The Ducks incoming cohort looks like a great start to a rebuild. Mason McTavish has shown his offensive skillset at the NHL level. At 21 years old, McTavish is on the leading edge of the cohort that should form the Ducks core during their contention window.
Roster Ruminations: Toronto Maple Leafs – May 2024
It’s like déjà vu all over again. The Toronto Maple Leafs. The first round. Another early playoff exit. Will the next 12 months play out differently or are we gearing up for yet another re-run?
Roster Ruminations: Washington Capitals – May 2024
It’s clearly all about Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of Gretzky’s goal scoring record at this point. We started hearing about the potential in the mainstream media a few seasons ago and Ovechkin has kept up the pace needed to get there on his current contract.
Roster Ruminations: Winnipeg Jets 2024
After missing the playoffs in 2022-2023, the regular season was a great success for the Winnipeg Jets this season. Their season came to a stop with a thud against the Colorado Avalanche in the first round, though. Are the Jets back?
Roster Ruminations: Los Angeles Kings – May 2024
The Los Angeles Kings dropped their third straight first round series to the Edmonton Oilers last week. What looked like a very promising young team a few seasons ago has stalled out. Is the rebuild still on track?
Roster Ruminations: Philadelphia Flyers – May 2024
The Philadelphia Flyers looked to be headed back to the post season for much of the 2023-2024 season. Sure, it was a bit of a surprise for a team that recently committed to taking a step back to rebuild their roster but they put in a valiant effort at making the postseason. Are they really that close after a quick re-tool?
Roster Ruminations: Buffalo Sabres – May 2024
The Buffalo Sabres playoff drought hit 13 seasons this year. The vibes have come and gone through the past couple of seasons, but it hasn’t been enough to put together a serious run at ending the playoff drought. Head Coach Don Granato paid the price this week, as he was let go. What will it take for the Sabres to find their way back into the postseason?
Roster Ruminations: Utah – April 2024
A new owner, new city and an organizational profile that leaves the door open for strategic decision making on the team building front. The possibility that this team resembles the Coyotes of recent seasons seems remote.
Roster Ruminations: Calgary Flames – April 2024
When Brad Treliving and the Calgary Flames decided to part ways following the 2022-2023 season, it opened the door for former fan favorite Craig Conroy to move to the big chair. Conroy stepped into a tenuous situation, with the team having just fallen flat in the first season of the post Gaudreau/Tkachuk era and he inherited a roster with seven notable pending UFAs.
Roster Ruminations: Nashville Predators – April 2024
The Predators have been one of the more intriguing success stories of the 2023-2024 season. Former Preds player Andrew Brunnette returned to the Music City as head coach last summer and he’s led a plucky young group to a wildcard playoff berth. It looks like a similar story could play out next season based on the current model projection as the Predators are projected to be roughly league average again.