Pacific Division, 2021-22 Season Preview | Rocket Sports, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Seattle Kraken, San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks
ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA — Welcome to the Rocket Sports Media season preview series! Over the next few days, you will find previews of all 32 NHL teams as organized by their respective divisions. These previews will feature a brief overview of each teams off-season changes, expectations, as well as predictions.
Previews are researched and written by talented and well-respected members of the Rocket Sports Media team, including the All Habs Hockey Magazine and AHL Report contributors. This team also includes a collection of guest contributors that we deemed as subject matter experts for their respective teams. Please comment below the article with your prediction. Enjoy!
Pacific Division – Western Conference
Vegas Golden Knights
2020-21 Result: 40-14-2, 2nd in West Division, Eliminated in 3rd Round
+ Key Additions: C Nolan Patrick (PHI), C Brett Howden (NYR), RW Evgenii Dadonov (OTT), G Laurent Brossoit (WPG)
– Key Departures: C Cody Glass (NSH), C Thomas Nosek (BOS), RW Ryan Reeves (NYR), D Nick Holden (OTT), G Marc-Andre Fleury(CHI)
Golden Knights Outlook
The Golden Knights made some big splashes this offseason as they try to stay cap compliant and competitive at the same time. This could be a make or break it season for the Golden Knights, the window is starting to close as their core group are nearing the end of their prime years in the NHL.
The two biggest question marks on the team will be at center and in-goal. Can Robin Lehner stay healthy and be a true number one with Marc-Andre Fleury gone? Are Brett Howden and Nolan Patrick the solution at center? The Golden Knights are gambling that Lehner will be the guy and that the two young centers will flourish.
Will the gamble prevail? I bet it does and the Golden Knights make another long playoff run, possibly making the finals again. Just remember the City of Vegas never sleeps and neither does the team. If things aren’t going their way, don’t be surprised if a key part of their core is moved to shake things up.
> Prediction: Stanley Cup Contender
Preview by: Sam G – RSM Content Contributor – @Gerbs76PK
Edmonton Oilers
2020-21 Result: 35-19-2, 2nd in North Division, Eliminated in 1st Round
+ Key Additions: C Derek Ryan (CAL), LW Zach Hyman (TOR), RW Warren Foegele (CAR), D Duncan Keith (CHI), D Cody Ceci (PIT)
－Key Departures: C Jujhar Khaira (CHI), RW Dominik Kahun (SC-Bern NL), D Adam Larsson (SEA), D Ethan Bear (CAR), D Caleb Jones (CHI).
Oilers Outlook
This off-season, Oilers GM Ken Holland went to work on his forward core. With the addition of Zach Hyman and Warren Foegele, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have arguably the best core of complimentary wingers they have seen in Edmonton. Problem is, the offense was not the issue in the 2020-21 season, where the team finished second in a mediocre Canadian Division and ranked eighth in goals scored at 182 goals (3.3 goals per game.)
Defensively, the team struggle for consistency. Losing Ethan Bear, Adam Larsson and Caleb Jones this off-season will only add to those problems. Two of the top four pairs will be replaced by an aging Duncan Keith and a historically inconsistent Cody Ceci. Another year of development from offensive pivot Evan Bouchard and two-way stalwart Phillip Broberg will help in the coming years, but neither of those players are ready to make an impact this season.
In net, the outlook is not much brighter. 39 year-old Mike Smith had a very good campaign last season, posting a 2.31 goals-against average, along with a 0.923 save-percentage. At his age, it is hard to expect the same result, especially with a depleted defense core in-front of him.
The Oilers will be very fun to watch. That run-and-gun offense has the chance to put up very special numbers. If the back-end can post just average defensive results, this team has the potential for a short playoff run. A high division finish is inevitable in the rebuilding Pacific, but a match-up with Vegas will quickly prove how far away this team still is from truly competing.
> Prediction: Mid-round Playoff Exit
Preview by: Mike Raschle – RSM Special Content Contributor – @mikehabs09
Los Angeles Kings
2020-21 Result: 21-28-7, 6th in West Division, Missed Playoffs
+ Key Additions: C Phillip Danault (MTL), RW Viktor Arvidsson (NSH), D Alexander Edler (VAN), G Garret Sparks (VGK)
－Key Departures: RW Matt Luff (NSH)
Kings Outlook
The Los Angeles Kings have put together a very impressive group of prospects that is highlighted by Quinton Byfield, Alex Turcotte, and Arthur Kaliyev. It is considered to be the deepest group in the entire National Hockey League. After a solid year of development with the Ontario Reign, many of the prospect pieces are ready to push for full-time NHL jobs.
To compliment this group, GM Rob Blake did a phenomenal job adding veteran depth up-front with shutdown center Phillip Danault and crafty winger Viktor Arvidsson. Even though they come at a combined cab hit of $9.7 million dollars annually, the Kings can currently absorb the potential over-payment this may be while the young core is still on league minimum entry level contracts.
In addition, veteran cornerstones Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty are eager to prove they still have more in the tank. After three straight seasons of missing the playoffs, and five of the last seven, the Kings are ready to take the next step and will successfully challenge for a playoff spot in a weak Pacific division.
> Prediction: Opening Round Playoff Exit
Preview by: Mike Raschle – RSM Special Content Contributor – @mikehabs09
Vancouver Canucks
2020-21 Result: 23-29-4, 7th in North Division, Missed Playoffs
+ Key Additions: C Jason Dickinson (DAL), RW Conor Garland (ARI), D Oliver-Ekman Larsson (ARI), D Tucker Poolman (WPG), D Luke Schenn (TBL), G Jaroslav Halak (BOS)
－Key Departures: C Jay Beagle (ARI), LW Loui Eriksson (ARI), LW Antoine Roussel (ARI), RW Jake Virtanen (FA), D Alexander Edler (EDM), D Nate Schmidt (WPG), G Braden Holtby (DAL)
Canucks Outlook
A summer in Vancouver that should have been headlined by long-term extensions to franchise cornerstones Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes, was instead dominated by shipping out overpaid contracts previously signed in free agency for a regressing defenceman, Oliver Ekman-Larsson for a net gain of next to no cap space. It was a curious strategy by GM Jim Benning, to say the least.
The additions up front of Conor Garland, who is coming of a career year of 39 points (12 goals, 27 assists) in 49 games, and Jason Dickinson, a solid two-way center, should add some nice depth to the top nine.
On October 1st, a week and a half away from an official contract hold-out, Pettersson and Hughes signed contracts on the same day. The franchise forward decided to settle for a 3-year bridge deal at an annual average value (AAV) of just over $7 million, while the crafty offensive defenceman opted for a six-year long term contract just shy of $8 million AAV.
With neither player expected to miss any regular season games, the Canucks outlook becomes much rosier. The forwards should be able to form one of the better top nines in the league, but a slow and veteran defense will hold this team back. No matter how big a step in development talented goaltender Thatcher Demko can take, Vancouver will be in tough to compete for a playoff spot.
> Prediction: Bubble Playoff Team
Preview by: Mike Raschle – RSM Special Content Contributor – @mikehabs09
Seattle Kraken
2020-21 Result: N/A
+ Key Additions: (beyond expansion draft) C Marcus Johansson (MIN), C Alex Wennberg (FLA), D Connor Carrick (NJD), G Philipp Grubauer (COL)
－Key Departures: RW Tyler Pitlick (CAL), D Kurtis MacDermid (COL), G Vitek Vanecek (WAS)
Kraken Outlook
The newest NHL franchise is set to hit the ice this season with several unknowns about the team. What do we know about the Kraken so far? The team is BIG. The defense is towering with several veterans that are well known for being hard to play against and that is exactly what the Kraken will be; hard to play against.
The big question mark for the team will be its forward chemistry and who is going to score? The roster is filled with a lot of hard-working skilled players but is missing elite talent which is to be expected with an expansion team. That said, the Kraken will need players to buy into the type of team they are.
The Kraken are going to grind out games to the final whistle, be extremely physical, sound defensively and be opportunistic on offense. The benefit for the Kraken is their division, only two teams in their division made the playoffs last year and this season should have a similar outcome.
The highlight of this roster is in net. GM Ron Francis selected and re-signed Chris Driedger at the expansion draft. The Winnipeg, Manitoba native is coming off a breakout campaign with the Florida Panthers, recording 14 wins in 22 games played, with three shutouts and a sparkling .927 save-percentage.
To many fans surprise, the Kraken also signed veteran tender free agent Philipp Grubauer. He is a recent Vezina trophy finalist, who back-stopped the Colorado Avalanche to the best record in the league in the 2020-21 season.
This duo has the chance to be one of the best in the league.
The Seattle Kraken could just be a bubble playoff team if they find their chemistry and have early season success. If they don’t they could be a bubble team that plays hard and are in every game but lack the fire power to win much needed games costing them a playoff spot.
> Prediction: Bubble Playoff Team
Preview by: Sam G – RSM Content Contributor – @Gerbs76PK
Calgary Flames
2020-21 Result: 26-27-3, 5th in North Division, Missed Playoffs
+ Key Additions: C Blake Coleman (TBL), C Trevor Lewis (LAK), RW Tyler Pitlick (EDM), D Nikita Zadorov (CHI)
－Key Departures: C Derek Ryan (EDM), C Zac Rinaldo (CBJ/CLE-AHL), LW Josh Leivo (CAR), LW Joakim Nordstrom (CSKA-KHL), D Mark Giordano (SEA)
Flames Outlook
After losing beloved captain Mark Giordano to the expansion Seattle Kraken, the Calgary Flames responded by signing Stanley Cup Champion shut-down center, Blake Coleman, and bruising defender, Nikita Zadorov. It is likely not the response Flames fans were hoping for.
With a disgruntled and under-achieving core of Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau returning for yet another year in Cowtown, can they gel with young, stud power forward Matthew Tkachuk and center pivot Dillon Dube? Recent history is not on their side.
Blake Coleman is a nice complimentary piece that will have a chance at an increased role with the Flames top two lines. In addition, the young and improving defense core of Noah Hanifin and Rasmus Andersson should take another step this season. Its hard to argue either can replace the 23-plus minutes of ice-time a night that Giordano logged and that could be the downfall of this flawed group.
The consistent goaltending of Jacob Markstrom will likely keep them out of the draft lottery, but the playoffs will likely be a pipe dream. Could this mean the end of Gaudreau and Monahan in Calgary ? The deadline on March 21st, 2022 could be a very busy day for GM Brad Treliving and company for all the wrong reasons.
> Prediction: Dazed and Confused.
Preview by: Mike Raschle – RSM Special Content Contributor – @mikehabs09
San Jose Sharks
2020-21 Result: 21-28-7, 7th in West Division, Missed Playoffs
+ Key Additions: C Andrew Cogliano (DAL), C Nick Bonino (MIN), RW Nick Merkley (ARI), G Adin Hill (ARI), G James Reimer (CAR)
－Key Departures: C Ryan Donato (SEA), C Patrick Marleau (Retire), RW Kurtis Gabriel (TOR), RW Marcus Sorensen (SWE), D Greg Pateryn (ANA), G Martin Jones (PHI)
Sharks Outlook
Looks like this is yet another off-season of minor adjustments to depth players by longtime GM Doug Wilson. After consecutive years of disappointing finishes outside of the playoffs, one must wonder if its getting close to the end of the road for a veteran core that is not aging very gracefully to say the least.
Former elite defenders and play drivers, Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson, are only halfway through lucrative contracts that only look worse as the years go by but are already considered by many to be untradeable.
Even if the defense can find its golden years, the offense upfront has not developed to plan. Youngsters Timo Meier and Kevin Labanc both had down season in 2020-21. The lone bright spot was the play of Czech center Thomas Hertl, who continues to consistently improve and looks to build on a 43-point campaign with 19 goals and 24 assists. Evander Kane also enjoyed an excellent 49 point season with 22 goals and 27 assists, but his attitude, financial and legal troubles may keep him off the ice for the time being.
One positive to pull from the Sharks quiet off-season is the addition of goalies Adin Hill and James Reimer. The former looks to build off his impressive AHL resume and short stint in front of a depleted and unmotivated Arizona Coyotes team while the latter, has consistently performed as a valuable tandem goalie.
Reimer has posted a career average save percentage of .913, a figure that has never dipped below .900, something that former starter, Martin Jones, can only dream of in recent years, as he battled to get over .895 in the last three seasons.
Much improved goaltending and a potential resurgent season from at least one of the veteran skaters will keep this team out of draft lottery contention, but a playoff spot will need a minor miracle in a city where that used to be automatic.
> Prediction: Dazed and Confused
Preview by: Mike Raschle – RSM Special Content Contributor – @mikehabs09
Anaheim Ducks
2020-21 Result: 17-30-9, 7th in West Division, Missed Playoffs
+ Key Additions: RW Danny O`Reagan (BOS), RW Buddy Robinson (CAL), D Greg Pateryn (SJS)
－Key Departures: C David Backes (Retire), LW Danton Heinen (PIT), Haydn Fleury (SEA)
Ducks Outlook
Three straight non-playoff seasons, and the Ducks management have chosen to remain quiet this off-season. A once formidable defense core continues to age, and even with the addition of young stud Jamie Drysdale in a full-time top four spot, it does not look to be any stronger then the team that gave up the 9th most goals in 2020-’21.
Speaking of goals, the forward core is actually quiet intriguing. With full seasons from projected Calder trophy candidate Trevor Zegras, and another year of development from the trio of Maxime Comtois, Troy Terry, and Sam Steel the offense could be fun to watch. Problem is, I do not think the veteran core of Rickard Rakell, Jakob Silfverberg and Ryan Getzlaf will be in their respective primes long enough to match up with the group of youngsters best years.
This roster very clearly points to a tear down two years ago, yet long-time Anaheim GM Bob Murray continues to ride the elite goaltending of John Gibson to mediocre finishes. At 28-years-old, the former second round pick (39th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft is one of the most consistent performers night in and night out. Although a down year for his standards, he posted a .903 save-percentage along with a 2.98 goals-against-average in 2020-21.
Unlike their California counterparts, I do not think the once mighty Ducks goaltending is strong enough to keep them out of the basement. Which oddly enough, could reward the group with a generational talent named Shane Wright. I guess that is where the inevitable rebuild would begin? Oh right, I mean re-tool!
> Prediction: Draft Lottery Contender
Preview by: Mike Raschle – RSM Special Content Contributor – @mikehabs09
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NHL 2021-22 Season Preview | Rocket Sports
Thanks for reading! If you have missed any of our previews for the 2021-22 NHL season, use the links below to locate them!
Pacific Division 2021-22 Season Preview | Rocket Sports
Atlantic Division 2021-22 Season Preview | Rocket Sports
Metropolitan Division 2021-22 Season Preview | Rocket Sports
Central Division 2021-22 Season Preview | Rocket Sports
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