Every NHL season has its fair share of surprises, and the 2024 season is proving to be no different. Familiar powerhouses find themselves contending with unexpected challenges, while other teams emerge as potential contenders, upending preseason predictions.
The Rise of Utah
This year, Utah has become a focal point of discussion, thanks to some significant acquisitions that have bolstered their roster with promising young talent. Perhaps the standout move was during the 2024 NHL Draft when Utah secured defenseman Mikhail Sergachev from the Tampa Bay Lightning, a transaction that immediately strengthened their defensive lineup.
In addition to Sergachev, Utah also brought in John Marino from the New Jersey Devils and integrated Sean Durzi into their defensive corps. These strategic moves appear to be laying a solid foundation for the future, providing the team with much-needed depth and experience on the blue line.
On offense, Clayton Keller's impressive 76-point campaign during the 2023-24 season underscores his critical role in Utah's ambitions. Alongside Keller, Logan Cooley, the No. 3 overall pick in 2022, completed a solid rookie season with 20 goals and 44 points. Dylan Guenther, another young sensation with a promising future, tallied 35 points in 45 games. At just 24 years old, Matias Maccelli adds further youth and promise to the team.
Goaltender Connor Ingram also impressed last season, saving 5.05 goals above average and maintaining a high-danger save percentage of .841, suggesting Utah's defensive solidity isn't just limited to their blue liners. With these talents, coupled with an end to persistent relocation rumors, Utah seems poised for a promising future in the NHL.
Buffalo Sabres' Long Playoff Absence
The Buffalo Sabres are another team drawing attention, albeit for different reasons. The Sabres haven't made a playoff appearance since 2011, but there's a sense of cautious optimism surrounding the squad this season. Alex Tuch's productive season, where he scored 22 goals and 37 assists, is a testament to his consistent performance.
Tage Thompson also played a key role, scoring 56 points in 71 games last season. Beyond these seasoned performers, young talents like JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn are starting to make their mark. Peterka, a 22-year-old forward, reached the 28-goal mark and notched 50 points last season, while Quinn, the No. 8 overall pick in 2020, had 14 goals in his rookie season in 2022-23.
The addition of Bowen Byram provides a significant boost to their defensive unit. Between the pipes, Ukko-Pekka Luukonen saved an impressive 10.1 goals above average last season, giving Buffalo hope that their playoff drought might finally come to an end this year.
Montreal's Promising Young Core
Montreal's dynamic duo of Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield continues to excite fans. Last season, the pair combined for 61 goals and 81 assists, showcasing their electric chemistry. With Suzuki at 24 years old and Caufield at 23, the youthful energy they bring to the ice is palpable.
Additional support comes from Juraj Slafkovsky, who contributed 20 goals and 30 assists last season. Lane Hutson, making his debut with two games last season, amassed an impressive 97 points in 77 games during his collegiate career at Boston University, indicating he's a player to watch for the future.
Injury Setbacks and Young Talents
However, not all is bright across the league. Patrik Laine suffered a significant knee injury in a preseason game, a setback that will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike.
Meanwhile, Matt Boldy of the Minnesota Wild quietly continues to compile an impressive resume with 75 goals and 96 points in 203 NHL games. His 30-goal pace over the last two seasons speaks volumes about his consistency and goal-scoring capabilities. Another Wild standout, Marco Rossi, tallied 40 points in his first full season and played the second-most five-on-five minutes of any Wild forward while controlling 52.9% of expected goals during even-strength play last season. His contributions are critical to Minnesota's aspirations this season.
As the 2024 NHL season unfolds, the league is rife with compelling storylines and narratives. Fans everywhere have plenty to be excited about, as emerging stars and seasoned veterans alike vie for supremacy on the ice.