Stars
Misplaced in all of the Mikko Rantanen hubbub was Wyatt Johnston signing a five-year, $42 million contract extension. Stars GM Jim Nill has achieved some nice issues this 12 months, however that is perhaps his greatest and finest transfer but. At simply 21 years outdated, Johnston is third on the crew with 60 factors, and he ought to solely preserve getting higher. That $8.5 million cap hit is already a discount. 1 42-20-2
2

Capitals
Like so many different veterans on this Caps crew, John Carlson is having a resurgent season. Not solely has Carlson chipped in 42 factors from the blue line, however he is additionally posted a glowing plus-14 aim differential at five-on-five to accompany his 55.0% anticipated objectives share. He is enjoying like a real No. 1 defenseman once more. 3 43-14-8
3

Panthers
At this level, the Panthers are simply centered on attending to the playoffs. Matthew Tkachuk hasn’t performed since getting injured within the 4 Nations Face-Off. Newly acquired Brad Marchand may play earlier than the playoffs. Prime-four defenseman Aaron Ekblad was simply suspended 20 video games for PED use. The house stretch is perhaps a slog, however then once more, the reigning champs simply gained six in a row. 1 40-22-3
4

Avalanche
Valeri Nichushkin scored a hat trick in opposition to the Maple Leafs final weekend, and he is now as much as 15 objectives in simply 27 video games performed. A few of Nichushkin’s five-on-five metrics have been lagging behind his manufacturing, however the Avs have not been capable of flip their nostril up at depth scoring. Moreover, Nichushkin has confirmed he is constructed for the playoffs. 3 39-24-3
5

Jets
Winnipeg has an eight-point lead over the Stars within the Central Division, and it might be within the crew’s finest curiosity to keep up that. The Jets do not need to fall into second place, the place a matchup in opposition to the Avalanche and their revamp roster awaits. Winnipeg had a comparatively quiet deadline, and which will show to be a smart resolution, however there is not any query Colorado and Dallas look stronger on paper now. 4 45-17-4
6

Golden Knights
After a sluggish begin to his time in Vegas, Tomas Hertl has caught hearth these days. The previous Shark has seven objectives in his final 9 video games, and that places him at 27 on the 12 months. That places Hertl on tempo to tie his profession excessive of 35 objectives, which got here again in 2018-19. That is yet one more instance of why groups are extra aggressive in buying gamers with time period, versus leases, on the commerce deadline. 2 38-19-7
7

Hurricanes
There is a sense the Hurricanes could have overplayed their hand with the Rantanen scenario, and which may be true within the short-term, however Logan Stankoven is a pleasant comfort prize. He scored in his Canes debut on Sunday, and the 22-year-old could possibly be a top-six participant for a very long time. 2 39-22-4
8

Maple Leafs
The scuttlebutt across the NHL is Mitch Marner was floated because the doable return in a commerce for Mikko Rantanen. That makes some sense as a result of Marner is a pending UFA, and he is not getting any cheaper. Marner leads the Leafs with 59 assists and 80 factors, and his five-on-five impacts are sturdy too. 5 39-22-3
9

Lightning
Since Jan. 1, Andrei Vasilevskiy has been one of the best goalie within the NHL, and it hasn’t been significantly shut. In that span, Vaslievskiy has posted a .926 save share to associate with his 16.2 objectives saved above common, which ranks first amongst all goalies. 3 37-23-4
10

Kings
Whats up, Quinton Byfield. The previous No. 2 general decide has been unable to search out the scoresheet a lot, however he has now recorded a aim in 4 straight video games. The Kings have had offensive points all season, however Byfield getting sizzling would remedy a few of what ails them. Byfield proved he was a 20-goal scorer in 2023-24, and he has the potential to exceed that tempo. 5 34-20-9
11

Wild
Minnesota has slipped right into a wild card spot, and whereas it is in no hazard of lacking the playoffs, the crew has been trending within the fallacious course. That may occur when your finest participant and finest heart are each out on the identical time. That is put extra stress on younger Matt Boldy, who has gone chilly. The 23-year-old winger hasn’t scored in his final eight video games, and he has three objectives in his final 18. 1 37-24-4
12

Oilers
The Oilers’ resolution to not pursue secondary scoring extra aggressively on the commerce deadline stays baffling. Corey Perry is fifth on the crew in scoring with 14 objectives, and whereas that is nice for the 39-year-old veteran, it is most likely not an excellent indication of Edmonton’s depth. With McDavid and Draisaitl of their prime, Stan Bowman selected to face pat and roll the cube with a clearly flawed roster. 1 37-23-4
13

Devils
If the Devils are going to outlive with out Jack Hughes within the lineup, they will want extra out of Jesper Bratt, who simply ended an eight-game aim drought. On the entire, Bratt’s scoring has dipped a bit. Within the earlier two seasons, he scored a mixed 59 objectives, however he sits at simply 18 in 2024-25. To his credit score, Bratt has taken his playmaking to a different stage, however he wants to begin pulling the set off extra now. 3 35-25-6
14

Senators
Brady Tkachuk returned from harm on March 1, and he is been doing nothing however scoring since then. Tkachuk has six objectives in six video games this month, and he is doing his half to verify the Senators finish their playoff drought at seven years. Now can he get some assist from the remainder of the lineup, which has struggled to place crooked numbers on the scoreboard? 4 34-25-5
15

Blue Jackets
From a manufacturing standpoint, Adam Fantilli has began trying way more snug these days. The second-year heart has six objectives and 4 assists in his final seven video games. The transition to the NHL hasn’t all the time been clean for the previous No. 3 general decide, however he could possibly be discovering his groove simply in time for the Jackets to maintain their playoff push alive. 1 31-25-8
16

Blues
It is powerful to correctly measure the influence Dylan Holloway has had on the Blues. He is supplied pace and scoring, as effectively a plus-15 aim differential at five-on-five. He is achieved that every one on the low price of $2.29 million. The Oilers’ incapacity to maintain Holloway this previous offseason already appears to be like like a large blunder on their half and a serious boon for the Blues. 5 31-27-7
17

Pink Wings
Detroit’s playoff hopes are in precarious place amid a six-game dropping streak. In that point, the offense has dried up, and it is most likely no shock that the facility play has come again to Earth. On this stretch, the person benefit has transformed on simply three of its 17 man benefit alternatives. That is not essentially abysmal, however it’s notably worse than the almost 40% clip that unit was working at underneath Todd McLellan. 6 30-28-6
18

Canadiens
Regardless of a minus-20 aim differential and one of many worst five-on-five aim anticipated aim share numbers within the NHL, the Canadiens are simply 4 factors out of a playoff spot. That is the state of the race within the East, and it has opened the door for a rebuilding membership like Montreal to get in. Not solely would that be a enjoyable story, however it might be good for a number of the crew’s younger core to get postseason expertise. 1 31-27-6
19

Rangers
The Rangers have achieved their finest to overlook a playoff berth the remainder of the East’s wild card contenders are attempting handy them. Nevertheless, Artemi Panarin is doing all the things he can to beat New York’s mediocrity. Panarin has 5 objectives and 10 factors within the final six video games, and he has stored the Rangers within the struggle. Whether or not anybody else steps up down the stretch stays to be seen. 3 31-28-6
20

Canucks
Elias Pettersson snapped his prolonged scoring drought Saturday, however that does not imply all is effectively. That aim is one in every of Pettersson’s two factors in his final seven video games, and he is on tempo for the worst season of his profession. Rick Tocchet continues to name out Pettersson within the media, however the Canucks merely have not been capable of snap out of this funk. It is beginning to appear like he will not get proper by the tip of the common season. 1 29-24-11
21

Flames
Rasmus Andersson was one of many commerce targets I pinpointed final week, at the least partially as a result of it has been a battle for him. His offensive manufacturing has taken a step again, and Andersson’s five-on-five impacts have been poor, particularly his minus-9 aim differential. Andersson generally is a top-pairing caliber defenseman, and I might see a change of surroundings in his future. 1 30-23-10
22

Hockey Membership
It might shock you to be taught that Utah is without doubt one of the finest groups within the league at five-on-five on the subject of out-shooting and out-chanching opponents. The difficulty is that they have not transformed on these possibilities typically sufficient. The crew’s 8.29% capturing share at full power is tied for twenty fourth. If Utah will get a couple of extra bounces, it might sneak into the playoffs. — 28-25-11
23

Geese
The Geese simply turned the final crew to get a 20-goal rating on their roster. The participant who hit that quantity is 30-year-old Frank Vatrano. That type of highlights the frustrations with the crew’s rebuild over the past handful of years. Anaheim has stockpiled high-end prospects, however the lack of on-ice outcomes is regarding. 3 28-29-7
24

Islanders
Bo Horvat has one aim and two assists in his final 11 video games, and his 43 factors put him on tempo for a large step again following a 68-point marketing campaign in 2023-24. The large query for the Isles is whether or not that is merely an off 12 months or does it characterize the beginning of the decline for a participant who’s signed by 2031? — 29-28-7
25

Bruins
The Bruins will take any indicators of life they will get from Jeremy Swayman, and his newest five-game pattern measurement presents some encouragement. He is stopped 115 of the 125 photographs he is confronted whereas saving 2.53 objectives above common. The Bruins are someway nonetheless alive within the playoff race, and it is vital to recollect Swayman is able to stealing video games at his finest. — 30-28-8
26

Flyers
Matvei Michkov is now tied for the objectives lead amongst rookies with 20, and he is achieved that whereas lacking the odd interval when John Tortorella is punishing him for a mistake. Michkov is clearly a particular expertise, and his underlying five-on-five impacts are spectacular for a 20-year-old. Michkov could not win the Calder, however he ought to be up for extra awards all through his profession. 3 27-31-8
27

Kraken
At this level, the Kraken have to deal with creating constructive mojo for 2025-26, particularly on the subject of Chandler Stephenson and Brandon Montour. These two have been signed for the lengthy haul over the summer season, and so they have mixed for a minus-17 aim differential at five-on-five. That is not what you need from two gamers who have been picked to be foundational items. 1 27-34-4
28

Predators
After going 13 video games with no single level, Steven Stamkos has all of the sudden caught hearth. He now has 5 objectives and 4 assists in his final 4 video games, which has made his season totals look somewhat extra respectable. Much like the Kraken, the Predators want to search out causes for hope shifting ahead, and indicators of life from Stamkos would qualify. 2 25-32-7
29

Sabres
One of many Sabres’ (many) initiatives for the subsequent offseason have to be discovering a real No. 2 defenseman to fit alongside Rasmus Dahlin, who has been distinctive as soon as once more. Possibly Owen Energy turns into that man, however he nonetheless has some growing to do. Dahlin is doing his finest to hold this blue line on his shoulders in all three zones, however he wants extra help. 2 25-32-6
30

Penguins
I’ll take a break from justifiably dumping on the Penguins each week to admire the efforts of the nice Sidney Crosby. With 4 objectives in his final two video games, Crosby has pushed his level complete to 70, which is the fifteenth time he is hit that quantity in his profession. He is nonetheless obtained loads of gasoline left within the tank, and I’m urging Kyle Dubas to present Crosby yet another run at a Cup in Pittsburgh. 1 26-31-10
31

Blackhawks
Spencer Knight already appears to be like like a future star within the crease for Chicago. In his first three begins, he is gotten quite a lot of work with 95 saves on 101 photographs in opposition to. Knight confirmed quite a lot of promise in Florida, however he was caught behind Sergei Bobrovsky. That will not be an issue with the Blackhawks, which is able to give him all of the work he needs. — 20-36-9
32

Sharks
Up till just lately, Will Smith was nonetheless making an attempt to get his ft moist within the NHL. During the last couple of weeks, he is been doing greater than that. Smith is as much as 4 objectives and 5 objectives in his final seven video games. His 32 factors are fourth amongst NHL rookies, and Smith is beginning to reside as much as his draft pedigree. — 17-40-9