NHL Power Rankings: 1-32 poll, each team’s best rookie

Kristen Shilton, ESPN NHL reporterApr 5, 2024, 06:55 AM ET

CloseKristen Shilton is a national NHL reporter for ESPN.

April has begun, and the end of the 2023-24 regular season looms on the 18th. Which teams are heating up at just the right time — and which are falling off?

Our voters have cast their ballots, with some major shifts yet again as one of the closest Presidents’ Trophy races in recent history is unfolding. Plus: Because it’s awards season, we created a hypothetical: If there were a Calder Trophy given out for each team’s rookie of the year, who would the 32 winners be? We answer that question this week as well.

How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday, which generates our master list here.

Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published March 29. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.

Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 69.08%

Logan Stankoven was a dominant AHL skater. And he has been more than ready for a big league chance. The 21-year-old found immediate chemistry with linemates Jamie Benn and Wyatt Johnson upon being added to the Stars roster, and he put up five goals in his first tenure to prove it. If Stankoven only gets better from here? That’s a gold rush for Big D.

Next seven days: @ CHI (April 6), @ COL (April 7), vs. BUF (April 9), vs. WPG (April 11)

Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 69.74%

Sure, New York has one headline-generating freshman in Matt Rempe. But in terms of on-ice impact, the Rangers’ Calder Trophy goes to Will Cuylle. The 22-year-old winger settled into a fourth-line slot where he pairs a physical, forechecking punch with offensive upside (12 goals in 73 games) to give the Rangers’ depth a boost.

Next seven days: @ DET (April 5), vs. MTL (April 7), @ NYI (April 9), vs. PHI (April 11)

Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 66.45%

Carolina has rallied around rookie goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov….


Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39875680/nhl-power-rankings-2023-2024-best-teams-standings-rookies

Author : Kristen Shilton

Publish date : 2024-04-05 10:48:10

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