NFL
By: Jesse Rolsales
The holiday season is halfway done as we approach Christmas and New Year. It’s a time to reflect, enjoy time with family, and of course, watch some hockey. My son’s 10U team is off to a great start and as I am now exposed to all the different age ranges in youth hockey and can see the progression, it definitely has given me the opportunity to reflect on just how good these NHL players really are. These really are the best of the best. It gives you a whole other level of appreciation for what happens night in and night out in the NHL. These guys on the worst-performing teams are still some of the best players in the world. Just mind-blowing. That all being said we aren’t here to talk about the worst-performing NHL rankings, but we are here to talk about who are the 12 best teams heading into 2023. Let’s go!
12. Colorado Avalanche *(-3) 
The Avalanche have been decimated by injuries this season. They are playing with a large group of minor league-level players right just trying to get bodies into the lineup. The good news is that despite being without what I would consider at least 5 of their top 10 players, they have managed to stay competitive in the West. They currently hold the 7th seed and I actually think this grit and fight that they are building into the culture of the team this year will serve them very well in the playoffs. Last year was all about speed and scoring, this year it’s about the defense, the fight, and getting a little bit better with this current roster. This team is still too talented to be moved from the top 12 power rankings.
11. New York Islanders *(-3) 
It’s pretty obvious to me that as of right now, Ilya Sorokin is definitely a front-runner for the Vezina. He has played out of his mind on a team that wasn’t expected to do much. Sorokin has a save percentage of .925 and is the main reason why the Islanders are where they are to start the season. The team is still lacking some consistency in other areas and therefore has a hard time stringing together wins. They will be fighting for a playoff spot come springtime.
10. Tampa Bay Lightning (Not Ranked) 
The Lightning are back. After a VERY slow start to the season, the Lightning 11-3 in their last 14 games. The main reason? Their star players are simply on fire right now. Kucherov is 5th in total points, Stamkos has 12 points in the past 8 games, Vasilevskiy is sitting at .936 save percentage over the past 5 games he has played, and Braden Point is starting to make some noise as well. All good things for the Lightning who many, including myself, believed them to have fallen from the top. They definitely did fall, but they are a gritty team and are fighting their way back up the power rankings.
9. Edmonton Oilers *(-4) 
My fiance gets jealous when she sees how I look at Connor McDavid. Every time you think you know what’s coming, he does something else to blow your mind. The way he skates is truly like watching art. The Oilers have arguably the two best players in the league in McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Together they have 100 points so far. ONE HUNDRED points… and that is through 28 games!! So what’s the problem in Edmonton? Well, goaltending is certainly not what they have expected. Neither Stuart Skinner nor Jack Campbell have really done anything to put a solid claim on the number 1 spot. Also, the drop in production from McDavid and Draisaitl to everyone else on the team is too wide. The next top point-getters on the team are Nugent-Hopkins with 33 points and Zach Hyman with 28 points respectively. They need more than the Playstation 5 NHL 23 versions of McDavid and Draistil to win the cup. We will see if they can get it.
8. Winnipeg Jets *(+2) 
Speaking of Vezina Trophy front-runners, Connor Hellebuyck’s name has to be in the mix as well. He is one of 3 goaltenders to be top 5 in goals against average (2.33) and save percentage (.930). His play has been nothing short of outstanding and what’s good for the Jets is that unlike Sorokin for the Islanders, Hellebuyck’s play has resulted in wins for the team. He is 14-6-1 on the season and already has 3 shutouts. The Jets are second in the West standings but ultimately I do think they fade down a few spots in December/January. They currently have no players in the top 20 in points and 8th in the West in points scored.
7. Pittsburg Penguins *(Not Ranked) 
The Penguins are a roller coaster of emotions to watch. At times they have looked like the hottest team in the league, and literally, less than a week later were on a 7 game-losing streak with some REALLY bad losses. Right now they are definitely on the upswing and riding a 5-game winning streak and 10-2 over their past 12 games. They are getting adequate offense from their top players, and goaltending has been “good enough” so far. Tristan Jarry has clearly been the better of the two netminders and should he stay healthy, will continue to put this team in a position to win any time he is between the pipes.
6. Dallas Stars *(+1) 
The biggest story in Dallas used to be the goaltending of Jake Ottinger… which is still is to a large point. But the story everyone is talking about is the emergence of Jason Robertson. Talk about the unexpected. Everyone knew the kid was good, but to be honest, no one saw this coming. He is third in total points behind McDavid and Draisaitl, second in goals, and where he really is making a difference is in the plus/minus category where he sits tied for 8th at +16. He is a great two-way player. I’m super excited to watch this ride continue for Robertson and the Stars. They are going to be a major treat to any team come springtime for sure.
5. Carolina Hurricanes *(-1) 
I’ve been saying for a while now that the Canes are probably the most well-rounded team in the league (outside of Boston). They aren’t “the best” at anything, but they aren’t the “worst” at anything either. They have 4 players with 20 points or more. Brent Burns has proven to be a great addition to the blue line, and yeah their goaltending hasn’t been where it was last year, but it’s getting better and as it does, it will only make this team better. The Canes are not the most flashy team, more defensive team, or anything exciting to even talk about! They are just GOOD and consistent. That counts for a lot over the course of a season.
4. New Jersey Devils *(Not Ranked) 
The Devils are such a fun team to watch. They are young. They are hungry. They are well-coached. They have the second-best goal differential in the league with 5 players in the top 11 for plus/minus. Vitek Vanecek is probably the biggest surprise this season when it comes to goalie expectations. He currently has a 12-2-1 record with a 2.30 goals-against average and .916 save percentage. Now while that might not seem super crazy good, keep in mind last year he played in 39 games and had a 2.67 goals against average and a .908 save percentage with only 20 wins. He will surely pass that mark this season and that is a great thing for the Devils. This team was upcoming heading into the season, but no one expected them to be in second place in the East come Christmas time. I don’t think they stay there for the remainder of the season, but I am confident is saying they will be competing for a top seed in the playoffs.
3. Toronto Maple Leafs *(Not Ranked) 
The Maples Leafs are the Dallas Cowboys of the NHL. All the promise in the world, tons of high-end all-world talent, and a marketplace that so badly wants to see them win big. Yet, we all know the memes out there that summarize this “rinse and repeat” pattern that plagues the Leafs in a similar way to the Dallas Cowboys. All glitz and glam, no results. That being said, it cannot be avoided to say that this team LOOKS really good right now. Only 3 points behind the Bruins in the East and are on a crazy win streak lately with 11-3 over their past 14 games. Gone are the days of them losing to the Coyotes in the desert…. I mean right? They have arguably 1 of the top 3 players in the world, but they are getting contributions from all other names as well. They have 3 players over 30 points, and 5 players over 20 points so far this season. They went from having no goaltending, to having arguably the best tandem in the league with Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov??? What a great story this season is turning into for this team. Is it a setup for another heartbreak?
2. Vegas Golden Knights *(+1) 
4 of the top 5 teams in these NHL rankings are from the East. That in itself was not expected and it does say a lot about where things stand right now. The Golden Knights, however, are the best team in the West right now. They have the most offensive talent and potential rookie of the year candidate in goaltender Logan Thompson. Another great story from Sin City is the revival of Jack Eichel. Yes, last year’s favorite person to mock is now showing to be in elite form. Eichel has 29 points through 27 games and is a big part of how the Golden Knights are finding success. The other advantage the Golden Knights have is how weak and inconsistent the West has been looking as a whole. They will continue to just bank all these points and will coast to a playoff spot come April.
1. Boston Bruins *(+0) 
No surprise here. Boston has been EVERYONE’S number 1 ranked team for a hot minute now and why shouldn’t they be? They have one of the hottest goaltenders in the league, with offensive firepower rivaling that of any other team, and they are the Boston Bruins. This means they are tough, gritty (yes, at times cheap), and play in a town that intimidates even the most experienced veterans in the game. They have the best goal differential in the league at +48, which is 11 better than the Devils at #2. They’ve only lost 4 games and one of which was a fluke to the Coyotes who seem to be able to pull these AMAZING upsets but then fall flat against everybody else. Bizzare. The road to the cup in the East will likely have to go through Boston. Good luck to everyone else.
*Compared to November Rankings
For more NHL news and updates, be sure to follow me on Twitter @5280Jesse and Nuts and Bolts Media
