5. Dallas Stars
Total points: 147
Last season: 52-21-9, first in Central Division, lost in Western Conference Final (EDM)
“Here’s the conundrum I’m facing when ranking the Stars, and the big reason why I have them No. 9 in my own Super 16. Do I think Dallas, which has gone to the Western Conference Final two straight seasons, is still a strong team? Absolutely. Their forward depth is outstanding, and while they traded center Radek Faksa to the St. Louis Blues, they’ve got enough guys to make up for his loss. My concern is on defense. The Stars couldn’t sign Chris Tanev, their big acquisition prior to the NHL Trade Deadline. They bought out the remainder of Ryan Suter’s contract and let Jani Hakanpää get to free agency, although he struggled with an injury through the end of the regular season. The Stars signed free agents Matt Dumba, Brendan Smith and Ilya Lyubushkin. Did they get stronger on defense? I’m not completely sure. But they went out and filled what they needed, and I look forward to seeing how it plays out on the ice.” — Tracey Myers, staff writer
6. Colorado Avalanche
Total points: 139
Last season: 50-25-7, third in Central Division, lost in second round (DAL)
“I have the Avalanche No. 3 in my Super 16 because they don’t look much different from last season. And that’s a good thing. They re-signed Jonathan Drouin, who had great chemistry with Nathan MacKinnon on the top line, and Casey Mittelstadt, who gave them the steady second-line center that had been missing since their Stanley Cup championship in 2022. Their forward depth remains solid and could get a giant boost if Gabriel Landeskog is able to play after missing the past two seasons because of a knee injury. They still have arguably the best defense pair in the NHL in Cale Makar and Devon Toews, and I think the signing of defenseman Erik Brannstrom could be a sneaky good addition for the second power-play unit. With better health and a full season with MacKinnon, Mittelstadt and Ross Colton centering the top three lines, the Avalanche for sure are a Stanley Cup contender.” — Adam Kimelman, deputy managing editor
7. Nashville Predators
Total points: 137
Last season: 47-30-5, fourth in Central Division, lost in first round (VAN)
“Things have to go right, but with Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, things typically do go right. The Predators made the biggest splash July 1 by signing Stamkos (four years, $8 million average annual value) and Marchessault (five years, $5.5 million AAV), along with defenseman Brady Skjei (seven years, $7 million AAV) and goalie Scott Wedgewood (two years, $1.5 million AAV). They also signed goalie Juuse Saros to a new contract that begins in 2025-26 (eight years, $7.74 million AAV) and re-signed defenseman Alexandre Carrier (three years, $3.75 million AAV). Toss in the fact that the core of Saros, Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, Ryan O’Reilly and Gustav Nyquist still is intact, and the Predators, with their additions, look like a Cup contender on paper. It has to work out on the ice, but it’s hard to not love what they’ve done in Nashville, which is why I have them No. 6 in my Super 16, behind the Oilers, Panthers, Rangers, Bruins and Stars.” — Dan Rosen, senior writer
