Super 16: Avalanche enter top 10 of power rankings, Bruins still No. 1
Red Wings replace Flames at No. 16 after winning 6 of 7
By
NHL.com @NHLdotcom
Colorado, which was No. 12 last week, is 11-2-2 in its past 15 games and has vaulted into third in the Central Division despite a rash of injuries all season.
The Detroit Red Wings, who have won six of their past seven games, entered the rankings at No. 16, replacing the Calgary Flames.
As a reminder, to come up with the Super 16 each week, the 13 voters put together their own version of what they think the rankings should look like. A point total assigned to each with the team selected first is given 16 points, second 15, third 14, and so on down the line.
Here is the Super 16 with some thoughts on what the ranked teams could do prior to the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline on March 3 at 3 p.m. ET, from each of the voting staff members:
1. Boston Bruins (44-8-5)Total points: 206Last week: No. 1
"The Bruins could be fine -- and a Stanley Cup contender -- even if they don't do a single thing before the deadline. Sure, they could use a defenseman, but they don't necessarily need one. After a small dip before the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Game, they came back strong, winning four straight games, including a road trip through Dallas and Nashville. Getting forward Jake DeBrusk back has proved to be a major addition. The rest, at the moment, is gilding the lily, but you can be sure general manager Don Sweeney and the front office is working on getting the piece that might just put the Bruins over the top." -- Amalie Benjamin, staff writer
2. Carolina Hurricanes (39-10-8)Total points: 196Last week: No. 2
"This is a tough one because the Hurricanes have had a lot of success this season, and I always wonder about tinkering too much with what got you there. However, when they have made changes, and they've made many the past few seasons, those acquisitions have adapted well to coach Rod Brind'Amour's system. Carolina has space under the NHL salary cap, with forward Max Pacioretty on long-term injured reserve after he tore his Achilles tendon for the second time last month and in the final season of a four-year, $28 million contract (average annual value of $7 million) he signed with the Vegas Golden Knights on Sept. 10, 2018. The Hurricanes aren't deficient in many areas, so add some depth at forward and let 'er rip." -- Tracey Myers, staff writer
3. New Jersey Devils (38-15-5)Total points: 168Last week: No. 3
"The Devils are in a position they haven't been in for some time, buyers before the trade deadline. They have four skaters with at least 52 points and three with at least 23 goals. But you can never have enough scoring, especially in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which is why they should be in the market for a scoring wing. Two-time Cup winner Ondrej Palat was signed prior to the season, but New Jersey could seek to add more playoff experience to a young roster." -- David Satriano, staff writer
4. Toronto Maple Leafs (36-15-8)Total points: 165Last week: No. 6
"The Maple Leafs made one of the biggest moves before the trade deadline by acquiring center Ryan O'Reilly and forward Noel Acciari from the St. Louis Blues on Friday. O'Reilly is exactly the type of player who could help Toronto win a postseason series for the first time since 2004. He won the 2019 Selke Trophy voted as the best defensive forward in the NHL, the Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player of the playoffs and the Stanley Cup with the Blues. He can produce offensively too; in four games with the Maple Leafs, O'Reilly has five points (three goals, two assists)."-- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist
5. Tampa Bay Lightning (36-17-4)Total points: 158Last week: No. 4
"The Lightning are again geared up for another long spring. They have all the pieces in place, but you can count them to add valuable role players before 3 p.m. ET on March 3. Tampa Bay did well ahead of two of the past three deadlines with the acquisitions of forwards Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow in 2020 and
Nicholas Paul
and Brandon Hagel last season. They might be looking for depth at defenseman this season." -- Robert Laflamme, LNH.com senior writer
6. New York Rangers (33-16-9)Total points: 150Last week: No. 5
"Never say never, but I have to think the Rangers are done following the acquisitions of forwards Vladimir Tarasenko and Tyler Motte, and defenseman Niko Mikkola. It took 50 saves from Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck to end New York's 10-game point streak Monday. Consider this too: The Rangers put their streak together without Igor Shesterkin on top of his game; he's allowed at least three goals in seven of his past eight starts dating to Jan. 19." -- Brian Compton, managing editor
7. Dallas Stars (30-16-12)Total points: 117Last week: No. 7
"With the Stars near the top of the Western Conference standings, there is hardly a reason for them to feel insecure about their chances for a deep playoff run. In Jake Oettinger, they have one of the best goalies in the NHL. Dallas could try to add offense before the deadline, but without overpaying for help. General manager Jim Nill is known for having no fear of missing out by choosing to stand pat. It's what the Stars did before the 2019-20 deadline, and they advanced to the Stanley Cup Final."-- Paul Strizhevsky, staff writer
8. Vegas Golden Knights (35-18-5)Total points: 116Last week: No. 9
"The Golden Knights limped into the All-Star break, going 1-5-2, but won five straight afterwards before a 3-2 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. They are still first in the Pacific Division, and knowing their history of shaking up the roster, I wouldn't be surprised if they make a big move before the deadline. The Western Conference is wide open, and a strong addition could make them the team to beat." -- Bill Price, Editor-in-Chief
9. Winnipeg Jets (35-23-1)Total points: 106Last week: No. 8
"The Jets are second in the Central Division and appear to be in good shape to qualify for the playoffs. I have them No. 9 in my Super 16 this week, and they may look for either a top-six or middle-six forward, or perhaps a top-four defenseman. San Jose Sharks forward Timo Meier, a hard-nosed grinder, has been on the wish list of several general managers, but Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff might consider defense a priority with Luke Schenn (Vancouver Canucks) or Matt Dumba (Minnesota Wild) as potential targets. Hellebuyck with more support will only strengthen that area of the ice. Winnipeg has many young players on the current roster and in the organizational pipeline." -- Mike G. Morreale, staff writer
10. Colorado Avalanche (32-19-5)Total points: 87Last week: No. 12
Though the Avalanche have been showing signs of playing like the defending Stanley Cup champions over the past month, some moves are needed before the deadline to make a legitimate run for a repeat. It's alarming that defenseman Cale Makar is dealing with concussion issues again, so improving depth at the position should be on the want-list, even with a talented cast like Samuel Girard, Devon Toews and Bowen Byram still in place. They could use another impact player up front too. Though captain
Gabriel Landeskog
started skating again this week and the forward could be back from knee surgery by mid-March, the Avalanche have yet to fill the hole left by the departure of free agent Nazem Kadri to Calgary. -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer
11. Los Angeles Kings (33-19-8)Total points: 85Last week: No. 11
"The Kings are in position to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive season, one point behind the first-place Golden Knights in the Pacific Division but also just five ahead of the Avalanche for the second wild card into the playoffs from the West. So, adding a key player before the deadline could make the difference between starting the first round at home or on the road. Although Los Angeles has won consistently with Pheonix Copley (17-4-2, 2.73 goals-against average, .902 save percentage, one shutout) since he was called up from Ontario of the American Hockey League on Dec. 1, goaltending remains a question mark. The Kings' .901 save percentage at 5-on-5 entering Wednesday was 30th in the NHL, but there might not be a clear upgrade in net available." -- Tom Gulitti, staff writer
12. Seattle Kraken (32-20-6)Total points: 68Last week: No. 13
"The Kraken are in the thick of the Pacific Division race, lead the NHL with 147 goals at 5-on-5 and are one of the better teams on the road (17-9-3). But center depth remains an issue, as do their special teams. The Kraken lack a true game-breaking No. 1 center but may have little chance of finding that player. They win 45.6 percent of their face-offs (30th in the NHL), and are 30th on the penalty kill (72.6 percent), so the focus should be on acquiring a bottom-six center who can win face-offs and kill penalties. Sam Lafferty of the Blackhawks, Scott Laughton of the Flyers or Nick Bonino of the Sharks could be options if they are made available. An addition like that could be what pushes Seattle into a division title or at least home-ice advantage in the first round." -- Adam Kimelman, deputy managing editor
13. Edmonton Oilers (32-19-8)Total points: 60Last week: No. 10
"Oilers GM Ken Holland has never met a deadline he hasn't liked. It's unlikely this season will be different. Edmonton needs depth at forward and defenseman. A top-six forward could set up the lines in a way that makes the Oilers much more dangerous and difficult to match up against. On defense, an infusion of talent -- there have been rumors swirling around Erik Karlsson of the Sharks -- would address the biggest weakness on a team that, with forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, can outscore most others on any given night." -- Shawn P. Roarke, senior director of editorial
14. Minnesota Wild (32-21-6)Total points: 34Last week: No. 15
"The Wild's three-game winning streak that has them in the second wild-card spot in the West has put general manager Bill Guerin in a tough spot. Minnesota has the cap space but is hardly in position to go all-in and start giving up high draft picks for rentals. The Wild need top-six offensive help because 5-on-5 scoring has been a struggle all season (96 goals, 30th in NHL) . They hope their current forwards Jordan Greenway, Ryan Hartman and Marcus Foligno, who have all underperformed, can start scoring more, or they could go shopping. Either way, it will likely be a last-minute decision depending on how the standings look in a week." -- Paul Strizhevsky, staff writer
15. Pittsburgh Penguins (27-21-9)Total points: 17Last week: No. 14
"The Penguins have qualified for the playoffs in 16 straight seasons, a streak in jeopardy this season. They are on the wrong side of the wild card race, have lost three straight and haven't won more than two consecutive games since Dec. 12-15. What the Penguins need is forward depth behind Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jake Guentzel. The third line has struggled all season with Brock McGinn, Jeff Carter and Kasperi Kapanen combining for 25 goals and 55 points. The third and fourth lines need to be bolstered, and the sooner the better." -- Satriano
16. Detroit Red Wings (28-21-8)Total points: 11Last week: Unranked
"The Red Wings, who are in the thick of the wild card race having won six of seven games, haven't qualified for the playoffs in the past six seasons. Their biggest need is in goal. Ville Husso has played well, but
Alex Nedeljkovic
has struggled mightily and was sent to Grand Rapids of the AHL. Backup Magnus Hellberg has 15 games of NHL experience since entering the League in 2013, so if something happens to Husso, Detroit could be in trouble down the stretch." -- Satriano
Others receiving points: New York Islanders 10, Buffalo Sabres 7, Florida Panthers 6, Ottawa Senators 1
Dropped out:Calgary Flames (No. 16)
HERE'S HOW WE RANKED 'EM
AMALIE BENJAMIN
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Tampa Bay Lightning; 5. Toronto Maple Leafs; 6. New York Rangers; 7. Dallas Stars; 8. Winnipeg Jets; 9. Vegas Golden Knights; 10. Los Angeles Kings; 11. Seattle Kraken; 12. Colorado Avalanche; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Pittsburgh Penguins; 15. Minnesota Wild; 16. Detroit Red Wings
BRIAN COMPTON
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. New York Rangers; 5. Tampa Bay Lightning; 6. Toronto Maple Leafs; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Los Angeles Kings; 9. Dallas Stars; 10. Winnipeg Jets; 11. Colorado Avalanche; 12. Seattle Kraken; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Minnesota Wild; 15. Detroit Red Wings; 16. Pittsburgh Penguins
NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Toronto Maple Leafs; 5. Tampa Bay Lightning; 6. New York Rangers; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Dallas Stars; 9. Winnipeg Jets; 10. Seattle Kraken; 11. Los Angeles Kings; 12. Colorado Avalanche; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Minnesota Wild; 15. Pittsburgh Penguins; 16. Detroit Red Wings
TOM GULITTI
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Toronto Maple Leafs; 5. Tampa Bay Lightning; 6. New York Rangers; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Dallas Stars; 9. Winnipeg Jets; 10. Seattle Kraken; 11. Los Angeles Kings; 12. Colorado Avalanche; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Minnesota Wild; 15. Detroit Red Wings. 16. New York Islanders
ADAM KIMELMAN
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Toronto Maple Leafs; 4. Tampa Bay Lightning; 5. Winnipeg Jets; 6. Dallas Stars; 7. New York Rangers; 8. Colorado Avalanche; 9. New Jersey Devils; 10. Vegas Golden Knights; 11. Seattle Kraken; 12. Edmonton Oilers; 13. Pittsburgh Penguins; 14. Buffalo Sabres; 15. Los Angeles Kings; 16. Florida Panthers
ROBERT LAFLAMME
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Toronto Maple Leafs; 5. Tampa Bay Lightning; 6. New York Rangers; 7. Dallas Stars; 8. Vegas Golden Knights; 9. Winnipeg Jets; 10. Los Angeles Kings; 11. Edmonton Oilers; 12. Colorado Avalanche; 13. Seattle Kraken; 14. Minnesota Wild; 15. Pittsburgh Penguins; 16. New York Islanders
MIKE G. MORREALE
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Tampa Bay Lightning; 4. Toronto Maple Leafs; 5. New Jersey Devils; 6. New York Rangers; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Colorado Avalanche; 9. Winnipeg Jets; 10. Dallas Stars; 11. Minnesota Wild; 12. Los Angeles Kings; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Seattle Kraken; 15. Pittsburgh Penguins; 16. New York Islanders
TRACEY MYERS
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Toronto Maple Leafs; 5. Tampa Bay Lightning; 6. New York Rangers; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Dallas Stars; 9. Winnipeg Jets; 10. Los Angeles Kings; 11. Seattle Kraken; 12. Minnesota Wild; 13. Colorado Avalanche; 14. Edmonton Oilers; 15. New York Islanders; 16. Florida Panthers
BILL PRICE
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Toronto Maple Leafs; 4. New Jersey Devils; 5. New York Rangers; 6. Dallas Stars; 7. Tampa Bay Lightning; 8. Winnipeg Jets; 9. Seattle Kraken; 10. Vegas Golden Knights; 11. Los Angeles Kings; 12. Colorado Avalanche; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Minnesota Wild; 15. New York Islanders; 16. Detroit Red Wings
SHAWN P. ROARKE
1. Carolina Hurricanes; 2. Boston Bruins; 3. Colorado Avalanche; 4. Tampa Bay Lightning; 5. New Jersey Devils; 6. New York Rangers; 7. Toronto Maple Leafs; 8. Los Angeles Kings; 9. Winnipeg Jets; 10. Dallas Stars; 11. Vegas Golden Knights; 12. Edmonton Oilers; 13. Buffalo Sabres; 14. Seattle Kraken; 15. Florida Panthers; 16. Ottawa Senators
DAVID SATRIANO
1. Carolina Hurricanes; 2. Boston Bruins; 3. Toronto Maple Leafs; 4. New Jersey Devils; 5. New York Rangers; 6. Tampa Bay Lightning; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Colorado Avalanche; 9. Los Angeles Kings; 10. Dallas Stars; 11. Winnipeg Jets; 12. Edmonton Oilers; 13. Seattle Kraken; 14. New York Islanders; 15. Florida Panthers; 16. Detroit Red Wings
PAUL STRIZHEVSKY
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Tampa Bay Lightning; 5. Toronto Maple Leafs; 6. New York Rangers; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Dallas Stars; 9. Winnipeg Jets; 10. Los Angeles Kings; 11. Colorado Avalanche; 12. Seattle Kraken; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Minnesota Wild; 15. Pittsburgh Penguins; 16. Detroit Red Wings
MIKE ZEISBERGER
1.Boston Bruins; 2. New York Rangers; 3. Carolina Hurricanes; 4. Toronto Maple Leafs; 5. New Jersey Devils; 6. Tampa Bay Lightning; 7. Dallas Stars; 8. Vegas Golden Knights; 9. Edmonton Oilers; 10. Winnipeg Jets; 11. Los Angeles Kings; 12. Colorado Avalanche; 13. Seattle Kraken; 14. Minnesota Wild; 15. Detroit Red Wings; 16. Pittsburgh Penguins
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