With the puck set to drop Thursday on the 2018-19 NHL season, here’s a look at which teams could win the Stanley Cup and which have a long way to go.
Favorites
Toronto Maple Leafs: Toronto brought John Tavares home this summer. They could finally bring the Cup home again in the spring.
Washington Capitals: The defending champs will be in the mix, even after losing coach Barry Trotz.
Winnipeg Jets: Winnipeg’s quick, talented team almost made it to the finals last season.
Boston Bruins: Boston is tough, skilled and stout defensively.
Minnesota Wild: When healthy, Minnesota has a ton of talent.
Tampa Bay Lightning: All those former Rangers in Tampa should get another kick at the can.
Nashville Predators: Nashville has come close before; this could finally be the year.
Dark horses
San Jose Sharks: Is Erik Karlsson enough to get San Jose over the top? Probably not.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Pittsburgh’s second-round exit last spring gave their aging roster more time to rest, but cracks remain.
Vegas Golden Knights: Cinderella’s slippers are made of glass. Nate Schmidt’s PED suspension may hurt Vegas.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Will this be the season coach John Tortorella explodes in Columbus?
Anaheim Ducks: Anaheim’s core is old, but if they stay healthy…
Philadelphia Flyers: Philadelphia still needs a goaltender.
Los Angeles Kings: L.A. has arguably the league’s best all-around player in Anze Kopitar, and a solid core around him.
New Jersey Devils: New Jersey surprised by making the playoffs last season. They should be back in the postseason again.
Colorado Avalanche: Colorado was another surprise last season, and there’s a lot of young talent in the fold.
Florida Panthers: There are talented players in South Florida, but they may want to start looking at real estate in Quebec City or Seattle for 2019-20.
Edmonton Oilers: Edmonton is the NHL’s Jekyll and Hyde team. Great in 2016-17, not so much in 2017-18.
Long shots
New York Rangers: If you read “The Letter” last February, you know you’re in for a long season or two… or three.
New York Islanders: No Tavares, plenty of problems. Trotz and Lou Lamoriello should right the ship, in time.
Chicago Blackhawks: Salary cap mismanagement has crippled Chicago in recent seasons, but there’s still a talented core.
Carolina Hurricanes: Lots of young talent in Raleigh. Will anyone pay to see it?
St. Louis Blues: St. Louis just can’t seem to get it right.
Detroit Red Wings: Remember when Detroit was tops in the league? Seems like ancient history.
Vancouver Canucks: The Sedin twins are gone.
Ottawa Senators: And you think nothing gets done in Washington…
Phoenix Coyotes: Derek Stepan deserves better.
Montreal Canadiens: The Habs will “Lose for (Jack) Hughes” — the projected top overall draft pick next June.
Dallas Stars: So much talent, so little to show for it.
Buffalo Sabres: Rangers can only hope their rebuild is shorter than Buffalo’s.
Calgary Flames: “Johnny Hockey” Gaudreau is an exciting player, but that’s about it in Calgary.
