NHL Energy Rankings: 1-32 ballot, every workforce’s questionable transfer

Whereas the Edmonton Oilers strategy historical past with a record-breaking win streak, it is one other Western Canadian workforce that takes excessive spot of the NHL Energy Rankings this week.

Plus, whereas we recognized every workforce’s finest new addition in final week’s Energy Rankings, this week it is the other aspect of the coin: What are the strikes (or non-moves) on which every workforce would possibly like a do-over?

How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 ballot primarily based on the video games via Wednesday, which generates our grasp checklist right here.

Observe: Earlier rating for every workforce refers back to the earlier version, printed Jan. 19. Factors percentages are via Thursday’s video games.

Earlier rating: 2
Factors proportion: 71.88%
Subsequent seven days: vs. CBJ (Jan. 27)

Vancouver has hit all the appropriate notes this season. The Canucks’ solely remorse would possibly wind up being not extending Elias Pettersson prior to now (if it was an possibility). He is on tempo for an additional 100-plus-point marketing campaign and can be (rightfully) in search of a major payday when the time comes to barter. Vancouver must come ready — and possibly again up the Brinks truck.

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Earlier rating: 3
Factors proportion: 71.88%
Subsequent seven days: @ PHI (Jan. 27)

Maybe this might be thought-about a “good downside to have.” Boston has red-hot netminder (and pending RFA) Jeremy Swayman up for an additional contract negotiation this summer season — and the way in which he is taking part in, Swayman’s going to demand much more than he did a yr in the past. The Bruins would possibly remorse not getting one thing longer-term finished with Swayman after they had the possibility, previous to his levelling up once more in 2023-24.

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Earlier rating: 1
Factors proportion: 70.65%
Subsequent seven days: vs. TOR (Jan. 27)

The Jets are glorious in so many areas that it is easy to gloss over the actual fact their energy play is within the backside 10 of the league. Yikes. The Jets have not remedied that scenario for over half the season, and it is the kind of downside that comes again to chunk a contender within the playoffs. Winnipeg would possibly remorse letting its not-so-little downside linger (though maybe a treatment could possibly be on the way in which forward of the commerce deadline).

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Earlier rating: 4
Factors proportion: 67.71%
Subsequent seven days: vs. LA (Jan. 26)

Colorado took a danger changing injured goaltender Pavel Francouz with waiver-wire pickup Ivan Prosvetov final October — and it hasn’t paid off. Prosvetov has offered little assist to starter Alexandar Georgiev in a backup function, and as Colorado leans closely on Georgiev now, the extra possible he’ll be burned out by spring. The Avalanche would possibly remorse not bolstering their goalie tandem sooner.

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Earlier rating: 7
Factors proportion: 66.67%
Subsequent seven days: vs. WSH (Jan. 27)

Dallas did not improve its backup goalie place for the season, sticking with Scott Wedgewood behind the often implausible Jake Oettinger. Effectively. Oettinger has struggled between damage stints, and Wedgewood has been taxed within the meantime. The Stars are a superb workforce regardless of their below-average goaltending — however will GM Jim Nill remorse not including a extra dependable No. 2 possibility?

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Earlier rating: 5
Factors proportion: 65.96%
Subsequent seven days: @ PIT (Jan. 26), @ NYI (Jan. 27)

The entrance workplace will remorse not re-signing Sam Reinhart final summer season. The pending UFA is one the league’s hottest scorers and can be in excessive demand on the open market (if he makes it there). The Panthers are clearly having fun with Reinhart whereas they will — however he will want a elevate this offseason.

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Earlier rating: 10
Factors proportion: 64.77%
Subsequent seven days: vs. NSH (Jan. 27)

This one is straightforward: Edmonton ought to have keyed on new head coach Kris Knoblauch manner sooner. Why? As a result of changing Jay Woodcroft with Knoblauch in November (when the Oilers have been 3-9-1) is the perfect factor to occur for Edmonton this season, and the workforce has the prolonged win streak to show it.

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Earlier rating: 6
Factors proportion: 64.89%
Subsequent seven days: vs. VGK (Jan. 26), @ OTT (Jan. 27)

The addition of Blake Wheeler on a one-year deal adopted Winnipeg shopping for out his contract final summer season is a transfer New York would possibly remorse. Even that minor $800,000 funding within the veteran hasn’t gone the Rangers’ manner. Wheeler has been underwhelming with simply 17 factors in 46 video games. Must surprise now if New York would not have put its cash behind a unique depth addition.

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Earlier rating: 9
Factors proportion: 64.58%
Subsequent seven days: @ NYR (Jan. 26), @ DET (Jan. 27)

Vegas failed so as to add or change a lot within the offseason following its Stanley Cup victory. Now, standing pat appears like a questionable name. The Golden Knights have fizzled following a sizzling begin, with predictable issues piling up for a workforce inclined to fatigue. That is when an absence of recent legs can turn into one main remorse.

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Earlier rating: 11
Factors proportion: 60.87%
Subsequent seven days: @ WPG (Jan. 27)

Toronto signed Ryan Reaves to a three-year, $4.050 million contract within the offseason that has translated into one purpose in 21 video games and Reaves being moved to IR — regardless of the 36-year-old not too long ago stating he has been wholesome for weeks. Huh? Speak about an all-around unhealthy scenario the Leafs need to remorse.

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Earlier rating: 8
Factors proportion: 62.77%
Subsequent seven days: vs. ARI (Jan. 27)

The re-signing of Tony DeAngelo on a one-year, $1.675 million contract over the summer season is the simple alternative right here, because the defenseman has spent most of this season as a wholesome scratch. Granted, the Hurricanes have stable defensive depth to work with, however the membership seemingly miscalculated what DeAngelo’s match can be with its group.

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Earlier rating: 13
Factors proportion: 58.89%
Subsequent seven days: @ COL (Jan. 26), @ STL (Jan. 28), @ NSH (Jan. 31)

The Kings swung for the fences buying Pierre-Luc Dubois from Winnipeg in commerce final summer season — after which inked him to a monster new contract. It hasn’t precisely been an amazing match. Dubois is on tempo for a profession low in factors and was not too long ago known as out by head coach Todd McLellan for needing to be extra of a “difference-maker.” Are the Kings destined for purchaser’s (or, dealer’s) regret?

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Earlier rating: 12
Factors proportion: 57.14%
Subsequent seven days: vs. BOS (Jan. 27)

Will the Flyers remorse not going all-in on chasing the playoffs this season? The workforce did not begin off anticipating to be within the postseason combine, and if it sticks with the plan of buying and selling gamers away forward of the deadline, Philadelphia may rapidly fall out of competition. And the place’s the enjoyment in that — in comparison with making a stunning run to a playoff berth?

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Earlier rating: 19
Factors proportion: 58.16%
Subsequent seven days: vs. NJ (Jan. 27)

Tampa Bay inked Tanner Jeannot to a two-year, $5.33 million contract in July, hoping to revive a participant who broke out with 24 objectives within the 2021-22 season. That hasn’t occurred. Jeannot had simply 12 factors in 41 video games this season earlier than the Lightning moved him to IR. For a cap-strapped membership like Tampa Bay, that is a disappointing return on funding.

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Earlier rating: 14
Factors proportion: 57.29%
Subsequent seven days: vs. VGK (Jan. 27), vs. OTT (Jan. 31)

Detroit should remorse not tapping into no matter effectively Alex Lyon’s been ingesting from currently as a result of the Crimson Wings have been red-hot in January and it is Lyon who’s main that cost. Lyon was a third-string possibility till not too long ago taking the No. 1 reins, and the outcomes (minus one poor outing in opposition to Dallas this week) have put the Crimson Wings again on a playoff monitor.

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Earlier rating: 16
Factors proportion: 55.43%
Subsequent seven days: @ TB (Jan. 27)

To place it charitably, New Jersey has had its points with goaltending this season — and the Devils may remorse not addressing that downside. Vitek Vanecek has taken a critical step again since final season’s breakout, and Akira Schmid hasn’t offered a lot assist both. If New Jersey expects to get into the playoffs and make some noise, a brand new possibility must come by way of commerce; different groups know this and will not make that transfer an inexpensive one for the Devils.

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Earlier rating: 18
Factors proportion: 55.21%
Subsequent seven days: @ EDM (Jan. 27), @ OTT (Jan. 29)

Sending Ryan Johansen to Colorado final summer season (whereas retaining half his wage) appeared like a obligatory swap for a rebuilding workforce. And but, the offensively challenged Predators may actually use Johansen about now as they proceed a considerably stunning push for the playoffs. The Avalanche have Johansen in a third-line function, however he can be contributing increased up in Nashville. Over the brief time period at the least, shifting on from Johansen type of stings.

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Earlier rating: 15
Factors proportion: 54.55%
Subsequent seven days: vs. FLA (Jan. 26), vs. MTL (Jan. 27)

Might or not it’s the Erik Karlsson commerce? Pittsburgh took on the defenseman and his $10 million-per-year contract for 4 extra seasons by way of final summer season’s blockbuster. Given Karlsson’s common manufacturing and the Penguins’ seventh-place place within the Metropolitan Division at current, it is exhausting to not surprise if GM Kyle Dubas regrets (for now, at the least) going all-in on that big-time transfer.

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Earlier rating: 21
Factors proportion: 53.13%
Subsequent seven days: vs. FLA (Jan. 27)

The Isles lastly went for a training change final week when GM Lou Lamoriello tapped Patrick Roy to exchange Lane Lambert. Might they remorse not making a change earlier than the season? New York failed to take care of any consistency via the primary half, and now it is scrambling to remain within the playoff race.

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Earlier rating: 24
Factors proportion: 54.35%
Subsequent seven days: @ SEA (Jan. 26), vs. LA (Jan. 28), vs. CBJ (Jan. 30)

Finally, St. Louis changed Craig Berube with Drew Bannister behind the bench after a dismal begin to the season. However the Blues waited till December to make the change, and it price them useful time to maintain tempo within the Central Division. They have been effectively over .500 beneath Bannister’s watch; will St. Louis look again and surprise why a clearly wanted change took so lengthy?

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Earlier rating: 23
Factors proportion: 52.13%
Subsequent seven days: @ CAR (Jan. 27)

Arizona may need prolonged Sean Durzi sooner if it had identified what a terrific season the pending RFA would put collectively. As it’s, Durzi can be in search of a good-looking elevate (with long-term implications) when the time comes. Durzi has been an exemplary offensive defenseman and an integral piece of the Coyotes’ above-average energy play. Little question Durzi will wish to have his (pay) day now.

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Earlier rating: 17
Factors proportion: 54.35%
Subsequent seven days: @ DAL (Jan. 27)

Washington didn’t orchestrate a commerce for Evgeny Kuznetsov within the offseason, and he has continued to be one thing of a lifeless weight of their struggling offense. The Capitals’ second-highest-paid ahead has simply six objectives in 40 video games for a workforce continuously being outshot and outscored at alarming charges. Washington should remorse not with the ability to discover Kuznetsov a brand new house — and maybe some higher-scoring choices for itself.

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Earlier rating: 20
Factors proportion: 52.13%
Subsequent seven days: vs. STL (Jan. 26), vs. CBJ (Jan. 28), @ SJ (Jan. 30)

Failing to increase a qualifying supply to Morgan Geekie final summer season looks as if a giant mistake now. Geekie was swiftly scooped up by the Bruins, and he is having a implausible season that is on monitor to be a profession excessive in each respect. In the meantime, the Kraken have struggled for scoring. Having Geekie round would have helped.

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Earlier rating: 22
Factors proportion: 48.96%
Subsequent seven days: vs. CHI (Jan. 27)

Calgary has appeared to hem and haw about what to do with pending UFA Elias Lindholm. That is a regretful tactic. The longer Calgary waits to both signal Lindholm or commerce him to a contender, the much less management the workforce might have in guaranteeing both state of affairs works out in its favor.

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Earlier rating: 27
Factors proportion: 48.96%
Subsequent seven days: vs. ANA (Jan. 27)

Minnesota did not — and admittedly, attributable to an absence of cap house, could not — add a lot to the roster over the summer season, and that got here again to hang-out it in a brutal first half of the season. The Wild have been tormented by accidents and had a obtrusive lack of depth to fill within the gaps. GM Invoice Guerin stated not too long ago he nonetheless believes in his workforce — however Guerin may additionally remorse not doing extra to bolster the Wild earlier.

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Earlier rating: 26
Factors proportion: 47.92%
Subsequent seven days: @ SJ (Jan. 27)

After an encouraging closing stretch to final season, the Sabres did not draw back from establishing (publicly) a playoffs-or-bust mentality for 2023-24. It hasn’t served them effectively. The Sabres have been rightfully assured in themselves heading into the season, however that extra strain has seemingly come again to chunk them.

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Earlier rating: 25
Factors proportion: 48.96%
Subsequent seven days: @ PIT (Jan. 27)

Montreal just isn’t precisely in “win now” mode, however will the Canadiens in the end remorse the gradual play of this rebuild? Their first-period struggles, listless losses, damage pile-ups and poor specialty groups erode confidence in not simply gamers, however coaches too. Maybe Montreal may have finished extra within the offseason to assist itself keep nearer to the typical throughout this season.

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Earlier rating: 29
Factors proportion: 43.18%
Subsequent seven days: vs. NYR (Jan. 27), vs. NSH (Jan. 29), @ DET (Jan. 31)

The Senators thought they’d solved the goalie place by signing Joonas Korpisalo to a five-year, $20 million contract final summer season. Ottawa cannot be happy with how he has carried out since. The goalie supposed to be a verifiable No. 1 has a sub-.900 SV% and practically 3.50 GAA to indicate for his season to date. That long-term funding is one thing the Senators may come to remorse.

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Earlier rating: 28
Factors proportion: 41.49%
Subsequent seven days: @ VAN (Jan. 27), @ SEA (Jan. 28), @ STL (Jan. 30)

Columbus has handled sufficient distractions, and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins wanted to not be one other one. The Blue Jackets’ purported starter put up career-worst marks final season, and but Columbus held on to him hoping this season can be completely different. It isn’t. Between his commerce request and the Blue Jackets not getting what they want from him, it is the type of drama the membership hoped to keep away from.

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Earlier rating: 30
Factors proportion: 35.42%
Subsequent seven days: @ MIN (Jan. 27), vs. SJ (Jan. 31)

Anaheim traded Jamie Drysdale to Philadelphia for Cutter Gauthier, and already it feels just like the Geese may remorse that within the brief time period at the least. They have been struggling with out Drysdale because it was when he was injured, and now he is gone altogether. Gauthier will step in sooner or later, however proper now the Geese do not appear to have finished themselves a favor eliminating Drysdale.

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Earlier rating: 31
Factors proportion: 30.61%
Subsequent seven days: @ CGY (Jan. 27)

Chicago is getting one thing particular from Jason Dickinson proper now. And also you surprise if coach Luke Richardson does not remorse not discovering that spark for his offense sooner. Dickinson is taking part in a few of his finest hockey in years as a pillar of the Blackhawks’ constant second line (which, at current, is the one one scoring), and it is Dickinson who’s providing Chicago some much-needed stability.

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Earlier rating: 32
Factors proportion: 31.25%
Subsequent seven days: vs. BUF (Jan. 27), vs. SEA (Jan. 30), @ ANA (Jan. 31)

It is no shock given their spot within the standings, however the Sharks have been brutal in a number of classes, together with goaltending. That is particularly disheartening contemplating the Sharks gave Mackenzie Blackwood a two-year, $4.7 million deal within the offseason — and he has been worse throughout than backup Kaapo Kahkonen. If San Jose had excessive hopes for Blackwood’s backstopping, he has but to succeed in these heights.