NHL 2024-25 Power Rankings: Week 20

Now, for teams that understood the assignment given the state of the market, I will give some props to the Penguins, Islanders, Flyers, Kraken, and Bruins, who all acquired some big assets this week, but in different ways. The Bruins in particular seem to be making the most out of their downseason, by tearing out their aging core for decent assets, while the Penguins completed a perplexing deal that turned into a solid haul of picks. Seattle also sold high on their assets, and they may have jumpstarted their return to relevance after largely spinning their wheels as a franchise in their first few years in the league.

Overall, it was a great season to be a seller, as most got paid a King’s Ransom for players that may have only fetched a third-round pick in years past.

20-11: Injuries Complicate Devils’ Future

20. Calgary Flames (Previously: 20)

19. New York Rangers (Previously: 17)

18. Utah Hockey Club (Previously: 19)

17. Vancouver Canucks (Previously: 23)

16. New Jersey Devils (Previously: 13)

15. Columbus Blue Jackets (Previously: 12)

14. Los Angeles Kings (Previously: 15)

13. Ottawa Senators (Previously: 16)

12. St. Louis Blues (Previously: 18)

11. Minnesota Wild (Previously: 11)

No team had a worse deadline week than the Devils, and it had nothing to do with the moves they made to acquire new players. Unfortunately, they lost superstar forward Jack Hughes to injury for the remainder of the regular and postseason. This is a devastating blow for a franchise that was already struggling to keep up with the top teams in a relatively mediocre Metropolitan Division. While they are still firmly in third place as of now, if they struggle to get things back on track, the Rangers and Blue Jackets are standing right there to grab their place.

I’m also starting to feel some real concern for the Kings, after they narrowly ended a five-game losing streak on Saturday. Los Angeles just hasn’t looked right since returning from their break, and their hold on third place in the Pacific Division would be at risk if the Flames and Canucks weren’t such a mess in their own right. They are a team to keep a close eye on in the coming week or two, as they should have no problem locking in their place in the postseason, but they just aren’t near where they need to be playing right now.

10-1: Panthers Steal the Show From Dallas

10. Tampa Bay Lightning (Previously: 5)

9. Toronto Maple Leafs (Previously: 4)

8. Edmonton Oilers (Previously: 9)

7. Carolina Hurricanes (Previously: 10)

6. Vegas Golden Knights (Previously: 8)

5. Colorado Avalanche (Previously: 7)

4. Winnipeg Jets (Previously: 3)

3. Washington Capitals (Previously: 6)

2. Dallas Stars (Previously: 1)

1. Florida Panthers (Previously: 2)

It’s incredible that the Stars pulled off the biggest move of the 2025 Trade Deadline, but I still feel like the Panthers had the best week out of any team. The reigning Stanley Cup champions not only acquired Seth Jones and Marchand, but they’ve given up just ONE GOAL in their last four games played.

Yes, you read that right. The best team in the NHL got better this week, and they are currently running through one of the most impressive stretches of hockey I’ve ever seen. They look unbeatable right now, and it feels like the playoffs should just be skipped over asa formality at this point as they will only get better when Matthew Tkachuk ultimately returns for Game 1.

The Avalanche also completed one of the most impressive mid-season roster overhauls I’ve ever seen, as they threw caution to the wind and swapped out their second and third-line centers for new, big upgrades. Overall, this team rebuilt their goaltending tandem and the majority of the top-six forward corps while trading a true Superstar off their roster. I’ve never seen anything like it before, and they might be the best team in the West right now if things click (and if the Stars or Jets slow down, even a little bit).

Oh, and in case you were wondering, the Golden Knights were largely silent at a trade deadline for the first time in their franchises’ history, which feels weird. However, they are still in line to win the Pacific Division, so they should not be overlooked as the juggernaut that they are heading into the playoffs.

2025 NHL Trade Deadline is One to Remember

I really can’t overstate just how much fun the 2025 Trade deadline was. I don’t know if we will see one this active ever again but I genuinely enjoyed what we saw this season. Teams got creative, swung big moves that will define their franchises moving forward, and in some cases, sat on their hands and did basically nothing (which speaks just as loudly).

Hopefully, regardless of who you cheer for, this was a fun few days. Rebuilds are exciting as you get to watch new faces take over your team. Going for it is exciting, as the Stanley Cup is always the big goal. Just make sure to give these new players some time to adjust before judging them too harshly.