NHL Power Rankings: Canes on top, plus each team’s best newcomer for 2022-23
The 2022-23 NHL regular season is just 10 days old, but it’s time to assess what all 32 teams have done thus far — for better or worse.
For this week’s Power Rankings, we also identified the best newcomer for every team.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors rates teams against one another — taking into account game results, injuries and upcoming schedule — and those results are tabulated to produce the list featured here.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the last edition, published Oct. 10. Points paces are through Thursday’s games.
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 0.750
Next seven days: @ CGY (Oct. 22), @ VAN (Oct. 24)
Brent Burns seems tailor-made for the Hurricanes (and not just because he loves a storm surge celebration). The veteran blueliner stepped right into a top-pairing slot with Jaccob Slavin. He can still play over 22 minutes per game, get shots through traffic, play physically and make solid first passes. It’s good energy for the Canes.
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 0.750
Next seven days: vs. CAR (Oct. 22), vs. PIT (Oct. 25)
Nazem Kadri scored his first goal as a Flame by going coast-to-coast through the Oilers and heating up the always fiery Battle of Alberta. That’s one way to say hello. Kadri has been a perfect early fit in Calgary with his balance of talent and tenacity.
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 0.700
Next seven days: vs. CBJ (Oct. 23), vs. COL (Oct. 25), @ NYI (Oct. 26)
Vincent Trocheck can be the Rangers’ jack-of-all-trades: a high-speed, top-line contributor and special-teams stalwart who continuously pushes the pace offensively. It took Trocheck some time to get comfortable in the preseason and build chemistry with new linemates, but the veteran averaged a point per game out of the gate and is noticeably more confident with every game.
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 0.875
Next seven days: @ MTL (Oct. 22), @ OTT (Oct. 24), @ BOS (Oct. 25), vs. WSH (Oct. 27)
Mason Marchment is off to a dynamic start for Dallas that included two goals in his Stars debut — the top-shelf snipe was especially nice — and the big winger has continued to ooze confidence. He’ll earn plenty of ice time at 5-on-5 and can be lethal on the power play, all things Dallas hoped for when Marchment signed his four-year, $18 million deal last summer.
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 0.875
Next seven days: @ CBJ (Oct. 22), @ EDM (Oct. 24), @ CGY (Oct. 25)
Jeff Petry is at his best when, as coach Mike Sullivan says, he’s making the Penguins “harder to play against.” That’s been Petry’s goal early on in navigating his new environment, leaning on his brand of hard-nosed hockey to elevate Pittsburgh’s defense. It hasn’t been perfect, but Petry’s a player his team believes in.
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 0.750
Next seven days: vs. TB (Oct. 21), vs. NYI (Oct. 23), @ CHI (Oct. 25), @ PHI (Oct. 27)
Matthew Tkachuk has ably transitioned his signature blend of scoring skill, puck-hounding and ability to aggravate right into the Sunshine State. He notched two goals in two games to start the season in tandem with a strong defensive effort and, of course, getting under opponents’ skin. That Tkachuk-ian attitude is just what the Panthers needed.
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 0.700
Next seven days: vs. MIN (Oct. 22), vs. DAL (Oct. 25), vs. DET (Oct. 27)
How much does A.J. Greer love being a Boston Bruin? Enough to celebrate his first goal in black and gold by literally kissing the logo on his chest. Greer scored again in that Bruins home opener and has continued raising the bar on Boston’s third line with physicality and strong defensive habits.
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 0.800
Next seven days: vs. COL (Oct. 22), vs. TOR (Oct. 24), @ SJ (Oct. 25)
Bruce Cassidy is the most notable new face for Vegas, and he has the Golden Knights back up and running. The team appeared to need another fresh voice behind the bench, and Cassidy has supplied it in helping guide the Golden Knights to a 4-1 start. Change can be a good thing.
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 0.625
Next seven days: vs. SEA (Oct. 21), @ VGK (Oct. 22), @ NYR (Oct. 25)
Alexandar Georgiev lands here almost by default because the reigning Stanley Cup champions are basically running it back with the same group that took it to the house last season. The major exception, of course, is Georgiev replacing Darcy Kuemper as the team’s starter in net. He’s off to a solid start at 2-0 with a .911 SV% and 2.51 GAA.
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 1.000
Next seven days: @ EDM (Oct. 22), @ WPG (Oct. 24), vs. EDM (Oct. 26), @ NSH (Oct. 27)
Jake Neighbours got a taste of the NHL in nine games last season, and the rookie battled to make St. Louis’ roster out of camp. The 20-year-old is a strong competitor with bite to his game, and he’s showing dynamic offensive potential with a playmaker’s edge. Wherever Neighbours slots in the lineup he’s capable of chipping in.
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 0.500
Next seven days: @ WSH (Oct. 22), vs. TB (Oct. 25), vs. WPG (Oct. 27)
Kevin Fiala is delivering on the scoresheet for Los Angeles. The Kings went all-in on trading for — and then extending — Fiala to boost their forward depth, and so far it’s paying off. The winger popped in a goal and two assists against his former team, the Minnesota Wild, and has showcased good chemistry with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe.
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 0.600
Next seven days: @ WPG (Oct. 22), @ VGK (Oct. 24), @ SJ (Oct. 27)
Calle Jarnkrok has been a solid addition to the Leafs’ third line. He’s durable and versatile, a low-maintenance linemate who makes players around him better. Jarnkrok can contribute just about anywhere, including on the scoresheet, and he has looked like a nice under-the-radar pickup by Toronto.
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 0.750
Next seven days: @ NSH (Oct. 22), vs. SJ (Oct. 23), vs. FLA (Oct. 27)
John Tortorella gets the nod here because in all honesty no one is having the impact on the Flyers that he is. Philadelphia’s new coach is brutally frank, and that attitude is what will continue to define the atmosphere around this team. If anything, Tortorella seems to have the Flyers believing in themselves — even if no one else did.
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 0.500
Next seven days: @ TB (Oct. 22), @ FLA (Oct. 23), vs. NYR (Oct. 26)
Robin Salo rounded up a pair of goals in his second game of the season and has been a steady performer on the Islanders’ blue line. The rookie came into this season with 21 games previously under his belt, and early on Salo looks increasingly ready to become a full-time NHL skater.
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 0.417
Next seven days: vs. PHI (Oct. 22), vs. STL (Oct. 27)
Nino Niederreiter started hot in Music City with four goals in his first four games. Nashville previously lacked depth scoring, and Niederreiter is providing the solution there with timely offensive contributions while creating chances and helping drive play for his linemates.
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 0.833
Next seven days: @ CHI (Oct. 21), vs. ANA (Oct. 23), vs. NJ (Oct. 25), @ BOS (Oct. 27)
Ville Husso opened his tenure as Detroit’s starter with a 29-save shutout. That memorable debut is just the beginning of Husso’s potential with the Red Wings, who have desperately needed stability between the pipes. Looks like Husso — in tandem with Alex Nedeljkovic — is primed to provide it.
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 0.750
Next seven days: @ VAN (Oct. 22), @ SEA (Oct. 25), vs. MTL (Oct. 27)
Eric Comrie already made history in Buffalo as the first goaltender to register an assist — this one on an Alex Tuch goal — in his Sabres debut. The former Winnipeg Jet has been solid for the Sabres so far, with good technique and some big-time saves. Buffalo needs all that and more while finding its bearings this season.
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 0.400
Next seven days: vs. LA (Oct. 22), @ NJ (Oct. 24), @ DAL (Oct. 27)
Dylan Strome just wanted to be wanted. His early play with the Capitals shows that Strome still has much to offer. He’s a skilled skater and passer with good instincts and transitions up the ice quickly. That looks to fit with what Washington needs most as it weathers the start of this season without the likes of Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson.
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 0.500
Next seven days: vs. TOR (Oct. 22), vs. STL (Oct. 24), @ LA (Oct. 27)
Sam Gagner joining the Jets on a one-year deal in September was widely under-discussed. No matter, Gagner has done the necessary talking on the ice early in the season. He’s a hardworking grinder who has been a perfect fit on Winnipeg’s fourth line and second power play unit.
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 0.500
Next seven days: vs. STL (Oct. 22), vs. PIT (Oct. 24), @ STL (Oct. 26), @ CHI (Oct. 27)
Dylan Holloway turned an excellent training camp and preseason into an opening night roster spot to make his NHL debut in Edmonton’s top six. That’s impressive enough. Holloway has worked hard finding his way and will continue learning on the job — and through a few turnovers — to ideally become a consistent piece of the Oilers’ lineup.
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 0.600
Next seven days: vs. DAL (Oct. 22), vs. MIN (Oct. 25), @ BUF (Oct. 27)
Arber Xhekaj was a great story before he stepped onto NHL ice. The undrafted blueliner made a bruising debut with the Canadiens on opening night, and also tallied an assist. Xhekaj has been noticeable ever since and continues to show why Montreal found a place for him in the lineup.
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 0.250
Next seven days: @ FLA (Oct. 21), vs. NYI (Oct. 22), @ LA (Oct. 25), @ ANA (Oct. 26)
Vladislav Namestnikov has technically played for Tampa before, from 2013-14 to 2017-18, but the Lightning might need him now more than ever. Namestnikov has been part of Tampa Bay’s revamped third line and shown some good early returns. What the veteran lacks in flash he can make up for in reliability and consistency, two things Tampa could use.
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 0.500
Next seven days: vs. ARI (Oct. 22), vs. DAL (Oct. 24), vs. MIN (Oct. 27)
Jake Sanderson has fit beautifully onto Ottawa’s back end, and looks poised to retain a top-four role. The rookie plays a confident game, can control pace of play and isn’t afraid to take calculated chances. The Senators have to be feeding off that energy.
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 0.400
Next seven days: vs. PIT (Oct. 22), @ NYR (Oct. 23), vs. ARI (Oct. 25)
Johnny Gaudreau is an elite talent who can drive Columbus’ offense — and the Blue Jackets will need their new acquisition to do that as Patrik Laine is sidelined three to four weeks with an elbow sprain. Gaudreau is still settling onto his top-line perch while giving Columbus over 21 minutes per game with good returns on the scoresheet.
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 0.250
Next seven days: @ BOS (Oct. 22), @ MTL (Oct. 25), @ OTT (Oct. 27)
Sam Steel is one of Minnesota’s only new faces this season, and he has not been lost in the crowd. Checking in on the Wild’s third or fourth line, the 24-year-old has been reliable defensively and added some offense (including a critical game-tying goal) to be a viable option within the team’s bottom-six group.
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 0.500
Next seven days: vs. SJ (Oct. 22), vs. WSH (Oct. 24), @ DET (Oct. 25)
Alexander Holtz isn’t completely new to the Devils — he played nine games for them last season — but the rookie is eyeing a bigger role this season. The 20-year-old already notched his first career goal and could be a versatile piece in New Jersey’s bottom six as coach Lindy Ruff has already shuffled him throughout New Jersey’s lineup.
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 0.300
Next seven days: @ DET (Oct. 23), vs. TB (Oct. 26)
Ryan Strome announced himself with Anaheim in a three-point debut to fuel the Ducks’ comeback win over Seattle. That’s the impact Anaheim hoped its new top-line center would have when Strome inked a five-year, $25 million free agent contract last summer.
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 0.200
Next seven days: vs. BUF (Oct. 22), vs. CAR (Oct. 24), @ SEA (Oct. 27)
Andrei Kuzmenko has a shot just like Alex Ovechkin — or so says his coach, Bruce Boudreau. The 26-year-old rookie did score in his NHL debut and has exhibited some early chemistry with center Elias Pettersson. While Kuzmenko is still adjusting from the KHL game, there’s an assuredness and ease to him that suggests he’ll be fine.
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 0.333
Next seven days: vs. DET (Oct. 21), vs. SEA (Oct. 23), vs. FLA (Oct. 25), vs. EDM (Oct. 27)
Jason Dickinson wanted a fresh start in Chicago and in his debut game (a 5-2 win over the Red Sharks) had a goal and two assists. Dickinson barely had any notice he’d be suiting up, but it didn’t matter as the 27-year-old played on instinct and clicked with his new club.
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 0.400
Next seven days: @ COL (Oct. 21), @ CHI (Oct. 23), vs. BUF (Oct. 25), vs. VAN (Oct. 27)
Matty Beniers is the present and future of this Kraken squad. The 19-year-old is already centering Seattle’s top line, and his rookie season is off to a good start offensively with four points in five games.
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 0.250
Next seven days: @ OTT (Oct. 22), @ CBJ (Oct. 25)
Dylan Guenther might not be a fixture all season with Arizona, but the 19-year-old is making the most of his moment. Playing a second-line role, Guenther tallied an assist in his NHL debut and appears composed and confident beyond his years. That’s an excellent start.
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 0.167
Next seven days: @ NJ (Oct. 22), @ PHI (Oct. 23), vs. VGK (Oct. 25), vs. TOR (Oct. 27)
Luke Kunin went straight to a top-line role for the Sharks as a complement to Tomas Hertl and Timo Meier. San Jose grabbed Kunin from Nashville in a summertime trade to maximize its scoring potential and Kunin has tried to oblige with a pair of points in his first five games. Like the rest of San Jose’s lineup, there’s more Kunin can offer, too.
CLEVELAND — A full-fledged meet and greet was the first order of business for the Minnesota Twins upon their arrival at the ballpark Friday.
Making nine trades and jettisoning nearly 40% of their team before the deadline the previous day meant there were plenty of new faces in the visiting clubhouse when the Twins began their three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians.
Minnesota traded players including standout shortstop Carlos Correa, closer Jhoan Duran and four high-leverage relievers several years away from free agency, among them St. Paul native Louis Varland.
“It’s a hard pill to swallow, but maybe a reset was needed,” catcher Ryan Jeffers said. “We were curious to see how far the front office would go, and they decided to go really far.
“The dominos just kept falling. It just kept coming. It felt like it never ended.”
Just two years ago, the Twins won the American League Central title and advanced to the division series. It turned out to be the high point of their post-pandemic era as they missed the playoffs in 2024 and are currently six games out of the final AL wild-card position.
“A lot of guys who were on our ’23 run aren’t here anymore because of the trades, so that hurt,” pitcher Bailey Ober said. “The business side of baseball sometimes shows its ugly face sometimes. It was surreal watching what happened.”
Ober was one of 10 players who spent Thursday together in a room in the team’s downtown Cleveland hotel, keeping track of the leaguewide activity. The upbeat mood changed when several of them received phone calls from Twins president Derek Falvey telling them they were on the move.
Manager Rocco Baldelli and Ober said no one took the news worse than hometown product Varland, an emerging reliever who was under team control through 2030.
“It was hardest on Lou, and I don’t think it’s close,” Baldelli said. “He loves the organization, and he loves being close to his family. Yeah, he took it hard.”
To field a full roster against the Guardians, the Twins recalled six players from Triple-A St. Paul and selected the contracts of two more Saints. Baldelli held a team meeting as soon as everyone arrived at Progressive Field, then spoke individually with many of his remaining veterans.
All-Star center fielder and unquestioned team leader Byron Buxton, who is on the 10-day injured list with left ribcage inflammation, also joined the Twins in Cleveland.
“Just having him here is huge,” outfielder Matt Wallner said. “That gives us some sense of normal.”
Starting pitcher Chris Paddack, one of six impending free agents, was the first to go Monday to the Detroit Tigers.
Duran, who had a 2.47 ERA with 292 strikeouts over 233⅔ innings in four seasons, was dealt Wednesday to the Philadelphia Phillies in the first sign that the Twins were serious about trading veterans. Duran fetched Triple-A starting pitcher Mick Abel and High-A catcher Eduardo Tait.
“It’s hard, but it’s about making sure that you’re constantly trying to find a way to not just sit on your heels, hope that it all goes better and keep your fingers crossed,” Falvey said. “It’s a way to actually go invest in the future of the team, hopefully the short-term and the long-term.”
Outfielder Harrison Bader followed Duran to the Phillies, and reliever Brock Stewart was sent to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Reliever Danny Coulombe went to the Texas Rangers. First baseman Ty France and Varland were packaged to Toronto for Triple-A outfielder Alan Roden and Triple-A starting pitcher Kendry Rojas.
“I was in uniform, ready to play for the Buffalo Bisons when it happened,” Roden said, chuckling. “It was a pretty normal day until it wasn’t.”
Popular multiposition player Willi Castro went to the Chicago Cubs and reliever Griffin Jax was sent to the Tampa Bay Rays. Then came the headliner. Correa went back to his original team, the Houston Astros, in what amounted to a salary dump while also bringing back High-A starting pitcher Matt Mikulski.
“It was sad that Carlos left,” catcher Christian Vázquez said. “It was a hard day yesterday. We’re like a family in the clubhouse, so it was hard. It was a fun ride with all of them.”
Less than 22 months ago, the Twins were celebrating at a packed Target Field after Duran closed out a two-game sweep of the Blue Jays in the wild-card round for their first playoff series win in 21 years and the end of their record 18-game postseason losing streak.
Since then, they’ve been in ownership-ordered payroll purgatory in light of the hefty hit they took in regional television revenue after the Diamond Sports Group bankruptcy that affected several other clubs from midsize and small markets.
Even the most aggressive scenarios the Twins envisioned prior to the deadline didn’t include Correa, who signed the richest contract in club history as a free agent after the 2022 season. But the Astros wanted him back and were willing to eat most of the roughly $103 million remaining on his deal through 2028, and Correa was willing to waive his no-trade clause to return to the team that drafted him. The Twins agreed to cover $33 million, due in four installments each Dec. 15.
Falvey was adamant that the Twins aren’t trying to bottom out with this rebuild as other clubs have done with varying degrees of success. The Twins kept both of their All-Stars: Buxton and starting pitcher Joe Ryan, who had plenty of suitors. They’re still confident in third baseman Royce Lewis, who has followed a series of injuries with inconsistency at the plate this season. Starting pitcher Pablo López, whose shoulder injury preceded a skid in June the Twins never corrected, will be back sooner rather than later.
“We’re here to win, let me be clear,” Baldelli said. “The locker room looks different, the team looks different, the lineup is different, but let’s go to work.”
PHILADELPHIA — Phillies slugger Bryce Harper was ejected in the seventh inning of Friday’s game against Detroit for arguing a called third strike on a check swing.
The Phillies scored three runs in the seventh to tie the score at 3-3 and had two runners on base with two outs when Harper faced Tigers reliever Will Vest.
Harper tried to check his swing on a full-count changeup from Vest, but third-base umpire Vic Carapazza rang up Harper, who ripped his helmet off his head in an outburst and shouted as he waved his arms at Carapazza.
Harper was promptly ejected and kept his helmet with him as he walked into the dugout.
“I left the batter’s box walking toward him, so I think it was warranted,” Harper said.
Harper said after the Phillies beat the Tigers 5-4 that he had yet to see the replay, which seemed to indicate he went around with his swing.
“Can’t get thrown out in that situation, especially with the ninth inning possibly coming around and my at-bat coming up,” Harper said.
WASHINGTON — The Milwaukee Brewers placed outfielder Jackson Chourio on the 10-day injured list Friday after evaluations of his strained right hamstring revealed more significant issues than expected.
Chourio was injured Tuesday while running the bases on a triple in the fifth inning. The move to the IL was made retroactive to Wednesday.
Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said the 21-year-old Chourio likely will require more than a minimum stay on the injured list.
“It won’t be anytime soon,” Murphy said before the Brewers’ series opener against Washington. “He was diagnosed a little more severely than we initially thought. To what extent, I’m not exactly sure. Nor are they. We’re just going to have to rehab it.”
Murphy said Chourio will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection.
Chourio is hitting .276 with 17 homers, 67 RBI and 18 steals for Milwaukee, which entered Friday with the best record in the majors at 64-44. He was replaced on the active roster by outfielder Brandon Lockridge, who the Brewers acquired Thursday from San Diego for pitcher Nestor Cortes, infielder Jorge Quintana and cash.
Lockridge, who hit .216 with five RBI in 47 games with the Padres this season, was inserted into the leadoff slot Friday against the Nationals.
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