NHL season-preview capsules: Pacific Division
Head coach: Greg Cronin (second season)
Last season: 27-50-5, 59 points, seventh place in Pacific Division
This season: After bottoming out in 2021-22, the Ducks will continue to climb out of the throes of a rebuild, albeit likely with baby steps. Last season was a disaster in part due to a litany of injuries, and it's hard to imagine so many issues again. That said, expect some wheeling and dealing by the deadline with an eye to the future.
What's new: Forward Robby Fabbri was acquired via trade with Detroit, and having him, rookie Cutter Gauthier and a healthier Alex Killorn and Trevor Zegras should help the Ducks improve on their abysmal offense last season.
Players to watch: Both No. 1 goalie John Gibson and veteran defenseman Cam Fowler will be caught up in trade rumors all season. An improved club overall could help Anaheim's cause in the next sell-off.
Head coach: Ryan Huska (second season)
Last season: 38-39-5, 81 points, fifth place in Pacific Division
This season: After dealing away a collection of key players last season and into the summer, the Flames are in the midst of a full-scale rebuild. Calgary most likely is destined for another lottery pick.
What's new: By trading goalie Jacob Markstrom, the Flames will turn to two-time AHL top goaltender Dustin Wolf and Dan Vladar between the pipes. While hoping to add more youth to the lineup, Calgary acquired Kevin Bahl in the Markstrom deal as well as added Jake Bean and Tyson Barrie for depth on defense. The Flames also added forwards Ryan Lomberg and Anthony Mantha via free agency.
Players to watch: Outside of the goaltenders, forward Andrei Kuzmenko, acquired in the trade that sent Elias Lindholm to Vancouver, had a resurgence after the deal and helped Calgary's power play. Like Mantha, Kuzmenko is a pending unrestricted free agent who may garner a useful trade deadline return.
Head coach: Kris Knoblauch (second season)
Last season: 49-27-6, 104 points, second place in Pacific Division
This season: After losing to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Oilers kept together nearly all of key components of their run and are among the favorites to claim the championship for the first time since 1990.
What's new: Edmonton did not need to make any big splashes in free agency, opting to keep the likes of Adam Henrique, Mattias Janmark, Corey Perry and goalie Calvin Pickard in the fold. Forward depth was added by signing Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson, acquiring Vasily Podkolzin and bringing in defenseman Ty Emberson. Skinner, who is entering his 15th NHL season, is looking to skate in an NHL playoff game for the first time in his career.
Players to watch: Regardless of the cast, the Oilers are a must-watch team because of their dynamic duo: Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Having seen what it takes to win a Cup, that pair will be motivated to the extreme to take the next step and happily drag along the rest of their team.
Head coach: Jim Hiller (second season)
Last season: 44-27-11, 99 points, third place in Pacific Division
This season: The Kings have been bounced by the Edmonton Oilers in the opening round of the playoffs three consecutive seasons. It is no guarantee, especially with top defenseman Drew Doughty out for possibly the first half of the season due to an ankle injury, but Los Angeles should make the playoffs again. However, this team has taken a step back and would be hard-pressed to advance further.
What's new: Pierre-Luc Dubois and his onerous contract were traded away, while solid two-way forward Viktor Arvidsson left via free agency. Those were the biggest of a handful of departures. What the Kings added does not inspire positive vibes. Free-agent acquisitions Warren Foegele and Joel Edmundson, along with reclamation project Tanner Jeannot, may add grit but not the much-needed scoring. The most important addition is goalie Darcy Kuemper, re-acquired in the trade that sent Dubois to the Washington Capitals.
Players to watch: Doughty's injury puts up-and-coming defenseman Brandt Clarke into a bigger role sooner than anticipated. How Quinton Byfield, the second overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, fares as a center after a breakout campaign will be worth following as well.
Head coach: Ryan Warsofsky (first season)
Last season: 19-54-9, 47 points, eighth place in Pacific Division
This season: After hopefully bottoming out last season, the Sharks have a long climb back to respectability, let alone boasting legitimate Stanley Cup hopes. Sure, the Sharks will be worth watching to see the development of Macklin Celebrini, the top pick of this year's draft. When all is said and done, expect to see the Sharks to wind up near the cellar.
What's new: Along with Celebrini, San Jose has another top-tier prospect to integrate this season in Will Smith, the fourth overall pick in 2023. San Jose was aggressive in the summer trying to add players to be big-time future parts, notably goalie Yaroslav Askarov - acquired via trade from the Nashville Predators. They also brought in veterans to guide the slew of youngsters, such as forwards Tyler Toffoli, Alex Wennberg and Barclay Goodrow as well as defensemen Jake Walman and Cody Ceci.
Players to watch: While much of the focus will be on Celebrini and Smith, San Jose has some other young players worth watching in William Eklund and Shakir Mukhamadullin.
Head coach: Dan Bylsma (first season)
Last season: 34-35-13, 81 points, sixth place in Pacific Division
This season: Last season was expected to be a step back for the Kraken, but the degree was surprising. After a season in which seemingly everything that could go wrong actually did, the Kraken should be back into the playoff mix - maybe on the outside of the Stanley Cup tournament, but a lot closer.
What's new: Coach Dan Bylsma, who guided the Pittsburgh Penguins to a Stanley Cup in 2009, was hired after spending a couple of seasons leading the Kraken's American Hockey League affiliate. To help, and hopefully provide a better offensive attack, the Kraken signed via free agency forward Chandler Stephenson and defenseman Brandon Montour.
Players to watch: With Bylsma as his coach in the AHL, Shane Wright netted 47 points in 59 minor-league games and showed signs of why he was drafted fourth overall in 2022. Not only will the new coach be counted on to guide Wright to success, but also to help 2022-23 Calder Trophy winner Matty Beniers regain the form of his rookie season.
Head coach: Rick Tocchet (third season)
Last season: 50-23-9, 109 points, first place in Pacific Division
This season: Maybe no team is more likely to take step backward than the Canucks. After nearly everything went their way last season, it all fell apart in the second round of the playoffs. Vancouver will need all kinds of players to replicate their career seasons, notably J.T. Miller, Brock Boeser, Filip Hronek and Quinn Hughes. Already things are off the rails with No. 1 goalie Thatcher Demko battling the injury that impacted him at the end of last season.
What's new: Vancouver targeted and landed forward Jake DeBrusk via free agency, who should add offense to the second line and second power play. The Canucks also grabbed third-pairing defenseman Vincent Desharnais to provide more snarl.
Players to watch: Elias Pettersson, in the first year of a lucrative new contract, is coming off a rough season. While seemingly everyone else on the club last season had big years, Pettersson struggled to generate offense. A nagging knee issue and the rotating cast of line mates did not help, but Pettersson is under the gun to return to form of the past.
Head coach: Bruce Cassidy (third season)
Last season: 45-29-8, 98 points, fourth place in Pacific Division
This season: The 2023 Stanley Cup champions limped into the playoffs with a wild-card berth and were unceremoniously eliminated in the opening round. A rebound season is most likely, but whether it means a return to the top is debatable.
What's new: To no surprise, there was plenty of turnover. Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson, William Carrier, Anthony Mantha and Michael Amadio all departed via free agency. Vegas will hope a healthy Tomas Hertl, acquired at last year's deadline, will replace much of that lost offense, along with newcomers Alexander Holtz and Victor Olofsson. To provide goaltending stability behind started Adin Hill, Ilya Samsonov and Akira Schmid were brought into the fold.
