It’s early. Very early.
NHL groups have solely performed between three and 7 video games within the 2024-25 season.
Nonetheless, that’s sufficient to make an early impression of how this season and standings might form up. Whether or not it’s a star participant’s resurgence or the answer to a gap within the lineup, there may be loads to remove from a workforce’s first handful of video games.
This week, The Athletic requested its NHL employees for one factor they’re seeing from every workforce thus far. Right here’s what they stated.
Blended outcomes from their gifted youth: With simply three video games performed coming into Friday, the Geese don’t have a big pattern measurement to have any main traits emerge. However they’ve gone into this season with eight gamers 23 years of age or youthful who might have common roles. (And that doesn’t embody 24-year-old goalie Lukas Dostal). Pavel Mintyukov has been logging large minutes on protection and is coming off his first two-goal sport. However, Tristan Luneau and Olen Zellweger have had shaky moments on the again finish. Jackson LaCombe has been coping with an sickness however figures to get within the lineup after a terrific coaching camp. Up entrance, Leo Carlsson received his first additional time winner Wednesday in opposition to Utah. Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish didn’t click on of their first two video games collectively however appeared to generate some traction with veteran Robby Fabbri. Cutter Gauthier has began slowly and sat for lengthy stretches Wednesday. Moments of development and education are to be anticipated. — Eric Stephens
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Jeremy Swayman has work to do: It was at all times going to be this manner, even earlier than Swayman spent all of coaching camp unsigned. He misplaced accomplice Linus Ullmark. Swayman must alter, bodily and mentally, to the workload of being the clear-cut No. 1 goalie. As soon as he signed, Swayman needed to handle the stress of his eight-year, $66 million contract. Given all that, it’s pure that Swayman has not regarded like himself. He’s behind. — Fluto Shinzawa
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Particular groups sinking them: The Sabres are 1-4-1 to start out the season, and their play on particular groups is an enormous cause why. Buffalo has began the season 0-for-17 on the facility play and in addition has the seventh-worst penalty kill within the NHL. There are fairly just a few points with the Sabres, however none is as evident as their incapacity to attain on the person benefit. After ending twenty ninth on the facility play final season, the Sabres haven’t proven any indicators of figuring it out beneath new coach Lindy Ruff. — Matthew Fairburn
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Martin Pospisil is a middle: It was not on many bingo playing cards to start out the season. Even head coach Ryan Huska wasn’t certain what to anticipate when he put Pospisil at middle throughout coaching camp. However by way of the primary juncture of the season, he’s close to the highest of the Flames’ leaderboard in factors and has in some way change into a viable choice alongside Jonathan Huberdeau. The Flames are the league’s largest shock. Pospisil could make a case to be the workforce’s largest cause why. — Julian McKenzie
Sputtering particular groups: It’s early, however the Hurricanes’ particular groups have been iffy within the first two video games of the season. Carolina can’t be faulted for permitting a five-on-three aim late in opposition to the Devils on Tuesday — particularly when it killed off the remaining five-on-four to assist safe the workforce’s first win of the season — however the Hurricanes have nonetheless allowed three objectives in 9 alternatives coming into Friday night time’s sport. Extra regarding is the facility play, which was 0-for-5 and produced simply two pictures on aim in 7:40 with the person benefit. They did rating two power-play objectives Friday night time vs. the Penguins to allow them to solely hope that that is the beginning of a turnaround. — Cory Lavalette
The Blackhawks extra resemble an NHL workforce: The Blackhawks went out this offseason after a few dismal seasons and added a variety of NHL veterans. That’s displaying up on the ice. We’ll see how good this workforce is, but it surely’s undoubtedly enjoying with extra construction and predictability. — Scott Powers
tic-tac-gooooooooal❌ pic.twitter.com/v2yvlGdfxj
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 18, 2024
Defensively, issues aren’t as unhealthy as they appear: The Avalanche have given up practically two extra objectives per sport than the next-worst workforce by way of the primary couple of weeks of the season, however underlying defensive metrics recommend issues aren’t as unhealthy as they appear. Colorado isn’t enjoying nice protection, however the goaltending struggles are magnifying each mistake. The Avs have allowed fewer high-danger pictures (7.09) and anticipated objectives (2.15) per 60 minutes than they did final season (and in 2021-22 once they received the Cup for that matter). The issue is the .652 save proportion on high-danger pictures. No different workforce is under .700 in that metric. — Jesse Granger
Yegor Chinakhov is about for a breakout season: Chinakhov was in line for a second-line position earlier than Boone Jenner’s long-term shoulder damage opened a spot on the No. 1 line. Up to now, Chinakhov — a streaky help participant the previous two seasons — has been a revelation. Chinakhov has opened the season with a four-game level streak (2-4-6) and a team-best plus-5 ranking enjoying on a line with veteran middle Sean Monahan and proper winger Kirill Marchenko. The No. 21 decide within the 2020 draft has proven flashes up to now — he had 16 objectives in 53 video games final season, together with a career-long six-game level streak final December — however he’s regarded like a constant harmful offensive participant this season. — Aaron Portzline
Jake Oettinger signed an eight-year, $66 million contract extension with the Stars on Thursday. (Jerome Miron / Imagn Pictures)
Jake Oettinger seems to be like his previous self: Curiously sufficient, the Stars’ underlying metrics are middling at finest early on. However they’re 4-1-0 thanks largely to goalie Jake Oettinger, who’s off to a dynamite begin and who simply signed an eight-year, $66 million contract extension. His .948 save proportion by way of three begins trails solely Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck, and his 5.79 GSAx trails solely Sam Montembeault and Hellebuyck. That features a 34-save shutout of the Islanders. Oettinger was unusual final season, and the Stars nonetheless had the most effective report within the Western Convention. If he retains this up and returns to type this season, Dallas may very well be the workforce to beat within the NHL — and he’ll be value each penny. — Mark Lazerus
Method too many objectives in opposition to: The emphasis for the Purple Wings this summer time was bettering their workforce protection. Or at the very least, it was imagined to be. Steve Yzerman signed Tyler Motte as a stable defensive ahead for the underside six, and introduced in Cam Talbot in aim, however actually didn’t do a lot to vary the general make-up of Detroit’s lineup. The early outcomes have been predictable: Detroit has misplaced three of its first 4 video games by three objectives and already had two midgame goalie modifications in that span. Granted, there’s additionally a shutout win blended in there — however even that sport required Talbot to cease 42 pictures. It’s early, however Detroit’s workforce protection has not regarded as much as snuff. And that’s an enormous downside. — Max Bultman
Particular groups want enchancment: It took two video games for the Oilers to permit extra opposition power-play objectives than they did over their whole run to Recreation 7 of the Stanley Cup Last. For reference, the Oilers surrendered 4 tallies in 25 contests within the postseason. Clearly, the penalty kill has had a tough begin to the season. However at the very least there’s an excuse: The Oilers misplaced 4 regulars in Cody Ceci, Vincent Desharnais, Ryan McLeod and Warren Foegele. The 5 stars are as soon as once more working the first-unit energy play. Uncharacteristically, they’ve transformed on simply one in every of 13 probabilities by way of 5 video games. — Daniel Nugent-Bowman
Aleksander Barkov’s fast rehab: We count on the Panthers to deal with their enterprise within the common season, however a prolonged absence from Barkov might throw a wrench within the works. The defending champs received some excellent news Thursday — Barkov skated for the primary time since a nasty slide into the boards on Oct. 10 and will return subsequent week. — Sean Gentille
A tough transition away from the 1-3-1 system: Kings gamers — significantly their finest offensive skills — have been desperate to shift away from their neutral-zone lure that helped them change into one of many higher defensive groups within the league but in addition left them feeling a bit stifled when it got here to producing offense. The transfer to a 1-2-2 was imagined to let forwards like Adrian Kempe and Kevin Fiala get their toes shifting sooner and create extra in transition. The flip facet of opening their sport extra was the potential of exposing their goalies to extra scoring probabilities. That’s been obvious within the first 5 video games. Pure Stat Trick has the Kings permitting 102 scoring probabilities, together with 37 of the high-danger selection in comparison with 85 and 22 respectively after 5 video games final season. Thursday’s 4-1 win at Montreal was their finest sport in a 2-1-2 begin as they have been much better with their neutral-zone play and received saves from David Rittich. Adapting with out Drew Doughty on the again finish doesn’t make the duty any simpler. — Eric Stephens
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The three-goalie plan is already a difficulty: Carrying three goalies at all times appeared like it might be problematic for a Wild workforce that couldn’t afford one other league-minimum participant with Jesper Wallstedt on the roster. And as we noticed in two of the primary three video games, Wallstedt couldn’t even be on the roster when the Wild wanted a seventh defenseman due to sickness after which suffered three accidents. Wallstedt’s now down in AHL Iowa to get video games and reps. He could also be there for some time if the Wild proceed to get nice play from goalie/aim scorer Filip Gustavsson, who’s 2-0-1 with a 1.66 goals-against common and .948 save proportion and has extra objectives than 13 Wild skaters by way of 4 video games. — Michael Russo
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The protection is a piece in progress: The clear weak point of the Canadiens roster was at all times going to be the younger protection, however the incapacity to search out three pairings that work has been the defining function of the primary 5 video games. Mike Matheson leaving the sport Thursday after one interval with an upper-body damage solely additional difficult an already difficult state of affairs. The truth is it will in the future be the power of the workforce, however proper now the Canadiens lack the personnel to have a robust, cohesive blue-line group. And an answer within the brief time period, barring the acquisition of exterior assist, just isn’t evident. — Arpon Basu
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They’ve a gap to fill at middle: Andrew Brunette gave Tommy Novak the anticipated first crack to middle a line that includes huge additions Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, and that lasted for about so long as it takes to shine off a Prince’s scorching rooster wing. Granted, the early struggles have been so widespread that Brunette had Novak again with Stamkos (and with Novak’s favourite fellow younger gun, Luke Evangelista) prematurely of a go to from Edmonton. However the actuality is, Novak is finest suited on a 3rd line with Evangelista and TBD, and the Preds have to be out looking for a No. 2 middle. — Joe Rexrode
Jacob Markstrom has a .918 save proportion by way of 5 video games with the Devils. (Bruce Bennett / Getty Pictures)
New Jersey Devils
The commerce acquisitions are becoming proper in: The Devils acquired goaltender Jacob Markstrom, ahead Paul Cotter and defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic by way of commerce this previous summer time. All three have had robust begins to the season. Markstrom has a .918 save proportion and has saved 1.33 objectives above anticipated, per Evolving-Hockey. Cotter leads the workforce with 5 objectives, and Kovacevic has 5 factors and a plus-3 ranking. All three have contributed to the Devils’ 5-2-0 begin. — Peter Baugh
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Extra of the identical: The Islanders are attempting to interrupt out of a three-year doldrums wherein they’ve both fallen out of competition rapidly (2021-22) or needed to make a mad sprint to achieve the postseason for a really temporary keep. One of many keys to altering that was a robust begin that confirmed off the identification the workforce constructed beneath 37 video games of Patrick Roy final season. Up to now … it hasn’t been there. A 1-1-2 report, two shutouts already and an excessive amount of inconsistency make this primary week of 2024-25 really feel very acquainted. — Arthur Staple
5-on-five numbers are up: The Rangers have wonderful particular groups and an elite goalie in Igor Shesterkin, however their five-on-five play has generally lagged behind in current seasons. The early returns this season are that the workforce has improved at even power. By 4 video games the Rangers have had 56.30 p.c of the anticipated aim share at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick, and have additionally out-chanced and out-high-danger chanced opponents. That’s been an enormous a part of the workforce’s scorching begin. — Peter Baugh
Particular groups might use consistency: 4 video games in and the Senators’ penalty kill is close to the underside of the league with a 69.2 p.c success fee. The Senators’ energy play seems to be good on paper, however a lot of that needed to do with going 4-for-6 with the person benefit of their 8-7 OT win over Los Angeles. Ottawa is 2-for-10 excluding Monday’s sport. Contemplating that Ottawa has regarded effective at five-on-five, the Senators want extra success with particular groups to maintain them afloat early within the season. — Julian McKenzie
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The facility play seems to be higher: After ending final within the NHL for 3 straight seasons, the Flyers put a precedence on attempting to repair the facility play this summer time. Up to now, it seems to be robust — scoring on the facility play in every of the primary 4 video games (5-for-19 total). Rookie Matvei Michkov is an enormous cause for that, with two objectives and two assists on the highest unit, together with the primary two objectives of his profession in Edmonton on Tuesday. The second unit, with rookie Jett Luchanko, has additionally regarded harmful at occasions, and will assist his trigger to stay round for the season. — Kevin Kurz
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Pittsburgh Penguins
A functioning energy play: Erik Karlsson didn’t come to Pittsburgh final season for the Penguins’ energy play to wreck best-laid plans. However that’s what occurred. And it occurred early, with the Penguins scoring solely 4 power-play objectives by way of 9 video games. That they had that many by way of 5 to start out this season, together with two in a history-laden win over the Sabres on Wednesday. With Tristan Jarry in a funk and Alex Nedeljkovic on a conditioning project, the Penguins are relying on rookie Joel Blomqvist to play behind a turnover-prone group. That’s tempting destiny. However energy play will make life simpler. A probably nice one may change every thing. — Rob Rossi
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Profitable isn’t going to be any simpler: The Sharks have but to get Ryan Warsofsky his first win as an NHL head coach they usually’re now working by way of a tough finish to their highway journey. At 0-3-2, they’re higher than final yr’s terrible 0-10-1 begin. They felt a lot better of their first three video games, which included an opening-night additional time loss to St. Louis the place they let a three-goal lead get away and taking Dallas to a shootout in a highway sport the place they by no means trailed in regulation. However their stage of play dropped in back-to-back losses in Chicago and Winnipeg. The penalty kill was lights out till the Blackhawks and Jets took benefit of a depleted lineup. Jake Walman and Cody Ceci will assistance on protection, and Tyler Toffoli is off to a scorching begin. Nonetheless, they’re permitting too many pictures on aim and wish extra offense. Getting an injured Macklin Celebrini again in motion in some unspecified time in the future will assist. — Eric Stephens
The Kraken can rating once more: The Kraken struggled enormously to purchase objectives all through final season. Regardless of their structural self-discipline and tempo, Seattle might not often discover solutions when it fell behind and struggled to tug away when it constructed an early lead. A scarcity of aim scoring up and down the lineup was a deadly flaw for this lineup a yr in the past, and thus far, it’s been a unique story. Actually, no workforce in hockey has scored extra five-on-five objectives than Seattle has within the early going this season. There’s some percentage-driven noise on this, and we received’t count on the Kraken to complete the yr as an elite offensive workforce essentially. However Seattle’s offensive method seems to be extra considerate, tighter and much more dynamic by way of Dan Bylsma’s first 5 video games. — Thomas Drance
Philip Broberg has boosted the Blues’ protection: When the Blues acquired Broberg by way of a suggestion sheet from the Oilers this summer time, it was understood that it would take time for the 23-year-old to slot in. It has taken no time. Broberg and defensive accomplice Justin Faulk haven’t been on the ice for a single five-on-five aim in opposition to in 5 video games. If that’s not sufficient, Broberg has some extent in every of these video games, together with an unimaginable saucer cross for an help on the Blues’ game-winning aim in a 1-0 additional time victory over the Islanders. If Broberg’s $4.58 million cap hit is taken into account an overpayment, it might not be for lengthy. — Jeremy Rutherford
NEIGHBOURS CALLS GAME. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/nTOE4fW9qv
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) October 18, 2024
The celebrities are starring: The Lightning’s technique revolves round their star energy, which appears to be delivering thus far. After a yr weighed down by again surgical procedure, Andrei Vasilevskiy has regarded sharp to open the season. Victor Hedman is driving play from the blue line. And offseason signing Jake Guentzel is clicking with Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point — simply have a look at how they dominated Thursday in opposition to Vegas with 73 p.c of the anticipated aim share and a 2-0 edge in scoring at five-on-five. — Shayna Goldman
Matthew Knies is making a leap: This wasn’t surprising. I wrote earlier than the season that Knies was the Leafs’ most intriguing participant and somebody with actual breakout potential. It’s nonetheless early, however the early indicators are there that the breakout is occurring. To start out with, Knies is enjoying much more than he did final season, with common roles on each the penalty kill and energy play in addition to the Auston Matthews-led No. 1 line. Greater than that, Knies seems to be stronger and sooner than he did as a rookie, extra certain of himself and what he can do too. He’s taking pictures the puck a ton (one thing he didn’t do sufficient as a rookie) and appears like guess to crack 20 objectives for the primary time. Knies is simply scratching the floor of what he may change into for the Leafs. — Jonas Siegel
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Mikhail Sergachev has crushed his alternative with the Utah Hockey Membership thus far. (Bruce Bennett / Getty Pictures)
Utah Hockey Membership
Mikhail Sergachev has been an enormous addition: Sergachev was at all times thought of a stable defenseman in Tampa, however behind Victor Hedman and the opposite stars up entrance, he was typically a bit overshadowed. Not in Salt Lake Metropolis. The Utahns have loaded Sergachev up with the third-highest minutes within the NHL thus far (26:47 per sport), and he’s crushed that chance, with a 63 p.c anticipated objectives mark when he’s on the ice at even power. The high-scoring children are getting numerous consideration early, however Sergachev may very well be their early MVP. And he’ll have to be with Sean Durzi out for some time. — James Mirtle
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Quinn Hughes remains to be the most effective defender on the planet: The reigning Norris Trophy winner has pushed the Canucks within the early going and has change into totally peerless by way of how he influences the sport from the again finish. Take into account that with Hughes on the ice, Vancouver has outshot its opponents 50 to 31. In all different minutes, the Canucks have been outshot 33 to 60 at five-on-five. You’d be hard-pressed to discover a skater anyplace on the planet able to making that type of constant impression on an NHL ice sheet, however these few gamers who do, they’re all forwards. Hughes has been on the high of his sport from the outset, enjoying over 27 minutes an evening and functioning as Vancouver’s main engine proper off the hop this season. And Vancouver has wanted it. — Thomas Drance
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Vegas Golden Knights
Jack Eichel leveled up: Eichel has been good from the second he arrived in Vegas, however he’s taken his sport to a different stage early this season and is driving the Golden Knights offensively. He’s second within the NHL with 6 factors at even power, trailing solely his linemate, Ivan Barbashev (7). Eichel’s 6.34 factors per 60 minutes is a fully ridiculous determine (for perspective, his profession excessive is 2.45 in 2022-23). Eichel’s skill to move the puck up the ice and set up possession within the offensive zone has been very important to Vegas’ offensive manufacturing. — Jesse Granger
A revamped first line: It’s too early for grand proclamations about any workforce, not to mention one which’s solely performed three video games, however Spencer Carbery’s resolution to play Aliaksei Protas with Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome has already paid off. Washington is controlling the aim share, each actual and anticipated, with these three on the ice. If Ovechkin retains establishing Protas for objectives as he did Tuesday — you’d count on the alternative — good issues might comply with. — Sean Gentille
Winnipeg Jets
Particular groups are serving to them win in a brand-new manner: Winnipeg is an ideal 4-0-0 and it has achieved that report on the again of a 50 p.c energy play and a penalty kill that was the final to permit a aim this season. The Jets’ star gamers have additionally stolen video games, with Mark Scheifele doing so within the dwelling opener and Scheifele and Kyle Connor combining to steal Sunday’s sport in opposition to Minnesota. Give credit score to Scott Arniel and particularly to assistant coaches Dean Chynoweth (PK) and Davis Payne (PP), although — Winnipeg’s particular groups have been elite versus abysmal early this season. That could be a marked change from final yr, with the facility play (7-for-14) wanting significantly harmful due to nice entries, a number of setups and crisp passing. — Murat Ates
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(Illustration: Meech Robinson / The Athletic. Pictures: Jeff Vinnick, Michael Martin / NHLI; Steph Chambers / Getty Pictures)
