by Scott Rickenbach
Tuesday, Oct 10, 2023Pacific Division 2023-24 Quick Hitter Season Preview
Anaheim Ducks – Along with the Sharks, the Ducks are one of the worst teams not only in this division but in the league. They have some exciting young players but Anaheim also has a first year NHL head coach in Cronin. This team was so bad defensively and they tried to add some guys to help but I don’t think they added enough and also Gudas was one of the perceived “key” signings but he is bouncing around the league these days with good reason since the Flyers let him go! The Ducks will again struggle defensively and overall but do have some young talent up front that adds some excitement in most games! Could be plenty of overs in Anaheim games this season.
Calgary Flames – Look for the head coaching change to pay dividends. Might be some growing pains early this season, especially because of the Lindholm situation, but this team is solid and can battle hard for a playoff spot. Tough division they play in, especially with the Kings being improved and the Oilers and Golden Knights so tough, but this club Is just a notch below them and will be right there with the Kings the way I see it. Markstrom is a solid goalie capable of a bounce back season and I expect big seasons from him and from Huberdeau and that will key the Flames not missing out on the post-season like they did last season.
Edmonton Oilers – I believe this team could win it all. The goaltending will be a key of course but the points is this team has been closer than you think in recent seasons. The last two season they have lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champion each time. Two seasons ago that was the Avalanche and then last season was the Golden Knights. There were some very close games in that series with Vegas and Edmonton could have very easily seen things change had some puck luck gone their way. When you are loaded with guys like Draisaitl and McDavid as well as additional talent and depth added in recent seasons as they have gotten closer and closer. This could be the team finally. In fact, perhaps we see an All-Canadian final with the Maple Leafs and Oilers. This would not surprise me in the least. Edmonton also has guys like Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman. This is a very strong club.
Los Angeles Kings – The Kings are going for it. Now of course that does not mean they will get it but the point is they really invested heavily for this season and have been investing the past couple seasons leading up to it. What has hurt them the past two seasons is they end up facing a tough team like the Oilers in the post-season. In looking closely at Los Angeles for this season, the defensive play was already there and now they have added solid goaltending options. Also, the signing of Dubois is huge for LA in terms of generating more goals at the other end of the ice. This could be the best Kings team yet but, the problem is they play in the same division as two of the best teams in the league with Edmonton and Vegas. The Kings will be strong but they are still playing 3rd fiddle in this division!
San Jose Sharks – One thing I admire about the Sharks is they definitely did not sit still in the off-season. Still this team was already way down there and they are essentially undertaking a massive rebuild. San Jose has only one way to go and that is up but it will be a long climb. This team is working in a lot of new faces and it is a club that was already struggling. I admire them for not standing pat but, again, their rebuild will be a long process. Head coach David Quinn is trying to build something here but it will take time and this team could be the worst in the NHL this year with some decent offense at times but defense and goaltending likely to struggle again.
Seattle Kraken – The Kraken lost some guys and I was shocked at the way last season went for them to be honest with you. A lot of things clicked for them but I expect a regression this season. I don’t trust the goaltending and now Martin Jones is out of the mix too. The netminder is now with Toronto. I know Grubauer got hot at the right time but I question how this season will go with he and Driedger and possibly even Daccord.
Vancouver Canucks – A different club with Rick Tocchet behind the bench for sure. Vancouver showed improvement but was some of that due to more favorable scheduling after he took over? This is a respectable club but they play in a tough division. If Thatcher Demko can be really strong between the pipes than Vancouver could really surprise this season but I think this is a club that will fall short of the post-season yet continue to show some signs they are getting close. New D-men Cole and Soucy will be a key for the Canucks to see blue-line improvement. This will be something to watch closely.
Vegas Golden Knights – Stanley Cup Champions and they will be a threat again. But of course everyone gunning for them now and a lot has to break right to make it so far like the Golden Knights did last season. They lost some guys and did not really add anyone of note heading into this season but this team will again be one of the best in the NHL. Trouble is they have a target on their backs now as the champs and that always makes things a little tougher. Lets makes sure the goaltending (which definitely surprised last season) holds up this season. I know they have two options there but could we see a sophomore slump? I would not be surprised.
Anaheim Ducks – Along with the Sharks, the Ducks are one of the worst teams not only in this division but in the league. They have some exciting young players but Anaheim also has a first year NHL head coach in Cronin. This team was so bad defensively and they tried to add some guys to help but I don’t think they added enough and also Gudas was one of the perceived “key” signings but he is bouncing around the league these days with good reason since the Flyers let him go! The Ducks will again struggle defensively and overall but do have some young talent up front that adds some excitement in most games! Could be plenty of overs in Anaheim games this season.
Calgary Flames – Look for the head coaching change to pay dividends. Might be some growing pains early this season, especially because of the Lindholm situation, but this team is solid and can battle hard for a playoff spot. Tough division they play in, especially with the Kings being improved and the Oilers and Golden Knights so tough, but this club Is just a notch below them and will be right there with the Kings the way I see it. Markstrom is a solid goalie capable of a bounce back season and I expect big seasons from him and from Huberdeau and that will key the Flames not missing out on the post-season like they did last season.
Edmonton Oilers – I believe this team could win it all. The goaltending will be a key of course but the points is this team has been closer than you think in recent seasons. The last two season they have lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champion each time. Two seasons ago that was the Avalanche and then last season was the Golden Knights. There were some very close games in that series with Vegas and Edmonton could have very easily seen things change had some puck luck gone their way. When you are loaded with guys like Draisaitl and McDavid as well as additional talent and depth added in recent seasons as they have gotten closer and closer. This could be the team finally. In fact, perhaps we see an All-Canadian final with the Maple Leafs and Oilers. This would not surprise me in the least. Edmonton also has guys like Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman. This is a very strong club.
Los Angeles Kings – The Kings are going for it. Now of course that does not mean they will get it but the point is they really invested heavily for this season and have been investing the past couple seasons leading up to it. What has hurt them the past two seasons is they end up facing a tough team like the Oilers in the post-season. In looking closely at Los Angeles for this season, the defensive play was already there and now they have added solid goaltending options. Also, the signing of Dubois is huge for LA in terms of generating more goals at the other end of the ice. This could be the best Kings team yet but, the problem is they play in the same division as two of the best teams in the league with Edmonton and Vegas. The Kings will be strong but they are still playing 3rd fiddle in this division!
San Jose Sharks – One thing I admire about the Sharks is they definitely did not sit still in the off-season. Still this team was already way down there and they are essentially undertaking a massive rebuild. San Jose has only one way to go and that is up but it will be a long climb. This team is working in a lot of new faces and it is a club that was already struggling. I admire them for not standing pat but, again, their rebuild will be a long process. Head coach David Quinn is trying to build something here but it will take time and this team could be the worst in the NHL this year with some decent offense at times but defense and goaltending likely to struggle again.
Seattle Kraken – The Kraken lost some guys and I was shocked at the way last season went for them to be honest with you. A lot of things clicked for them but I expect a regression this season. I don’t trust the goaltending and now Martin Jones is out of the mix too. The netminder is now with Toronto. I know Grubauer got hot at the right time but I question how this season will go with he and Driedger and possibly even Daccord.
Vancouver Canucks – A different club with Rick Tocchet behind the bench for sure. Vancouver showed improvement but was some of that due to more favorable scheduling after he took over? This is a respectable club but they play in a tough division. If Thatcher Demko can be really strong between the pipes than Vancouver could really surprise this season but I think this is a club that will fall short of the post-season yet continue to show some signs they are getting close. New D-men Cole and Soucy will be a key for the Canucks to see blue-line improvement. This will be something to watch closely.
Vegas Golden Knights – Stanley Cup Champions and they will be a threat again. But of course everyone gunning for them now and a lot has to break right to make it so far like the Golden Knights did last season. They lost some guys and did not really add anyone of note heading into this season but this team will again be one of the best in the NHL. Trouble is they have a target on their backs now as the champs and that always makes things a little tougher. Lets makes sure the goaltending (which definitely surprised last season) holds up this season. I know they have two options there but could we see a sophomore slump? I would not be surprised.
