The Montreal Canadiens fall from grace was swift and dramatic. After a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2021, the Habs finished the 21/22 season in last place in the NHL. With a management change mid-season, the Canadiens appear to be headed down the re-build path. What’s in store for the first full season under the new regime?
Greg Amundsen
Team Synopsis: Arizona Coyotes – August 15, 2022
The Arizona Coyotes took up residence in the NHL basement and made collecting draft picks a full time hobby and missing last place in the NHL by just 2 points. With a large number of expiring contracts on the books this summer, the Coyotes roster will certainly look different in the 22-23 season. Will different mean better or are the Coyotes set to occupy the NHL basement once again?
Team Synopsis: New York Rangers – August 10, 2022
The New York Rangers went on a run to the Eastern Conference Final last season, a year after a controversial GM change altered the trajectory of the club. Was their 21/22 success a flash in the pan or should we expect the Rangers among the Eastern Conference’s top teams again in 22/23?
Team Synopsis: Edmonton Oilers – August 8, 2022
Have the Oilers finally found a supporting cast that can help Connor McDavid find consistent playoff success? Let’s take a look at a the Oilers’ 21/22 season, along with projections for the 22/23 season to see how they stack up.
Team Synopsis: Tampa Bay Lightning – August 5, 2022
The Tampa Bay Lightning’s run the past three seasons has been nothing short of spectacular. Back-to-back Stanley Cups followed by a third straight trip to the final where they fell to the Avalanche last season has left the Lightning with the most dominant 3 year stretch in the salary cap era. Let’s take a look at a the Lightning’s 21/22 season, along with projections for the 22/23 season to see how likely they are to keep rolling with the current core.
Team Synopsis: Colorado Avalanche – August 4, 2022
Stanley Cup Champions. It’s the goal of many, but only one team earns the title each season. This year it was the Colorado Avalanche prevailing after a number of disappointing playoff exits in recent years. The final was appointment viewing, as the Avs had to knock off the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Final. Let’s take a look at a dominant 21/22 season from the Avalanche, along with what’s in store for the 22/23 season.
Player Prognosis: Jonathan Huberdeau – August 2, 2022
Entering the 2022 offseason with one year remaining on his current contract before hitting unrestricted free agency in 2023, Jonathan Huberdeau became one of the largest trades in recent NHL history. With Matthew Tkachuk looking for a new home for the long term, the Florida Panthers dealt Huberdeau to the Calgary Flames to acquire Tkachuk.
Player Prognosis: Matthew Tkachuk – August 1, 2022
An RFA with just one year left before qualifying for unrestricted free agency, Matthew Tkachuk informed the Calgary Flames that he would not sign a long term deal in Calgary. The Flames moved quickly, finding a deal with the Florida Panthers to salvage some value from Tkachuk after losing Johnny Gaudreau for nothing earlier in the offseason. Tkachuk is set to start a new chapter in his career next season after signing an 8 year deal with the Panthers.
Metropolitan Division Snapshot: July 22, 2022
The dust has settled on this year’s free agent frenzy and we have a new picture of how the 22/23 season is shaping up. Let’s take a look at how the Metropolitan Division teams have fared since my last snapshot (after the draft) as attention shifts to the remaining RFAs.
Atlantic Division Snapshot: July 22, 2022
With the initial free agent frenzy now just a fond(?) memory and RFA signings beginning to simmer, I thought it was a good time to do another Atlantic Division snapshot to see how the outlook for the 22/23 season has changed since my last snapshot after the draft.