Congratulations to the Vegas Golden Knights, who will have their names etched on the Stanley Cup after an incredible postseason run. They overcame adversity to capture a small slice of immortality, the likes of which most human beings can only dream about.
And now it’s time to look ahead to next season.
This article is for the other 31 fan bases, who, upon seeing the Golden Knights kiss and drink out of the Cup, wondered what it might take for their team to be there in 2024. The future offers hope and optimism.
These way-too-early 2023-24 NHL Power Rankings did require some degree of forecasting, since they are coming before the draft and free agency. Which teams have players aging into their prime? Which ones have the flexibility and cap space to improve this summer? Did the team show growth this past season? Those things and more were taken into consideration when peeking ahead to next fall.