Top 10 Best NHL Teams 2023-2024 Rankings Season Preview

Ranking the best NHL teams for this upcoming 2023-2024 NHL season as the Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche leads the way

By admin | September 4, 2023

The 2023–2024 NHL season is right around the corner, and I can’t wait for the puck to finally drop. Last season was one of the most exciting to date, and the Golden Knights finally getting their cup was just the icing on the cake. We are looking forward to another great season coming up and a possible National Hockey League expansion during this decade. Here are the Top 10 Best NHL Teams 2023-2024 Rankings

Honorable Mention

Seattle Kraken

The Seattle Kraken are seemingly looking to run it back with a few roster additions and hopefully a renewed Shane Wright. The Kraken were one of the biggest upsets last season, defeating the Avalanche in six games and then losing to the Stars. They went 46-28-8 last season and are surely going to keep improving.

Top 10 Best NHL Teams

10. Minnesota Wild

The Wild were in the hunt all last season with the Stars and Avalanche for the Central Division title. They went 46-25-11 for 103 points and were third in their division.

The Wild were sadly not a match for the Stars, who outlasted them in the first round. The Wild didn’t add anything massive to their roster and are looking to continue to grow success rather than buy it.

9. New York Rangers

The New York Rangers pushed all of their chips in this last season and brought in massive names such as Patrick Kane and Vladmir Tarasenko. With both of those names leaving, the Rangers are back to almost their pre-deadline roster.

The Rangers were third in their division last year and disappointed in the playoffs. I think they took a step back this year.

8. Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings had a great season for the second year in a row—not a barn burner, but great hockey. They also lost to the Oilers in the first round for the second year in a row, but not without a fight.

The Kings have to just get past Edmonton for a run, and I think they can do that with the addition of PLD from Winnipeg and their current roster. I see the Kings being way better this coming season.

7. Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars battled with the Avalanche and the Wild all season for the top of the Central. They also had players like Robertson and Johnson take massive next steps to show they do have a solid middle six.

Jake Oettinger has also proven he is an elite goalie in the NHL and is able to carry the Stars to the next level. This might be the last kick at the can for Seguin and Benn though, they have been playing better, but Stars fans can only hold out for so long.

6. Vegas Golden Knights

It might be weird seeing the previous Stanley Cup winner so far in the back, but I think the Vegas Golden Knights are going to take a step back this year. Thankfully, they have their picks in the first three rounds as well.

The Golden Knights are going to be competitive, very competitive, but with them winning the Cup, there might be a hangover. Jack Eichel and company proved they were Golden, and they will still be successful going forward.

5. Edmonton Oilers

Now in the Top 5 of the best NHL Teams are the Edmonton Oilers. It has gotten harder and harder to write about the Oilers and company over the past few seasons. They have been lights-out and insanely entertaining in the regular season but have been woefully disappointing in the playoffs.

So far, their best has been swept in the Western Conference Final. You can’t even use the goal-tending excuse, as they failed to address it in the draft and free agency. The Oilers will win the Pacific, if not come in second, but it is hard to bet on them in the postseason.

4. Toronto Maple Leafs

I would have to argue that the Leafs are in a better position this season, rosterwise, than they were previously. I really like the addition of Bertuzzi and Knies getting an entire season under his belt is going to be instrumental to the Leafs having a great season.

In the regular season, the Leafs were only second to Boston and were even able to escape that first round. I think this may be a make-or-break season for that Leafs core, especially with Auston Matthews new contract. Expect them to repeat their successes from last season.

3. New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils are absolutely going to take another step forward this year. They have a young, tested roster that is only getting better as more players come out of Utica ready to play.

They also have the perfect number of veterans on the roster, with Hamilton and Meier on the squad. It would not be a stretch to suggest that they could make the Eastern Conference Final this season.

2. Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes might be at the end of their competitive window as they are looking to finally make it to the Cup final.

They lost some of their deadline additions but brought in some depth players such as Michael Bunting, a huge loss for Toronto and Dimitry Orlov.

They also re-signed players such as Jordan Staal, Jesper Fast, and Antti Ranta. The Hurricanes should win the division again.

1. Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche never quite replaced the players they lost after their Cup win, but I think they are finally restocked and ready to go.

They made one significant change to their roster, moving Alex Newhook out for three picks, which they turned into Ross Colton and two blue chip prospects.

The Avalanche also added Miles Wood and Ryan Johansen, making them the most improved team this past offseason.

How would you rank the best NHL Teams going into the 2023-2024 season? Rank below to be added in the NHL Power Rankings.