Author: Buffalo Winter

Dallas Stars {8^th overall} Western Conference, Central Division

Dallas welcomes their new assistant coach Misha Donskov a former Director of Hockey Operations (NHL), assistant coach (NHL), Manager of hockey operations/analytics (Canada’s Men’s National Team), and associate coach (OHL), Mr. Donskov has also held development positions for two NHL teams in hockey, community, and fans as well as marketing.

In the 2023 NHL Entry Draft Dallas had six picks one in each round beginning in round two, the Stars traded away their first-round pick before last season. They acquired a young defenseman and GM Nill (2022-2023 GM of the Year) explained giving up a first-round selection, “if” he knows he is getting a young player (Nils Lundkvist) who can contribute now and in the future.

The Stars earned 108 points with 47 victories while becoming third overall in goals against and nearly scoring 300 goals in the regular season, the playoffs proved tougher as Dallas dropped game one in the opening round in double overtime before advancing eventually to the Conference Finals.

Exiting the playoffs before reaching their goal the Dallas Stars have a solid but aging team whose “window” will still be open for the 2023-2024 NHL Season.

New York Rangers {9^th overall} Eastern Conference, Metropolitan Division

New York was one of only four teams to have less than 10 losses out of 41 road games last season, fourth overall in goals against average and a +58 in their goal differential, which culminated with the Rangers taking a 2-0 opening round series lead on the road.

President/General Manager Chris Drury brought in veterans Blake Wheeler, Nick Bonino, goaltender Jonathan Quick, and a few others to provide some offense, Cup-winning experience, and mentoring to bring in veteran leadership to assist in progressing in the 2024 playoffs.

The Rangers’ first pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft did not come until the third round at number 90 and they chose 6’ 3” defenseman Drew Fortescue and the 18-year-old will be a freshman at Boston College for 2024.

It is tough to leave the playoffs early but with the incoming Cup-winning veterans to help balance things out for those that have not won a Cup yet the New York Rangers will have an opportunity to absorb/learn and to progress past the opening round.

Los Angeles Kings {10^th overall} Western Conference, Pacific Division

Los Angeles took a 2-1 series lead on the strength of two OT victories in the first round of last season’s playoffs and the final three contests highlight the Kings’ pressing need to lower their goals against average to supplement their positive goal differential and consistent scoring.

The Kings extended their Captain’s contract by two years after completing his 17^th season all with Los Angeles Anze Kopitar remains the driving force of this team and GM Blake ensuring he plays a major role in attempting to win another Stanley Cup.

For the second time in his career, Anze Kopitar is awarded the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy recognizing not just his four minutes in penalties but for his style of gentlemanly play and good sportsmanship throughout the regular season.

Last season the Kings earned their second-highest point total in the regular season with 104 points while scoring the most goals since the early 1990s this team is eager to repeat last season’s efforts for the upcoming 2023-2024 season and redeem last year’s first-round exit.

Minnesota Wild {11^th overall} Western Conference, Central Division

The Wild finished the 2022-23 NHL regular season with over 100 points, a positive goal differential, strong on the road and at home with the seventh-best goals against in the League, and in the first round took a 2-1 series lead before succumbing.

Head coach Dean Evason celebrating his birthday today, the former 20-goal scorer for the Hartford Whalers has made the playoffs each of his past three seasons behind the bench for Minnesota.

Minnesota interestingly dealt a seventh-round draft pick for the financial convenience of paying 80 percent of a contract to acquire forward Patrick {MaGoon} Maroon and his hostile head-slamming style of play, possibly more importantly the Wild signed goaltender Filip Gustavsson for three seasons.

In Nashville, the Minnesota Wild selected 21st overall in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft Charlie Stramel a solid 6’ 3” 200-pound center that plays a physical two-way style that fits into Minnesota’s successful approach to Hockey.

Seattle Kraken {12^th overall} Western Conference, Pacific Division

Seattle earned its first 100-point season in 2023 by winning 46 games with five 20-goal and one 40-goal scorers and then shocking the Hockey world by beating the defending Stanley Cup champions in seven games during the opening round of last season’s playoffs.

In free agency, Seattle acquired forward and Spokane, Washington native Kailer Yamamoto after he was moved from one team to another where his contract was bought out making Mr. Yamamoto a free agent and the diminutive forward is a 20-goal scorer when playing all season.

The Kraken second highest point earner on the team is a defenseman, Seattle can score and are a superior road team and is endeavoring to lower their GAA by bringing in defenseman Brian Dumoulin a Cup champion known for physical play and an ability to exit the zone successfully.

Seattle is a difficult team to beat and there is nothing to change that for the upcoming 2023-24 NHL Season and after their recent playoff success, no team should be taking them lightly.