NFL
By: Jesse Rosales
Top 10 NHL Rankings
As we close out another year, it’s time to reflect. Reflect on goals we attained or missed, reflect on challenges and successes we had throughout the past year, and try and set a couple of goals or things we would like to do in the coming year. It’s no different in the world of sports. 2024 represents new champions, new storylines, new GOATs, and the handing off of batons to the next generation. There will be moments of frustration and heartbreak for some, while others will experience the type of euphoria that us mere mortals can only dream of.
But before we can dream about future events, we must close the chapter on what has been an exciting start to the NHL season.
I figure I might as well take this opportunity to include the Flyers on this list and it may never happen again this season. Honestly, though, the Flyers are probably the biggest surprise this season. They have a young top-10 goaltender in Carter Hart and a well-rounded team that seems to buy into what might be the perfect coach for this franchise in John Tortorella. I can’t say I’m a believer in this team long-term for this specific season, although I do like their prospects for future years, I do think they have done a fantastic job to start this campaign and they will continue to play a tough, physical, and consistent game.
The Florida Panthers don’t lead the league in any major team stat category. They are in the bottom half in goals scored per game, bottom half in power play percentage, and they have the 3rd most penalty minutes of any team. So how are they tied with Toronto for second place in the Atlantic? Well, they are a top 5 team in goals allowed, averaging only 2.57 goals against per game and they are giving up the 5th least amount of shots to opponents. In the NFL they say defenses win championships. Are the Panthers trying to replicate that strategy in the NHL? “It’s a bold strategy, Cotton, Let’s see if it pays off for em.”
The Winnipeg Jets are the next previously unranked team to make the Top 10 NHL Rankings this month. Another team that not many, including myself, picked to be a true threat in the Central Division. The Jets however are on quite a hot streak going 6-1 over their last 7 games including wins over the Kings, Avalanche (twice), and Hurricanes. The team is expected to miss star forward Kyle Connor for the next 6-8 weeks, but assuming they can hold steady until he returns and continue to get great play from goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, this team will be in a great place come late winter.
7. LA Kings (NC) 
The Kings have been so fun to watch. Especially the development of young up-and-coming star Quinton Byfield. This team is very well rounded not only with talent but experience and leadership, and at every single position. Cam Talbot is a strong candidate for the Vezina Trophy this year, and the team is ranked #1 in fewest goals allowed per game. They have a top 7 offense, a great coaching staff, and they are primed to make a legit run at the Cup this season.
The Avalanche have been a frustrating team to watch all year. At times they look honestly unbeatable, and other times they leave scratching your head thinking “how is this the same team”. Sure a lot has to do with injuries but every team has to battle injuries through the NHL season. The Avs are 3rd in the Western Conference but only 2 points above the Jets and Dallas in the Central Divison. They have nice wins against the Flames, Lightning, and Canucks, but losses to the Jets (twice), Flyers, Ducks and Coyotes. Which team does this Avalanche squad want to be? We will continue to find out.
The Vancouver Canucks are the last previous non-ranked team in these NHL Rankings. I honestly had thought about putting them in last month’s rankings but decided against it as I wanted to see more from them to see if their hot start was for real or not. Well, it definitely was for real. The Canucks have everything going for them at the moment. 3 players in the top 10 for points, a goaltender in the top 5 of all major stats, and have gone 5-1 over their last 6 games. The Canucks surprisingly are second in the West, only behind the defending Stanley Cup champions. The Canucks finished last season 3rd from the bottom in their own division.
Talk about a fresh start and quick turnaround. This Canucks team is for real.
I was buying the Maple Leafs when Joseph Woll was making a case for a definitive starting job on this team, which I believe has been the missing piece on this team for years now. Even after the injury that led to him going on the short-term IR list, I’m still strongly buying this team. It’s not for their defense, which still ranks in the bottom half of the league, but for their offensive firepower. The Leafs are 2nd in goals scored per game, 5th in power play percentage, and led by a top 3 that rival any in the NHL in Matthews, Nylander, and Marner.
I picked this team to come out of the East and I’m buying up as much stock as I can.
The New Rangers move up one spot in the NHL Rankings compared to last month. They sit a top of the Metro Division by 6 points already and are having a great season. All of it with their star goaltender Igor Shesterkin not playing in his best form which is scary to think about. Veteran and future Hall of Fame goaltender Jonathan Quick has played well above expectations and I think will ultimately prove as a valuable mentor in helping Shesterkin reach his next level of dominance. The Rangers have a young but experienced core of players and are hungry to reach that next level of success in the playoffs.
I honestly would LOVE to see this team go against the Maple Leafs in the Eastern Conference Finals. What a showdown that would be.
I honestly don’t like ranking the Bruins as high as I do, but they keep giving me no reason not to. It literally seems like every player who puts on the “B”, 100% buys into their culture, their role, and the success of the team as a collective whole. The Bruins have redoubtably the best goaltender duo in the league and one of the most experienced rosters in the league. The Bruins are currently at the top of the Atlantic Divison and tied with the Rangers for the top spot in the East. I ultimately am going to stick to my gut and say this team will make the playoff but will not retain a top 1-3 seed.
Always a dangerous team when you have 2 of the best goalies in the league, and make no mistake about it, you will have to BEAT the Bruins until they are dead. They will keep coming at you until the very end and that is all you can ask for. Much respect to this group and that is why they keep the #2 spot in these December NHL Rankings.
1. Vegas Golden Knights (NC) 
Pure and simple, the defending Cup Champions Golden Knights are the best TEAM in the NHL. They have the most points in the league, arguably the top goalie in Adin Hill prior to him getting injured, and are 7-1-1 over their last 9 games. Fortunately, their #2 goalie, Logan Thompson, was on track to be the team’s #1 last season before he got injured. They are shockingly doing this with not a single player in the top 12 for points, goals, or plus/minus rating. Yeah… good luck trying to make sense of that one.
This group embodies the TEAM approach to the game and it has proven to work for them at the highest level. They are very deserving of retaining the #1 spot in these NHL Rankings.
*NR = Not Ranked (Previously)
**NC = No Change
For more NHL news and updates, be sure to follow me on Twitter @5280Jesse and Team NBS Media
