With the NHL season upon up, there is always a big puzzle of how the standings will shakeup. The NHL season is always unpredictable but here are NHL Western Conference standings predictions.
Colorado Avalanche – 115 points
The Avalanche are once again on top of the NHL standings once again this year, having a stacked roster from top to bottom. Hopefully, for the Avalanche, they can finally make a run for Stanley Cup.
Winnipeg Jets – 106 points
The main problem holding the Jets back from making a deep playoff run was their subpar defense. They addressed those needs, bolstering their defense this summer by adding Nate Schmidt and Brenden Dillion.
Minnesota Wild – 103 points
The Wild shocked many people last season by being competitive and making some noise in the west, a large part of that had to do with the emergence of Kirill Kaprizov. With Kaprizov back with the Wild, they should keep up their momentum.
Chicago Blackhawks* – 102 points
The Blackhawks went extremely aggressive this offseason, hoping to go on one last run with their aging core. The additions of Seth Jones and Marc-Andre Fleury should propel the Blackhawks into the postseason.
Dallas Stars* – 101 points
After making the Stanley Cup Finals in 2020, the Stars struggled this past season dealing with numerous injuries. The Stars being fully healthy could bring them back to the postseason.
St. Louis Blues – 93 points
The Blues have a very solid all-around team, however, in an extremely competitive division, it looks like they will be the odd team out due to their lack of star power on their roster.
Nashville Predators – 78 points
The Nashville Predators are in a difficult spot, having many of their core players locked up long-term, but those players are regressing year by year. The Predators will slip hard in the standings this year.
Arizona Coyotes – 63 points
After trading away Conor Garland, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and other key players, the Arizona Coyotes are going full tank mode for Shane Wright. It wouldn’t be a surprise if they finish last in the entire league.
Vegas Golden Knights – 111 points
Despite the Golden Knights getting worse this offseason, they are still by far the best team in the Pacific Division having star players and depth all throughout the lineup. The Golden Knights should run away with the division quite easily.
Edmonton Oilers – 100 points
The Oilers have made some questionable decisions this offseason which could end up helping or hurting them. But in the end, they still have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to carry them to the playoffs.
Vancouver Canucks – 99 points
The Canucks made several aggressive moves this offseason to try to make a big push for the postseason after missing it last year. Their top 9 and goaltending are very solid but the only thing holding them back is their weak defense.
Seattle Kraken – 96 points
Unlike the Golden Knights in 2017-18, the Kraken will barely miss the playoffs in their inaugural season. Their defense and goaltending will prove to be sturdy, however, their lack of offensive and star power will hold them back from the postseason.
Calgary Flames – 90 points
Once again, the Flames will disappoint and miss the playoffs for the season straight year. With the Flames being stale in the West, it might be time for a big shake-up in Calgary.
Los Angeles Kings – 88 points
The Kings are a young and bright team with a ton of potential, however, they are a year away from the playoffs with their young players still developing in the system.
San Jose Sharks – 74 points
The Sharks are falling hard in these last few years and that trend will continue this year with their core players regressing even harder. The Sharks are heading into a long rebuild and could sell many of their expiring contracts this trade deadline.
Anaheim Ducks – 71 points
The Ducks are still in rebuilding mode having one of the youngest lineups in the whole league. They haven’t done much this offseason and are still 2-3 years out of making a run for the postseason.
* = Wildcard spot
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