Super 16: Golden Knights enter top 5 of power rankings; Bruins stay No. 1

The 2023 NHL Trade Deadline passed six days ago, and teams are figuring out how the players they acquired are going to fit in, where they're going to play, and how much and what kind of impact they'll make.

All those teams are in the NHL.com weekly Super 16 again this week. It's the same 16 as last week, just in a different order.
The Boston Bruins are again No. 1, and the Carolina Hurricanes are No. 2, but the Toronto Maple Leafs and New Jersey Devils have spots to round out the top four, and the Vegas Golden Knights climbed three spots to No. 5.
The Los Angeles Kings also moved up to No. 7 from No. 10 last week. The New York Rangers dropped four spots to No. 10.
All 16 teams ranked made at least one move in advance of the deadline to try to upgrade their chances of making a Stanley Cup run. Thoughts on what they did are below from each of the participating staff writers and editors who help create the Super 16 each week.
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 it is:

1. Boston Bruins (49-9-5)

Total points: 208
Last week: No. 1
"So far, so good. The Bruins have been the class of the NHL for much of the season and, given the way their deadline acquisitions have seamlessly fit in, we shouldn't expect anything different moving forward. With forwards Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno out indefinitely, Tyler Bertuzzi stepped in and had an assist in his first period with the Bruins, a 4-2 victory against the Rangers on March 4. Former Washington Capitals forward Garnet Hathaway has provided the physicality and zeal that's fit in perfectly with Boston's bottom six. And former Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov's nine points (three goals, six assists) in his first six games with the Bruins has fans referring to him as 'Bobby Orrlov.' It's cliche to say, sure, but for the Bruins, it's a simple case of keep doing what you're doing, even with the new cast members." -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer

2. Carolina Hurricanes (43-12-8)

Total points: 195
Last week: No. 2
"The Hurricanes made two moves prior to the deadline: defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere from the Arizona Coyotes and forward Jesse Puljujarvi from the Edmonton Oilers. Gostisbehere has made an immediate impact, scoring a goal in each of his first two games, and gives Carolina more depth at a position where it already had plenty. Puljujarvi has yet to make his Hurricanes debut, but when he does, the question will be who does he replace? It's never easy tinkering with a winning lineup, which Carolina has been doing a lot of this season. The challenge will be trying to incorporate him and hoping he fares better than he did in Edmonton." -- David Satriano, staff writer

3. Toronto Maple Leafs (39-17-8)

Total points: 176
Last week: No. 4
"With all the changes they made before the deadline, the Maple Leafs need to build chemistry on the fly. They'll have to do it without their main newcomer, Ryan O'Reilly, a center out four weeks because of surgery to repair a broken finger. After Toronto plays its next three games at home, it could only help that the Maple Leafs go on a four-game road trip between March 21-28. It will be a great opportunity for everyone to mesh. Obviously, you want to win games in the process with the Stanley Cup Playoffs around the corner."-- Robert Laflamme, LNH.com senior writer

4. New Jersey Devils (42-16-6)

Total points: 171
Last week: No. 3
"The Devils spent big to bring in Timo Meier to be a goal-scorer. The question coach Lindy Ruff and his staff must answer is, what other two forwards can Meier play with that will guarantee the most success? Does Meier play on a line with fellow Switzerland native Nico Hischier at center, or do you load up and play him with Jack Hughes? And once you decide on the center, who fills out the line? A playmaker like Dawson Mercer, a grinding forward like Ondrej Palat, or another goal-scorer like Jesper Bratt or Tomas Tatar? The coaching staff is working on answering those questions. It needs to happen fast to allow whatever line Meier plays on to create the chemistry needed to give New Jersey its best chance to go deep into the playoffs." -- Adam Kimelman, deputy managing editor

5. Vegas Golden Knights (39-20-6)

Total points: 144
Last week: No. 8
"Ivan Barbashev, playing on the top line with Jack Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault, has made an immediate impact with five points (two goals, three assists) in his first five games for the Golden Knights after being acquired from the St. Louis Blues. Effectively replacing injured captain Mark Stone is a massive task, but so is the opportunity. Goalies Logan Thompson and Laurent Brossoit are each out with a lower-body injury, Adin Hill is still dealing with one, and
Robin Lehner
(hip) has been out the entire season, which led to Vegas trading for Jonathan Quick. If all goes well with Thompson's recovery, the 37-year-old may not see any playoff action. But if Quick, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, gets hot over the next few weeks, there may be a tough decision to make." -- Paul Strizhevsky, staff writer

6. Tampa Bay Lightning (38-21-6)

Total points: 120
Last week: No. 5
"I haven't spent a whole lot of time doubting the Lightning over the past few seasons, but I'm doubting now. And that's because of what they did before the deadline -- highlighted by the pickup of forward Tanner Jeannot for draft picks -- and their results of late. Jeannot is hard to play against. He's big, fast and fits nicely within the history of depth forwards Tampa Bay has acquired before the deadline in the past. But is he enough to get the Lightning back atop the mountain again? I'm not sure of that." -- Amalie Benjamin, staff writer

7. Los Angeles Kings (38-20-8)

Total points: 118
Last week: No. 10
"I like the Kings' additions of defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov and goalie Joonas Korpisalo from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Yes, it came at the expense of Quick, the best goalie in team history, being moved in the trade to the Blue Jackets, who then quickly sent him to the Golden Knights. It's a sad ending to a legendary career in Los Angeles, but it had to be done. Korpisalo is better at this stage of his career than Quick, who was 11-13-4 with a 3.50 goals-against average and .876 save percentage in 31 games (27 starts) this season. Korpisalo won his first start with the Kings, making 24 saves in a 4-2 victory against the Blues on March 4. He has won five of six starts with 13 goals against (2.19 GAA , .933 save percentage) since Feb. 16. Gavrikov scored in a 4-2 win against the Capitals on Monday. The Kings have won five in a row, allowing two goals in four straight. Their big issue all season has been keeping the puck out of the net. They're better at it now." -- Dan Rosen, senior writer

8. Dallas Stars (35-17-13)

Total points: 114
Last week: No. 9
"The sample size is small, but the Stars are getting the exact result they wanted so far after adding forwards Evgenii Dadonov and Max Domi to strengthen their scoring depth. Dallas has scored at least four goals in each of its past six games and is averaging an NHL-best 5.67 goals per game since Dadonov was acquired in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 26. Before that, the Stars were 15th in the NHL with 3.19 goals per game, and Dadonov has five points (two goals, three assists) in the six games. Domi has one goal in three games since being acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks on March 2, so the Stars simply want to see more of the same in the coming weeks en route to the postseason." -- Tom Gulitti, staff writer

9. Colorado Avalanche (35-22-6)

Total points: 105
Last week: No. 7
"The Avalanche did not acquire a No. 2 center to play behind Nathan MacKinnon. I wonder if that's going to be what comes back to bite them in the playoffs. We'll see, but the better bet is on them finding a way without having someone like Nazem Kadri, who had 87 points playing behind MacKinnon in Colorado last season. J.T. Compher, the current No. 2 center, has 42 points (13 goals, 29 assists) in 63 games, but at least the Avalanche upgraded their center depth by getting Lars Eller from the Capitals. He won't blow anyone away with production, but Eller is another Stanley Cup champion on the roster, and he understands how to play postseason hockey in the third-line role. He won the Cup with Washington playing that role in 2019." -- Rosen

10. New York Rangers (36-19-9)

Total points: 103
Last week: No. 6
"The Rangers changed their lineup significantly ahead of the deadline, adding forwards Tyler Motte, Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane. Tarasenko has had time to get acclimated after arriving from the Blues on Feb. 9. Motte, traded to New York by the Ottawa Senators, has played for the Rangers before and will have a secondary role. For the Rangers to get where they want to go, deep into the playoffs, it is Kane who will have to find his footing in short order. Kane has admitted the transition from the Blackhawks, the team he called home for 16 seasons and with whom he won the Stanley Cup three times, has not been easy. He has deferred to teammates, which is not his game. He needs the puck on his stick more often than not and a way to make that happen must be discovered in the next month. His goal and assist in a 5-4 shootout win at the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday were his first points in a New York uniform. The Rangers need to see more of that." -- Shawn P. Roarke, senior director of editorial

11. Minnesota Wild (37-21-7)

Total points: 83
Last week: No. 11
"The Wild's big deadline moves were acquiring defenseman John Klingberg from the Anaheim Ducks and forward Oskar Sundqvist from the Detroit Red Wings. To know these were the right moves, I want to see them keep the consistency they've gained in recent weeks. So far, so good; Minnesota is 9-0-2 in its past 11 games after a 4-2 win against the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday. Sundqvist brings a physical edge, something the Wild always embrace, and Klingberg helps solidify their defense. Minnesota was on the right track prior to the deadline and is two points behind Dallas for first place in the Central Division. If Sundqvist and Klingberg can help the Wild continue their successful run of late, they'll prove to be the right additions." -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

12. Seattle Kraken (37-22-6)

Total points: 82
Last week: No. 14
"The Kraken are the same now as they were before the deadline and will get Andre Burakovsky back at some point. The injured forward hasn't played since Feb. 7 but has resumed skating. But the Kraken were quiet leading into the deadline, their lone move acquiring defenseman Jaycob Megna from the San Jose Sharks on Feb. 5. General manager Ron Francis said he likes the team and believes it deserves a chance, citing significant changes made after last season that have put Seattle in position to be in the playoffs this season. It's hard to argue with the thinking now because the Kraken are 5-1-0 in their past six. They're on track for the playoffs and maybe the fact they don't have to incorporate anybody new into the lineup and reestablish chemistry will help them. That's the gamble they took by not making any significant upgrades." -- Rosen

13. Edmonton Oilers (36-22-8)

Total points: 65
Last week: No. 12
"We know the Oilers can score. The top-scoring team in the NHL has the top two scorers in the League: Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The big questions come playoff time are defense, depth and goaltending, which is why they acquired defenseman Mattias Ekholm and forward Nick Bjugstad. It's safe to say those were good moves, but Edmonton needs to get into playoff mode over the next few weeks, reducing scoring chances and goals against and making life easier for whoever is in net."-- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist

14. Winnipeg Jets (36-26-3)

Total points: 28
Last week: No. 13
"The Jets made two changes to their forward group by bringing in Nino Niederreiter and Vladislav Namestnikov. Niederreiter is a nice addition as a net front presence and has four points (two goals, two assists) in his first five games. Namestnikov is a versatile veteran who understands his role, can play in the bottom six and can move into the top six in a pinch, though that's not ideal because it would mean the Jets are dealing with injuries or poor play. They've been muddling through the latter of late with two wins in 11 games (2-7-2). This isn't about the new additions. Winnipeg must get back to playing better defense; the Jets have allowed 32 goals in their past seven games. It doesn't matter if you added help to score from the dirty areas or to give you depth. No team is winning in the regular season or the playoffs allowing nearly five goals per game."-- Rosen

15. Pittsburgh Penguins (32-22-10)

Total points: 27
Last week: No. 15
"It's been quite a while since the Penguins were fighting for their playoff lives, but the oldest roster in the NHL (30.25) finds itself in that situation after having qualified the past 16 seasons, with a four-point lead for the second wild card from the Eastern Conference. 'The Big Three' of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang continue to do their part, but the Penguins need secondary scoring down the stretch. They acquired forwards Nick Bonino, a Cup winner with Pittsburgh in 2016 and 2017, and Mikael Granlund, who can play all three forward positions, before the deadline to assist the bottom six. Goalies Tristan Jarry (2.89 GAA, .912 save percentage,) and Casey DeSmith (3.22, .906) will also need to answer the bell when called upon over the final 18 games in 35 days to conclude the regular season." -- Mike G. Morreale, staff writer

16. New York Islanders (34-25-8)

Total points: 25
Last week: No. 16
"Kudos to the Islanders, who struck early to acquire center Bo Horvat from the Vancouver Canucks before the flurry of moves leading into the deadline. Horvat provided an immediate boost offensively, but the trade became more vital when center Mathew Barzal sustained a lower-body injury Feb. 18. There would have been little chance for New York to make the playoffs without the move, but they're finding ways to win without Barzal, which is impressive." -- Brian Compton, managing editor
Others receiving points:Nashville Predators 2, Ottawa Senators 1, Florida Panthers 1
Dropped out:None

HERE'S HOW WE RANKED 'EM

AMALIE BENJAMIN
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Toronto Maple Leafs; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. New York Rangers; 7. Colorado Avalanche; 8. Dallas Stars; 9. Tampa Bay Lightning; 10. Los Angeles Kings; 11. Seattle Kraken; 12. Minnesota Wild; 13. Pittsburgh Penguins; 14. Edmonton Oilers; 15. Winnipeg Jets; 16. New York Islanders
BRIAN COMPTON
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Toronto Maple Leafs; 4. New Jersey Devils; 5. Los Angeles Kings; 6. Vegas Golden Knights; 7. Dallas Stars; 8. Tampa Bay Lightning; 9. Seattle Kraken; 10. Minnesota Wild; 11. Colorado Avalanche; 12. New York Rangers; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. New York Islanders; 15. Winnipeg Jets; 16. Pittsburgh Penguins
NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Toronto Maple Leafs; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. Tampa Bay Lightning; 7. Dallas Stars; 8. Los Angeles Kings; 9. New York Rangers; 10. Seattle Kraken; 11. Minnesota Wild; 12. Colorado Avalanche; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Winnipeg Jets; 15. Pittsburgh Penguins; 16. Nashville Predators
TOM GULITTI
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Toronto Maple Leafs; 4. New Jersey Devils; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. Tampa Bay Lightning; 7. Dallas Stars; 8. New York Rangers; 9. Los Angeles Kings; 10. Colorado Avalanche; 11. Minnesota Wild; 12. Seattle Kraken; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Pittsburgh Penguins; 15. New York Islanders; 16. Winnipeg Jets
ADAM KIMELMAN
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Toronto Maple Leafs; 4. Tampa Bay Lightning; 5. New Jersey Devils; 6. Dallas Stars; 7. Colorado Avalanche; 8. New York Rangers; 9. Vegas Golden Knights; 10. Minnesota Wild; 11. Edmonton Oilers; 12. Los Angeles Kings; 13. New York Islanders; 14. Winnipeg Jets; 15. Seattle Kraken; 16. Pittsburgh Penguins
ROBERT LAFLAMME
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Toronto Maple Leafs; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. Dallas Stars; 7. Los Angeles Kings; 8. Tampa Bay Lightning; 9. New York Rangers; 10. Colorado Avalanche; 11. Minnesota Wild; 12. Edmonton Oilers; 13. Seattle Kraken; 14. Winnipeg Jets; 15. Pittsburgh Penguins; 16. New York Islanders
MIKE G. MORREALE
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Toronto Maple Leafs; 4. New Jersey Devils; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. Los Angeles Kings; 7. Tampa Bay Lightning; 8. Colorado Avalanche; 9. Minnesota Wild; 10. Dallas Stars; 11. New York Rangers; 12. Edmonton Oilers; 13. Seattle Kraken; 14. Winnipeg Jets; 15. New York Islanders; 16. Pittsburgh Penguins
TRACEY MYERS
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Toronto Maple Leafs; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. Los Angeles Kings; 7. Seattle Kraken; 8. Minnesota Wild; 9. Dallas Stars; 10. Tampa Bay Lightning; 11. New York Rangers; 12. Colorado Avalanche; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. New York Islanders; 15. Winnipeg Jets; 16. Pittsburgh Penguins
SHAWN P. ROARKE
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Toronto Maple Leafs; 4. Colorado Avalanche; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. Edmonton Oilers; 7. New Jersey Devils; 8. Tampa Bay Lightning; 9. New York Rangers; 10. Dallas Stars; 11. Seattle Kraken; 12. Los Angeles Kings; 13. Minnesota Wild; 14. Pittsburgh Penguins; 15. Winnipeg Jets; 16. Ottawa Senators
DAN ROSEN
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Toronto Maple Leafs; 4. New Jersey Devils; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. Los Angeles Kings; 7. Colorado Avalanche; 8. Seattle Kraken; 9. Tampa Bay Lightning; 10. Dallas Stars; 11. Minnesota Wild; 12. New York Rangers; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Pittsburgh Penguins; 15. New York Islanders; 16. Winnipeg Jets
DAVID SATRIANO
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Toronto Maple Leafs; 4. New Jersey Devils; 5. Los Angeles Kings; 6. Seattle Kraken; 7. New York Rangers; 8. Minnesota Wild; 9. Vegas Golden Knights; 10. Dallas Stars; 11. Tampa Bay Lightning; 12. Colorado Avalanche; 13. New York Islanders; 14. Edmonton Oilers; 15. Winnipeg Jets; 16. Florida Panthers
PAUL STRIZHEVSKY
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Toronto Maple Leafs; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. Dallas Stars; 7. Los Angeles Kings; 8. Tampa Bay Lightning; 9. Seattle Kraken; 10. New York Rangers; 11. Colorado Avalanche; 12. Minnesota Wild; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Winnipeg Jets; 15. Pittsburgh Penguins; 16. Nashville Predators
MIKE ZEISBERGER
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Toronto Maple Leafs; 5. Colorado Avalanche; 6. New York Rangers; 7. Tampa Bay Lightning; 8. Vegas Golden Knights; 9. Edmonton Oilers; 10. Los Angeles Kings; 11. Dallas Stars; 12. Minnesota Wild; 13. Pittsburgh Penguins; 14. New York Islanders; 15. Seattle Kraken; 16. Winnipeg Jets
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