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Sean Allen
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Sean Allen
Particular to ESPN.com
- Sean Allen is a contributing creator for fable hockey and having a bet at ESPN. He was once the 2008 and 2009 FSWA Hockey Author of the 12 months.
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Victoria Matiash
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Victoria Matiash
Particular to ESPN.com
- Victoria Matiash is a contributing creator for fable hockey and having a bet at ESPN. Victoria has been part of the fable workforce since 2010.
Apr 11, 2025, 07:15 AM ET
The 2024-25 NHL season is sort of over, with the Stanley Cup playoffs set to start out on April 19.
So for this week’s version of the Energy Scores — the overall regular-season version — let’s sit up for what enthusiasts will have to be expecting out of each workforce within the 2025-26 season.
Editor’s Alternatives
2 Comparable
ESPN analysts Sean Allen and Victoria Matiash positioned each and every workforce into one among 4 tiers: Stanley Cup contender, playoff workforce, at the bubble, nonetheless creating and draft lottery. Victoria profiled the Western Convention groups, whilst Sean treated the East.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, journalists and editors sends in a 1-32 ballot in accordance with the video games thru Wednesday, which generates our grasp listing.
Observe: Earlier rating for each and every workforce refers back to the earlier version, revealed April 4. Issues percentages are thru Thursday’s video games.
NHL Energy Scores ESPN Representation
Earlier rating: 1
Issues proportion: 70.9%
Stanley Cup contender. Protection wins championships. So it is tough to fathom why the most efficient defensive workforce within the league would not once more contend for the highest prize a season got rid of from now, specifically with a Hart Trophy candidate between the pipes in Connor Hellebuyck, and constant scoring from Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and defenseman Josh Morrissey.
Ultimate video games: @ CHI (April 12), vs. EDM (April 13), vs. ANA (April 16)
Earlier rating: 2
Issues proportion: 69.9%
Playoff workforce. It is too insulting to position a Presidents’ Trophy risk down as being at the bubble for subsequent season … however it is oddly tempting for those Capitals. They have been regarded as as a lot entering this season, in spite of everything. So was once this a Cinderella run that coincided with Alex Ovechkin’s magical season? Or are those Caps right here to stick and compete for the Cup once more after Ovi celebrates the massive 4-0? Let’s cut up the adaptation and make contact with them a playoff workforce.
Ultimate video games: @ CBJ (April 12), vs. CBJ (April 13), @ NYI (April 15), @ PIT (April 17)
Earlier rating: 3
Issues proportion: 67.1%
Stanley Cup contender. One of the most league’s private squads, the Stars can nonetheless safe victories with out one of the vital sport’s very best defenseman … and Miro Heiskanen may not be out perpetually. With Mikko Rantanen signed thru 2032-33 and younger Wyatt Johnston evolving right into a top-notch performer, they are going to have the ability to keep aggressive at the same time as veterans corresponding to Matt Duchene hit unfastened company.
Ultimate video games: vs. UTA (April 12), @ DET (April 14), @ NSH (April 16)
Earlier rating: 4
Issues proportion: 66.5%
Stanley Cup contender. No Jonathan Marchessault or Chandler Stephenson? No downside! Pressured to compete with out a banged-up William Karlsson, a declining Alex Pietrangelo and a quiet-for-two-months Tomas Hertl? Nonetheless fantastic! If there may be anything else to be discovered from the Knights’ exceptionally well-managed eight-year historical past, it is that they may be able to by no means be counted out to win the entire shebang. Additionally, Jack Eichel and Mark Stone are nonetheless excellent.
Ultimate video games: vs. NSH (April 12), @ CGY (April 15), @ VAN (April 16)
Earlier rating: 7
Issues proportion: 62.5%
Stanley Cup contender. So long as Nathan MacKinnon leads the price up entrance and Cale Makar continues to polish as a perennial Norris Trophy candidate, the Avalanche cannot be discounted as a official challenger. The remainder of the gamers, new faces and outdated, at all times appear to fit accurately into position. Trainer Jared Bednar most certainly merits extra credit score than he will get.
Ultimate video games: @ LA (April 12), @ ANA (April 13)
Earlier rating: 6
Issues proportion: 64.1%
Stanley Cup contender. With Mitch Marner, John Tavares and Matthew Knies all up for brand spanking new contracts, no workforce faces a larger offseason problem than the Maple Leafs. How they navigate this might be a very powerful in figuring out whether or not they stay a Stanley Cup contender or settle into being simply some other playoff workforce.
Ultimate video games: vs. MTL (April 12), @ CAR (April 13), @ BUF (April 15), vs. DET (April 17)
Earlier rating: 5
Issues proportion: 62.2%
Playoff workforce. The Hurricanes emerged from the Mikko Rantanen saga best fairly worse off, however they are nonetheless weaker now than earlier than all of it started. Alexander Nikishin generally is a game-changer at the blue line when he arrives from the KHL, however touchdown Rantanen — and even retaining Martin Necas — would’ve vaulted them into true Stanley Cup competition. This tier may really feel too tame for the Canes, and the playoffs may well be the place they remind everybody simply how bad they truly are.
Ultimate video games: vs. NYR (April 12), vs. TOR (April 13), @ MTL (April 16), @ OTT (April 17)
Earlier rating: 9
Issues proportion: 63.5%
Playoff workforce. The NHL’s second-best defensive aspect stays a prolific scorer or two clear of sharing corporate with the league’s elite. With complete recognize to Jim Hiller’s suffocating mode of play, this stays a sport gained through rifling the puck within the opposition’s internet. Plus, long term Corridor of Famer Anze Kopitar is not getting any more youthful.
Ultimate video games: vs. COL (April 12), @ EDM (April 14), @ SEA (April 15), vs. CGY (April 17)
Earlier rating: 8
Issues proportion: 62.2%
Stanley Cup contender. The Bolts were dominant for goodbye with the similar core that it would not harm to ease off the gasoline and inject some recent potentialities. However so long as Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman and Andrei Vasilevskiy are functioning at their very best, how are you able to justify no longer going all-in each season?
Ultimate video games: vs. BUF (April 13), vs. FLA (April 15), @ NYR (April 17)
Earlier rating: 11
Issues proportion: 60.9%
At the bubble. How may just a workforce with two bona fide superstars, best months got rid of from enjoying in Sport 7 of the Stanley Cup Ultimate, be regarded as a bubble workforce heading into 2025-26? When that membership ranks within the backside part of the league in targets allowed, and is predicated a lot too closely on the ones two aforementioned megawatt performers.
Ultimate video games: vs. SJ (April 11), @ WPG (April 13), vs. LA (April 14), @ SJ (April 16)
Earlier rating: 10
Issues proportion: 60.8%
Stanley Cup contender. The window remains open so long as Sergei Bobrovsky helps to keep grinding. Including Seth Jones was once a savvy transfer, fueling a couple of extra years of respectable competition within the East. However it is Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk and Bobrovsky who’ll power this workforce deep into the playoffs. After all, touchdown Jones got here at a value — the Panthers mortgaged their post-Bobrovsky long term. It might be reassuring to peer a Plan B in internet take form heading into 2025-26 and past.
Ultimate video games: vs. BUF (April 12), vs. NYR (April 14), @ TB (April 15)
Earlier rating: 12
Issues proportion: 58.1%
Playoff workforce. If there may be anything else to remove from the Blues’ scorching run because the 4 International locations Face-Off spoil, it is that this workforce can compete with somebody, now that they are totally purchased in to Jim Sir Bernard Law’s machine. The reliance on Robert Thomas to proceed contributing two issues each sport could be the one issue casting off then from retaining corporate with the most powerful contenders.
Ultimate video games: @ SEA (April 12), vs. UTA (April 15)
Earlier rating: 14
Issues proportion: 58.9%
Playoff workforce. Whilst there may be not anything flashy or specifically productive about this stingy Minnesota workforce, they simply win video games — even if their two very best forwards, Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek, don’t seem to be within the lineup, regardless that having them again clearly is helping, as we noticed this week. Having the underrated Filip Gustavsson in internet is helping, too.
Ultimate video games: @ CGY (April 11), @ VAN (April 12), vs. ANA (April 15)
Earlier rating: 15
Issues proportion: 57.7%
Playoff workforce. Welcome to aggressive hockey for the foreseeable long term. With a well-built, long-term younger core making its first postseason look in combination, the Senators are poised to make this a standard prevalence. They have got balance in internet and can construct in this playoff run, regardless of how some distance it is going.
Ultimate video games: vs. MTL (April 11), vs. PHI (April 13), vs. CHI (April 15), vs. CAR (April 17)
Earlier rating: 13
Issues proportion: 57.1%
Stanley Cup contender. The items are in position; the Devils simply want to keep wholesome. They have been able to make deep playoff runs this season, however it is exhausting to peer that taking place with out Jack Hughes, their very best participant. Jacob Markstrom, Dougie Hamilton and Luke Hughes additionally ignored vital time. The core skaters are locked in for years, however with a 35-year-old Markstrom in internet, the window is not as huge. New Jersey wishes to go into subsequent season have compatibility and firing on all cylinders for a real championship push.
Ultimate video games: vs. PIT (April 11), vs. NYI (April 13), @ BOS (April 15), vs. DET (April 16)
Earlier rating: 16
Issues proportion: 56.4%
At the bubble. Led through Nazem Kadri and a refreshed Jonathan Huberdeau, the in large part rebuilding Flames seem fairly forward of time table. Additional maturation of Connor Zary and Matt Coronato, together with the debut of blue-line prospect Zayne Parekh will have to entrench Calgary within the playoff combine. It additionally does not harm that rookie netminder Dustin Wolf is proving to be the real article.
Ultimate video games: vs. MIN (April 11), vs. SJ (April 13), vs. VGK (April 15), @ LA (April 17)
Earlier rating: 18
Issues proportion: 55.8%
At the bubble. This late-season surge into playoff territory displays good team-building, and suggests the Habs can keep aggressive within the close to long term. Including peak prospect Ivan Demidov for the playoff push simply alerts the energy and imminence of the possibility pool. Sam Montembeault looks as if the solution in internet, regardless that consistency stays a hurdle (thirtieth in save proportion, regardless of some elite outings). If Montreal helps to keep constructing patiently, this may well be the beginning of one thing actual.
Ultimate video games: @ OTT (April 11), @ TOR (April 12), vs. CHI (April 14), vs. CAR (April 16)
Earlier rating: 17
Issues proportion: 55.1%
At the bubble. If Elias Pettersson rediscovers his mojo, Brock Boeser regains his scoring contact (if he re-signs) and Thatcher Demko figures out the way to stay wholesome, the Canucks will have to transfer on undoubtedly from this drama-riddled marketing campaign. If no longer, Vancouver enthusiasts are in for some other disappointing run. Top quality defenseman Quinn Hughes can best be requested to take action a lot.
Ultimate video games: vs. MIN (April 12), vs. SJ (April 14), vs. VGK (April 16)
Earlier rating: 19
Issues proportion: 53.8%
At the bubble. With 12 months 1 in its new house beneath the workforce’s collective socks, Utah seems poised to threaten one of the most higher groups within the West. Having a wholesome Sean Durzi at the blue line all season, together with blossoming forwards Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley up entrance, might be key to that finish.
Ultimate video games: @ DAL (April 12), @ NSH (April 14), @ STL (April 15)
Earlier rating: 20
Issues proportion: 51.3%
Playoff workforce. The workforce’s power-play good fortune mirrors its level general, and it sort of feels the league is catching on. This core will get some other shot, with one of the vital league’s very best goalies in Igor Shesterkin locked in for years. One has to imagine the Rangers will have the opportunity to rejuvenate the ability play and are available again robust in 2025-26.
Ultimate video games: @ CAR (April 12), @ FLA (April 14), vs. TB (April 17)
Earlier rating: 22
Issues proportion: 50.6%
At the bubble. The Crimson Wings are at the bubble, however it is with regards to bursting. If they do not make a touch in unfastened company, this core dangers spinning its wheels. They stayed most commonly wholesome, were given respectable goaltending, and nonetheless fell wanting the playoffs. This roster wishes some extra strikes to get them there in 2025-26.
Ultimate video games: @ TB (April 11), vs. DAL (April 14), @ NJ (April 16), @ TOR (April 17)
Earlier rating: 21
Issues proportion: 51.9%
At the bubble. The Blue Jackets would possibly fall simply wanting the playoffs, however they have proven they are at the verge of changing into a standard risk. Some other season of good building may just set this homegrown roster as much as spoil thru. They are nonetheless a high-impact ahead and a steadier goalie tandem away — however there may be time to get it proper.
Ultimate video games: vs. WSH (April 12), @ WSH (April 13), @ PHI (April 15), vs. NYI (April 17)
Earlier rating: 23
Issues proportion: 50.6%
Nonetheless creating. It will sound harsh, particularly with Ilya Sorokin in internet, however the place’s the big name chronic past that? Mathew Barzal is superb, however historical past presentations he is not the sort to hold a workforce to the playoffs. Defenseman Noah Dobson regressed this season. Who else steps as much as push the Islanders out of the East’s decrease tier?
Ultimate video games: @ PHI (April 12), @ NJ (April 13), vs. WSH (April 15), @ CBJ (April 17)
Earlier rating: 24
Issues proportion: 49.4%
Nonetheless creating. Leo Carlsson is creating into an elite performer in actual time. Rookie Cutter Gauthier could also be proper there. Pending limited unfastened agent Lukas Dostal seems to be the solution in internet subsequent season and past. However whilst at the cusp of threatening to problem for a playoff spot, this younger Geese squad is most probably nonetheless one season clear of taking that subsequent large step.
Ultimate video games: vs. COL (April 13), @ MIN (April 15), @ WPG (April 16)
Earlier rating: 26
Issues proportion: 48.7%
Nonetheless creating. Sabres enthusiasts have heard all of it earlier than, however there may be actual attainable right here, and 2025-26 may just in any case be the yr it clicks. The defensive peak 4 are among the finest younger teams within the league, there may be big name chronic up entrance and there are promising goalies within the pipeline. Nonetheless, it is exhausting to transport them into the playoff bubble if the one factor that adjustments through October is some other hockey-less summer season in Buffalo.
Ultimate video games: @ FLA (April 12), @ TB (April 13), vs. TOR (April 15), vs. PHI (April 17)
Earlier rating: 25
Issues proportion: 48.1%
Nonetheless creating. Let’s hope the Penguins brass took notes on how the Capitals navigated an growing old, but nonetheless outstanding, Alex Ovechkin and try a an identical “retool” to make the following season or two a good revel in for Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. However with the choice of targets the Pens have been permitting this season, adjustments are essential in internet. Some late-season development from Tristan Jarry presented a glimmer of hope, a minimum of.
Ultimate video games: @ NJ (April 11), vs. BOS (April 13), vs. WSH (April 17)
Earlier rating: 28
Issues proportion: 46.3%
Nonetheless creating. Whilst the Kraken are jointly adept sufficient at steadily giving the opposition a troublesome sufficient time, this stays a league fueled through big name chronic. Till Seattle control harnesses that magic — asking Jared McCann, Chandler Stephenson or Matty Beniers to fill the ones skates is not honest — this group-effort manner will best take them to this point.
Ultimate video games: vs. STL (April 12), vs. LA (April 15)
Earlier rating: 27
Issues proportion: 46.8%
Draft lottery. Some other season of building does not look like sufficient to carry this Flyers workforce. Matvei Michkov is a a very powerful constructing block, however it is unclear whether or not the big name middle, defenseman and goaltender that aggressive groups want are within the pipeline. No less than another excessive draft select is essential, however two can be even higher.
Ultimate video games: vs. NYI (April 12), @ OTT (April 13), vs. CBJ (April 15), @ BUF (April 17)
Earlier rating: 29
Issues proportion: 45.6%
Nonetheless creating. This season was once a take-heed call for Bruins enthusiasts lengthy used to penciling in a playoff berth. A harsh fall to the Japanese Convention basement shattered the ones expectancies. Jeremy Swayman merits higher, and David Pastrnak stays the cornerstone, however it would take greater than a snappy offseason repair to get the Bruins again in competition.
Ultimate video games: @ PIT (April 13), vs. NJ (April 15)
Earlier rating: 30
Issues proportion: 41.8%
At the bubble. Is that this dumpster hearth of a season worthy of a mulligan, or is it a harbinger of an similarly gloomy long term? Barry Trotz & Co. higher hope for the previous, bearing in mind what number of distinguished gamers are locked in for some time. Thankfully the sum of the distinguished portions, together with Steven Stamkos, Filip Forsberg, Jonathan Marchessault, Norris Trophy winner Roman Josi and Vezina Trophy-caliber goalie Juuse Saros, is larger than what added as much as this season’s mess.
Ultimate video games: @ VGK (April 12), vs. UTA (April 14), vs. DAL (April 16)
Earlier rating: 31
Issues proportion: 35.4%
Draft lottery. With too few glowing potentialities primed to make an influence — forwards Frank Nazar and Oliver Moore and defenseman Artyom Levshunov may not flip this franchise round on their very own — the Blackhawks may just rather well flirt with completing useless remaining once more in 2025-26, regardless of rostering younger big name Connor Bedard as their peak middle.
Ultimate video games: vs. WPG (April 12), @ MTL (April 14), @ OTT (April 15)
Earlier rating: 32
Issues proportion: 32.7%
Draft lottery. As excellent as Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith are going to be, this membership nonetheless wishes to determine the way to stay the puck out of its personal internet. Hemorrhaging upwards of three.75 targets according to sport is not ever going to chop it. GM Mike Grier nonetheless has some paintings to do to strengthen this rebuilding workforce right into a extra well-rounded drive.
Ultimate video games: @ EDM (April 11), @ CGY (April 13), @ VAN (April 14), vs. EDM (April 16)
