Everyone The season has some surprises in store. Inevitably, a team that everyone thinks is in the playoffs will be left on the outside looking in, and a team that everyone has written off will come out of nowhere to steal a spot in the postseason.
Today we're taking a look at some candidates for the latter category and trying to find some rosters that could break out after mediocre to poor seasons a year ago. All four teams on this list have one thing in common: they have a roster full of young talent that looks ready to take a big step forward.
In the modern NHL, where salary caps limit teams' options in free agency and on the trade market, having young and cost-controlled stars is a must. Each of these teams has that and it gives them hope that their time to shine is near.
Let's take a look at the four teams that could sneak up on the rest of the NHL in 2024-25.
In one of the biggest trades of the 2024 NHL draft, Utah acquired a defenseman Mikhail Sergachev from the Tampa Bay Lightning. He gives the franchise a real edge on the blue line, and in a somewhat under-the-radar move, Utah landed as well John Marino from the New Jersey Devils. Add these two into the mix Sean Durziand suddenly the defense Corps is worth getting excited about.
These defensemen should receive run support from one of the NHL's most promising forward groups. They are led by Clayton Kellerwho is coming off a 76-point season in 2023/24. There is a lot of potential around Keller. Logan Cooleythe No. 3 overall pick in 2022, scored 20 goals and 44 points as a rookie. Dylan Guntherthe No. 9 overall pick in 2021, just got paid after putting up 35 points in 45 games. Matias MaccelliThe 24-year-old has demonstrated excellent playing skills.
On the internet, Connor Ingram had one of the most underrated seasons of any goalkeeper last season. While the traditional numbers weren't great, he saved 5.05 goals above average and had a high save percentage of .841, according to Natural Stat Trick. He gives Utah some stability between the goals and their defensive environment should be better this season.
In addition to the additions and further development of its prospects, Utah will likely do better now that rumors of a move are now circulating. All the speculation last season had to weigh on the players, and now that weight is off their shoulders.
One of the biggest issues holding the Wild back in recent years has been the lack of true offensive players outside of the bigs Kirill Kaprizov. There's a chance that could change in 2024/25 if a few young players step up.
Fans unfamiliar with Matt Boldy will be soon enough. In just 203 NHL games, Boldy has already scored 75 goals and 96 points. Boldly has scored 30 goals in each of the last two years and is only 23 years old. He should give Minnesota another offensive superstar to pair with Kaprizov, and Marco Rossi could give them another one.
Rossi totaled 40 points in his first full season and the former No. 9 overall pick seemed to be finding his footing at the NHL level. Rossi played the second-most five-on-five minutes of any Wild forward, and the team controlled 52.9% of expected goals during that time, according to Natural Stat Trick.
The key for Minnesota will be goaltending, as defense should be a strength again, and Brock Faber It already looks like he will be in the Norris Trophy discussion for a very long time. Last year, Filip Gustavsson And Marc-André Fleury Overall it's 14.3 goals above average and I can't imagine them doing this poorly for the second season in a row.
The people of Buffalo have been longing for their first playoff appearance since 2011. If the Sabers want to end their 13-year losing streak, they still have some work to do, but it's certainly within the realm of possibility.
The first thing the Sabers need is rebound campaigns Alex Tuch And Days Thompson. After a total of 36 goals and 43 assists in the 2022/23 season, Tuch only had 22 goals and 37 assists last season. Thompson battled injuries and was still productive, but his 56 points in 71 games was a huge drop from 94 points in 78 games the previous year. To some extent, these two experienced a natural regression last season, but they are still capable of more than what they showed.
Elsewhere in the squad, the young talents need to convert their potential into tangible results. JJ Peterka scored 28 goals and 50 points as a 22-year-old, so I expect even greater things from him this season. Jack Quinnthe No. 8 overall pick in 2020, missed much of last year due to injury and is a breakout candidate in his own right. Quinn scored 14 goals as a rookie in the 2022-23 season. Add Zach Benson19, on this list and Buffalo could see some real growth up front.
Ukko-Pekka Luukonen proved he was the answer in net for the Sabers last year, posting 10.1 goals saved above average despite not always getting the most help. In front of Luukonen is one of the funniest blue lines in the league. With the takeover of Bowen Byram Last year, the Sabers now have three top-four picks on defense.
The term “breakout” helps here because I don’t think the Canadiens will pose a real threat for a playoff spot. Still, they appear poised to take a notable step forward and surpass their 76-point mark in 2023-24.
This leap begins with the two cornerstones of the franchise: Nick Suzuki And Cole Caufield. This duo combined for 61 goals and 81 assists last season, with just 24 and 23 respectively. The big X-factor will be how much progress the former No. 1 overall pick has made Juraj Slafkovsky does this season. Slakfkovsky took a minute to adjust to the NHL, but he had a strong performance last year, finishing with 20 goals and 30 assists.
Another potential star is the defender Lane Hutsonwho played two games last season but is expected to get his first full dose of NHL hockey this year. An electrifying playmaker from defense, Hutson scored 97 points in 77 career games at Boston University. If that production carries over to the Canadiens, Hutson will be a blast to watch.
It's a shame that Patrick Laine suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury in a pre-season game, but will hopefully be able to return to the lineup before the end of the season as he adds a bit more impact on the wing.
