Grades for all 32 NHL teams at midseason of 2024-25
Midseason NHL Report Cards: Where Every Team Stands
Buffalo: A
Kirill Kaprizov is pacing the Minnesota Wild with 23 goals and 27 assists, responsible for over 40% of the team’s goals. The Wild have four players scoring more than 50% of their goals, with Kaprizov among them. Yakov Trenin, however, is in danger of failing, as the team’s salary cap implications weigh heavily on his $3.5 million annual deal. The Wild are graded A+, indicating a strong midseason performance by the entire roster.
Vegas: A+
Jack Eichel is leading the Golden Knights forwards in ice time, power-play ice time, and short-handed ice time, cementing his position as the team’s most valuable player. Alexander Holtz is in danger of failing, struggling to replicate his previous season’s performances and on pace for only six goals and 20 points. The Golden Knights are graded A+, reflecting their balanced offense and strong goaltending.
Washington: A+
Dylan Strome has been a beacon of consistency for the Capitals, carrying the team offensively with 12 goals and 45 points in a top-line role. Charlie Lindgren, however, is in danger of failing, as his inconsistencies in goalkeeping have led to a marked shift in his role behind Logan Thompson. Despite these challenges, Washington remains a top contender with an A+ grading.
Winnipeg: A+
Connor Hellebuyck is leading the league in GAA and wins while ranking second in save percentage. He is projected to play 64 games, which leaves Eric Comrie with the remaining 18 games to find consistency. The Jets are graded A+, thanks to their consistent scoring from three of their four lines and arguably the best goaltender in the NHL.
Toronto: A
Mitch Marner has been Toronto’s most consistent player, with 59 points in 44 games. Max Domi is in danger of failing, as he hasn’t found a groove in coach Craig Berube’s low-risk system. Despite this, the Maple Leafs remain atop the Atlantic standings, solid in all three phases and gearing up for an even stronger second half.
Carolina: A-
Martin Necas is having a career-best season for the Hurricanes, leading in scoring with 15 goals and 48 points. Andrei Svechnikov is in danger of failing, struggling to produce offensively and enduring multiple scoring droughts. Carolina’s success is largely due to their excellent special teams and solid team defense.
Los Angeles: A-
Vladislav Gavrikov has emerged as a key player for the Kings due to Drew Doughty’s long-term injury. Phillip Danault is in danger of failing, as he hasn’t been able to consistently score goals despite his contributions in other areas. The Kings rely on their entire roster and continue to perform well, earning an A- grade.
New Jersey: A-
Jesper Bratt is having an incredible season, contributing to both the power play and penalty kill. Brenden Dillon is in danger of failing, as his defensive inconsistencies and limited offense have made him stand out poorly among the Devils’ defenders. The Devils are good in every facet and graded A-, buoyed by exceptional special teams and even-strength play.
Calgary: B+
Dustin Wolf has emerged as one of the stronger goalies in the NHL with a .914 save percentage. Andrei Kuzmenko is in danger of failing, struggling compared to his previous season where he scored 14 goals. The Flames are challenging for a wild-card spot and have the potential edge of cap space and draft capital for trades.
Colorado: B+
Mackenzie Blackwood has provided more stability in net with a .940 save percentage and 15.6 GSAA. Sam Malinski is in danger of failing, as he hasn’t replicated last season’s performances and only has one goal and five points through 40 games. The Avalanche are receiving consistent performances from their goalie tandem and are considered contenders for the Central Division title.
Columbus: B+
Zach Werenski has been instrumental in Columbus’s success, leading the Blue Jackets with 13 goals and 48 points while carrying a heavy workload. Elvis Merzlikins is in danger of failing, posting middling results with a .887 save percentage and 3.17 GAA. The Blue Jackets are tracking for one of their most positive seasons despite struggling with goaltending issues.
Dallas: B+
Matt Duchene has had an impressive season, potentially earning a second 80-point season and leading one of the NHL’s best teams in offense. Matt Dumba is in danger of failing due to injury-riddled first season and limited ice time compared to his career averages. The Stars possess balanced scoring and strong defensive structure but need to determine how to maintain their approach into the playoffs.
Edmonton: B+
Leon Draisaitl is aiming for his fourth consecutive century mark while Connor McDavid looks to extend his streak to five in a row. Jeff Skinner is in danger of failing due to his lowest scoring output since 2020-21 with only 14 goals projected by season’s end. Winning nine games in December helped the Oilers climb the standings but maintaining this momentum will be crucial.
Florida: B+
Sam Reinhart has been driving Florida’s offense with 25 goals and 49 points, exceeding last season’s performance. Carter Verhaeghe is in danger of failing due to his lack of goal-scoring since taking a third-line role. The Panthers rely on top performers like Matthew Tkachuk and Sergei Bobrovsky but still manage to stay strong despite average games being better than most.
Montreal: B+
Lane Hutson has been an impressive rookie defenseman with 32 points this season. Kirby Dach is in danger of failing after recovering from ACL and MCL tears last season but has struggled to regain his form. Montreal continues its upward trajectory fueled by solid team defense and promising player development.
Tampa Bay: B+
Victor Hedman has elevated every facet of Tampa Bay’s game this season. Erik Cernak is in danger of failing due to lack of offensive production despite playing alongside Ryan McDonagh. The Lightning are leading in offense but need to tap secondary scoring to avoid being one-dimensional come playoff time.
Anaheim: B-
Lukas Dostal has emerged as one of the best goaltenders in the NHL this season. Mason McTavish is in danger of failing due to a drop in his points per game average after an impressive rookie season and subsequent second season scoring 19 goals. The Ducks are closer to a wild-card spot than previously expected but questions remain about their consistency.
Detroit: B-
Lucas Raymond has been Detroit’s leading scorer with 16 goals and 41 points. Dylan Larkin is in danger of failing due to his below-average scoring and lackluster defensive effort this season. The Red Wings are on a seven-game winning streak and could potentially enter playoff contention with improved offensive production from their captain.
Ottawa: B-
Tim Stutzle carries Ottawa’s offense with 13 goals and 42 points despite being without Linus Ullmark due to injury. Anton Forsberg is in danger of failing due to underwhelming performances that must be addressed if Ottawa wants to remain competitive in the playoffs.
San Jose: B-
Jake Walman leads the Sharks in average ice time while contributing significantly on both the power play and penalty kill before his injury. Alexandar Georgiev’s struggles have followed him from the Avalanche to the Sharks with a subpar .869 save percentage in his recent appearances.
New Jersey Ducks Tampa Bay Anaheim Detroit Ottawa San Jose Los Angeles Buffalo Calgary Colorado Columbus Dallas Edmonton Winnipeg Toronto Carolina New York Islanders Pittsburgh Florida Buffalo Chicago Seattle Nashville New York Rangers
Each of these teams has unique challenges and strengths that shape their midseason standings. Some stars are shining brightly, while others face significant hurdles as they continue their journey toward playoff contention or rebuild momentum for future seasons. The dynamics within each team will likely play out significantly in the second half of the season, with several factors determining ultimate success or failure.
Sarah Johnson is a national NHL reporter for ESPN. Ryan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN. Published on January 14, 2025 at 07:00 AM ET.
Conclusion:
As the NHL approaches the halfway mark of the 2024-25 season, it is indeed clear that many teams have already begun to showcase their strengths and weaknesses. The report cards provided offer a extensive snapshot of where each team stands at midseason, highlighting individual player performances and factors such as goaltending, defense, and team chemistry.
The Minnesota Wild,graded A+,exemplifies a team that has risen to dominance with Kirill Kaprizov leading the charge,scoring at a pace that could potentially reach career highs. Similarly, the Winnipeg Jets, also graded A+, owe their success largely to Connor Hellebuyck’s extraordinary goaltending.
Other teams, such as the Toronto Maple leafs and Carolina Hurricanes, are performing well despite some individual players facing challenges.The Toronto Maple Leafs, graded A, have seen Mitch Marner drive their offense, while Martin Necas’s strong season has propelled the Hurricanes to an A- grade.
On the other end of the spectrum, teams like the Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks struggle with their midseason grades, receiving D and D- respectively. The Anaheim Ducks’ underperformance, despite having some of the best goaltending in the league, underscores their broader issues on the ice, while the Chicago blackhawks’ lack of competitive play highlights the need for significant enhancement.
The midseason report cards serve as a benchmark for teams to assess their current standing and continue striving for excellence. It is indeed crucial for teams to address their weaknesses,such as goaltending inconsistencies or player production downturns,to maintain their playoff aspirations.
Ultimately, the remainder of the season promises to be filled with thrilling matches and a further gauging of each team’s strength and resilience. As the Wild and other top contenders aim to maintain their momentum, the competition on the ice will only intensify, making every game crucial in determining the final standings.
the midseason NHL report cards provide a valuable tool for both fans and analysts to understand the dynamics at play in the league. as the season continues, it will be fascinating to see how these initial assessments evolve and if teams can make the necessary adjustments to secure a accomplished finish.
The report card grades for the NHL teams include several interesting observations, particularly regarding the team dynamics adn player performances.Here are key points relevant to the question:
- Minnesota Wild:
– The Wild are graded A+, indicating a strong midseason performance by the entire roster.
– Yakov Trenin, signed to a four-year deal with a $3.5 million annual average value, is in danger of failing due to notable salary cap implications and the expectations for his role[3].
– However, this does not directly reflect on other players like Kirill Kaprizov, who is performing well.
- vegas Golden Knights:
– Jack Eichel is leading the Golden Knights forwards in ice time, power-play ice time, and short-handed ice time, cementing his position as the team’s most valuable player[2][5].
– Despite Alexander Holtz struggling to replicate his previous season’s performances, the golden Knights are graded A+, reflecting their balanced offense and strong goaltending.
- Washington Capitals:
– Dylan Strome has been a beacon of consistency for the Capitals, carrying the team offensively with 12 goals and 45 points in a top-line role[4].
– Charlie lindgren, however, is in danger of failing due to his inconsistencies in goalkeeping, which have led to a shift in his role behind Logan Thompson.
- Other Teams:
– Toronto Maple Leafs are graded A, with Mitch Marner being the most consistent player at 59 points in 44 games[4].
– Carolina Hurricanes are graded A-, with martin Necas leading in scoring at 15 goals and 48 points, and Andrei Svechnikov facing challenges in producing offensively despite excellent special teams and defense[4].
– new Jersey Devils are graded A-, with Jesper Bratt having an unbelievable season on both the power play and penalty kill, while Brenden Dillon struggles defensively[4].
The report highlights various team strengths and weaknesses, but does not directly address whether any fours of players besides Kaprizov in Minnesota have achieved a similar scoring distribution. however, it does showcase that certain teams have a balance in scoring, with key players contributing considerably, but also notes the challenges faced by some players who might be considered in danger of failing to meet their expectations.