Devils (Last Week 26) 

The Devils are showing to be a gritty team. They have won three of their past four games. However, they have some pieces teams are looking at. It will be tough for them to move P.K. Subban, but if a third team gets involved anything is possible.

27. Anaheim Ducks  (Last Week 21)

Josh Manson was the first domino to fall for the Ducks. With contract negotiations not going well with Hampus Lindholm and Rickard Rakell, you have to wonder if these players get moved before the deadline.

28. Ottawa Senators (Last Week 28) 

The Senators have a hot commodity in Anton Forsberg, but they will not give him up unless it is for the right price. It feels like Forsberg is the guy in Ottawa for the future.

29. Buffalo Sabres (Last Week 29) 

The Sabres continue to show signs of life with Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs. You have to wonder if a player like Vinnie Hinostroza gets moved out of Buffalo at the deadline. He is a solid bottom-six forward.

30. San Jose Sharks(Last Week 30) 

The Sharks continue to negotiate with Tomas Hertl about a new contract. It feels like they are close, but if nothing gets done, Hertl could find himself on a new team. 

31. Philadelphia Flyers (Last Week 31) 

Claude Giroux will play in his 1000th game with the Flyers. After that game, it is all about what deal is the best, so the Flyers can move him out. Another player to watch is Justin Braun. Teams are looking for defencemen.

32. Seattle Kraken (Last Week 32) 

The Kraken are willing to take on salary to help teams facilitate trades. But you have to wonder what they will get for Mark Giordano and Calle Jarnkrok at the deadline. Both players will help contenders go far.

That does it for this edition of NHL Power Rankings… Stay Tuned for another edition next week.