The NHL 2024-25 season is right around the corner, and when the puck does drop, there will be a handful of teams worthy of some extra attention.
Don’t get me wrong. Every NHL team has intriguing plot threads, but eight of them stand out above the rest for one reason or another. Whether it’s a veteran team looking to capitalize on a championship window, a young core trying to take the next step or a legend trying to cement his place in NHL history, they just have some extra juice as we approach opening night.
The Nashville Predators, for instance, made a huge splash in the offseason and significantly raised expectations in the blink of an eye. The Detroit Red Wings, on the other hand, will be relying on continued development from key pieces of their core.
Here’s a look at the eight teams to keep a close eye on throughout the 2024-25 NHL season.
Something tells me Connor McDavid will not be satisfied with the Conn Smythe Trophy after coming within one win of his first Stanley Cup last season. McDavid is already the best player in the world, and I expect he will only take his game to another level this year. On top of that, his good friend and fellow goalie-tormenter Leon Draisaitl got the bag to stay in Edmonton long-term.
The real difference for the Oilers might be the fact that their forward depth hasn’t ever looked this strong in McDavid’s career. The additions of Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson give Edmonton some nice secondary scoring, and that is something Edmonton has lacked in recent years. This was already an elite offensive team, but this group is going to make scoreboard operators around the league work for their money this season.
Detroit Red Wings
Steve Yzerman is a franchise legend, and he has enough hockey knowledge to fill a few bookshelves. That said, it’s probably time for