NHL 24 Franchise Mode Career

[SENS_AK27]

Re: NHL 24 Franchise Mode Career

Congrats on the Cup Win.

I really liked the player graphics you introduced. They look sick.

[JurassicPuck]

Re: NHL 24 Franchise Mode Career

Congrats on the Cup win!

Congrats on the Cup Win.

I really liked the player graphics you introduced. They look sick.

Appreciate it fellas, glad you liked the graphics as well. Big off-season coming up with some of our guys looking to get paid after a big postseason. We’ll see if we’re able to bring them back or if we’ll go in another direction next year

[JurassicPuck]

Re: NHL 24 Franchise Mode Career

The Washington Capitals have announced they will retire Nicklas Backstrom's number and hang it in the rafters of Capital One Arena

[JurassicPuck]

Re: NHL 24 Franchise Mode Career

2024 NHL Awards Show Recap
The Finalists and Winners for every NHL Award, including the All-Star Teams

Jeremy Evans - June 16th, 2024

The annual NHL awards show wrapped up last night as the players were able to enjoy a night in Las Vegas with some of their friends and foes from around the league. Let's see who came out as winners on Saturday night as well as who came up short. We'll start with the winners we knew coming in.

Art Ross Trophy
Winner: William Nylander - 108 Points

Rocket Richard Trophy
Winner: Auston Matthews - 55 Goals

William M. Jennings Trophy
Winner: Filip Gustavsson - 42 Wins and 2.59 GAA


Calder Trophy
Finalists
Connor Bedard (CHI) - 81 GP 32 Goals 43 Assists 75 Points -26 +/-
Adam Fantilli (CBJ) - 82 GP 23 Goals 41 Assists 64 Points +12 +/-
Joseph Woll (TOR) - 71 GP 40-24-4 .905 SV% 2.99 GAA 3 SO
Winner:

Spoiler

Connor Bedard (CHI)

The future of the NHL did not disappoint in his first NHL season as Connor Bedard takes home the Calder Trophy in what is the start of a future hall of fame career. The Blackhawks star was easily the best player on the team as showcased by him being the leading scorer by 20 points more than Taylor Hall. That -26 may look ugly but the Hawks are a bad team. They aren’t expecting him to be a defensive beast right away (Sidney Crosby didn’t really become the defensive star he is now until the past few years) and Chicago management just want him at this point to play to his offensive potential. While it won’t be in the near future, expect Bedard and his team to be a powerhouse when their time is ready

Selke Trophy
Finalists
Sidney Crosby (PIT) - 79 GP 21 Goals 42 Assists 63 Points -4 +/- 21:43 TOI
Mark Stone (VGK) - 82 GP 22 Goals 51 Assists 73 Points +13 +/- 21:32 TOI
Anze Kopitar (LA) - 81 GP 28 Goals 52 Assists 80 Points +18 +/- 21:45 TOI
Winner:

Spoiler

Mark Stone (VGK)

The Vegas Golden Knight Mark Stone becomes the first winger to win the Selke Trophy since 2003 when Jere Lehtinen took home the award. The 2023 Stanley Cup Champion was a big reason for the defensive play of the Golden Knights this past season, tied for allowing the third least amount of goals against. On top of that, not only did he tie his career high of 73 points, Stone played a full season for the first time in his career and his most in a season since his first full NHL campaign in 2015 with the Senators (80 games). The former Brandon Wheat King will look to do much of the same next season for Vegas as they attempt to fight for another Stanley Cup next season

Vezina Trophy
Finalists
Filip Gustavsson (MIN) - 64 GP 42-19-2 .915 SV% 2.59 GAA 4 SO
Samuel Montembeault (NJ) - 67 GP 37-22-6 .910 SV% 2.86 GAA 2 SO
Alexandar Georgiev (COL) - 64 GP 39-19-5 .914 SV% 2.64 GAA 7 SO
Winner:

Spoiler

Filip Gustavsson (MIN)

It was Filip Gustavsson and Kirill Kaprizov that willed the Minnesota Wild to a playoff appearance and Gustavsson gets his flowers with his first Vezina Trophy win. The Swedish netminder won 42 games for his team and did so with a .915 save percentage, second in the NHL among starters. He was a big reason for Minnesota being the best defensive team in the league this year. So while his playoff performance was subpar, an ugly .892 save percentage against the Jets in round one, he’s still getting acclimated to playoff hockey. Minnesota and Gustavsson will hope to make some more noise come next year's playoffs.

Norris Trophy
Finalists
Quinn Hughes (VAN) - 82 GP 12 Goals 59 Assists 71 Points
Dougie Hamilton (NJ) - 82 GP 22 Goals 60 Assists 82 Points
Erik Karlsson (PIT) - 82 GP 16 Goals 70 Assists 86 Points
Winner:

Spoiler

Erik Karlsson (PIT)

Make it 4 Norris Trophies for Erik Karlsson and the first to win it back to back years since Nicklas Lidstrom in ‘07 and ‘08. Once again Karlsson made enough of an impact on a non-playoff team to still win the award. It also places him 5th all time in Norris Trophies behind Bobby Orr, Doug Harvey, Nicklas Lidstrom and Ray Bourque. We might need to be having a conversation about just exactly how high EK65 ranks in a best defenseman of all time discussion. In the meantime though, the Pittsburgh Penguins were a disaster this year and we saw what we thought was the impossible happen, Sidney Crosby declining. That had the Pens in disarray all season and scoring was a huge issue for them as a whole. Karlsson, as a defenseman keep in mind, had 22 points more than their second highest scorer in Evgeni Malkin who had 64 in 69 games. If Crosby can bounce back, Malkin stay healthy, and Jarry steps up his play, the Penguins could be back fighting for a playoff spot

Ted Lindsay Award
Finalists
William Nylander (TOR) - 82 GP 39 Goals 69 Assists 108 Points
Connor McDavid (EDM) - 82 GP 44 Goals 56 Assists 100 Points
Auston Matthews (TOR) - 82 GP 55 Goals 44 Assists 99 Points
Winner:

Spoiler

Connor McDavid (EDM)

Despite not leading in points this season, the players still agree that Connor McDavid is the best player in the NHL. The catalyst of the third best offense in the NHL this year, McDavid really improved his defensive game this year, as showcased by Edmonton being tied for allowing the third least goals this season. Obviously the second round exit to the Oilers wasn’t the final result the Captain wanted but they did lose to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Vancouver Canucks. While Draisaitl did battle injuries during the year, they’ll need him to bounce back after a weak for his standard 78 points in 71 games. Expect Edmonton to come back better than ever next season

Hart Trophy
Finalists
William Nylander (TOR) - 82 GP 39 Goals 69 Assists 108 Points
Kyle Connor (WPG) - 81 GP 44 Goals 57 Assists 101 Points
Kirill Kaprizov (MIN) - 82 GP 54 Goals 44 Assists 98 Points
Winner:

Spoiler

William Nylander (TOR)

William Nylander thrust himself into superstar territory with his performance in 2023-24 and the hockey world took notice. His 108 points are 21 more than the career high he recorded last season and it led the entire NHL. While Matthews continued his scoring prowess with a league leading 55 tucks, Nylander has put his hat forward as the potential “guy” of the big four. We’ll need to see a similar campaign next year for the Leafs if we want to solidify that claim however. Of course the big thing for Nylander and Toronto is will they finally find some playoff success in the future. They fell in embarrassing fashion to the weak Montreal Canadiens (have you heard that one before?) and the heat is on for this core four to produce some postseason achievements. Only time will tell.

NHL All-Star 1st Team

NHL All-Star 2nd Team

All-Star Teams Player Stats

[JurassicPuck]

Re: NHL 24 Franchise Mode Career

2024 NHL Draft Lottery
Presented by Sportsnet

David Amber: "Hello everyone and welcome to Sportsnet. I'm David Amber and tonight we will bring you the answers to how the draft order for the 2024 NHL Draft will look like with the NHL Draft Lottery! To start tonight, let's take a look at the odds of getting the 1st Overall Pick this year"

DA: As NHL fans around the world tune in to see if their team will be the one to get lucky tonight, let’s take a look at who your favorite team could be drafting come June 28th at the Sphere in Las Vegas

2024 NHL Draft Rankings - Central Scouting
Pick	Team	Player	Pos	Ht	Wt
1	Boston University (NCAA)	Macklin Celebrini	C	6'1	191
2	St. Petersburg SKA (KHL)	Ivan Demidov	RW	5'11	175
3	USNTDP	Cole Eiserman	LW	6'1	197
4	Spokane Chiefs (WHL)	Berkly Catton	C/LW	6'0	172
5	Michigan State University (NCAA)	Artyom Levshunov	D	6'2	207
6	IFK (Liiga)	Aron Kiviharju	D	5'10	159
7	Jukurit (Liiga)	Konsta Helenius	C/RW	5'10	176
8	USNTDP	Cole Hutson	D	5'10	169
9	Medicine Hat (WHL)	Cayden Lindstrom	LW/C	6'5	220
10	Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	Anton Silayev	D	6'7	219
11	Regina Pats (WHL)	Tanner Howe	C	5'11	192
12	Kelowna Rockets (WHL)	Tij Iginla	C	6'1	192
13	Denver University (NCAA)	Zeev Buium	D	5'11	167
14	Tri-City Storm (USHL)	Trevor Connelly	W	6'1	171
15	London Knights (OHL)	Sam Dickinson	D	6'3	196
16	HC Skoda Plzen (Cze.)	Adam Jiricek	D	6'1	162
17	Moscow Dynamo (KHL)	Igor Chernyshov	LW	6'3	192
18	USNTDP	Brendon Schenn	RW	6'3	194
19	Prince George Cougars (WHL)	Terik Parascak	RW	5'11	186
20	TPS (Liiga)	Emil Hemming	RW/C	6'3	196
21	Saginaw Spirit (OHL)	Zayne Parekh	D	6'1	190
22	Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)	Ryder Ritchie	RW/C	6'0	181
23	Windsor Spitfires (OHL)	Liam Greentree	RW	6'3	198
24	HC Sochi (KHL)	Vladimir Goldobin	D	5'11	190
25	Linkoping HC (SHL)	Alexander Zetterberg	C/RW	5'8	170
26	Baie-Comeau Drakkar	Justin Poirier	RW	5'8	190
27	Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)	Maxim Masse	RW	6'2	199
28	Chicago Steel (USHL)	Michael Hage	C	6'1	199
29	Mora IK (Swe.)	Michael Brandsegg-Nygard	RW	6'2	194
30	Calgary Hitmen (WHL)	Carter Yakemchuk	D	6'3	194
31	Orebro (SHL)	Eric Burger	D	6'0	183
32	Prince George Cougars (WHL)	Hudson Thornton	D	5'11	195

DA: Now let's finally send you over to NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly as he announces the Draft Order pick-by-pick. After every announced ping pong ball, our Draft Expert Sam Cosentino will give his take on the result. And now, Bill Daly...

Bill Daly: Welcome to the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery. Let's get things started. The 16th Overall Selection in the 2024 NHL Draft belongs too.... The Seattle Kraken

Sam Cosentino: They were the 15th best team in the NHL but with two less points than the Anaheim Ducks, Seattle failed to qualify for the playoffs this year. Their defense as a team was rock solid but the fact Joey Daccord struggled this season, finishing with just a .891 save percentage, and having no real star on the roster hurt them. They’ll look to pick up a nice prospect at 16th here and add to one of the best prospect pools in the league

Bill Daly: The 15th Overall Selection in the 2024 NHL Draft belongs too.... The Chicago Blackhawks

Sam Cosentino: Chicago is awarded the Bolts 1st overall pick from the Brandon Hagel trade back in 2022. The worst team in the NHL this year, the Blackhawks weren’t as worried coming into this as to where this particular pick fell. They are more concerned with their actual first rounder that has the highest odds at #1. Having two lottery picks is going to continue to bolster an already impressive cupboard of prospects.

BD: The 14th Overall Selection in the 2024 NHL Draft belongs too.... The Washington Capitals

SC: As long as Alex Ovechkin is on this roster, expect the Washington Capitals to try and contend for the playoffs. They missed out by two points this past season and with an aging core of veterans, their Stanley Cup window is realistically closed. The main reason to watch the Caps for the next couple seasons will be for the Gretzky goal watch for Ovie, needing just 36 more to break the all time record

BD: The 13th Overall Selection in the 2024 NHL Draft belongs too.... The San Jose Sharks

SC: Originally the Pittsburgh Penguins selection, the San Jose Sharks will be in control of this pick. This pick is a casualty of the Erik Karlsson trade between the two teams back in August. It was top ten protected but unfortunately for the Penguins it just fell outside that protection at 13th.

BD: The 12th Overall Selection in the 2024 NHL Draft belongs too.... The Los Angeles Kings

SC: Very disappointing season from the Kings as they missed the playoffs by a large margin and have a lot of question marks entering this offseason. Starting netminder Cam Talbot is 36 years old and had an average at best season. Doughty, Kopitar and Danault are all on the wrong side of 30. Worst of all Pierre-Luc Dubois had an ugly -26 rating with just 30 points. He’s still on the hook for 8 Million for the next 8 years. I’d hate to be GM Rob Blake with the decisions that roster needs to make

BD: The 11th Overall Selection in the 2024 NHL Draft belongs too.... The New York Islanders

SC: With Ilya Sorokin’s play falling off a cliff, so did the Islanders season performance. The 28 year old Russian played 71 games but finished with a .898 SV%, a huge drop off from the .923 he had the year prior. That wasn’t their only issue considering they didn’t have a single player with more than 61 points on roster. Horvat, Barzal and Sorokin will need to step up next season if the Islanders want to remain in playoff contention

BD: The 10th Overall Selection in the 2024 NHL Draft belongs too.... The San Jose Sharks

SC: Expected to be at the Marianas trench of the standings coming into the season, San Jose outplayed expectations and put together a respectable season with 37 wins and 81 points. Both Blackwood and Kahkonen in net kept this team afloat and the offense upfront was a by committee approach and it worked well. The question for this San Jose team is do they want to continue to be a late lottery team. Repeating these types of seasons will leave them with late lottery picks which are decent but not as juicy as the Top 5. Which direction will they take this team moving forward?

BD: The 9th Overall Selection in the 2024 NHL Draft belongs too.... The Calgary Flames

SC: A rebuild looks to be the logical pathway in Calgary which is disappointing considering where this team was not too long ago. Lindholm and Hanifin will likely depart in free agency and Markstrom is rumored to be on the trade block. With a 9th overall pick in the upcoming draft, it will give the Flames a nice young prospect to start building their pool.

BD: The 8th Overall Selection in the 2024 NHL Draft belongs too.... The Ottawa Senators -1

SC: Wow that’s huge news for the Nashville Predators as they will now jump into the Top 3 picks with the Senators name being pulled here.

As for the Senators, while the season was an underwhelming one, they will be happy to have two top 10 picks in the 2024 Draft. But with the way this roster is constructed, they need to start making some noise in the Eastern Conference. This was supposed to be the year they make a playoff appearance and they were a long way away from that. How much more losing can Captain Brady Tkachuk handle?

BD: The 7th Overall Selection in the 2024 NHL Draft belongs too.... The Arizona Coyotes -1

SC: While the relocation rumors are hard to block out, the Arizona Coyotes once again will have a high pick in the draft. They have some nice young assets moving forward but at some point you have to expect some results. Goaltending is a big problem for them right now with Ingram and Vejmelka splitting the net and both having tough seasons. With the amount of young talent, including whoever they select here, you can’t expect the Yotes to be bad for much longer. The big question is will they reach that potential in Arizona?

BD: The 6th Overall Selection in the 2024 NHL Draft belongs too.... The Columbus Blue Jackets -1

SC: The Columbus Blue Jackets are in no man's land. They tried to make a push for contention when they inked Johnny Gaudreau to a big contract and followed that up by trading for Patrik Laine. What has it resulted in? A 25 win season and a 33 win season. What do they do now? They need to build around their future captain in Adam Fantilli along with whoever they draft at this pick.

BD: The 5th Overall Selection in the 2024 NHL Draft belongs too.... The St. Louis Blues -1

SC: The 2019 Cup Win has long been in the rear view mirror and with their worst finish in a full season since 2006, St. Louis is entering a new era of Blues hockey. They’ll look to add another top prospect to the trio of Dalibor Dvorsky, Jimmy Snuggerud and Zach Bolduc. Expect it to be a defenseman going off the board at 5th overall to the Bluenotes

BD: The 4th Overall Selection in the 2024 NHL Draft belongs too.... The Ottawa Senators -1

SC: Due to the Alex DeBrincat trade, the Ottawa Senators will reap the rewards of Detroit’s faceplant this season. Holding the 4th and 8th overall selection will be incredible for this franchise down the line. With all the young players already on the roster, adding a top five caliber prospect can only help.

BD: The 3rd Overall Selection in the 2024 NHL Draft belongs too.... The Chicago Blackhawks -2

SC: Wow so with that announcement, it will be between the New York Rangers and Nashville Predators for the rights to the first overall pick.

As for the Blackhawks, rough to hear their name called at the third spot and miss on Celebrini but they will be getting a high end prospect regardless at this position. What will be interesting to watch is how they go about with this pick and who will be available to them on the board. I think they go with another defenseman with this selection to be a future partner for Korchinski

DA: And then there were two. Just the Predators and Rangers remain, who will be awarded the 1st Overall Pick?...

BD: The 1st Overall Selection in the 2024 NHL Draft belongs too....

Spoiler

The Nashville Predators! +8

SC: What an incredible moment for the Nashville Predators as they have the right to draft first overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. They’ll almost certainly be selecting Macklin Celebrini at #1 with this selection, a type of player the franchise has never really had. Adding a future star center will do wonders for this team and might even shift the direction of their organization. Everyone should be excited to tune into Preds games next year with Macklin in the lineup.

Which means the 2nd Overall Selection will belong to the New York Rangers

SC: This year was a disaster for the Rangers and everything that went wrong for them did. They fired their coach mid-season and it only got worse after that. While they did waste a prime year from guys like Panarin and Shesterkin, they will be able to have a 2nd overall pick to rebound with for next season. Whether they choose to trade or use the pick is up in the air but I don’t expect the Rags to be anywhere near this bad next season

David Amber: That does it for us here at Sportsnet as the NHL's future has been changed forever in just the last half hour. Thanks for tuning in and have yourselves a wonderful night...

[GoldenJet]

Re: NHL 24 Franchise Mode Career

How did you manage to input prospects like Macklin Celebrini and what not into your draft class? Would love some advice. Love the chise btw.

[JurassicPuck]

Re: NHL 24 Franchise Mode Career

How did you manage to input prospects like Macklin Celebrini and what not into your draft class? Would love some advice. Love the chise btw.

Glad your enjoying it!

I downloaded a custom roster that had a good amount of the draft prospects missing from the game. Are you on the PS4? I can take a look at exactly which roster I downloaded if you are. Don't believe custom rosters are cross-platform if your not however.

[JurassicPuck]

Re: NHL 24 Franchise Mode Career

The Athletics 2024 NHL Lottery Mock Draft

By The Athletic Staff 24m Ago
__________________________________________________

With the Draft order now officially known and NHL Organizations making final touches to their draft plans, we at the Athletic have completed our annual NHL Lottery Mock Draft. This mock draft is the pinnacle of all mocks. It will be accurate down to the very last detail… said nobody ever. Despite what may actually happen on June 28th in Vegas, we did our due diligence and came up with our best guesses for who we think every team in the lottery will select. We’ve also decided to sprinkle in a surprise trade to entertain you readers, so enjoy!

Nashville better be on their knees thanking the hockey gods for blessing them with the first overall pick this year. Macklin Celebrini falls right into their laps and, while he’s not quite in Bedard territory, he’s pretty darn close. The young star played at Boston University where he won the Hobey Baker, becoming just the fourth freshman to ever win the award. The three other names on that list? Jack Eichel, Adam Fantilli and Paul Kariya. Nashville has themselves a superstar in the making here. Nashville will be getting an elite first line center, something the franchise has yet to truly have in their existence thus far

The Rangers would not have expected to be drafting this high at the start of this past season, but they are going to be incredibly happy to have Ivan Demidov fall into their laps. With an already impressive forward core of Panarin, Zibanejad, Kreider, Lafreniere and Kaako, adding Demidov will give them a future star in the top six if one of those guys leaves or doesn’t live up to their potential. While picking someone like Levshunov could make sense, you just can’t pass up on the talent that is Ivan Demidov. He has all the tools you want from a future 1st line winger. A future duo of Laf and Demidov will absolutely destroy worlds in the Big Apple

Chicago obviously had to be disappointed to fall from 1-to-3 but they have to be glad they only dropped that far. There is a clear drop off after the big three names and the Blackhawks will be able to snag up the last available one here with Artyom Levshunov. The Russian took a non-conventional route by going to the NCAA where he was a horse on the backend for the Michigan State Spartans. He’s already a big kid at 6’2 207 pounds and could step into the NHL lineup on day one. We see him as a future partner for Kevin Korchinski down the line

Ottawa was supposed to be leaving this rebuild back in 2021. It’s 2024 and they haven’t seen a second of playoff hockey since that storied 2017 Conference Finals run. They need to really kick things into gear and it starts with acquiring a dependable starting goalie. They thought they had that when they signed Joonas Korpisalo last offseason. He was anything but with a .898 save percentage in an outrageous 68 games played.. They don’t need this pick at 4th overall, they already have the young talent on the roster. So instead of making a selection, they are going to go out and acquire Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames. The Swedish goalie practically kept the Flames out of the basement last season with a .907 save percentage in 67 games played. He’s an immediate upgrade over the departing Korpisalo, who will be moved to Calgary in this scenario. Picking up Honzek is a nice bonus as well.

As for Calgary, it’s time to rebuild and to have the opportunity to move into the 4th overall pick is something they can’t pass up. Markstrom is the starting goalie the Sens are looking for and they have Dustin Wolf ready to crack the NHL already ready to replace him. To entice Ottawa, they do have to let go of their 16th overall pick last year Samuel Honzek but it’s worth it. In making this trade they have the 4th and 9th picks in the first round, either of which could be used to draft someone that’s even better than Honzek. They take on Korpisalo but it’s the Dustin Wolf show in Calgary now, Joonas can take a backseat and pitch in when needed.

The Flames are heavily lacking on defensive prospects and Aron Kiviharju fills a major hole there. The Finnish defenseman played in the Liiga this season where he was used in more minutes than your typical 18 year old would receive. He is on the smaller side at just 5’10 but he’s got time to grow and get bigger. Kiviharju seems like the safest bet for the Flames here. His ceiling is higher than a guy like Hutson but his floor is lower than a guy like Dickinson. Calgary will need to help him along the way if they want to reap the benefits of selecting this kid.

St. Louis needs someone that can put the puck in the net… Cole Eiserman is the epitome of doing just that. The American shooter broke records at the Program that were held by guys like Kessel, Hughes and Caufield. There is absolutely no question that this kid can score goals. The big question is will he put the work in to be even serviceable defensively. He just simply does not play defense. He has all the skill in the world so if St. Louis can get this kid to even put a little more emphasis on his play on the defensive side of the puck then Eiserman will be an elite winger for the Blues. If Robert Thomas is still around by the time Cole is ready to go, those two will be lethal with their playmaking and scoring abilities working together.

The Blue Jackets like their big forwards and Cayden Lindstrom fits just that type of mold. The Medicine Hat Tigers product standing at 6’5 220lbs fits right in with a forward corps that has Laine (), Voronkov (6’5, 240lbs), Marchenko (6’3, 197lbs), and Chinakhov (6’1 204lbs). He’s a mean but skilled power forward that is someone you hate to play against. He has had some back issues in his WHL career which may be something to keep an eye of but other than that the Blue Jackets would be very happy if they selected this guy

The Yotes have a stockpile of up-and-coming forward prospects so we expect them to boost up their back-end prospect pool with a selection of Cole Hutson here at #7. The US Development Program product can rack up the points but his defensive game needs some work. Similar to a guy like Torey Krug, Hutson is just 5’10 and 170lbs soaking wet. His brother will likely make his NHL Debut for Montreal next season and Lane seems like he’ll follow in his brother's footsteps one day for the Coyotes. Him and Dmitri Simashev, Arizona’s 6th overall pick last year, could be an elite defensive pairing down the road.

Ottawa traded away the 4th overall pick because this team doesn’t need prospects. They already have young players at every position so they go best player available and select Berkley Catton out of Spokane in the WHL. The kid dominated the WHL with 55 goals and 129 points this season. He’s a silky offensive forward that will give the Sens yet another potential future star up front to join Stutzle, Tkachuk and Batherson. Better yet, he could be a big trade piece if Ottawa turns it around next season

A Calgary Flames player with the last name Iginla on the nameplate. It’s just too perfect. Selecting Tij Iginla, the Flames get someone who just like their father was for them, a future potential captain. The Kelowna Rocket rocketed up the draft boards this season due to his offensive production which led the Kelowna Rockets with 85 points in 69 games played. He was used in all situations for the Rockets and Calgary hopes once he develops that he will be able to do the same in a Flames sweater.

San Jose goes with the Russian version of Victor Hedman here with the 10th pick. Anton Silayev is a big defenseman who has very good skating for his size. The Sharks have a fairly young roster of defenseman right now but none of them have the potential that Silayev has. If he reaches his ceiling, he’s a #1 defenseman who can put up 30-40 points a season. The risk here is with how well he will adapt to the North American game and what is his floor? If the Sharks can develop this guy they have their future top defenseman but it will take some work to get to that point

The Islanders have generally been high on selecting Scandinavian prospects in the past and Konsta Helenius would fit right in with that type of draft plan. He’s a cerebral 200 foot player that only has one thing that scares scouts off… his size. He’s just 5’10 and 176 pounds but he competed against men in the Liiga this season and fared well. If he was a couple inches bigger and 10-20 pounds heavier he would be competing for a top 5 draft selection. Will someone realize the potential here or will they overlook his height and let him fall. The Islanders would be ecstatic to pick him up at 11th.

Trevor Connelly, the California native, has some history that comes along with him but the skill is undeniable. He was in hot water for a social media post he posted in the past but he seems to have rectified that mistake and made amends. The LA Kings look like a good spot for the Tri-City Storm player who can make players around him better with his I.Q., skill and speed. Los Angeles has had some troubles developing their forward prospects in the past (Alex Turcotte and Akil Thomas) so let’s hope Connelly doesn’t go down that same path.

Players from Russia in this climate tend to scare some teams off of selecting them, so imagine how some teams must feel if San Jose ends up selecting two. The San Jose Sharks seem to be high on Igor Chernyshov from the KHL. Maybe drafting two Russians is a strategy general manager Mike Grier has in his back pocket, making San Jose more of a desired spot if your fellow countryman will be joining you. Chernyshov has a lot of talent but is a bit raw as a prospect right now. If San Jose can bring him in early and work on his game, Igor will be a nice complimentary top six winger of the future

John Carlson isn’t getting any younger and sooner than later the Caps will need a replacement. Zeev Buium would be just that for Washington. He’s a player in the mold of the Quinn Hughes/Cale Makar in that he’s a smaller defenseman that is very elusive on the offensive blueline. He ran the powerplay for Denver in his freshman season and it resulted in an NCAA Championship for the Pioneers. His defensive game isn’t in terrible shape either, playing against 23 and 24 year olds in college helped him with that. Four of the Capitals current defenseman will be 31 or older at the start of next season so replacements will be needed rather quickly

They already got their defenseman with the 3rd overall pick so naturally they should go out and get a forward with their second lottery pick. What better player than Bedard’s former linemate in Regina, Tanner Howe. He’s listed as a center but Howe is versatile and can play the wing if need be. Prior to the season scouts were interested to see how Howe would produce without Bedard on his line. He put any questions like that to rest with 83 points in 70 games this season, just two points less than the year prior. Howe is a high energy guy with a high floor. We’ll see if he and Bedard can one day work their magic together once again in Blackhawks jerseys.

Sam Dickinson seems like a lock for the NHL. His ceiling may not be as high as some other defenseman that have gone off the board but his floor may be the highest. He’s got the makings of a prototypical two-way defenseman that carries himself with confidence and leadership. The London Knights Captain isn’t the most physical player but is just so well-rounded in every category. He becomes the best defensive prospect on the team and will join a nice little future defensive core of Ty Nelson, Lukas Dragicevic and Ryker Evans

[JurassicPuck]

Re: NHL 24 Franchise Mode Career

The 2024 NHL Draft is complete and it was one filled with surprises. There were trades, shocking picks and questionable decisions made across the whole draft. We break it all down here and we will offer a short scouting report of every player selected in the first round, as well as a grade for each selection. Let's get into it

1. Nashville Predators: Macklin Celebrini,
Center

Grade - A+

He was a lock for first overall and the Predators didn’t mess around, announcing his name as soon as possible. The Vancouver kid will head to the Music City as their future superstar, something the franchise has yet to see in their history. Macklin will step into the lineup on day one and will have lots of opportunity to succeed with the likes of Forsberg and Josi by his side.

2. New York Rangers: Cole Eiserman,
Left Wing

Grade - C+

Eiserman just in a vacuum is a good fit with the Rangers organization. He’s American first of all, and he’s got one of the most lethal shots in this draft with the potential of a future 40 goal scorer if everything goes right. The reasoning for the C+ rating is because they pass on Ivan Demidov, who projects as an elite 1st liner with a way higher floor than Eiserman. The Rangers have had a difficult time developing prospects in recent memory so taking a guy who isn't assured to reach his potential is risky

3. Chicago Blackhawks: Ivan Demidov,
Right Wing

Grade - A+

Chicago hit the jackpot due to the Rangers' mistake and because of it, the Blackhawks could be looking at another dynasty in the not too distant future. When we eventually see Demidov and Bedard playing together (hopefully on the same line) it will strike fear into everyone around the league for the next decade. Demidov is an elite level playmaker who is the perfect guy to be next to Bedard

4. Ottawa Senators: Berkly Catton,
Center

Grade - B-

I would have preferred if Ottawa traded one of their first round picks but rumours say things fell through on a couple deals so they went ahead and selected Catton at 4th overall. Is he an incredible prospect? No doubt about it. The kid scored 129 points this season for a Spokane team that almost missed the WHL Playoffs. He was a one man unit for the Chiefs and dominated despite a severe lack of help. Does Catton fit Ottawa’s needs right now? No. The Sens need to put together some productive seasons starting this upcoming year and a prospect like Berkly does not do that for them right now.

5. St. Louis Blues: Anton Silayev,
Defenseman

Grade - A

The Blues add another top-end prospect alongside Jimmy Snuggerud and are slowly building a prospect pool in St. Louis. Defensive prospects were definitely lacking in the organization with last year's 1st round pick Theo Lindstein being the cream of a weak crop. After him you had the likes of Michael Buchinger (2022 3rd round pick) and Leo Loof (2020 3rd round pick) as the only other two that could have a chance at a top four spot down the road. Enter Anton Silayev. The monstrous 6’9 Russian defenseman is potentially that future #1 defenseman that the Blues have been looking for since Pietrangelo left for Vegas.

Blue Jackets Trade Grade - C-

Do the Blue Jackets really believe they can contend with their core of players? Missing out on a Levshunov or Iginla is not worth Josh Anderson and a 3rd round pick. Maybe with veteran guys already locked into long term contracts Columbus sees an easier path in building around Gaudreau, Laine, Werenski and Severson than moving them. Josh Anderson is coming off of a career year in Montreal with 29 goals and 69 points, both career highs for the 30 year old. However he is locked in for $5.5 million for the next three seasons, which is scary considering his inconsistency and injury history. He has the familiarity of being in Columbus which should help but if he falters and Levshunov shines in Montreal in the coming seasons, Blue Jackets fans will be livid

Canadiens Trade Grade - A

Masterful work by GM Kent Hughes on selling high on Josh Anderson after his career year with the Canadiens and getting another elite defenseman prospect to add to what is looking like a wagon of a blueline in the future. Lane Hutson, Artyom Levshunov, David Reinbacher, Kaiden Guhle. That’s an incredible top four of the future for Montreal. Guhle has already played big minutes for the Habs and Hutson and Reinbacher will get their first taste of NHL hockey in October. Levshunov will likely play another year for Michigan State before joining the Habs

6. Montreal Canadiens: Artyom Levshunov,
Defenseman

Grade - A

7. Arizona Coyotes: Sam Dickinson,
Defenseman

Grade - C+

I don’t so much as hate this pick more so than I was surprised that the Coyotes took him this early, rather than go with a guy like Kiviharju. Dickinson was slated to go around the 12-15 range but I don’t hate this pick for Arizona. He’s a guaranteed “NHLer” that will be automatic for the Yotes lineup in the next 2-3 years. What they miss out on is the upside on someone like Kiviharju who is a lot more dynamic as a player. Dickinson will be a good player in Arizona (or maybe another city?) for years to come but will he ever be great?

8. Ottawa Senators: Aron Kiviharju,
Defenseman

Grade - B-

Ottawa ends up keeping both their picks which is okay but obviously the opportunity of getting value in exchange for a roster player is lost. On the other hand you can look at the fact they now have two prospects with high potential and likely high trade value around the league. Kiviharju was the guy to go with if you were going to draft at this spot and he’ll become the second best prospect the Sens have in the system after the previously drafted Catton

9. Calgary Flames: Tij Iginla,
Center

Grade - A+

Everybody wanted to see it and Calgary made it happen. Jarome Iginla’s son is heading to the same franchise he captained and just came up short of winning a Stanley Cup with. Tij projects as a future 1st or 2nd line do it all forward and someone that can be a future leader, much like his father was. Iginla gives them someone the can build around for the future with their rebuild process

10. San Jose Sharks: Tanner Howe,
Right Wing

Grade - B+

He’s a natural centre but Howe will likely be moved to the wing eventually, considering the Sharks now have their three best prospects all playing the same position (Will Smith, Filip Bystedt and Howe). That doesn’t even include William Eklund (who can play the left wing to be fair). So while I like Howe as a player and his type of high energy game I don’t, as of now, see their plan on how they will adjust players around in the system.

11. New York Islanders: Cole Hutson
Defenseman

Grade - C

The Islanders were heavily linked to Sam Dickinson heading into the draft and it came as a shock to them when Sam Dickinson was taken off the board by the Yotes. Needing a defenseman, the Islanders settled with Cole Hutson. I’m a fan of Hutson’s game but I don’t know if he’ll be able to flourish in the system they run in New York. Hutson is an offensive defenseman whose defensive game is lacking. So while I like the player, I don’t love the fit in Long Island for the NTDP product.

12. Los Angeles Kings: Konsta Helenius,
Center / Right Wing

Grade - A

One of my favourite players in the draft, Helenius plays just such an intelligent two-way game, similar to his countryman Sasha Barkov. The Kings know Anze Kopitar (who will turn 37 next season) doesn’t have many more seasons of Selke calibre hockey left in him. They believe they’ve found a suitable replacement in Helenius. Now that may be a lot to put on the Finnish centre but I’m a big fan of this kid’s game and I think he has that potential in him. It’s up to the LA Kings if they can get that potential to come to fruition.

13. San Jose Sharks: Zeev Buium,
Defenseman

Grade - A

Shakir Mukhamadullin’s development hasn’t been as smooth sailing as one would have hoped and, after already picking up Tanner Howe earlier, selecting Zeev Buium is perfect for the Sharks. He’s one of the best offensive defenseman in this draft and already has reaped the benefits of playing college hockey this season. He’s the power play quarterback of the future and it likely won’t be very long until Zeev is playing in San Jose.

14. Washington Capitals: Adam Jiricek,
Defenseman

Grade - B-

I really wanted the Capitals to get one of Buium or Hutson here at 14th but both were already off the board with Buium getting snagged just before Washington was up. So while Jiricek is the best defenseman left on the board, a position the Caps need in their system, it’s only going to get a B- because I liked other guys better. You're going to tell me you couldn’t have worked out a deal with the Islanders to get the pick they used to get Cole Hutson, who they don’t seem to have really wanted?

15. Chicago Blackhawks: Cayden Lindstrom,
Left Wing

Grade - C+

Chicago was hoping one of the defenseman in that upper tier would have fallen to them here at 15 but with Jiricek going just before, the drop off to the next best defenseman was drastic. Instead the Blackhawks changed course and went with the best player available and that was Cayden Lindstrom. Their forward prospect core is already filled with future top 9 players so they really just did not need another forward. They are lacking on the defensive side and I honestly would have rathered the Hawks have gone with a guy like Carter Yakemchuk, even with the drop off off talent compared to Lindstrom

16. Seattle Kraken: Trevor Connelly,
Left Wing

Grade - C+

The Kraken take the plunge and select Trevor Connelly from the USHL. He obviously comes with a lot of baggage in his past actions but the skill is undeniable. Will he be able to prove to the Kraken, the league and to the fans that he's put his questionable past behind him? If Seattle can get him to buy in, prove he’s a good person and block out the noise from the media, they’ll have a skilled top six forward on their hands. I’m going to give them a C+ just because of the amount of risk taken in selecting Connelly

17. Philadelphia Flyers: Igor Chernyshov,
Left Wing

Grade - C

Greentree looked like exactly the type of player the Flyers would love, that prototypical skilled physical forward. They instead go for the left winger out of Russia in Chernyshov. Could this be a way to convince Michkov to come over to North America earlier with one of his friends from Russia in Philly as well? If that helps Matvei make his decision then all the power to the Flyers but they had better options here.

18. Montreal Canadiens: Liam Greentree,
Right Wing

Grade - A

You traded away a power forward earlier and you get his future replacement twelve picks later. Greentree is going to be a great future forward for the Canadiens no matter where he fits in the lineup. If he ends up being a dependable 3rd line big bodied player then the Habs will be more than happy with that result. Another stellar selection by general manager Kent Hughes

19. Buffalo Sabres: Maxim Masse,
Right Wing

Grade - D

Buffalo doesn’t need anymore forward prospects and all three right wingers that went after him are better. Very questionable pick by Buffalo but they obviously like something about this kid to take him over a Vandermeer or Parascak. Yakemchuk seemed like the smart move for them considering they have an absolute logjam of young forwards. Don’t love this selection for you Sabres fans

20. Anaheim Ducks: Ben Vandermeer,
Right Wing

Grade - A

Vandermeer starts a string of three great selections in a row. The American shot up draft boards this season and was a stud for Notre Dame in the Big Ten NCAA conference. He’s got a lethal shot and can absolutely fly around the ice which makes it hard on opposing defenseman. He is on the smaller side at just 5’11 but at 18 he still has time to grow. The best part for Ben is that he goes right before his childhood friend Brendon Schenn. If both end up turning out to be NHL regulars, they’ll be seeing a lot of each other in the Pacific Division

21. Vegas Golden Knights: Brendon Schenn,
Center

Grade - A-

Seeing Schenn and Vandermeer embracing in a hug after Brendon was selected was tear-jerking for every fan of the NHL, no matter your team allegiance. Both Anaheim and Vegas should be very excited to get these two men into their organizations. Schenn is a big powerful forward who likes to shoot the puck but has the ability to make plays for his teammates. Despite his big frame he isn’t as physical as he could be but he is disciplined. I’m excited to see how he progresses in the Golden Knights system.

22. Philadelphia Flyers: Terik Parascak,
Right Wing

Grade - A+

The Prince George Cougars product should not have fallen this far in the draft and Philadelphia will reap the rewards of everyone else's mistakes. Parascak was a catalyst for the WHL champion Cougars, scoring 85 points over 70 games during the season. Terik loves to shoot the puck and does so at will which the Flyers will love. While the value is incredible for the Flyers, they have a bit of a logjam of winger prospects now in the system. That feels like a more figure out later situation however.

23. Edmonton Oilers: Carter Yakemchuk,
Defenseman

Grade - A

The Edmonton scouting staff didn’t have to go far to see Carter Yakemchuk play for the Calgary Hitmen and evidently they liked what they saw. He becomes the Oilers top defensive prospect and they hope he can make an impact during McDavid and Draisaitl’s prime years.

24. Dallas Stars: Justin Poirier,
Right Wing

Grade - C

Dallas sure likes their skilled undersized forwards. Joining Logan Stankoven (5’7), Mavrik Bourque (5’10) and Antonio Stranges (5’10) is Justin Poirier of the QMJHL who stands at just 5’8. He’s a feisty little player (52 PIM’s in 61 games played) but just doesn’t have the size to throw his body around. Definitely would have liked one of the bigger forwards like Emil Hemming to have gone here.

25. Minnesota Wild: Clarke Caswell,
Left Wing

Grade - C+

With the winger talent Minnesota has on their roster and in their system, Caswell won’t have an easy path to becoming a top six winger. The Wild are hoping Caswell can become an offensive third line scorer who can really dominate on the powerplay, like he did in the WHL with Swift Current. Not a bad pick but not a great one either.

26. San Jose Sharks: Ryder Ritchie,
Right Wing

Grade - B

While a guy like Parekh would have been nice for Winnipeg, Ryder Ritchie gives Winnipeg a versatile two-way forward of the future. Playing for a weak Prince Albert Raiders team, Ritchie was forced to do much of the heavy lifting on offense by himself. What was nice to see from the 17 year old was his +3 rating despite the majority of the Raiders players being in the negative.

27. Seattle Kraken: Emil Hemming,
Right Wing

Grade - B-

With the addition of Emil Hemming, Seattle quite literally has about 11 guys that have good chances of becoming top six forwards of the future. While that’s a double edged sword in the fact that it might not give everyone a chance to succeed, it’s a good problem to have when you have too many good prospects. I personally would have preferred Parekh here to add to the weaker defensive prospect pool but they do already have some offensive D-men in the system

28. Carolina Hurricanes: Zayne Parekh,
Defenseman

Grade - A-

Crafty Carolina once again takes a swing with a player with potentially tremendous upside down the line. Parekh is a very good offensive defenseman that will one day be running the first unit of an NHL team’s power play. What holds him back from guys like Hutson and Buium is his height and his very bad defense. Being a defenseman, he should be able to defend and Parekh can’t do that at this point. He’s a bit of a project for the Hurricanes but with the way they have developed prospects in recent memory, Parekh could be a steal.

29. Detroit Red Wings: Alexandre Blais,
Left Wing

Grade - B

Detroit’s prospect pool may not have that big stud but man is it deep. Alexandre Blais only adds to that as a future penalty killing specialist. His offensive production was disappointing with Rimouski this season but Detroit doesn’t want him for that anyways. He may not be the most value available with this pick but when you already have the amount of prospects the Wings have, you start going for more specialist type players

30. Colorado Avalanche: Michael Hage,
Center

Grade - C+

He’s years away from being ready for the NHL but Colorado doesn’t need him in the NHL anytime soon with the way their roster looks. The USHL playmaker dominated with the Chicago Steel and is committed to Michigan for next season

31. Nashville Predators: Beckett Sennecke,
Left Wing

Grade - C-

He really flew up draft rankings after winning the OHL Championship and the Memorial Cup this year with the Oshawa Generals. The problem I have is that he goes to Nashville who is stockpiled with forward prospects already. Meanwhile their defensive side of prospects is on the ropes outside of Tanner Molendyk. Good player, bad fit for Sennecke.

32. Calgary Flames: Alexander Zetterberg,
Center

Grade - C-

With the last pick in the first round that they acquired in the Chris Tanev Vancouver trade at the Trade Deadline, I would have liked to see Calgary go in a different direction. The Swedish Zetterberg isn’t someone I see having a high chance of ever making a real impact in the NHL but we’ll see if the Flames development team can put some work in with him

Notable Draft Day Trades

[

Canucks Trade Grade - C

It was a bit out of left field to see the Canucks move on from Mikheyev after he had a stellar postseason with 17 points in their Cup win. He’s on a decent contract for the next two years at just under 5 million, so why would Vancouver move on from him? Maybe they have their eyes on someone in free agency or someone within the organization to take his place. Nikita Zadorov makes a lot more sense to move on from as he was just not a good fit from the start with the Nucks. He’ll have the choice of finding a new home in St. Louis or testing the waters in free agency. Rumors say the Canucks were very high on Russian defender Vladimir Goldobin and was the main influence on getting this deal done.

Blues Trade Grade - C+

While Mikheyev and Zadarov fill needs on their current roster, is that what they really need with where this team is at? Giving up a high 2nd round pick and a fourth rounder in exchange for roster players is questionable considering they were the fourth worst team in the league last season. I do like the fit of the two players they added (that is if Zadorov signs) so maybe they can flip them in the future for even more assets.

Flames Trade Grade - A

They knew Lindholm was not going to return to Calgary so to be in the position they were in and still manage to get an early second round pick is a great deal of business for general manager Craig Conroy. They went out and used that second round selection to get Carson Wetsch from the hometown Calgary Hitmen. He’s not going to be a future star with the Flames by any means but could be a very good middle six player.

Predators Trade Grade - C-

How good this trade is for the Predators won’t be known until Elias Lindholm decides to sign with Nashville or head to Free Agency. It’s a high price to pay for the Predators when it involves a decent amount of risk involved considering they don’t have a deal in place with Lindholm as of now. If The Swedish forward does end up signing with the Preds their rating would jump to a B. It seems they want to already move toward competing again after winning the Celebrini sweepstakes. Adding a guy like Lindholm will help that notion but by how much is the question?

Minor Draft Day Trades

Calgary Flames Acquire - 2024 3rd Round Pick (Drafted Kristers Ansons, LW)
Tampa Bay Lightning Acquire - Dryden Hunt LW, 2024 6th Round Pick (Drafted Jesper Stromberg, D)

Calgary Flames Acquire - Tyler Johnson C, 2024 2nd Round Pick (Drafted Maddox Blujus, RW), 2024 4th Round Pick (Drafted Jakub Tarasov, LW)
Chicago Blackhawks Acquire - 2024 3rd Round Pick (Drafted Niko Minkkinen, D), 2025 6th Round Pick (CGY)

Chicago Blackhawks Acquire - 2024 3rd Round Pick (Drafted Julien Lanthier, D)
Seattle Kraken Acquire - Nikita Zaitsev D, 2025 4th Round Pick (NYR)

[JurassicPuck]

Re: NHL 24 Franchise Mode Career



2024 NHL Draft: Canucks Draft Pick Player Profiles

By Russell Dawson / Vancouver Canucks
June 30, 2024

The excitement of the 2024 NHL Draft has finally passed as everybody looks on to the Free Agent Frenzy that looms on July 1st. The Vancouver Canucks made five selections at the draft ranging from round one to round seven. Let's dive in to the players that will be entering the organization and give a little background about how they got here

Prospect Profile
	Vladimir Goldobin | Defenseman AK Bars Kazan (KHL)
	Height: 5'11	Shoots: Right
	Weight: 190	Age: 18 years old
	Season GP G A PTS +/- PIM S S% TOI FO% 2023-24 52 6 7 13 6 38 44 13.6% 17:02 0.0%

Background: Playing for a very good AK Bars Kazan team in the KHL didn’t allow for a lot of ice time for the young Goldobin. Playing with the likes of Alexander Radulov, Vadim Shipachyov and Dmitij Jaskin did give him some insight on how to adapt to the NHL game once he gets there. With such a good team that performed well and full of former NHL Players allowed Vladimir to really grow his game against some of the best outside North America. At the NHL Combine, the Canucks were very impressed with the interview that took place with the young man

Player Analysis: Not a big defenseman at just 5’11, Vladimir projects as a future second unit power play quarterback. He’s a great skater which slightly makes up for his small frame, his speed and acceleration really standing out. His shot is powerful enough but has work to do on getting through to the net more often. His puck skills are solid but needs work on being able to defend once he gets to the NHL level. He’ll never be a stud in his own end but he just needs to not be a negative.

Thoughts on the Pick: Vancouver really had their eyes set on moving up to acquire Vladimir and they valued him enough to move on from fellow Russian Ilya Mikheyev to get him. While I do see the potential in the 18 year old, I don’t see why they needed him bad enough to move on from a guy who was so important to their playoff run. Shedding the cap space might be nice come free agency but they’ll need to find someone to replace him with that money

Prospect Profile
	Ron West | Goalie Frolunda HC (SHL)
	Height: 6'4	Catches: Left
	Weight: 196	Age: 18 years old
	Season GP W L OTL SO SV% GAA 2023-24 5 4 1 0 0 .851 4.20

Background: Born in Canada but moved to Sweden at a young age, netminder Ron West was at times the backup goalie for Frolunda HC this season. Standing at 6’4 and just under 200lbs, West is a big netminder who turned some heads in international tournaments for Sweden this year

Player Analysis: Relying on his athletic ability, West has the tools to become a dependable goalie in the NHL. He takes up the bottom of the net very well and is quick side to side. The technicality parts of his game definitely need some work as he puts himself out of position way too often. He only got into 5 games in the SHL and while he did win 4 of them, he had an ugly .851 save percentage during those showings. His play with Sweden internationally produced much better numbers.

Thoughts on the Pick: Goalies are always so hard to judge but I don’t think I’m the biggest fan of Ron West’s game. He shows flashes at times but his positioning falters way too often in my opinion. He seems like he’s just so far away from being an NHL goalie, which is okay because he is 18, but it’s hard to even see the potential sometimes.

Prospect Profile
	Ilya Galiev | Goalie Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)
	Height: 6'3	Catches: Left
	Weight: 199	Age: 18 years old
	Season GP W L OTL SO SV% GAA 2023-24 16 10 3 0 2 .919 2.38

Background: Playing in the MHL (league under the KHL) this season, Ilya Galiev was dependable in net in 16 games. He posted 10 wins and 2 shutouts with a .919 save percentage, good enough for top five in the league. He’ll look to get into some games in the KHL next season based off of his performance.

Player Analysis: He’s 6’3 which is adequate for an NHL goalie and like Ron West, his athletic ability is the key to his game. He’s a well rounded tendy that has better technical skills than West. Has troubles seeing through screens on shots from the point and could work on his rebound control.

Thoughts on the Pick: Taking two goalies in the same round is a bold strategy but Vancouver’s scouts liked both Galiev and West. Galiev will have the opportunity to get some KHL time next season but he’ll need to make some significant improvement before he can be thought of bringing over to Canada

Prospect Profile
	Mats Axelsson | Left Wing Leksands IF (SHL)
	Height: 6'1	Shoots: Left
	Weight: 188	Age: 18 years old
	Season GP G A PTS +/- PIM S S% TOI FO% 2023-24 2 0 0 0 3 2 0 0.0% 10:00 0.0%

Background: Axelsson was a young offensive player that got into two games with the Leksands IF squad in the Swedish Hockey League. The majority of his time this season was spent in the Allvenskan where he had solid production

Player Analysis: The biggest part of Axelsson’s game is his shot. He gets it off quickly and releases it with power behind it. He’s not the most physical player despite being 6’1 and his defensive game needs to be refined. His puck skills are solid and he’s got good awareness in the offensive zone.

Thoughts on the Pick: It was a 6th round pick so you're not really expecting anyone super special but Axelsson really just has one valuable part of his game, his shot. Outside of that his game really needs to develop in all facets. We’ll see how he performs next season with more minutes in Leksands to see if he improves.

Prospect Profile
	Charles Côté | Defenseman Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)
	Height: 6'6	Shoots: Left
	Weight: 210	Age: 19 years old
	Season GP G A PTS +/- PIM S S% TOI FO% 2023-24 61 10 12 22 4 48 115 8.7% 21:49 0.0% 2022-23 62 4 17 21 -1 73 N/A N/A N/A 0.0%

Background: The QMJHL isn’t known as the toughest league in the CHL but Charles Cote disproves that notion by his type of game. Playing with Rimouski and wearing a letter as a 19 year old, Cote is a mean guy to play against. His offensive production isn’t anything special but his defensive game was good.

Player Analysis: A big hulking defenseman at 6’6, Cote is a physical defensive defenseman. His skating is actually above average considering his size and he uses it well in games. His ability to defend is okay but will still need to advance if he wants to play professionally. His offensive game is non-existent and he’ll never be a guy to put up points but he doesn’t need too

Thoughts on the Pick: The 7th round pick might be my favourite that the Canucks made this draft. Cote will never be a minute muncher defenseman but not unlike Arber Xhekaj in Montreal, he could be a face punching depth defenseman of the future. If Vancouver can really get him to hone in on his defensive game, they could have something here

[JurassicPuck]

Re: NHL 24 Franchise Mode Career

2024 NHL Free Agency: Everything You Need to Know
Let's break down the biggest storylines, players and predictions heading into July 1st

Jeremy Evans - June 30th, 2024

The NHL offseason is a whirlwind. You had the Stanley Cup Finals, NHL Draft and now Free Agency all jam packed into a matter of weeks. Fans, management and the players have had plenty of news and storylines to cover over a short period of time and everything comes at you fast and rolls over into the next big headline.

So why don't we break it down for everyone that can't keep up with everything happening right now in the NHL word. We'll start off with some of the most striking decisions that came before Free Agency hits tomorrow. After that we'll move into some of the best free agents available but breaking it down into different categories of players available. We'll also throw in my prediction as to where those top UFA's land by the start of the 2025 season. Let's jump right into it.

Tampa Bay brings back their Captain
What would have been the biggest free agent available if they failed to finally settle on a contract, Steven Stamkos will continue to wear the "C" for the Tampa Bay Lightning. All signs were pointing to Stammer wearing another NHL jersey for the first time in his career, especially after all the talk being that he was unlikely to head back to the only team he's ever known. Luckily for Lightning fans they were able to bang out a contract just before the deadline hit and the former 60 goal scorer will remain with the team for the next ___ years at (Money) per

Carolina taking a hit after Necas and Teravainen signings
The Hurricanes had the hardest decisions to make this offseason because of so many key players to their Presidents Trophy winning season having expiring contracts. Ultimately they elected to dish out massive nine million dollar per contracts to Martin Necas and Teuvo Teräväinen. In doing that they will now have Stefan Noesen, Vladimir Tarasenko, Brady Skjei and Brett Pesce all heading to free agency. That's a lot to lose in one offseason and it makes their first round exit to the Florida Panthers hurt that much more.

Devils choose not to bring back Samuel Montembeault
What might have been the most shocking move of the offseason was the New Jersey Devils decision to not bring back Samuel Montembeault after he backstopped the team to the Stanley Cup Finals. Sources have said the Devils have confidence in the duo of Akira Schmid and Vitek Vanecek for next season as their goaltending duo. Montembeault was actually wanting to get a contract done with the Devils after being a Vezina Trophy Finalist but New Jersey just wasn't convinced he was their guy after his Finals performance. The 28 year old net minder finished with a rough .896 SV% after entering the finals with a .913.

Nashville fails to get a deal done with Elias Lindholm
The Predators can't be happy with Elias Lindholm heading to free agency after giving up their second round pick at 36th overall in the draft. They've lost that pick for nothing after not coming to terms on a deal with the former Calgary Flame forward. Reports say Lindholm received a "more than fair offer" to go to Nashville but it was declined for reasons that aren't exactly known as of now. Nashville was looking to give Celebrini another high end forward to work with on the power play and the risk of giving up an asset for an unknown proved to be a dud.



The Impact Players

Player Profile
	Elias Lindholm | Center / Right Wing Nashville Predators
	Height: 6'1	Shoots: R
	Weight: 202	Age: 29 years old
	Season GP G A PTS +/- PIM 2023-24 82 32 43 75 -6 4

The top forward in this year's class, Elias Lindholm should have a lot of attention from teams looking for a first line calibre player. Exactly how much those teams will be willing to pay is another question. Nashville gave him an above average offer and he still declined it. Will that scare some teams off knowing they’ll need to throw the bag at him to bring him in? His biggest asset is his versatility, he can be that 200-foot centre but can also compliment other elite players on their wing.

Player Profile
	Gustav Forsling | Defenseman Florida Panthers
	Height: 6'0	Shoots: L
	Weight: 186	Age: 28 years old
	Season GP G A PTS +/- PIM 2023-24 82 6 39 45 -7 8

The Florida Panthers defenseman will be the best available this summer and has been a stalwart on the blueline since the Cats rise as a contender. He should fit in well on just about any team and is a guy that will have almost every team in the league that has the cap space inquiring about his services. He definitely had a down year last season but being the top D-man in the class will boost his price on the contract he signs

Player Profile
	Patrick Kane | Right Wing Detroit Red Wings
	Height: 5'10	Shoots: L
	Weight: 177	Age: 35 years old
	Season GP G A PTS +/- PIM 2023-24 82 25 45 70 1 12

The greatest American player of all time will be finding the fourth team of his career this offseason as he continues to be a good offensive producer. Kane will be selective of which team he chooses to sign with this offseason and will take his time before deciding which might eliminate some teams that have their eyes on other guys available.


The Best Bets

Player Profile
	Daniel Sprong | Right Wing / Left Wing Detroit Red Wings
	Height: 6'0	Shoots: R
	Weight: 202	Age: 27 years old
	Season GP G A PTS +/- PIM 2023-24 82 15 25 40 -35 0

That plus-minus is ugly at -35 and there is no way around that. But the Red Wings were the worst defensive team in the entire NHL and Sprong was their go to defensive guy for most of the season, playing the best players every night. If you're able to look past that you see that Sprong is a quality defensive player when used in the right role, preferably as a third line option. He’s no slouch on offense as well which makes him very valuable to any team looking to bolster their bottom six forwards. He didn’t take a single penalty this year which some teams will definitely value.

Player Profile
	Brett Pesce | Defenseman Carolina Hurricanes
	Height: 6'3	Shoots: R
	Weight: 206	Age: 29 years old
	Season GP G A PTS +/- PIM 2023-24 82 8 17 25 31 36

An underrated part of the Hurricanes great defensive core, Brett Pesce will give any team that signs him a rock solid defensive option on the back end. While he’s not as flashy as a Tarasenko, Pesce may be the most important piece leaving out of the Hurricanes free agents. He’s had a lot of teams in the past inquire about him but Carolina knew how key he was to their team.

Player Profile
	Tyler Bertuzzi | Left Wing / Right Wing Toronto Maple Leafs
	Height: 6'1	Shoots: L
	Weight: 186	Age: 29 years old
	Season GP G A PTS +/- PIM 2023-24 82 20 40 60 11 34

It will be his second straight year as a free agent after signing a one year deal with the Leafs last summer that resulted in another first round exit. With Toronto, Bertuzzi put up a respectable 40 assists and 60 points, the second most he’s ever had in a season. While it’s still a possibility he returns to wearing the Blue and White, there will be many teams looking for a gritty, playmaking top six forward that can put up points on good teams


The Best Values

Player Profile
	Max Paciorettty | Left Wing Washington Capitals
	Height: 6'2	Shoots: L
	Weight: 217	Age: 35 years old
	Season GP G A PTS +/- PIM 2023-24 82 23 27 50 -16 24

After so many injury problems in the past couple seasons, Pacioretty looks to have overcome them and proved it by playing a full 82 game season for the first time since 2016. Obviously that history will always weigh him down but “Patches” looks to still be able to provide quality offense on a consistent basis. It makes him the perfect fit for a contending team that can get a quality scorer on a cheaper contract. At 35 years old, he won’t be getting any long term deals coming his way which will entice even more teams to go after him

Player Profile
	Blake Wheeler | Right Wing New York Islanders
	Height: 6'5	Shoots: L
	Weight: 220	Age: 38 years old
	Season GP G A PTS +/- PIM 2023-24 82 12 41 53 -16 46

Another one of the oldest guys in this year's frenzy is Blake Wheeler. Despite his advanced age the former Winnipeg Jet has shown he can still put up numbers offensively. Traded from the Rangers to the Islanders at the Trade Deadline, Wheeler is still going strong at a 50-point per season pace at 38 years old. That’s pretty impressive. You know he’s looking for a team that will give him a good chance to win that elusive Stanley Cup that has avoided him in his career.

Player Profile
	Jake DeBrusk | Left Wing Boston Bruins
	Height: 6'0	Shoots: L
	Weight: 197	Age: 27 years old
	Season GP G A PTS +/- PIM 2023-24 76 19 32 51 3 8

He’s long been rumoured to be on the Bruins trade block for the past few seasons and now DeBrusk will have the chance to pick where he’ll be going after hearing his name in trade talks for so long. He’s now had back-to-back 50 point seasons although his scoring dropped a bit this season to 19 goals (he had 27 last season). My prediction is that Jake will be willing to take a chunk out of his salary if it means getting a longer term deal. The reason for that? I think he’s sick of always hearing his name in the rumour mill and wants to go somewhere where he knows he has a lengthy deal that will keep him there.


The Wildcards

Player Profile
	Jonathan Drouin | Left Wing Colorado Avalanche
	Height: 5'11	Shoots: L
	Weight: 198	Age: 29 years old
	Season GP G A PTS +/- PIM 2023-24 82 21 30 51 11 9

He found his game again with the Avalanche which will excite many teams looking for a middle six forward but the question is, can he still do it without superstars like MacKinnon, Rantanen and Makar on his flanks? I don’t know if I’m convinced he can. His 51 points are the most he’s had since 2019 with Montreal as a 23 year old. He’s a high risk medium reward player in this year's class which will scare off a lot of teams but you know someone will take the plunge and go after him. We’ll have to wait and see if that works out for them

Player Profile
	Samuel Montembeault | Goalie New Jersey Devils
	Height: 6'3	Catches: L
	Weight: 217	Age: 27 years old
	Season GP W L OTL SV% GAA SO 2023-24 67 37 22 6 .910 2.80 2

Obviously New Jersey saw something in Montembeault that made them believe he is not the guy of the future for their franchise. Despite that, he showed when he’s on he can be a Vezina finalist goalie and can lead a team to the finals. What franchise wouldn’t want that kind of player between the pipes? We do know how up and down goalies can be however which makes Montembeault a bit of a mystery as to which type of goalie you are really going to get.

Player Profile
	Casey DeSmith | Goalie Vancouver Canucks
	Height: 6'0	Catches: L
	Weight: 181	Age: 33 years old
	Season GP W L OTL SV% GAA SO 2023-24 43 22 12 6 .917 2.65 2

His value is going to be low after being bypassed by Thatcher Demko in the playoffs but Casey Desmith proved his worth as a NHL starter this season. The one thing that really would scare me off is his age. At 33 years old, DeSmith isn’t entering his prime, he’s exiting it. After such a productive season it’s going to be disappointing for him that he can’t cash it in to a longer term deal. We’ll likely see a short term prove it again contract to a team that has really struggled with goaltending in recent memory.


Lastly, let's give you all a look at which teams will have the most money to play with tomorrow when Free Agency opens at 12:00 pm ET:

[JurassicPuck]

Re: NHL 24 Franchise Mode Career

NHL Free Agency 2024: Latest news, deals and reports from around the league


ESPN.com

NHL Free Agent Frenzy has begun and all sorts of news, reported deals and rumors will be coming out about anything and everything involving the NHL. This is the place to find the key information you need to know about this years rendition of craziness. We'll give you a full live tracker throughout the day about signings and news that include the biggest free agents.


12:02 p.m. ET: The Chicago Blackhawls and Elias Lindholm (C/RW, 88 OVR) have come to terms on a six-year, $52.17 million deal. Lindholm’s rights were traded to the Predators on draft night but the two parties were unable to figure out a contract between them. Lindholm will join Connor Bedard in the Windy City after scoring 32 goals and 75 points in Calgary.

Per sources, Chicago is expected to be very active in free agency after seeing the lack of high end talent around Connor Bedard this past season. They are rumored to be in the market for a lot of the top forwards available.

12:05 p.m. ET: Netminder Casey DeSmith (G, 83) has reached an agreement with the Montreal Canadiens for one year at $3.665 million. He’ll become the new number one after the Canadiens goaltending issues were glaring in the playoffs.

12:08 p.m. ET: Former Boston Bruin Jake DeBrusk (LW, 84) is heading to Buffalo on a six year contract worth $28.92 million ($4.820M per). Buffalo will be just the second team Debrusk will play for in the NHL after being drafted in 2015 by Boston.

12:15 p.m. ET: Sources tell ESPN, Matt Grzelcyk (D, 83) is headed to Orange County to join the Anaheim Ducks. It’s a lengthy six year deal worth $26.16 million ($4.360M per). For an Anaheim team that was the 7th worst defensively last season, Gryzelcyk will give their top four a reliable defensive defenseman. With the deal taking him till he’s 36 however, this AAV might look ugly down the line.

12:17 p.m. ET: Tyler Bertuzzi (W, 84) and the St. Louis Blues have signed a deal for $28.2 million across six years. The 29 year old has changed teams via free agency for the second straight year after his season in Toronto. Reports say Nashville was in contention with the Blues for the winger and just couldn’t match the term St. Louis was willing to give.

12:25 p.m. ET: Erik Gustafsson (D, 84) and the Philadelphia Flyers have reunited and ink a 4 year deal at $5.985 million per. The offensive defenseman was a part of the tire fire of a season the Rangers had this past year and was looking forward to getting out of dodge.

12:30 a.m. ET: Sources tell ESPN that the San Jose Sharks are looking to make some moves this free agency that could surprise some people. Who exactly their planning on going for is still up in the air but keep an eye on San Jose

12:34 a.m. ET: Jonathan Drouin (LW, 84) has gotten paid by the Chicago Blackhawks with a six year contract worth $28.5 million. A lot of the hockey world is quite shocked at the term and value Drouin got but the Hawks were very keen on bringing him in after seeing how he performed alongside MacKinnon. They are hoping he can achieve some of that success with Connor Bedard

12:39 a.m. ET: Shayne Gostisbehere (D, 84) has inked a deal with the Vancouver Canucks to join their defensive core for 2025. On a two year deal at $4.650 million per year, Gostisbehere will be heading to the west coast after spending last season in Detroit. He’ll give the Canucks that second unit power play quarterback they have been looking for.

Vancouver was originally in on Swede Gustav Forsling, who actually used to be in the Canucks organization before being waived. After negotiations fell through the Nucks switched gears to the American.

12:47 a.m. ET: After missing out on Tyler Bertuzzi, the Nashville Predators have gone out and got themselves James van Riemsdyk (LW, 85) and Jakub Vrana (W, 83). The Preds aren’t messing around and are really starting to build this roster up. They’re immediately putting quality players around Celebrini which can only help the kids' development.

Sources tell ESPN that the Nashville Predators will not be done after this. They are looking to still add a piece or two to this roster to compete for the 2025 season.

12:58a.m. ET: The Toronto Maple Leafs take the second best defenseman off the board with the signing of Brady Skjei (D, 86). The former Carolina Hurricane will join the Blue and White on a four year $21 million deal. This is the first of the departing Hurricanes (Tarasenko, Noesen, Pesce and Skjei) to secure a contract.

With this news, there is now no plan for Toronto to bring back T.J. Brodie who has been with the Leafs since 2021. It will be interesting to see where he ends up going now.

1:18 p.m. ET: Boston makes a splash as they are bringing in Brett Pesce (D, 84) and Matt Roy (D, 84) to bolster their defense. Both are coming to the Bruins with four year contracts, $5.01 million per for Pesce and $4.46 million for Roy.

Strengthening their back end was a goal for the B’s this free agency and after losing Grzelcyk it became even more of a priority. Pesce and Roy will do wonders for the teams defensive ability

1:26 p.m. ET: Despite the likes of Montreal, Nashville and Washington in talks with him, Sean Walker (D, 83) is re-signing with LA on a two year deal at $3.540 million per season.

1:35 p.m. ET: We have our first trade of Free Agency as the Florida Panthers are trading Sam Bennett (C/LW, 84) and Josh Mahura (D, 80) to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for Jacob Melanson (RW, 72) and a 2025 2nd Round Pick.

Bennett really struggled in the playoffs with just 3 points through 13 games. Seattle was looking for some skill and toughness up front and also got a solid defenseman in Mahura. Shedding some cap space by moving Bennett, Florida gains some draft capital (which they lack) and a decent prospect in Melanson

1:46 p.m. ET: Matt Duchene (C/LW, 85) will be joining the San Jose Sharks on a four year deal that will take the 33 year old to 37 years old. Over those four years he’ll make $21.28 million.

It’s surprising to see the Sharks make a move like this for a veteran while in a rebuild but this move will help their power play which converted at just a 11.9% clip last season.

2:07 p.m. ET: Big news out of Seattle as former Devil Thomas Novak (C, 85) will head west to become a member of the Kraken. With a six year $31.5 million contract, Novak will now form a strong trio down the middle with Beniers and Wright.

Edmonton is reportedly shocked Novak is heading to Seattle after they had all but put pen to paper between them and the St. Paul native. Seattle upped their offer at the last minute and swept the rug up from under the Oilers management's feet.

2:16 p.m. ET: With Novak no longer available, the Oilers turned to veteran Max Pacioretty (LW, 85) and signed him to a one year $3.785 million deal. Adding a 50 point scorer to this roster gives the Oilers more offensive options outside of McDavid and Draisaitl.

2:24 p.m. ET: Mark Giordano (D, 83) will make a return to Seattle after his stint in Toronto on a two year contract at $2.34 million per year. Turning 41 years old, it was a surprise to see him sign a multi year contract at his advanced age. It’ll be interesting to see if he plays out both years of the deal.

2:41 p.m. ET: After missing out on bringing back Gio and Brodie not interested in returning, the Flames have instead signed Justin Schultz (D, 83) to a three year deal. He’ll make a sizable $4.654 million over the length of the contract which is a pretty price to pay for Calgary.

2:56 p.m. ET: The interest in Vladimir Tarasenko hasn’t at all been what he expected coming into free agency, sources tell ESPN. He’s been frustrated at the lack of “quality offers” from teams around the NHL.

3:01 p.m. ET: Marc-Andre Fleury (G, 83) will spend what is expected to be his final season in the nation’s capital as he signs with the Ottawa Senators. It will be a one year deal at just under $3 million. After losing his starting role to Gustafsson in Minnesota, Fleury will try and help the Sens back to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

3:29 p.m. ET: Sources tell ESPN, A “Surprising” Western Conference team will make a huge splash in the next couple hours. It will reportedly “shock” a lot of fans and staff around the NHL. Could we soon see Patrick Kane or Gustav Forsling finding a new team?

3:47 p.m. ET: 32 year old defenseman Tyson Barrie (D, 83) will be staying in the Central Division as he heads to St. Louis on a 2 year contract. The offensive defenseman will make $3.27 million until 2026. Barrie reportedly had offers from the Rangers, Blackhawks and Coyotes but decided on joining the Blues

4:03 p.m. ET: Chicago keeps the signings coming as Stefan Noesen (RW, 86) will join Lindholm and Drouin, signing a three year contract worth $17.775 million. The Blackhawks are completely revamping their forward group, surrounding Bedard with quality offensive players.

4:20 p.m. ET: We have another reunion as Oliver Ekman-Larsson (D, 84) will be returning to Arizona on a three year contract worth $14.88 million ($4.960M per). After being traded to the Canucks in 2019, “OEL” will return to the team that drafted him back in 2009 with the 6th overall pick.

4:44 p.m. ET: Montreal has made some big signings, bringing in Blake Wheeler (RW, 86) and T.J. Brodie (D, 84) sources tell ESPN. These veterans will both come in on one year deals with $4.575 million owed to Brodie and $4.010 million owed to Wheeler.

At 37 and 34 years of age, Wheeler and Brodie will give the Canadiens some much needed veteran influence while still being solid players. Wheeler had 53 points last season with the Islanders and Rangers . Brodie was a key cog in the Leafs defensive wheel but was no longer going to be brought back after being replaced by Brady Skjei.

5:09 p.m. ET: Colorado will be bringing back their backup goaltender as Pavel Francouz (G, 83) re-signs on a 1 year deal for $2.070 million.

5:22 p.m. ET: Chicago just keeps on bringing in skilled forwards as Jordan Eberle (RW, 84) is headed to the Windy City. The Canadian winger is coming from Seattle on a two year $7.840 million agreement. Sources confirm to ESPN that Taylor Hall played a key role in bringing his friend and former Oiler teammate to Chicago.

5:36 p.m. ET: Two sneaky additions here from Anaheim as they bring in David Perron (W, 83) and Jason Zucker (W, 83) to give this young squad some veteran depth on the forward flanks. Both of them are versatile wingers who can play either side which the Ducks like about them. Zucker will be making $2.76 million and Perron $1.39 million, both on one year commitments

5:59 p.m. ET: The Edmonton Oilers continue to address their forward depth as they bring in Daniel Sprong (W, 84) on a one year $3.075 million deal. Playing for Detroit, he was misutilized as the go to defensive guy against opposing teams top lines. That led to his ugly -35 plus-minus rating on the worst defensive team in the league. The Oilers take the risk for the upside Sprong can give them in their middle six.

6:05 p.m. ET: Massive news as Sources confirm to ESPN that the San Jose Sharks have signed top free agents Vladimir Tarasenko (RW, 86) and Gustav Forsling (D, 86) to almost identical four year desks. Tarasenko will be making $6.930 million per while Forsling will rake in $6.730 million.

San Jose is not messing around and wants to return to the playoffs. They’ve got some youth pieces in Will Smith and William Eklund looking to turn heads on the NHL roster and they’ve now brought in Duchene, Forsling and Tarasenko in one offseason. It’ll be exciting to see how well this team will fare in 2024-25.

6:23 p.m. ET: Even after the Vrana and JVR signings, the Predators felt they needed more and have signed Anthony Beauvillier (LW, 84) on a three year $3.33 million deal. Beauvillier had the best statistical season of his career with the Blackhawks and will try to do it again for the Preds.

6:42 p.m. ET: With the departure of Blake Wheeler to Montreal, the Islanders have brought in Sean Monahan (C, 83) to try and replace his production.

7:01 p.m. ET: The Flames have made two signings for their forward corps, bringing in Anthony Mantha (W, 84) from the Caps and Max Domi (C/LW, 83) from the Leafs. Domi will make $5.49 million over the next two seasons and Mantha will take home $6.76 million over the same time frame

With these two coming on board along with Justin Schultz on the backend, Calgary looks to be trying to get back into the playoffs. While a rebuild seems like the smarter option at this point in time, they still have Huberdeau, Kadri, Weegar and Hanifin locked in long term. It looks like they want to try and see if they can contend with this core of players.

7:25 p.m. ET: Team’s were wary of Samuel Montembeault (G, 83) because of the surprise of him not being re-signed by the Devils. It’s the Anaheim Ducks who will take a risk with him on a one year $1.94 million deal. Having a 1A/1B situation will really help out John Gibson who has been run into the ground in past seasons due to his workload

7:55 p.m. ET: I don’t think anybody would have predicted this one but Patrick Kane (RW, 87) will be heading to Calgary. Despite his continued point production after his hip surgery Kane had a lack of quality offers from teams. Many threw lowball offers at the future Hall of Famer which “offended him” sources tell ESPN. He’ll head to Calgary on a one year deal worth $5.485 million. It’s believed former London Knight players Max Domi and Nazem Kadri were heavily involved with Kane’s decision to head to Alberta.

[JurassicPuck]

Re: NHL 24 Franchise Mode Career

2024-25 NHL Preview: Team Rankings
In our annual season preview article, we take a look at all 32 teams and predict how their seasons will play out

Jeremy Evans - OCTOBER 7, 2024

The craziness of the NHL Summer has come and gone and fans are chomping at the bit for the upcoming season. With the start of the season imminent, it was time for the The Hockey News annual season predictions article. Let's take a look at the tiers the teams will be separated by. Keep in mind, teams in each tier are not ranked meaning the order of which they are in the tier is irrelevant.

Tier 1: Title Contenders - Teams that are Title or Bust this season
Tier 2: Fringe Title Contenders - Teams that aren't quite Title Contenders but are just a player breaking out or some luck away from a Stanley Cup
Tier 3: Outside the Cup Bubble - Teams that are good enough to make the playoffs but aren't expected to win the Cup
Tier 4: Playoff Bound - Teams expected to be in the playoffs but are likely to be knocked out early on
Tier 5: Fringe Playoff Teams - Teams that will be battling for the last playoff spots at the end of the season but will probably be on the outside looking in
Tier 6: Lottery Locks - Teams that are rebuilding that won't be in the playoff hunt and are locks for the lottery
Tier 7: Basement Dwellers - The worst teams in the league that will be competing for a Top 5 Pick in the upcoming Draft

With all that out of the way, let's get into the 2024-25 NHL team rankings.

Tier 1 - Title Contenders

Boston Bruins

Additions - Brett Pesce (CAR), Matt Roy (LAK), Nikita Zadorov (VAN), Michael Amadio (VGK), Jeff Carter (PIT), Joel Edmundson (WSH)
Subtractions - Jake DeBrusk, Matt Grzelcyk, James van Riemsdyk, Kevin Shattenkirk, Derek Forbort, Jakub Zboril

After completely reshaping their defensive core the Boston Bruins are built for a Stanley Cup run. They didn’t lose a game until the Conference Finals last season and now Ullmark has even more support in front of him. Adding Jeff Carter and Michael Amadio up front are savvy depth moves as well.


Colorado Avalanche

Additions - Tony DeAngelo (CAR), Viktor Arvidsson (LAK), Nick Seeler (PHI), Josh Bailey (WSH), Cal Foote (NJ)
Subtractions - Jonathan Drouin, Kurtis Macdermid, Andrew Cogliano, Jack Johnson, Eric Staal

They didn’t do anything flashy this offseason but Arvidsson and DeAngelo will give them more depth come playoff time. Their big three had a down year last season and I’m not going to bet on them to do it again. Anything less than a Conference Finals appearance would be disappointing for the Avs


Edmonton Oilers

Additions - Max Pacioretty (WSH), Daniel Sprong (DET), Alex Barre-Boulet (TB), Spencer Martin (CBJ), Nikita Zaitsev (SEA)
Subtractions - Warren Foegele, Mattias Janmark, Sam Gagner, Vincent Desharnais, Adam Erne

Make it three straight years where the Edmonton Oilers have lost in the playoffs to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions, Colorado in 2022, Vegas in 2023 and Vancouver last season. No matter which way you spin that, it’s got to sting. Edmonton didn’t just sit still this offseason though, bringing in Pacioretty and Sprong finally gives McDavid and Draisaitl some offensive depth to help them out. McDavid will be on a mission this season to make a statement to the rest of the league


New Jersey Devils

Additions - Ilya Lyubushkin (ANA), Eric Staal (COL), Brandon Duhaime (MIN)
Subtractions - Thomas Novak, Samuel Montembeault, Tomas Nosek, Colin Miller

The decision to not bring back Samuel Montembeault will be criticised this season if Akira Shmid and Vitek Vanecek falter in the New Jersey net. However, if they can replace the departed Montembeaults play then the Devils will again be fighting for a Cup this season. They didn’t make any major changes up front or on the back end but bringing in Stanley Cup Champion Eric Staal could be big for some of the younger New Jersey skaters.


Vancouver Canucks

Additions - Shayne Gostisbehere (DET), Scott Wedgewood (DAL),
Subtractions - Casey DeSmith (MTL), Dakota Joshua (TOR), Sam Lafferty (DET)

Vancouver brought the Cup back to Canada for the first time since 1993 and they’ll look to keep it there this season as they kept the main core together for 2025. Adding Gostisbehere gives them a quarterback for their second unit Powerplay which was a weakness for them in the regular season. The question is, have they done enough this offseason compared to some of the other elite teams around them?


Tier 12- Fringe Title Contenders

Buffalo Sabres

Additions - Jake DeBrusk (BOS), Nick Foligno (CHI), Nick Bonino (NYR)
Subtractions - Kyle Okposo, Zemgus Girgensons, Teddy Blueger, Erik Johnson

It may be ambitious to already have the Sabres in fringe title contenders after a first round exit, but this team is way too talented to not be great. Tage Thompson proved himself to be a superstar in this league and Rasmus Dahlin is an elite defenseman. With a full season of Jeremy Swayman in between the pipes the Sabres have everything they need to turn some heads this season


Vegas Golden Knights

Additions - Mike Hoffman (SJ), Vinnie Hinestroza (PIT),
Subtractions - Michael Amadio, William Carrier

The Golden Knights were eliminated in the first round after their Stanley Cup season and it was because of their Powerplay. They finished with a 10.5% in the regular season (2nd last in the league) and somehow got worse against the Oilers in the playoffs with just 2 PP goals on 22 opportunities (9.1%). They didn’t have the cap space to make any improvements to that problem (although Hoffman could be a sneaky nice addition) so they are hoping for an in-house fix to that issue. That’s really the only thing holding them back from being a Cup favourite.


Winnipeg Jets

Additions - Mason Shaw (NYI)
Subtractions - Justin Schultz, Laurent Brossoit, Brenden Dillon

Outside of a depth addition in Mason Shaw, the Jets are running it back with the same team that finished 5th in the league last season… and I have no problem with it. If Connor Hellebucyk doesn’t go down in the second round against the Avs in round two, who knows how far Winnipeg makes it. Bringing back the squad gives them a head start on everyone else trying to get chemistry between the new players coming in. Watch out for this team this year.


Toronto Maple Leafs

Additions - Brady Skjei (CAR), Dakota Joshua (VAN), Erik Johnson (BUF), Alex Nedeljkovic (PIT), Jonathan Toews (ANA), Jonah Gadjovich (NYI)
Subtractions - Tyler Bertuzzi, T.J. Brodie, Max Domi, Mark Giordano, Noah Gregor

How many times can they run this core back before we have to declare this insanity. I think anything less than a Conference Finals appearance will lead to the last of the “Core Four” in Toronto. They’ve added the right players in the offseason with Brady Skjei, a reliable second pairing defenseman, and Dakota Joshua, a big and physical scoring forward. Results are needed in the Six this season


Tier 3 - Outside the Cup Bubbles

Dallas Stars

Additions - James Reimer (DET)
Subtractions - Matt Duchene, Jani Hakanpaa, Craig Smith, Scott Wedgewood

You can look at Dallas's season last year with two different lenses. On the one hand, they were a first round exit after making it to the Conference Finals the year prior. Clearly a step was taken backwards right? Well you have the fact that the Stars gave the Canucks their toughest competition on their way to the Cup in their series that went seven games. I think Dallas management chose to look through the second lens as the only change they made was bringing in James Reimer to backup Oettinger. I like the confidence they have in this roster and I think it will pay off for them


Montreal Canadiens

Additions - Blake Wheeler (NYI), T.J. Brodie (TOR), Casey DeSmith (VAN), Corey Perry (FLA), Mattias Janmark (EDM)
Subtractions - Josh Anderson, Tanner Pearson, Chris Wideman,

Maybe it’s bold to have Montreal in the Fringe Title Contenders tier after being dominated by the Bruins in the second round last year. The way I see it, the big thing holding this team back was fixed in the offseason. I’m a big Casey DeSmith believer and goaltending was detrimental to the Habs in the postseason. Not only did they address that, they got even better by bringing in veterans Wheeler and Brodie, as well as former Hab Corey Perry. I’m a big fan of this roster and Caufield and Suzuki will have the opportunity to prove this team is the real deal


Tier 4 - Playoff Bound

Calgary Flames

Additions - Patrick Kane (DET), Anthony Mantha (WSH), Justin Schultz (WPG), Max Domi (TOR)
Subtractions - Tyler Myers, Oliver Kylington, A.J. Greer, Jordan Oesterle, Tyler Johnson, Dryden Hunt

It was completely out of left field to see Patrick Kane sign with the Flames in free agency but Calgary won’t be complaining. We thought the Flames would have elected for a rebuild after just 34 wins last season but I guess they think otherwise. I guess when you have big contracts tied to guys like Huberdeau, Weegar and Kadi you're forced to try and compete. I can see this team making the playoffs, because of their additions, but not getting out of round one


Carolina Hurricanes

Additions - Alexandre Carrier (NJ), Troy Stecher (ARI), Libor Hajek (NYR), Adam Erne (EDM), Egor Sokolov (OTT), Kurtis MacDermid (COL)
Subtractions - Brady Skjei (TOR), Brett Pesce (BOS), Vladimir Tarasenko (SJ), Stefan Noesen (CHI)

A brutal offseason has the Hurricanes facing a lot of questions this season. They lost four big pieces of their 52-win roster and getting back to that threshold is going to be impossible this year. How far they fall down the standings is what fans are concerned with for the Canes. Their offense still has a lot of firepower but the defensive core is weakened heavily. It will be interesting to see how that affects the play of Andersen and Kochetkov in the net.


Anaheim Ducks

Additions - Samuel Montembeault (NJ), Matt Grzelcyk (BOS), David Perron (DET), Jason Zucker (ARI), Travis Dermott (ARI)
Subtractions - Jason Zucker, Jakob Silfverberg, Ilya Lyubushkin, Jonathan Toews

Anaheim gave Colorado a good challenge in round one of the 2024 playoffs but they clearly still needed something more to really strike some fear into their opponents. Did they do that this offseason? Signing Montembeault has me on the fence on whether it's a good move or not when you have John Gibson already manning the net. Maybe he can help take the load off he has had to deal with in the past. They paid a pretty penny for Grzelcyk but I really like his fit on the blueline in Anaheim. Perron and Zucker give them some veteran depth in the middle six. Only time will tell if the Ducks will be able to take that next step and take flight

New York Rangers

Additions - Laurent Brossoit (WPG), Cole Eiserman (DRAFT), Vincent Desharnais (EDM), Jordan Oesterle (CGY), Colin Miller (NJ)
Subtractions - Erik Gustaffson, Jonathan Quick, Nick Bonino

Last year was a write off and the Rangers will be back in the playoffs this season… right? You have to hope they will be or else this franchise will be in shambles come the offseason. A blowup would likely have to happen at that point with the calibre of this roster. Seeing how Cole Eiserman, who is expected to be on the opening day roster, will perform with this team makes the Rags an exciting team to watch to start the 2024-25 season.


Tampa Bay Lightning

Additions - Yakov Trenin (NSH), Dryden Hunt (CGY), Matt Kierstad (CAR)
Subtractions - Sean Monahan, Calvin de Haan, Alex Barre-Boulet

While it came down to the wire, Steven Stamkos will remain a Tampa Bay Lightning and they’ll look to get back to the playoffs after missing for the first time since 2017. Their 90 point season was the lowest in 12 years for Tampa Bay and you can tell this team is on the decline. In saying that, they still have enough quality players that making the playoffs is very much possible. The left side of their defense is very weak and inexperienced so they should look to improve it over the course of the season


Tier 5 - Fringe Playoff Teams

Chicago Blackhawks

Additions - Elias Lindholm (NSH), Stefan Noesen (CAR), Jordan Eberle (SEA), Jonathan Drouin (COL), Brenden Dillon (WPG), Kevin Shattenkirk (BOS), Oliver Kylington (CGY), Robert Bortuzzo (NYI)
Subtractions - Anthony Beauvillier, Nick Foligno

By far the BUSIEST team of the offseason, Chicago completely revamped their roster to try and give Bedard more help. Have they pulled this off too early I wonder? You could have kept the team at the bottom of the league for a couple more seasons, accrued more top prospects, then really built this team up. While I think that would have been a better strategy, we’ll at least have Bedard playing with some real skilled players for the first time in his NHL career.


Columbus Blue Jackets

Additions - Josh Anderson (MTL)
Subtractions - Spencer Martin, Emil Bemstrom

For a team that only won 33 games last season, the Blue Jackets did not make many moves to make this roster more competitive. The only one they did make however, could be a big one for their bottom three offense. They bring in Josh Anderson in a questionable trade but one that nonetheless will help out their scoring problems. If the likes of Gaudreau, Laine and others can find their game again then Columbus could fight for a playoff spot.


Ottawa Senators

Additions - Warren Foegele (EDM), Nick Cousins (FLA), Marc-Andre Fleury (MIN)
Subtractions - Egor Sokolov

Surely, sooner than later the Ottawa Senators will be a competitive team. They’ve now missed the playoffs for the 7th straight season, the second longest drought in the NHL behind just the Detroit Red Wings (8 seasons). Their goaltending and third worst penalty kill were detrimental to them last season. Have they made the right moves to correct those complications and finally make it back to the postseason? Cousins and Foegele are feisty bottom six forwards that can buzz around on the kill but the goaltending with soon to 40 year old Marc-Andre Fleury is a huge question mark.


Florida Panthers

Additions - Tyler Myers (CGY), Kyle Okposo (BUF), Emil Bemstrom (CBJ), Jalen Chatfield (CAR), Radem Simek (SJ), Jakub Zboril (BOS)
Subtractions - Gustav Forsling, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Sam Bennett, Corey Perry, Dmitry Kulikov, Josh Mahura, Nick Cousins,

The Panthers roster was completely overhauled this offseason with salary cap issues and expiring contracts affecting what they could do this offseason. There is no question they lost a lot of players that were crucial cogs in the wheel that led Florida to the Stanley Cup last year. They simply just weren’t able to replace those players in free agency and we will see a much different Cats team in 2025. Playoffs will be a tall task with the way this lineup is currently shaped.


Minnesota Wild

Additions - Kaspari Kapanen (STL), Kevin Lankinen (NSH), Jan Rutta (SJ), Jakob Silfverberg (ANA), Connor MacKey (NYR)
Subtractions - Marc-Andre Fleury, Jacob Middleton, Alex Goligoski, Brandon Duhaime,

The Minnesota Wild will be returning with much of the same core they had last season when they were the best defensive team in the league. Marc-Andre Fleury has left Minny after losing his starting role to Filip Gustavsson but Kevin Lankinen has been brought in to replace him. I have my doubts on whether the Wild can repeat their performance last season. I think they might be fighting for a playoff spot this season after many teams got a lot better. 36 point scorer Kaspari Kapanen was a great addition to the lineup.


Nashville Predators

Additions - James van Riemsdyk (BOS), Anthony Beauvillier (CHI), Jakub Vrana (STL), Jacob Middleton (MIN)
Subtractions - Elias Lindholm, Tyson Barrie, Alexandre Carrier, Kevin Lankinen, Yakov Trenin

Outside of drafting Macklin Celebrini, giving up a second round pick to end up not signing Elias Lindholm was the big headline for Nashville this summer and it overshadowed their underrated offseason moves. They completely revamped the left side of their forward lineup with the signings of “JVR”, Beauvillier and Vrana. The addition of Jacob Middleton gives them a stacked left defensive side with Josi and McDonagh. They will have an uphill battle to try and make the playoffs but it will be very exciting to see Celebrini work his magic with the Preds.


Seattle Kraken

Additions - Sam Bennett (FLA), Thomas Novak (NJ), Mark Giordano (TOR), Josh Mahura (FLA)
Subtractions - Jordan Eberle, Nikita Zaitsev

Acquiring Sam Bennett when his value was at an all time low was a smart move by GM Ron Francis and boosts their physical presence on the ice. Seattle was frustrated when, despite being the 15th best team overall in the league, missed out on the playoffs last season. It led to more discourse about the playoff seeding 1-8 in each conference, but I digress. They will definitely need a better season from their goaltending to be able to make the cut this year.


Tier 6 - Lottery Locks

San Jose Sharks

Additions - Gustav Forsling (FLA), Vladimir Tarasenko (CAR), Matt Duchene (DAL), Derek Forbort (BOS), Jani Hakanpaa (DAL), Matt Murray (DAL)
Subtractions - Mike Hoffman, Jan Rutta, Radim Simek

They made some big splashes this offseason with the shocking signings of Tarasenko and Forsling coming to San Jose but I still don’t think this team is good enough to be competitive. They still have a rather young and inexperienced roster outside of their new additions and MacKenzie Blackwood is very unreliable in between the pipes.

Los Angeles Kings

Additions - Valtteri Puustinen (PIT), Zemgus Girgensons (BUF), Jaxson Stauber (OTT), Craig Smith (DAL)
Subtractions - Matt Roy, Viktor Arvidsson, Alex Laferriere

General Manager Rob Blake has to be on the hot seat this season after so many questionable moves, the most glaring being the Pierre-Luc Dubois contract that will see the Kings pay him $8.270 million for 7 more seasons. Despite losing Roy they still have a very good defensive core which could potentially help the 37 year old Talbot find his game again.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Additions - Sam Gagner (EDM)
Subtractions - Jeff Carter, Valtteri Puustinen, Alex Nedeljkovic, Vinnie Hinostroza

It’s sad to see Crosby and this era of the Penguins go out like this but this team is just not good enough to be seeing playoff hockey. They would need massive seasons from Crosby, Malkin, Letang and Jarry if they even want a chance to get back to the postseason. It may not be long before Pittsburgh is back in that dark era we saw back circa. 2004

Philadelphia Flyers

Additions - Erik Gustafsson (NYR), Alex Goligoski (MIN)
Subtractions - Nick Seeler

Making the playoffs was impressive in the second season under John Tortorella’s regime. Can they repeat that success again in 2025? I don’t think so. Their roster mostly remains the same besides some changes to the defense with Gustafsson and Goligoski. Philly overachieved last season and I think they come back down to earth this year.

Tier 7 - Basement Dwellers

Detroit Red Wings

Additions - Jordan Martinook (CAR), Sam Lafferty (VAN), Pius Suter (VAN), Andrew Cogliano (COL)
Subtractions - Patrick Kane, Shayne Gostisbehere, Daniel Sprong, David Perron, Michael Rasmussen, James Reimer

Detroit lost some big names that were big contributors for them last year. The really big problem in that statement is the fact that the team went 31-42-9 and finished third last in the league. And that team is getting worse? That has to be scary for Detroit fans. A last place finish for this team might almost be expected to start this season.


St. Louis Blues

Additions - Tyler Bertuzzi (TOR), Ilya Mikheyev (VAN), Tyson Barrie (NSH), Tyler Johnson (CGY), Jack Johnson (COL), Matt Martin (NYI)
Subtractions - Jakub Vrana, Kaspari Kapanen, Sammy Blais, Marco Scandella, Oskar Sundqvist

St. Louis was active this offseason and it didn’t just pertain to the one-ice product. Head Coach Joel Jancevski was let go and they brought in R. Pastrnak to replace him. It will be Pastrnak’s first NHL head coaching job and he’ll look to get this Blues team out of the basement. They made some additions that will certainly make their team better but I expect it to be tough sailing for them once again


New York Islanders

Additions - Sean Monahan (TB), Marco Scandella (STL), Teddy Blueger (BUF), Martin Jones (TOR)
Subtractions - Blake Wheeler, Matt Martin, Robert Bortuzzo

They didn’t do anything to address their scoring problems and they won't be competitive until they do. No matter how good Sorokin and their defense is they need more offensive firepower. They won’t make the playoffs unless they make some moves this season.

Arizona Coyotes

Additions - Oliver Ekman-Larsson (FLA), Jonathan Quick (NYR), Dmitry Kulikov (FLA), Sammy Blais (STL), Chris Wideman (MTL), A.J. Greer (CGY)
Subtractions - Matt Dumba, Troy Stecher, Nick Bjugstad

Another NHL season means another year of Arizona relocation rumours. A playoff appearance would do a lot to put those rumours to rest but they won’t be on that path this season. Could we see the Yotes finally relocate sometime in the next few years?

Washington Capitals

Additions - William Carrier (VGK), Ian Cole (VAN), Matt Dumba (ARI), Oskar Sundqvist (STL), Calvin de Haan (TB), Nick Bjugstad (ARI), Jack Studnicka (SJ)
Subtractions - Max Pacioretty, Anthony Mantha, Joel Edmundson, Josh Bailey

It has to make you feel old when the Penguins and the Capitals are once again among the bottom of the NHL. The only reason to watch the Caps will be the Ovie goal watch as he is 35 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all time record.


Eastern Conference Finals - Boston Bruins vs Toronto Maple Leafs

This one would have the Leafs fandom in a chokehold. Can the Toronto Maple Leafs exercise their demons of the Boston Bruins and return to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1967? Or would the Bruins once again send the Maple Laughs to the golf course for third time in the last 7 seasons


Western Conference Finals - Colorado Avalanche vs Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton has the opportunity to redeem themselves after the sweep at the hands of the eventual Cup Champion Avs in 2022. McDavid and company are back and with the best version of the Oilers we’ve seen in his tenure. The big three of MacKinnon, Makar and Rantanen would have a lot to say about that I’m sure. You have to think no matter who wins, this series won’t be over in just four games.


Stanley Cup Finals - Edmonton Oilers vs Boston Bruins

A rematch from the 1990 Stanley Cup Finals 35 years later would be an exciting storyline to see. You have McDavid and Draisaitl looking to finally bring the cup back to Edmonton and to Canada. Meanwhile the Bruins have always been so close to reaching that glory they had in 2011 but just have not been able to get it done. Would they finally be able to win this matchup, or would we see a repeat of 1990.

[JurassicPuck]

Re: NHL 24 Franchise Mode Career



No Stanley Cup Hangover for the Vancouver Canucks

By Russell Dawson / Vancouver Canucks
October 25, 2024

The 2024-25 Regular Season is underway and your Vancouver Canucks have entered the season on fire. Stanley Cup Hangover? This team’s never heard of her. Let’s take a look at how this roster has done over the past couple weeks:

Despite starting on a four game road trip to start the season, Vancouver had no problems winning three of those four matchups. It started at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis where the Canucks headed to face their former teammate in Ilya Mikheyev.

Despite an unreal performance by Jordan Binnington, the Blues offense was non-existent as Thatcher Demko registered his first shutout of the season in game one. New Jersey was the next opponent in a rematch of the Cup Finals. The Canucks were able to beat the Devils once again and keep them winless thus far in the season.

After beating the Penguins 4-1 the Canucks would drop their first game of the season against the Islanders in a tightly contested 2-1 game. Ilya Sorokin was the difference maker in that one.

After their road trip they were now finally back in Vancouver for their first home game of the season against the Ducks. Canucks fans would go home ecstatic after seeing their team pot seven on Anaheim, including a hat trick from Nils Hoglander who has looked incredible so far. Last night the Senators came to town and left with an “L” after a 3-2 Canucks win.

Puck Drop: Problems in Sunrise and the Rangers Back in Business



By Vincent Barlow 12m Ago
__________________________________________________

Welcome to Puck Drop, your bi-weekly destination for the latest NHL headlines, player performances, injury updates, and all things happening in the National Hockey League. Hosted by The Athletic's NHL writer Vincent Barlow and NHL Insider Dylan Lafleur

Welcome to The Puck Drop! As the 2024-25 NHL season kicks off, we’re here to bring you all the excitement, drama, and latest news from around the league. The opening weeks have already delivered some thrilling matchup and standout performances. From rookies making their mark to veterans showing they still have it, this season is shaping up to be one for the books. Let's drop the puck and get started on an unforgettable journey through the NHL season


The Emergence of Nils Hoglander

The defending Stanley Cup champions may have another emerging star on their roster. Nils Höglander is bringing his stellar play from the Canucks Stanley Cup run to the start of the 2024-25 season. Drafted in 2019 in the 2nd round, the Swedish winger leads Vancouver in goals and points with 5 and 9, respectively, through 5 games. His impressive start sees him currently tied for third in the NHL in points with Florida’s Owen Tippett, trailing only behind league superstars Auston Matthews and Jack Hughes.

Höglander's seamless transition from postseason heroics to regular-season dominance is capturing the attention of fans and analysts alike. His goal scoring ability and relentless work ethic are proving to be invaluable assets for the Canucks, who are aiming to defend their title with a strong start.

Höglander, positioned on the left wing, has formed an impressive trio with rookie center Aatu Räty and power forward Vasili Podkolzin on the right. Dubbed the "Young Guns" line, this dynamic combination has been the Canucks' best to start the season. Their synergy on the ice is evident, with each player bringing a unique skill set that complements the others.

His performance thus far indicates that his contributions were not just a playoff anomaly but a sign of his continued development and adaptation to the NHL's competitive landscape.

The Canucks' coaching staff and teammates have praised his maturity and dedication, underscoring the belief that he can be a cornerstone player for the franchise moving forward. With the season still young, all eyes will be on Höglander to see if he can maintain this elite level of play and help propel the Canucks to further success.

The Rangers Having Success Under New Head Coach D. Jaqueezy
The New York Rangers have burst out of the gate this season, showcasing a level of play that has them sitting atop the Metropolitan Division standings. The turnaround from finishing dead last in the previous season can be largely attributed to the stellar performance of their goaltender, Igor Shesterkin.

Shesterkin has been lights out, posting a 5-1-0 record through the first six games with an impressive .936 save percentage. His consistency and ability to make critical saves will be pivotal if him and the Rangers want to continue this success throughout the season.

A significant factor in the Rangers' resurgence is the arrival of new head coach D. Jaqueezy. Coming over from New Jersey after being their assistant coach, his fresh approach and strategic adjustments have the team flying out of the gates.

The transformation under Jaqueezy’s leadership has been swift and effective. Players are thriving in his system, showing improved chemistry and execution on both ends of the ice. He’s reinvigorated a fan base eager to see their team return to playoff contention after the mishaps of last season.

As the season progresses, the Rangers will look to maintain their momentum and continue building on this strong start. With Shesterkin anchoring the net and Jaqueezy at the helm, the New York Rangers appear poised to make a significant impact his year. The early success will be closely watched as they aim to sustain their winning ways and solidify their position as a top contender in the league.

Sharks' Hot Start Led by Rookie Sensation Will Smith and Key Offseason Additions

The San Jose Sharks have ignited the 2024-25 season with a blazing 6-1-0 start, a stark contrast to their struggles last year. Central to this surge is rookie Will Smith, who has notched 9 points in as many games, showcasing his tremendous potential to the Bay area and to the NHL. The free agency signings of Vladimir Tarasenko and Gustav Forsling are proving to be astute moves, providing the team with much-needed offensive firepower and defensive stability.

Despite MacKenzie Blackwood's continued inconsistency in goal, reflected by his .895 save percentage, the Sharks have managed to rack up wins. If San Jose can secure a dependable goaltender, this team could be a formidable force in the league. Keep an eye on the Sharks as they look to build on this early-season success.


Florida's Winless Start Nears Record Lows

The Florida Panthers are in the midst of a nightmare start to the 2024-25 season, going 0-7-3 in their first 10 games. This dismal performance has left the team in disarray, desperately needing to find a way to get back on track. With each loss, the pressure mounts, and they are now just one defeat away from tying the NHL record for the longest losing streak to start a season, set by the 1943-44 New York Rangers.

The Panthers' struggles are evident across the board, and urgent changes are needed to avoid making unwanted history. If they can't turn things around soon, this season could quickly spiral out of control.


Elias Lindholm Shining in Chicago, Leads NHL in Scoring

Elias Lindholm appears to have found his new home to elevate his game, emerging as the NHL's top scorer with 18 points in just 10 games during the first month of the season. The Swedish winger's impressive performance is even more remarkable considering star teammate Connor Bedard missed a handful of games due to a bruised hand.

Lindholm's seamless integration into his new team's system and his ability to produce at an elite level underscore the value of his six-year, $52.17 million contract, which now looks like a savvy investment. As the season progresses, Lindholm's continued play will be crucial for the Blackhawks success, proving that he is more than capable of leading the charge.

[JurassicPuck]

Re: NHL 24 Franchise Mode Career



High Scoring Canucks continue to put up the Wins
By Russell Dawson / Vancouver Canucks
November 16, 2024

The Canucks started off with two monster offensive games, scoring a combined 15 goals against the Red Wings and Blackhawks. Nils Hoglander continues his breakout season with his four point effort against Detroit and, speaking of Detroit, Michael Rasmussen not only scored his first goal as a Canuck, he added another goal and assist in the 7-to-1 beating of the Hawks.

The Los Angeles Kings managed to get the better of them in a 5-2 contest at Crypto.com arena but Vancouver rebounded with a tight 3-2 win over the Calgary Flames. Scott Wedgewood got the start in that one and he did his job, stopping 32 of the 34 shots he faced. While his numbers have looked solid, the results haven’t followed for the netminder so seeing him get one in the win column was nice to see

From there, the Canucks welcomed the 2024 first overall pick Macklin Celebrini to his hometown as they took on the Predators. Celebrini wouldn’t have any hometown luck in this one as Vancouver would take it 4-2 and score their 10th win of the season. Colorado was up next and it was going to be a battle between two of the top teams in the Western Conference. It was back and forth action that resulted in a shootout win for the good guys courtesy of a pretty Nils Hoglander goal.

Puck Drop: Spoke in the Winged Wheel and the Florida Panthers Clawing Back



By Vincent Barlow 17m Ago
__________________________________________________

Welcome to Puck Drop, your bi-weekly destination for the latest NHL headlines, player performances, injury updates, and all things happening in the National Hockey League. Hosted by The Athletic's NHL writer Vincent Barlow and NHL Insider Dylan Lafleur

Panthers Turn the Tide with Five-Game Winning Streak, But Defensive Woes Persist
After an almost NHL record worst start to the season, the Florida Panthers have found a spark of hope, rebounding with five straight wins following their ten consecutive losses. This turnaround has injected new life into the team, showcasing their resilience and determination to climb out of the early season abyss. Despite the recent surge in victories, significant issues remain, particularly on the defensive end.

The Panthers continue to allow the most goals against per game, averaging over four per contest. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has struggled mightily, posting a .884 save percentage through 14 games. His inconsistent play has left the team vulnerable, forcing the offense to compensate for defensive lapses.

On the blue line, only the top pairing of Aaron Ekblad and Niko Mikkola have managed to stay above the fray, providing stability and reliability. The rest of the defense corps has been less effective, with every defenseman outside the top pair sporting a minus rating. Offseason pickup Tyler Myers, in particular, has had a rough start, recording a team-worst -8 rating.

The Panthers have shown they can string together wins and fight their way back into contention, but they are far from out of the woods. The defensive unit needs to tighten up, and Bobrovsky must elevate his game. If Florida can address these critical areas, they have the potential to turn their season around fully and make a push for the playoffs. For now, they have made it out of the deep end, but they are not out of the water yet.


Red Wings Struggle to Find Offensive Rhythm Despite Husso’s Heroics
The Detroit Red Wings find themselves at the bottom of the NHL standings, a position that belies the solid play of their goaltender, Ville Husso. With a respectable .916 save percentage and a 2.68 goals-against average, Husso has been a bright spot in an otherwise bleak start to the season. His impressive stats have not translated into wins, as evidenced by his 3-9-1 record.

Offensive struggles are the primary culprit behind Detroit's problems. The Red Wings are averaging a league-worst 2.20 goals per game, showcasing their inability to generate consistent scoring. Their power play has been particularly anemic, converting at just 7.5%, also dead last in the NHL. Despite boasting a power play unit featuring stars like Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat, and Moritz Seider, they have managed only three power play goals all season.

DeBrincat has been one of the few offensive bright spots, leading the team with 12 points. Joe Veleno is the only other player in double digits, with 10 points. The lack of production from other key players has been a significant issue, leaving the Red Wings struggling to find the back of the net on a consistent basis.

The lackluster offensive output has wasted Husso’s strong performances in goal, placing enormous pressure on the defense and goaltending. Despite his best efforts, Husso cannot carry the team alone, and without a dramatic improvement in their offensive production, the Red Wings' chances for climbing out of the league's basement look grim.

As the season progresses, Detroit must find a way to ignite their offense and capitalize on the talent they have on paper. Whether it’s through tactical adjustments, line shuffling, or new personnel, something needs to change to stop the Red Wings’ freefall. For now, they remain stuck at the bottom, their goaltender's efforts overshadowed by an impotent attack.


Capitals Channel Past Glory with Scorching Start to the Season
The Washington Capitals are playing like a President's Trophy team right now, and no, that's not a headline from a decade ago. Surprising the hockey world, the Capitals have roared out to a 14-4-0 record, sitting atop the NHL standings with 28 points. Few saw this coming at the season's start, but the exceptional performance of goaltender Darcy Kuemper has been a key factor. Kuemper boasts a stellar 14-3-0 record with a .928 save percentage, tying him for the league lead among starters. He’s easily been the best goaltender so far this season and will be looking to win his first Vezina Trophy at years end if he keeps this play up.

Equally impressive is the ageless Alex Ovechkin, who is defying Father Time with his goal-scoring prowess. The 38-year-old superstar is looking like he’s 28 with the way he’s scoring goals, netting 13 of them through the first 18 games. The Great Eight leads the NHL in goals and his hunt for 894 is getting ever so closer. His rejuvenated form seems to be contagious, as teammate Sonny Milano has also found a new level of scoring touch, tallying 10 goals in 18 games.

This dynamic blend of veteran leadership and unexpected contributions has turned the Capitals into a formidable force. Their defensive solidity, bolstered by Kuemper's heroics, coupled with the offensive resurgence led by Ovechkin and Milano, has created a balanced and dangerous team. As the season progresses, the Capitals will look to maintain this momentum and prove that their early success is no fluke. If they can keep up this level of play, Washington might just reclaim their status as one of the league's elite teams, much to the delight of their fans and the surprise of their critics.


Canucks on the Hunt for a Stanley Cup Repeat
The Vancouver Canucks are making a powerful statement in the 2024-25 NHL season, proving that last year's success was no fluke. Leading the league with a blistering 4.13 goals per game, the Canucks have become an offensive juggernaut, overwhelming opponents with their scoring depth. Key players are stepping up consistently, contributing to Vancouver's impressive goal tally and making them the most dangerous team in the league when it comes to lighting the lamp.

But the Canucks' success isn't solely due to their high-powered offense. Defensively, they are just as formidable, ranking third in the NHL by allowing only 2.47 goals against per game. This impressive defensive performance is a testament to the team's structured play under coach Bear Schenn and the strong goaltending play of Thatcher Demko.

The penalty kill has also been an improvement from last year for Vancouver, with a ninth-best 87.5% efficiency. The PK unit has not only been neutralizing the opposition's power play but has also been creating scoring opportunities of its own. The Canucks lead the league with five shorthanded goals, highlighting their aggressive, opportunistic play even when down a man.

This balanced and dynamic approach has turned the Canucks into one of the NHL's most complete teams. Their ability to dominate both offensively and defensively makes them a tough opponent on any given night. This team is in full swing and teams need to be afraid of the Canucks level of play. We know they're on the hunt for that repeat Stanley Cup and their on the right track so far.


Vegas' Power Play Heavily Improved with Rejuvenated First Unit
The Vegas Golden Knights' power play has undergone a big transformation this season, now boasting a 27% success rate, making them second in the NHL behind only the New Jersey Devils' crazy 36.4%. The rejuvenated first unit, featuring Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Ivan Barbashev, Shea Theodore, and Alex Pietrangelo, has been pivotal in this turnaround. This new combination has breathed life into a power play that languished at a mere 10.5% last season. Their chemistry and precision have been evident, converting 10 of 37 opportunities and establishing the Golden Knights as a formidable threat with the man advantage.