Round 2 of the Stanley playoffs is in full swing now, but before we immerse ourselves, let’s take one final look at Round 1 and, more specifically, the eight teams that got knocked out.
Roundtable members:of all the first-round loser franchises (Vegas, Nashville, Winnipeg, Los Angeles, Washington, NY Islanders, Tampa Bay, Toronto), which one are you most optimistic about for next season?
MATT LARKIN: It has to be the Vegas Golden Knights, right? I’ll put it this way: the Dallas Stars were my Stanley Cup pick, and if they go all the way, it’ll mean Vegas pushed the eventual winner to seven games. Adding Tomas Hertl, Noah Hanifin and Anthony Mantha this season just reminded us once again that Vegas is the NHL’s most ruthless team and will stop at nothing to win another championship. A first-round defeat will only make them mad. It doesn’t look like they have the cap space to retain Jonathan Marchessault, but they’re so good at thinking outside the box that I’m done using the words “can’t,” “won’t” or “never” when it comes to Vegas figuring out roster upgrades.
STEVEN ELLIS: I’m also going with the Vegas Golden Knights. Matt, you mentioned the additions they made, but the fact that neither Hertl nor Hanifin is a rental is amazing. We know they’re going to get aggressive at the trade deadline again, which only makes it more interesting. They had some injury issues heading into the playoffs but still managed to start off strong against the team I picked to go the distance. If they can stay healthy heading into the playoffs, they’re going to be riding a wave like they did in 2023.
SCOTT MAXWELL: Normally, I try to pick a different answer than everyone else, even if I think the best answer has already been said. But there really isn’t another answer except the Vegas Golden Knights. The Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs are possibilities depending on who their next head coaches are, but I don’t have full confidence in their management to make the smart choices there. Every other team is either lacking the skill to truly contend, on a downward trajectory, or refusing to admit that they’re on a downward trajectory, so that leaves us with Vegas. They’d probably be in the second round right now if they faced a team like Winnipeg or Vancouver in the first round instead and even though they might lose out on key names like Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson and Alec Martinez, they’ve brought in ready-made replacements like Tomas Hertl and Noah Hanifin. If there’s any concern that I do have with them, it’s that they’ve really exhausted their draft and prospect capital and don’t have much left to either fill in their opening spots or use as assets in trades to acquire that depth. But they always seem to find a way out of trouble.
FRANK SERAVALLI: Jeez, don’t everyone all go out on a limb at once. Too late – that branch snapped already. I’m going to go with the Winnipeg Jets. I know it just happened, but how many playoff series performances like this past one is Connor Hellebuyck going to have? Does anyone think perhaps the best goalie of his generation suddenly forgot how to play goalie? The Jets were the best defensive team in hockey, backstopped by the arguably the best goalie. There are certainly some reasons for optimism. A new coach will provide a new voice, even if it ends up being a familiar face in Scott Arniel. There will also likely be changes (and improvements?) to the roster. There is room for more growth, as for instance, I’d love to know what happened to Cole Perfetti. And yes, they’re playing in a murderous division, but I don’t think the Jets are going anywhere but north.
MIKE GOULD: Hah, you said it, Frank. Is there an echo in here? Quite honestly, I don’t think I’d pick the Golden Knights even if three of you hadn’t already done so — I’m really bearish about their chances if they can’t keep Jonathan Marchessault and Chandler Stephenson, especially after Tomas Hertl’s underwhelming playoff showing. Instead, I’m going to go with the Toronto Maple Leafs. C’mon, it’s gotta happen sometime, right? I’m not necessarily the biggest believer in Brad Treliving as a general manager but I do think the path is clear for him to make the necessary changes to this Leafs team this summer. Hire the right coach, figure out what to do with Mitch Marner, and make some quality depth additions, and this Leafs team could be on the right track pretty soon. Then again, we’ve been saying this for a decade already…
