Super 16: Panthers, Oilers top season-opening power rankings

Training camps are open and optimism reigns across the 32 NHL markets, with players and coaches all thinking alike -- this could be the year.

For some we know that's real optimism based on reasoned analysis, depth charts and the like. For others we know it might be false confidence fueled only by hopes and dreams.

Whether it's real or misguided, the point is every team is 0-0-0 and they all believe they have a chance to do what the Florida Panthers did last season.

But who do we think has the best chance? Who do we think might be a sneaky good contender? And why?

That was the task this week for the 15 writers and editors who will be a part of NHL.com's Super 16 voting panel this season. Rank your top 16 teams in the League, one through 16, as we see them now, before a game has been played. Explain your thinking. And see where it all lands.

This is the first Super 16 of the 2024-25 NHL season. How it changes through the season to the last one we do in April will be interesting to follow.

As a reminder, to come up with the Super 16 each week, the voters put together their own version of what they think the rankings should look like and a point total is assigned to each, with the team selected first given 16 points, second 15, third 14, and so on.

Here is the season-opening edition of the Super 16:

1. Florida Panthers

Total points: 236

"A scary thing happened to the NHL last season: the Panthers learned how to win. A team that took the League by surprise two seasons ago by reaching the Cup Final surprised no one when it won the Cup last season. They have the best two-way center in the NHL in Aleksander Barkov, one of the most clutch players in forward Matthew Tkachuk, a star goalie in Sergei Bobrovsky and a brilliant coach in Paul Maurice. They lost top defensemen Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson to free agency during the offseason, and replacing them will be a challenge. But this team now has the championship pedigree along with its superb talent to make another Cup run. That's why I, like many others I'm sure, have them at No. 1." -- Bill Price, Editor-in-Chief

2. Edmonton Oilers

Total points: 217

"The Oilers fell a win short of the Stanley Cup last season and return with a stronger, more experienced roster looking to complete the job this season. I put Edmonton at the top of my Super 16 because they have two of the most dynamic offensive players in the NHL in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who will be driven by last season's disappointment. The Oilers also have a strong supporting cast, which now includes forwards Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson. Edmonton still may need some help on defense, but having perhaps the deepest forward core in the NHL should have them at the top of the standings for most of the season." -- Derek Van Diest, staff writer

3. Dallas Stars

Total points: 206

"Solid defense, good goaltending, great offense. Not a whole lot has changed for the Stars, who advanced to the Western Conference Final for the second consecutive season, so that's why I'm putting them No. 3 in my Super 16. Yes, there was a change on defense; the Stars and Chris Tanev couldn't agree on a contract, so his rights were traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Mathew Dumba signed a two-year contract July 1 to replace him. Otherwise, there's a lot of familiarity with the Stars, and two young forwards, Logan Stankoven and Mavrik Bourque, should take roster spots after developing the past few seasons. The Stars should be great again this season." -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

4. New York Rangers

Total points: 190

"Continuity matters, and the Rangers have it with coach Peter Laviolette entering his second season and 17 regulars, including goalie Igor Shesterkin, returning from a team that won the Presidents' Trophy with a club-record 114 points and went to Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final last season. They waived Barclay Goodrow (claimed by the San Jose Sharks), but replaced him with Sam Carrick, their new fourth-line center. They let defenseman Erik Gustafsson go to free agency (signed with the Detroit Red Wings) because they believe Zac Jones is ready to play a top-six role. They let forwards Jack Roslovic and Alexander Wennberg leave via free agency, but they acquired forward Reilly Smith in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Those changes are impactful, but they aren't enough to sway my opinion of the Rangers one way or another. They are a top-five team, not good enough to be No. 1 but certainly right in the mix as a contender. I have them No. 4 behind the Panthers, who defeated them in the conference final and won the Stanley Cup. It's elite company." -- Dan Rosen, senior writer

5. Boston Bruins

Total points: 177

"The Bruins are good. They're always good. Last season, though, they over-performed in what was a true transition season, with no Patrice Bergeron, no David Krejci and no No. 1 center. Still, they made it to Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Second Round against the eventual Cup champion Panthers. Now they have their center in Elias Lindholm, they've beefed up their defense with Nikita Zadorov, and assuming he signs in a timely manner, they have their true No. 1 goalie of the present and future in Jeremy Swayman. They have a lineup where more players slot into the right places, which is why I put them at No. 5 in my rankings. They might not be the best in the NHL (or even the best in the Atlantic Division), but they are among the handful of teams at the top of the League. Again." -- Amalie Benjamin, staff writer

6. Colorado Avalanche

Total points: 156

"Are the Avalanche the same team that won the Stanley Cup three seasons ago? No, of course they aren't. They've only won one playoff series since. Are they still an elite team? You bet. Don't dismiss any team that has Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, two of the best players in the League. Mikko Rantanen and Devon Toews are pretty good support players. Goalie Alexandar Georgiev is not spectacular but is a workhorse. Now imagine Gabriel Landeskog rejoining that group. Well, that's a real possibility. This team has the potential to be a wagon yet again. They're No. 5 for me." -- Shawn P. Roarke, senior director of editorial.

7. Nashville Predators

Total points: 148

"The Predators are a fringe top-five team for me, so I have them at No. 5. They have loads of potential and they're a definite Cup contender after signing forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, and defenseman Brady Skjei to long-term contracts, and locking up goalie Juuse Saros during the offseason. They finished fourth in the Central Division last season and will be in the mix for a top-three spot, but it remains to be seen if they will be able to hang with the Stars and Avalanche unless they address their need for depth at center." -- David Satriano, staff writer

8. Vancouver Canucks

Total points: 126

“Despite the Canucks running away with the Pacific Division title last season, I cautiously ranked them No. 7. To be sure, Vancouver still is a powerhouse, even though on paper it doesn't seem to be noticeably better than last season. The club wanted to but could not afford to retain forward Elias Lindholm and defenseman Nikita Zadorov, both of whom signed with the Bruins on July 1. The acquisition of forward Jake DeBrusk was the Canucks' most notable offseason move, so it will be interesting to see where he fits in their lineup and whether he remains the 20-plus-goal producer he was with Boston. An even bigger concern is the health of goalie Thatcher Demko. The Vezina Trophy finalist missed more than a month down the stretch because of a knee injury and only played one playoff game because of another injury. Arturs Silovs did look sensational in some of his playoff starts, but whether the 23-year-old is ready for the long grind of the NHL regular season is a question mark." -- Paul Strizhevsky, staff writer

9. Toronto Maple Leafs

Total points: 122

"How much will a new voice in the room matter to the Maple Leafs? We're about to find out. Incoming coach Craig Berube steps into the job with the Maple Leafs' top five -- forwards Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares and defenseman Morgan Rielly -- still intact. Will his no-nonsense north-south game plan be seamlessly adopted by a top-heavy skilled team? Remember, the Maple Leafs won just one playoff series with the same core under previous coach Sheldon Keefe. How quickly this team changes its ways will determine if it meets my personal Super 16 ranking of No. 8, or finishes several spots higher or lower, both of which are realities." -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer

10. Carolina Hurricanes

Total points: 94

"Some are counting out the Hurricanes because they lost key players such as forwards Jake Guentzel (traded to Tampa Bay Lightning) and Teuvo Teravainen (signed with the Chicago Blackhawks), and defensemen Brett Pesce (signed with New Jersey Devils) and Brady Skjei (Predators). But Carolina reminds me a bit of the 2017-18 Washington Capitals after they lost some key unrestricted free agents, and some thought their Stanley Cup window had closed. The Capitals finally broke through and won the Cup that season. I think the Hurricanes similarly could surprise people with veterans they have returning and younger players growing into bigger roles. That is why I had them sixth in my rankings to begin the season, with the potential to climb." -- Tom Gulitti, staff writer

11. New Jersey Devils

Total points: 87

"I'm taking a wait-and-see approach with the Devils entering training camp, which is why I ranked them No. 9. The health and effectiveness of center Jack Hughes coming off shoulder surgery five months ago and the impact of goaltender Jacob Markstrom, acquired in a trade in June, top my list of things I need to see. Will there be an improvement and toughness on defense with the additions of Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon? Defenseman Luke Hughes is expected to miss 6-8 weeks because of a left shoulder injury so the battle in training camp for that spot will be a major talking point. Finally, will the team come together quickly to establish itself in the Metropolitan Division? We should get an early indication with 13 games scheduled in October." -- Mike G. Morreale, senior draft writer

12. Vegas Golden Knights

Total points: 73

"The Golden Knights lost key pieces in the offseason, particularly forwards Jonathan Marchessault and Chandler Stephenson. But captain Mark Stone is healthy, and so is center Tomas Hertl, who will have a full training camp with Vegas after joining the team March 8 following a trade with the San Jose Sharks, then coming back from knee surgery and jumping into the lineup down the stretch. There are questions on the wing, but this team is strong down the middle, on defense and in goal. Vegas, as always, expects to compete for the Stanley Cup and should be in the mix again. I have them at No. 9 in my personal Super 16." -- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist

13. Winnipeg Jets

Total points: 69

"It will be interesting to see how the Jets fare in Scott Arniel's first full season as coach after Rick Bowness retired May 6. The 62-year-old knows his players well after working with Winnipeg as an associate coach the past two seasons, which included filling in for Bowness for 15 games last season while the latter was away from the team. The pieces remain in place for the Jets to contend, starting in goal, where they have one of the best in the business in Connor Hellebuyck. Josh Morrissey is one of the top offensive defensemen in the League, and they have serious offensive threats with the likes of Kyle Connor, Nikolaj Ehlers and Mark Scheifele. I have the Jets 10th in my Super 16, but I believe they're capable of going on a long run next spring." -- Brian Compton, managing editor

14. Tampa Bay Lightning

Total points: 65

"It was a busy offseason for the Lightning and general manager Julien BriseBois. Steven Stamkos, the face of the franchise for the past 16 seasons, is now wearing a Predators uniform. Defenseman Mikhail Sergachev was traded to the Utah Hockey Club. The Lightning have lost two key pieces, but BriseBois had a plan. Tampa Bay got a younger forward and potential 40-goal scorer in Jake Guentzel, and added a reliable defenseman with J.J. Moser and a top prospect in forward Conor Geekie. Jon Cooper still will have a strong core with Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Victor Hedman, Andrei Vasilevskiy and Brandon Hagel. As always, the Lightning will be a playoff team, but maybe not a strong contender, which is why I have them No. 11." -- Jean-François Chaumont, journaliste principal LNH.com

15. Los Angeles Kings

Total points: 27

"There were a few teams I was considering for the No. 16 spot in my Super 16, including the Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders and St. Louis Blues. But I put the Kings ahead of them for a few reasons. First, I think Quinton Byfield is ready to take a big step into becoming a franchise center capable of replacing Anze Kopitar in the next few seasons; the Kings' center depth with Kopitar, Byfield and Phillip Danault on the top three lines is among the best in the NHL. Drew Doughty remains a very capable top-pair defenseman, and I think they'll be even better transitioning out of their zone and activating their offense with a full season from 21-year-old defenseman Brandt Clarke. There are some questions in goal, but it wasn't that long ago that Darcy Kuemper won 37 games and the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche, and he'll have a better team in front of him this season than he had the previous two seasons with the Washington Capitals." -- Adam Kimelman, deputy managing editor

16. New York Islanders

Total points: 15

"Like Adam, I had a hard time figuring out which team I wanted to rank No. 16. I chose the Islanders because of their goaltending depth with Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov and what I think might be the ability to play a faster, more explosive offensive game with a full training camp under coach Patrick Roy. They made the playoffs last season, which is no small feat, and they had some competitive games against the Hurricanes, but in the end they lost in five games in the first round. They didn't go crazy with additions in the offseason. Forward Anthony Duclair is the biggest pickup, but his speed game will be important for the Islanders to start playing faster. Although they were impactful Islanders, moving on from forwards Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin (attending training camp on a professional tryout) also will play a role in the Islanders playing with more pace. That's the key and it should lead to more offense for a team that last season made the playoffs averaging 2.99 goals per game, which was 22nd in the League." -- Rosen

Others receiving points: Detroit Red Wings 8, Washington Capitals 8, St. Louis Blues 5, Buffalo Sabres 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 3, Ottawa Senators 2, Seattle Kraken 1, Philadelphia Flyers 1

HERE'S HOW WE RANKED 'EM

AMALIE BENJAMIN

1. Florida Panthers; 2. Edmonton Oilers; 3. New York Rangers; 4. Dallas Stars; 5. Boston Bruins; 6. Colorado Avalanche; 7. Nashville Predators; 8. Carolina Hurricanes; 9. Vancouver Canucks; 10. New Jersey Devils; 11. Toronto Maple Leafs; 12. Winnipeg Jets; 13. Tampa Bay Lightning; 14. Vegas Golden Knights; 15. Los Angeles Kings; 16. New York Islanders

JEAN-FRANCOIS CHAUMONT

1. Edmonton Oilers; 2. Florida Panthers; 3. Boston Bruins; 4. Dallas Stars; 5. New York Rangers; 6. Toronto Maple Leafs; 7. Colorado Avalanche; 8. Vancouver Canucks; 9. Nashville Predators; 10. New Jersey Devils; 11. Tampa Bay Lightning; 12. Carolina Hurricanes; 13. Vegas Golden Knights; 14. Los Angeles Kings; 15. Winnipeg Jets; 16. Washington Capitals

BRIAN COMPTON

1. Florida Panthers; 2. Edmonton Oilers; 3. Nashville Predators; 4. Boston Bruins; 5. Vancouver Canucks; 6. Dallas Stars; 7. New York Rangers; 8. Colorado Avalanche; 9. Toronto Maple Leafs; 10. Winnipeg Jets; 11. New York Islanders; 12. Los Angeles Kings; 13. New Jersey Devils; 14. St. Louis Blues; 15. Carolina Hurricanes; 16. Vegas Golden Knights

NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA

1. Florida Panthers; 2. Edmonton Oilers; 3. Dallas Stars; 4. New York Rangers; 5. Colorado Avalanche; 6. Toronto Maple Leafs; 7. Vancouver Canucks; 8. Boston Bruins; 9. Vegas Golden Knights; 10. Nashville Predators; 11. Winnipeg Jets; 12. Tampa Bay Lightning; 13. New Jersey Devils; 14. Carolina Hurricanes; 15. Ottawa Senators; 16. New York Islanders

TOM GULITTI

1. Florida Panthers; 2. New York Rangers; 3. Dallas Stars; 4. Edmonton Oilers; 5. Boston Bruins; 6. Carolina Hurricanes; 7. Colorado Avalanche; 8. Nashville Predators; 9. Vancouver Canucks; 10. Toronto Maple Leafs; 11. New Jersey Devils; 12. Vegas Golden Knights; 13. Tampa Bay Lightning; 14. Washington Capitals; 15. Winnipeg Jets; 16. Los Angeles Kings

ADAM KIMELMAN

1. Florida Panthers; 2. Dallas Stars; 3. New York Rangers; 4. Edmonton Oilers; 5. Winnipeg Jets; 6. Colorado Avalanche; 7. Nashville Predators; 8. Toronto Maple Leafs; 9. Vancouver Canucks; 10. Boston Bruins; 11. New Jersey Devils; 12. Tampa Bay Lightning; 13. Carolina Hurricanes; 14. Vegas Golden Knights; 15. Buffalo Sabres; 16. Los Angeles Kings

MIKE G. MORREALE

1. Florida Panthers; 2. Edmonton Oilers; 3. Nashville Predators; 4. Dallas Stars; 5. New York Rangers; 6. Vancouver Canucks; 7. Boston Bruins; 8. Colorado Avalanche; 9. New Jersey Devils; 10. Carolina Hurricanes; 11. Toronto Maple Leafs; 12. Tampa Bay Lightning; 13. Los Angeles Kings; 14. Vegas Golden Knights; 15. Washington Capitals; 16. Philadelphia Flyers

TRACEY MYERS

1. Florida Panthers; 2. Edmonton Oilers; 3. Dallas Stars; 4. New York Rangers; 5. Boston Bruins; 6. Vancouver Canucks; 7. Colorado Avalanche; 8. Nashville Predators; 9. Toronto Maple Leafs; 10. Carolina Hurricanes; 11. Vegas Golden Knights; 12. Tampa Bay Lightning; 13. Winnipeg Jets; 14. New York Islanders; 15. Los Angeles Kings; 16. New Jersey Devils

BILL PRICE

1. Florida Panthers; 2. Edmonton Oilers; 3. Dallas Stars; 4. Boston Bruins; 5. New York Rangers; 6. Carolina Hurricanes; 7. Colorado Avalanche; 8. Nashville Predators; 9. Vancouver Canucks; 10. Winnipeg Jets; 11. Toronto Maple Leafs; 12. Tampa Bay Lightning; 13. New Jersey Devils; 14. Vegas Golden Knights; 15. Detroit Red Wings; 16. Los Angeles Kings

SHAWN P. ROARKE

1. Florida Panthers; 2. Dallas Stars; 3. Boston Bruins; 4. New York Rangers; 5. Colorado Avalanche; 6. Edmonton Oilers; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Toronto Maple Leafs; 9. Nashville Predators; 10. Vancouver Canucks; 11. New Jersey Devils; 12. Carolina Hurricanes; 13. Tampa Bay Lightning; 14. Pittsburgh Penguins; 15. Buffalo Sabres; 16. Seattle Kraken

DAN ROSEN

1. Edmonton Oilers; 2. Boston Bruins; 3. Florida Panthers; 4. New York Rangers; 5. Dallas Stars; 6. Nashville Predators; 7. Vancouver Canucks; 8. Toronto Maple Leafs; 9. Colorado Avalanche; 10. New Jersey Devils; 11. Carolina Hurricanes; 12. Vegas Golden Knights; 13. Winnipeg Jets; 14. Tampa Bay Lightning; 15. Washington Capitals; 16. New York Islanders

DAVID SATRIANO

1. Florida Panthers; 2. Dallas Stars; 3. Edmonton Oilers; 4. Colorado Avalanche; 5. Nashville Predators; 6. Boston Bruins; 7. Vancouver Canucks; 8. New York Rangers; 9. Toronto Maple Leafs; 10. Winnipeg Jets; 11. New Jersey Devils; 12. Vegas Golden Knights; 13. Carolina Hurricanes; 14. Tampa Bay Lightning; 15. Detroit Red Wings; 16. Los Angeles Kings

PAUL STRIZHEVSKY

1. Florida Panthers; 2. Dallas Stars; 3. New York Rangers; 4. Edmonton Oilers; 5. Boston Bruins; 6. Nashville Predators; 7. Vancouver Canucks; 8. Colorado Avalanche; 9. Winnipeg Jets; 10. Toronto Maple Leafs; 11. New Jersey Devils; 12. Vegas Golden Knights; 13. Los Angeles Kings; 14. Carolina Hurricanes; 15. Tampa Bay Lightning; 16. Detroit Red Wings

DEREK VAN DIEST

1. Edmonton Oilers; 2. Florida Panthers; 3. Dallas Stars; 4. New York Rangers; 5. Boston Bruins; 6. Carolina Hurricanes; 7. Colorado Avalanche; 8. Nashville Predators; 9. Toronto Maple Leafs; 10. Vegas Golden Knights; 11. Tampa Bay Lightning; 12. New Jersey Devils; 13. Winnipeg Jets; 14. New York Islanders; 15. St. Louis Blues; 16. Detroit Red Wings

MIKE ZEISBERGER

1. Florida Panthers; 2. Edmonton Oilers; 3. Dallas Stars; 4. New York Rangers; 5. Colorado Avalanche; 6. Boston Bruins; 7. New Jersey Devils; 8. Toronto Maple Leafs; 9. Tampa Bay Lightning; 10. Nashville Predators; 11. Carolina Hurricanes; 12. Vegas Golden Knights; 13. Vancouver Canucks; 14. Los Angeles Kings; 15. Detroit Red Wings; 16. Winnipeg Jets