NHL Power Rankings: One word to describe each team’s 2022-23 season
The Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils continue to pile up the points, while the defending Stanley Cup champ Colorado Avalanche suffered a major injury blow this week with the news that Nathan MacKinnon would miss time. Recent additions on the ice and behind the bench have done their fair share to influence their new teams — or have disappointed. And a new class of superstars has emerged, from Jason Robertson to Tage Thompson to Matty Beniers and many more.
It might be tough to sum up the first two months of the 2022-23 NHL season in just one word per team, but along with this week’s Power Rankings, we’ve attempted to do just that.
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 most recent edition, published Dec. 2. Points paces are through Thursday’s games.
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 86.00%
Next seven days: @ ARI (Dec. 9), @ VGK (Dec. 11), vs. NYI (Dec. 13), vs. LA (Dec. 15)
Commanding. How else to describe a Boston team that hasn’t dropped back-to-back decisions all season or slid out of a top-three spot in the standings? The Bruins have been a consistent force since Game 1.
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 82.69%
Next seven days: vs. NYI (Dec. 9), @ NYR (Dec. 12), vs. DAL (Dec. 13), vs. PHI (Dec. 15)
Magnificent. Truly, it’s hard to pick a single term for the Devils. What can really capture the ride New Jersey has been on? A 13-game win streak was impressive enough. But the Devils are multidimensional, their success hardly predicated on any one element or one player or one position.
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 71.43%
Next seven days: vs. CGY (Dec. 10), vs. ANA (Dec. 13), @ NYR (Dec. 15)
Fascinating. Somehow Toronto went from a mediocre start — with a near-full complement of healthy players available — to a 12-game point streak amid losing three-quarters of its top four defensemen and both goalies to injury. Quite a turnaround.
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 70.00%
Next seven days: @ CHI (Dec. 9), vs. WSH (Dec. 11), vs. VGK (Dec. 13), vs. NSH (Dec. 15)
Renewed. These aren’t last season’s Jets. New coach Rick Bowness has earned buy-in on the defensive side that’s translated to consistent effort — and success — for Winnipeg in becoming one of the league’s top teams. Connor Hellebuyck playing like a Vezina Trophy contender hasn’t hurt, either.
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 66.00%
Next seven days: @ WSH (Dec. 9), @ FLA (Dec. 11), @ TB (Dec. 13), @ CAR (Dec. 15)
Striking. The Kraken bolted their way into the top 10 with an incredible 11-2-1 run through November into early December that went widely underreported. But give Seattle its flowers — even after a couple of losses — because the second-year squad has come a long way from its modest rookie-season roots.
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 69.64%
Next seven days: vs. PHI (Dec. 9), vs. BOS (Dec. 11), @ WPG (Dec. 13), @ CHI (Dec. 15)
Convincing. Vegas answered its doubters early and often after missing the playoffs last season. Logan Thompson has been excellent in net. Jack Eichel — prior to a recent injury — looked even better than his old self. Defensively, the team pulled together. Even when Vegas shows its inconsistencies — as it has more lately — that foundation is bound to keep it in good standing.
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 65.39%
Next seven days: @ NYI (Dec. 10), @ DET (Dec. 13), vs. SEA (Dec. 15)
Diligent. Carolina started hot, cooled off and recently caught fire with a four-game win streak that’s helped propel it back up the standings. The Hurricanes might not be blowing teams out (and will drop the occasional dud, like an overtime loss to Anaheim), but they stick to the plan and earn results.
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 64.81%
Next seven days: vs. DET (Dec. 10), @ PIT (Dec. 12), @ NJ (Dec. 13), @ WSH (Dec. 15)
Electrifying. And that’s just Jason Robertson. The Stars are fun, flashy and have gone toe-to-toe with just about everyone (that shutout against Toronto being a rare exception). Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin have been resurgent, Jake Oettinger has played great, and the Robertson-led top line makes Dallas appointment viewing.
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 61.54%
Next seven days: @ BUF (Dec. 9), vs. BUF (Dec. 10), vs. DAL (Dec. 12), @ FLA (Dec. 15)
Experience. As in, there’s no substitute for it. Pittsburgh has gone through its lulls — and one well-documented seven-game winless streak — to come out the other side with more consistent good habits to put it back in the league’s top tier.
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 59.62%
Next seven days: @ DAL (Dec. 10), vs. CAR (Dec. 13), @ MIN (Dec. 14)
Refined. The Red Wings have significantly improved from being one of the league’s worst defensive teams a year ago. New coach Derek Lalonde has helped Detroit gain some polish, and GM Steve Yzerman’s additions — particularly netminder Ville Husso — have seriously moved the needle. The Red Wings require more consistency but have come a long way.
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 54.17%
Next seven days: vs. OTT (Dec. 10), @ STL (Dec. 12), vs. EDM (Dec. 13), @ WPG (Dec. 15)
Patient. Nashville just goes about its business. The Predators weren’t getting hero-like goaltending from Juuse Saros, which hurt them early on, but lately Nashville has started to gain real traction and bank some solid victories.
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 59.26%
Next seven days: @ NJ (Dec. 9), vs. CAR (Dec. 10), @ BOS (Dec. 13)
Stable. The Islanders have established a formula: excellent goaltending behind full-team defense supported by enough solid offense and special teams to get the job done. More often than not, it’s getting good results.
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 62.00%
Next seven days: vs. FLA (Dec. 10), vs. SEA (Dec. 13), vs. CBJ (Dec. 15)
Steady. The Lightning embody that not-too-high-or-too-low cliche. They’ve scaled a few mountains, after all. Tampa Bay’s season started out rocky, but now the Lightning are winning more often when they should. Confidence appears to be building. Full steam ahead.
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 56.00%
Next seven days: @ EDM (Dec. 9), @ VAN (Dec. 10), vs. EDM (Dec. 12), vs. DET (Dec. 14)
Adaptive. Minnesota turned the page on its slow start thanks to more complete team efforts and a record-setting (not to mention exhilarating-to-watch) Kirill Kaprizov, who now owns the longest goal and point streak in Wild history. GM Bill Guerin’s addition of Ryan Reaves to the mix is paying big dividends, too. Sometimes small changes can have a big impact.
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 55.17%
Next seven days: @ MTL (Dec. 10), @ CBJ (Dec. 11), @ BUF (Dec. 13), @ BOS (Dec. 15)
Chaotic. L.A. has been all over the map, even more than usual lately. The overtime losses started building — like that mind-bending 9-8 defeat against Seattle — and the Cal Petersen drama was unexpected. The Kings need some wins, especially against good teams, on their current road swing.
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 55.77%
Next seven days: @ CBJ (Dec. 9), @ TOR (Dec. 10), @ MTL (Dec. 12), vs. VAN (Dec. 14)
Streaky. The Flames posted consecutive wins only two times from late October to early December. They’ve vacillated on the ice from close loss to blowout win in 48 hours, and they recently shuffled in net from 2022 Vezina Trophy runner-up Jacob Markstrom to backup Dan Vladar. Who knows what’s next?
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 56.25%
Next seven days: vs. NYR (Dec. 9), @ STL (Dec. 11), vs. PHI (Dec. 13), vs. BUF (Dec. 15)
Star-crossed. The reigning Stanley Cup champs cannot catch a break with injuries. It started with Gabriel Landeskog requiring surgery before the season even started and snowballed into a laughably long list of sidelined skaters that now includes Nathan MacKinnon. No surprise the losses are beginning to pile up.
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 55.56%
Next seven days: vs. MIN (Dec. 9), @ MIN (Dec. 12), @ NSH (Dec. 13), vs. STL (Dec. 15)
Satisfactory. Edmonton is humming along on the backs of its top players without necessarily blowing anyone away. Which is fine. Jack Campbell‘s struggles in net have certainly slowed the Oilers down at times, but there’s plenty of talent there to keep them on track.
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 55.36%
Next seven days: @ COL (Dec. 9), vs. NJ (Dec. 12), vs. TOR (Dec. 15)
Perplexing. New York’s season has been as head-scratching as its recent six-game run that included losses to Anaheim, Ottawa and Chicago. The Rangers have been an up-and-down .500 team when expectations were high that they’d pick up where last season ended — as enforcers of the East. There’s still time.
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 55.56%
Next seven days: @ TB (Dec. 10), vs. SEA (Dec. 11), vs. CBJ (Dec. 13), vs. PIT (Dec. 15)
Fickle. Those Florida felines have fooled us a few times, following up runs of great hockey with confounding losses. But hey, these Panthers are never dull.
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 53.85%
Next seven days: vs. LA (Dec. 10), vs. CGY (Dec. 12), @ OTT (Dec. 14), vs. ANA (Dec. 15)
Surprising. Montreal has turned heads. The team’s combination of forward talents — led by Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield — has challenged opponents and made the Canadiens an entertaining, unexpectedly successful group. Can they carry that momentum through midseason? Time will tell.
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 48.08%
Next seven days: vs. PIT (Dec. 9), @ PIT (Dec. 10), vs. LA (Dec. 13), @ COL (Dec. 15)
Enlightening. Buffalo is learning on the job. Fueled by their rising stars (Tage Thompson, anyone?), the Sabres have stumbled and shone, struggled and recovered. It’s all part of the growth process from which Buffalo will benefit in the future.
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 50.00%
Next seven days: vs. MIN (Dec. 10), @ CGY (Dec. 14)
Turbulent. Vancouver has had issues across the board. Lengthy winless streak? Check. Coaching uncertainty? Indeed. Drama surrounding star players (looking at you, Brock Boeser)? Of course. Somewhere in the middle of all that, the Canucks actually pulled themselves close to a playoff spot, only to promptly fall back out of it. But, of course, Vancouver’s been winning more of late. Where does that take it?
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 50.00%
Next seven days: vs. SEA (Dec. 9), @ WPG (Dec. 11), @ CHI (Dec. 13), vs. DAL (Dec. 15)
Mediocre. The Capitals’ most relevant storyline is Alex Ovechkin chasing history. Otherwise, Washington has been a run-of-the-mill squad, neither great nor terrible but somewhere in the crowded middle.
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 44.44%
Next seven days: vs. COL (Dec. 11), vs. NSH (Dec. 12), @ EDM (Dec. 15)
Mystifying. Everything about St. Louis’ season gives you whiplash. The demoralizing eight-game losing skid. The resurgent seven-game win streak. Feisty Jordan Binnington picking fights. Top players producing, then not. Who are the real Blues?
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 42.31%
Next seven days: @ NSH (Dec. 10), vs. ANA (Dec. 12), vs. MTL (Dec. 14)
Frustrating. Ottawa was supposed to be better than this. GM Pierre Dorion worked all offseason with that goal in mind. The Senators have just failed to come together often enough on the ice. Ottawa’s recent performances suggest hope for a potential turnaround, but the real question is why these Senators tripped so hard out of the gate.
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 42.59%
Next seven days: @ VGK (Dec. 9), @ ARI (Dec. 11), @ COL (Dec. 13), @ NJ (Dec. 15)
Painful. The Flyers did have that 5-2-0 stretch out of the gate. They have not won five games total since. Injuries have been an issue, and goaltender Carter Hart could only do so much for so long. Philadelphia knew this season might be rough, and so it has been.
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 36.21%
Next seven days: @ ANA (Dec. 9), vs. ANA (Dec. 13)
Dismal. San Jose has hovered — somewhat inexplicably — near the bottom of the league despite some top-end talents in the lineup. The Sharks have been one of this season’s underachievers, and it’ll be curious to see how GM Mike Grier goes about adjusting course.
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 36.00%
Next seven days: vs. CGY (Dec. 9), vs. LA (Dec. 11), @ FLA (Dec. 13), @ TB (Dec. 15)
Cursed. But seriously. The Blue Jackets landing Johnny Gaudreau should have been a terrific omen for this season, which instead has been defined by who’s not in the lineup. Zach Werenski, Patrik Laine, Elvis Merzlikins, Jake Bean, Jakub Voracek; the list goes on of players who have missed time (some of them now out long term). That’s no excuse, though. Laine and Merzlikins are back, and the Blue Jackets still can’t avoid being regularly blown out.
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 36.00%
Next seven days: vs. WPG (Dec. 9), vs. WSH (Dec. 13), vs. VGK (Dec. 15)
Predictable. Chicago was meant to be in the thick of the Connor Bedard sweepstakes. For the most part, that’s where the Blackhawks have remained — with some enjoyably competitive contests tossed in. But mostly Chicago appears to be staying on task.
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 37.50%
Next seven days: vs. BOS (Dec. 9), vs. PHI (Dec. 11), @ SJ (Dec. 13)
Punishing. Any team could buckle under the weight of a 14-game road trip. The Coyotes have gotten some great goaltending from Karel Vejmelka, and their top players have made steady contributions, but there’s no denying the Coyotes’ early-season slate has had a negative impact.
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 31.48%
Next seven days: vs. SJ (Dec. 9), @ OTT (Dec. 12), @ TOR (Dec. 13), @ MTL (Dec. 15)
Disappointing. Anaheim’s pool of young talent — led by the electrifying Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry — should at least keep them competitive. Yet the Ducks have managed a single regulation win this season and produced an alarming number of lopsided losses (with a few surprising overtime wins tossed in). The rebuild is clearly still on.
Two years after the five-star quartet of quarterbacks in the ESPN 300 were wowing fans and garnering “next big thing” buzz for their abilities, reality has hit harder than the most ferocious blitzing linebackers.
As college football’s spring transfer portal closed Friday, Malachi Nelson, Jackson Arnold and Dante Moore are looking to ignite their careers at schools different from their initial ones. Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning is the only one from that 2023 group who has stayed with his first choice.
All four quarterbacks were ranked in the top five of the ESPN 300 that year.
“It’s really just a sign of the times,” ESPN’s director of football recruiting Billy Tucker said. “That class wasn’t any less special because they transferred. It’s just that the culture now is about instant gratification. I don’t know that what happened with the 2023 quarterbacks isn’t the norm.”
Nelson was the top ranked prospect in 2023 and began his collegiate career with the USC Trojans.
As a freshman, he served as a backup to Caleb Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner. Nelson threw only three passes that season.
Nelson transferred to Boise State, where he lost out on the starting spot to Maddux Madsen, who led the team to a 12-2 record and an appearance in the College Football Playoff.
Again, Nelson barely saw playing time, going 12-of-17 for just 66 yards last season before reentering the portal.
In January, he reportedly turned down more lucrative offers to join Scotty Walden at UTEP, where the path to being a starter seems like a forgone conclusion.
Moore checked in at No. 2 in 2023 and began his career at UCLA, where he struggled to find a rhythm in limited playing time. In nine games with the Bruins, Moore threw 11 touchdowns, nine interceptions and got sacked 16 times. He transferred to Oregon in December 2023 — after a year sitting behind star quarterback Dillon Gabriel in 2024. Moore appears to be the heir apparent in Eugene though it isn’t guaranteed.
“For most high-profile prospects these days, and certainly quarterbacks, the path to the starting spot needs to be clear by spring of their freshman year,” Tucker said. “And if it’s not then there’s a really good chance they’ll leave.”
The opposite happened for Arnold at Oklahoma, but it still wasn’t enough.
The 6-foot-1, 211-pounder was ranked No. 3 in 2023 and won Gatorade National Player of the Year as a high school senior. By his sophomore season in Norman, he earned the starting position.
Arnold amassed 1,421 passing yards, 444 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns in a dismal 6-6 season that saw him get demoted and promoted. The tumultuous experience prompted Arnold to transfer to Auburn in December. His path to outright starter seems imminent.
Then there’s Manning, who checked in at No. 5 overall in 2023.
Being the grandson of New Orleans Saints legend Archie Manning and nephew of Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, Arch summed up his thought process about remaining at Texas in five words in a recent news conference, simply saying, “Sometimes it’s worth the wait.”
In two years in Austin, Manning has appeared in nine games, two of which he started.
Last season, he went 61-of-90 passing for 939 yards and nine touchdowns and rushed for 108 yards and four more scores.
Now, the stage is set for him to lead the Longhorns during the 2025 season.
“This used to be the norm,” Tucker said of Manning waiting his turn. “You wait the two years and you’re starting as a junior. Now, even if you’re getting paid, it’s not enough if you’re not starting. Any adversity and the guys are leaving. It’s just the current landscape in college football.”
Tucker, who also serves as director of the Under Armour All-America Game, said he would caution current and future stars about using the transfer portal entry as a knee-jerk reaction.
“Look at Georgia, a lot of their defensive guys are one-year starters and then they’re in the NFL first round,” Tucker said. “It’s not like you need three years of proven production to make it. That NIL money could get multiplied by at least five in my opinion. If you can stay the course and have one to two good years at a proven program, you’ll more than make up any money you could’ve lost in NIL. It’s more about the people guiding these players not being as informed as they need to be. It stinks, but until there are rules to govern the current landscape, we’ll continue to see this.”
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Eli Lederman
Four-star quarterback Brady Smigiel, ESPN’s No. 4 pocket passer in the 2026 class, has committed to Michigan, sources told ESPN on Saturday.
A 6-foot-5, 210-pound prospect from Newbury Park, California, Smigiel is the No. 45 overall recruit in the 2026 ESPN 300 and began the weekend as the cycle’s No. 2 available quarterback. The former Florida State commit becomes the highest-ranked member of coach Sherrone Moore’s 2026 recruiting class.
Smigiel visited the Wolverines’ for the program’s spring game on April 19.
“We just thought it was time to make the decision and when I went out to Michigan I knew it was the spot for me,” Smigiel told ESPN. “Being able to see the strength staff and how they handle the players — the discipline within the program — it was all really impressive.”
Smigiel noted his connection with first-year Michigan offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, who previously recruited Smigiel at North Carolina, as a key factor in his decision. Program tradition and the opportunity to step into the Wolverines’ thin quarterback depth behind five-star freshman Bryce Underwood also played a role in Smigiel’s move to commit prior to previously scheduled official visits to Washington and South Carolina later this spring.
With Smigiel’s pledge, Michigan now holds two ESPN 300 commitments in the 2026 cycle following the February addition of four-star offensive guard Bear McWhorter (No. 186 overall).
The Wolverines also hold pledges from three-star cornerback Brody Jennings and wide receiver Jaylen Pile in 2026. The Wolverines remain in the mix for a handful of top 2026 targets, including linebacker Anthony Jones (No. 25 overall), tight end Ian Premer (No. 60) and running back Javian Osborne (No. 81).
Michigan was a leading finalist for Smigiel’s pledge last June when he committed to Florida State over the Wolverines, Ohio State, Oregon and Washington.
Smigiel shut down his recruitment following his summer pledge and remained a cornerstone of the Seminoles’ 2026 class through the program’s 2-10 finish last fall before pulling his commitment from Florida State in late-January. At the time, Smigiel pointed to the offseason reshuffle of the program’s coaching staff and a scheme change under first-year offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn as the primary driver in his decision.
“I just didn’t feel like Florida State was that spot for me anymore,” Smigiel told ESPN in early February. I committed to coach (Mike) Norvell calling the plays and now that he’s not, it’s a completely different situation.”
Auburn, Michigan, Ohio State, South Carolina, UCLA and Washington emerged as early leaders in Smigiel’s renewed process in February, and he later took unofficial trips to Washington, South Carolina and UCLA.
Sources told ESPN that Washington was a serious contender for Smigiel’s pledge before four-star quarterback Derek Zammit committed to the program on April 19. North Carolina and South Carolina also made significant pushes over the last week prior to Smigiel’s commitment to the Wolverines.
Equipped with standout arm strength and elite downfield accuracy, Smigiel is one of the most polished quarterback prospects in the 2026 class.
Smigiel is a three-year starter and will enter his senior season with 11,228 passing yards and 147 touchdowns for his prep career. He threw for 3,521 yards and 49 touchdowns and led Newbury Park to a division title as a junior last fall.
Upon Smigiel’s pledge, only five of the 18 quarterbacks ranked inside the ESPN 300 remain uncommitted, led by No. 1 overall quarterback Jared Curtis and fellow top 100 passer Ryder Lyons (No. 50 overall).
Curtis, No. 5 in the ESPN 300, is set to choose between Georgia and Oregon on May 5.
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Adam Rittenberg
Tulane quarterback TJ Finley is once again in the transfer portal after being suspended earlier this month pending the outcome of a legal case.
Finley, who has spent time at five FBS programs in his career, entered the portal Friday morning. He was arrested April 2 on a charge of illegal possession of stolen things worth more than $25,000, after police linked the license plate of a truck he was driving to a stolen vehicle in Atlanta.
His attorneys claim Finley is the victim of a scam after buying a used truck via a social media marketplace. Finley is due in court June 1 in New Orleans.
Tulane on Thursday received a commitment from quarterback transfer Brendan Sullivan, who started three games last season for Iowa and made some starts for Northwestern in 2022 and 2023.
Finley began his college career at LSU in 2020, starting five games and passing for 941 yards with five touchdowns and five interceptions. He then transferred to Auburn, where he opened the 2022 season as the team’s starter before injuring his throwing shoulder just before SEC play began.
Finley had his most productive season in 2023 at Texas State, where he passed for 3,439 yards with 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He then transferred to Western Kentucky, where he was the backup last season, before joining Tulane in December.
The Ponchatoula, Louisiana, native had been competing with fellow transfers Kadin Semonza and Donovan Leary for the starting role before the suspension.
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