NHL Report Cards: From Stanley Cup Contenders to Cellar Dwellers, Grading the 2024-25 Season
The final buzzer has sounded on the 2024-25 NHL regular season, and with playoff berths secured and offseason plans taking shape, it’s time to assess which teams met, exceeded, or fell short of expectations. Across the league, stories of triumph and disappointment unfolded, with some franchises solidifying their status as contenders while others face a long road back to relevance.
Western Conference Landscape
in the West, the Winnipeg jets soared to new heights, earning an A+ for their stellar performance. “This was an A+ season and then some,” declared observers, noting the team’s Presidents’ Trophy win, a frist-ever Central division title, and stellar individual performances, including connor Hellebuyck’s potential Vezina and Hart Trophy wins. “The power play was way better, finishing first, which helped four of Winnipeg’s top-six forwards set career highs in points.”
The Vegas Golden Knights, despite initial concerns about a “retooling year,” secured an A grade. “The new pieces fit in seamlessly and the team won its fourth Pacific Division title in eight years,” analysts noted, highlighting contributions from across the lineup and an improved power play.
The Dallas Stars, despite high expectations, earned an A-. “There’s little to complain about,” saeid experts, pointing to their top-five team status despite injuries to key players like Tyler Seguin and Miro Heiskanen. Trading for mikko Rantanen was a major win and signing Mikael Granlund, adds, “the deepest team even deeper, which will pay off in the playoffs. If thay can get past Colorado, they’re still the team to beat in the West.”
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings surprised many with an A. After years of early playoff exits,”a season in which they tied the franchise record of 48 wins and 105 points deserves high marks,” one expert stated.With veterans performing consistently and younger players developing, the Kings exceeded expectations. “They’ve got to win in the playoffs, but the 82-game performance is a victory lap for coach Jim Hiller and much-maligned general manager Rob Blake.”
The Colorado Avalanche received a C, failing to meet higher aspirations. While they secured a playoff berth, management made notable roster changes. “The result is a team that’s good enough to go on a deep run, which is what the season will ultimately be judged by,” insiders said. The Avalanche’s playoff performance will determine if their regular-season grade improves.
The Calgary Flames scraped by with a C-, “punching above their weight and expectations” due to the performance of rookie goalie Dustin Wolf.
The Vancouver Canucks underperformed, earning a D. Injuries and chemistry issues plagued the team. “The vibe of the group was off from the jump,” said observers, adding, “This was a spoiled season for a core group that’s quickly running out of chances to make the case that they’re even a consistent playoff team.”
Eastern Conference Rollercoaster
In the East, the Ottawa Senators made a playoff push. The team was awarded a B+.”The Senators are in the playoffs for the first time in eight years. This was the goal they set out to accomplish last summer,” sources indicated.
The Tampa Bay Lightning turned their season around earning themselves a solid A. “The Lightning had to show that their window of contention wasn’t closing just yet, and they did exactly that,” sources explained, emphasizing the team’s resurgence. “After some major changes in the offseason, such as moving on from Steven Stamkos and signing Jake Guentzel, their elite core proved to be a difference-maker.”
The Washington Capitals finished their season with an A. “Alex Ovechkin broke the all-time career goals record, the new guys made major impacts, young players took significant steps and they went from a fringe playoff team to the no.1 seed in the East. What more could you want?”
The Montreal Canadiens defied expectations with an A. “The Canadiens came out of the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off with a 2 percent chance of making the playoffs. It took all 82 games, but they made it,” revealed insiders. “Coach Martin St. louis said all season the priority was learning how to win, how to perform under pressure. It wasn’t perfect,but mission accomplished.”
However, not all stories were positive. The Buffalo Sabres’ season was deemed an F. “They came into the season with playoff expectations and ended up regressing from their 84-point season a year ago,” said analysts. “The overwhelming feeling about Buffalo’s season will be disappointment as the Sabres watch the playoffs from home for a 14th straight season.”
The New York Rangers also received a failing grade, a F. “There are no major redeeming points of this Rangers season,” sources stated. “The team went from a Presidents’ Trophy winner to a non-playoff club.”
The Nashville Predators faced a similar fate,also receiving an F. “This was a complete disaster. There’s no way to spin it,” experts lamented. “This was the most disappointing season in franchise history, in part because it was one of the most anticipated.”
The Boston Bruins, with a D-, get a failing grade due to high expectations and poor results.”It woudl have been one thing if the Bruins started the season with low expectations. They did not.They believed they’d contend for the playoffs. So it’s a major whiff to finish as a bottom-five club.”
The Role of Expectations
These grades highlight the crucial role of expectations in evaluating team performance. Teams like the Winnipeg Jets, exceeding projections, were rewarded with high marks, while those like the New York Rangers, failing to meet lofty goals, received harsh criticism.A Counterargument
Some might argue that these grades are overly simplistic, failing to account for unforeseen circumstances like key injuries or unexpected player departures. While acknowledging the impact of such factors, it’s important to recognize that every team faces adversity. Ultimately, the ability to overcome challenges and achieve predetermined goals is what separates successful seasons from disappointing ones.
Looking Ahead
As teams look toward the playoffs and the offseason, these report cards provide valuable insights for fans, analysts, and team management. They offer a chance to reflect on what went right, what went wrong, and what steps must be taken to achieve future success. Whether the goal is contending for the Stanley Cup or simply building a foundation for future contention, the 2024-25 season provided valuable lessons for all 32 NHL franchises.
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