NHL Midseason Grades: Evaluating Every Team’s Performance – The Athletic

Avery K. Bristow

ago 2 hours

The NHL has reached its midseason mark, and with all 32 teams having played between 46 and 49 games, it’s time to evaluate their performances. The grades indicate whether teams need to push for the playoffs, focus on short-term improvements, or plan for the future. Below are the midseason grades for each NHL team, reflecting their expectations and achievements thus far.

NHL Midseason Grades: Evaluating Every Team’s Performance

A+ Grades

Colorado Avalanche: An impressive start sees the Avalanche on track to match the best regular-season record in NHL history with a plus-79 goal differential.
San Jose Sharks: After finishing last season with the lowest points, the Sharks are surprising everyone by being in a wild-card position, largely thanks to standout performances from rookie Macklin Celebrini.

A Grades

Minnesota Wild: From a weak start, the Wild have surged to third in the NHL standings, showcasing a promising roster capable of becoming true contenders.
Montreal Canadiens: The youngest team in the NHL is competing for the Atlantic Division lead, exceeding expectations with strong contributions from their young talents.

B+ Grades

Boston Bruins: Despite fading slightly, they remain in playoff contention, aided by strong performances from Jeremy Swayman and other players exceeding expectations.
Detroit Red Wings: Exceeding pre-season forecasts, they are battling for the top spot in the Atlantic Division, thanks to solid contributions across the lineup.
Dallas Stars: Although a recent six-game losing streak impacted their standing, they feature some of the league’s brightest stars.

B Grades

Buffalo Sabres: Following a slow start due to injuries, the Sabres have roared back with a 10-game winning streak, making them a contender for a wild-card spot.
Chicago Blackhawks: Unexpectedly competitive, the Blackhawks have thrived with Connor Bedard leading the way, although playoffs may be out of reach this season.
Carolina Hurricanes: Despite injuries affecting their lineup, they remain at the top of the Metropolitan Division with promising results from emerging players.
Washington Capitals: Historically good, the Capitals are managing to remain competitive amid challenges, maintaining playoff hopes.

C+ Grades

Anaheim Ducks: Their early-season excitement has since faded, with recent struggles in both offense and defense proving costly.
Nashville Predators: A mixed bag overall, as their performance has varied significantly from quarter to quarter this season.

C Grades

Toronto Maple Leafs: After a tumultuous start, they appear to be improving, but their earlier struggles still weigh on their evaluation.
Utah Mammoth: Although they have talent, they’ve struggled to progress, sitting on pace for a similar point total as last year.

D Grades

Calgary Flames: Despite possessing talent, the Flames have found themselves struggling offensively and are in a tough spot regarding future expectations.
Los Angeles Kings: Following a disappointing season, the Kings have struggled to capitalize on previous successes and must reassess their strategy.
New Jersey Devils: A sharp decline in performance from their strong start to the season has raised concerns moving forward.

D- Grades

New York Rangers: With the worst record in the Eastern Conference, the Rangers face an uphill battle as they reconsider their core strategy.
Ottawa Senators: Despite strong individual performance metrics, they are failing to secure wins and sitting low in the standings.

F Grades

New York Islanders: Despite retooling, their struggles on defense and in creating scoring opportunities have led them to a lackluster season.
St. Louis Blues: Once considered a playoff contender, the Blues have floundered, consistently near the bottom for scoring and goals against.
Winnipeg Jets: Following last year’s success, the Jets have experienced dramatic fall-off, currently languishing at the bottom of the standings.

As the season progresses, each team will look for ways to improve and capitalize on their strengths. The second half of the NHL season promises shifting landscapes, playoff races, and potential shakeups in team strategies.