With a little over 25% of the 2024-25 NHL season complete (by total games) — and all but one team, the Vancouver Canucks, at or beyond the 20-game threshold — it’s time to take a snapshot of each team’s progress.
There have been some positive surprises — like the Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild and Washington Capitals — and some not-so-positive shocks too, like the sluggish start for the Nashville Predators, Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues, the latter two of which made coaching changes within the past week.
Which teams have earned A’s for their play thus far? Who is falling behind? Read on for the report cards for all 32 teams.
Note: Teams are arrayed alphabetically by letter grade. Ryan S. Clark graded the Pacific and Central Division teams, while Kristen Shilton graded the Metropolitan and Atlantic Division teams. Stats are through the games of Nov. 24. Preseason over/unders are courtesy of ESPN BET.
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Grades for all 32 NHL teams at the quarter mark of 2024-25
Despite some thought the Hurricanes would take a step back this season, they appear well on track for another playoff appearance. Katherine Gawlik/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Ryan S. Clark
Kristen Shilton
Nov 26, 2024, 12:00 PM
With a little over 25% of the 2024-25 NHL season complete (by total games) — and all but one team, the Vancouver Canucks, at or beyond the 20-game threshold — it’s time to take a snapshot of each team’s progress.
There have been some positive surprises — like the Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild and Washington Capitals — and some not-so-positive shocks too, like the sluggish start for the Nashville Predators, Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues, the latter two of which made coaching changes within the past week.
Which teams have earned A’s for their play thus far? Who is falling behind? Read on for the report cards for all 32 teams.
Note: Teams are arrayed alphabetically by letter grade. Ryan S. Clark graded the Pacific and Central Division teams, while Kristen Shilton graded the Metropolitan and Atlantic Division teams. Stats are through the games of Nov. 24. Preseason over/unders are courtesy of ESPN BET.
Jump to:
ANA | ARI | BOS | BUF
CGY | CAR | CHI | COL
CBJ | DAL | DET | EDM
FLA | LA | MIN | MTL
NSH | NJ | NYI | NYR
OTT | PHI | PIT | SJ
SEA | STL | TB | TOR
VAN | VGS | WSH | WPG
A grades
Carolina Hurricanes
Preseason over/under: 100.5
Current points pace: 121.0
What’s gone right? Well, how much time do you have? Because Carolina ranks in the top 10 of nearly every statistical category. There were preseason concerns (reflecting in their projected points pace) that the Hurricanes were bound to take a step back with their aging blue line and injury-plagued goaltenders. Carolina has proved its critics wrong through powerhouse performances from Martin Necas (31 points in 19 games), Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho (both averaging a point per game), excellent defensive play (Carolina is fourth in goals against, first in shots against and shots on net), strong special teams (with a seventh-ranked power play and eighth-best penalty kill), plus a coming-of-age goalie in Pyotr Kochetkov. Oh, and offseason signee Jack Roslovic? He’s having a career-best start, too.
What’s gone wrong? One prediction that has, unfortunately, materialized for Carolina is another long-term injury to Frederik Andersen. This time, it’s knee surgery. Andersen has missed significant time the last two seasons with a lower-body issue, and then blood clotting problems. Carolina is likely mulling whether a trade must be made to shore up its goaltending given the spring could be a long one. The Hurricanes have also been prone to turnovers at times, and that’s come back to hurt them. All in all though, the Hurricanes are tough to nitpick. They’ve been consistently good.
Grade: A+. It’s only a quarter way through the season but still, Carolina hasn’t lost consecutive games yet (seriously). Even when the Hurricanes stumble, there’s an immediate, positive response. It speaks to Carolina’s maturity that they can remain focused and dialed in on their habits regardless of the situation they face. And it’s difficult to be so strong offensively and defensively; there truly isn’t one area where Carolina feels lacking. If the Hurricanes can stay relatively healthy, it’s hard not to see them pushing to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final.
Minnesota Wild
Preseason over/under: 93.5
Current points pace: 117.1
What’s gone right? They’re continuing to show progress under John Hynes. It’s been nearly a year since the Wild hired Hynes to take over on Nov. 27, 2023. Since then, the Wild have continued to build upon the progress Hynes established. with their defensive structure paying dividends. The Wild are in the top 10 in fewest shots allowed per 60, fewest scoring chances allowed per 60, and have allowed the fewest high-danger chances per 60. And if that’s not enough, they’re in the top 10 in goals per 60 and goals per game.
What’s gone wrong? Yakov Trenin’s start to the season. An argument could be made for a penalty kill that went from being in the bottom three to still being in the bottom 10. But Trenin’s lack of production gives him the edge. Managing cap space has arguably been Bill Guerin’s strongest trait as a GM because of the $14.743 million combined in buyouts for Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. It’s why the decision to sign Trenin to a four-year deal worth $3.5 million annually drew attention. So far the return on that investment has been lacking, with Trenin sitting on zero goals in his first 20 games after hitting double figures in each of the last three seasons.
Grade: A+. Kirill Kaprizov is eating souls in a manner that could have him in contention for the Hart Trophy. A defensive structure that suppresses high shot totals and scoring chances is working in tandem with a pair of goalies that have a top five team save percentage. And above all? They’re scoring goals and can still get even more from certain parts of their supporting cast. Every season, there’s a team that went from the playoff wilderness to being a rather dangerous hunter. It’s possible this season’s version of that is the Wild.
Washington Capitals
Preseason over/under: 89.5
Current points pace: 113.2
What’s gone right? Washington might be the darlings of this NHL season. The Capitals certainly weren’t pegged to be one of the top Metropolitan clubs, or even a bonafide playoff contender. But Washington isn’t sneaking around this season (like they did into the playoffs last year). The Capitals are strong all around. The offseason addition of Logan Thompson was brilliant (he’s 8-1-1, with a .914 save percentage and 2.58 goals-against average), and Washington has been strong defensively in front of him (allowing fewer than 30 shots on net per game).
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