DCHL Power Rankings (and one player from each team that needs to improve in the 2nd half) (pt. 2)

20. New Jersey Devils (24-22-4)

The Devils are the lowest of the teams that are above .500. They've had quite a streaky season, putting up multiple 3+ game win streaks and multiple 3+ game losing streaks. I'd be hard-pressed to find someone having as disappointing a season as Vladimir Tarasenko. Essentially acquired in a giveaway, Tarasenko has not been performing to the lofty standards most have for a player of his caliber. 8-9–17 in 48gp is a massive disappointment. I'd like to see him improve in the next half, which should in turn help the team be a bit less streaky.

19. Anaheim Ducks (26-25-1)

The Ducks are doing quite well for themselves, though I believe the lack of depth could be something that hurts their chances significantly at making any type of run. There are quite a few people I'd like to see step up, but I don't think it would be farfetched to think that Filip Forsberg has had a disappointing season up to this point. If the Ducks have any chance of competing with the top-tier teams of the Pacific and Central Divisions, they're going to need their star winger to increase his production. When Forsberg is on, the whole team is on.

18. Arizona Coyotes (26-22-3)

The Coyotes have are an interesting team, as the top line of E. Kane, Barkov and Atkinson have been carrying this team on their backs. They are 1st, 4th, and 6th in league scoring respectively. Meanwhile, the rest of the team has not been much of a factor. Andrei Svechnikov is one of the better players on the team but has not shown it. Currently 6-15–21 in 51 games and an atrocious -24 rating, I'd like to see the electric forward improve his game at both ends of the ice, as he seems to be struggling immensely.

17. Colorado Avalanche (26-22-3)

After we arrive at our first team from the central division! A team on the rise, having gone 8-2-0 in their last 10 games, the Avalanche are a team that can compete with the best of them when they're all playing to their full potential. They've shown that in the last 10 games, but there's still some work to be done. They have a very deep roster, but that depth needs to be better in the last stretch, and that's why my choice is Erik Haula. With 5-9–14 in 51 games, he's had a lackluster season to say the least. If Haula can turn it around, the Avalanche should see an immediate improvement to their placement. 

16. Boston Bruins (25-18-6)

The Bruins have had an interesting season, to say the least. I'd imagine it's hard to build chemistry amongst the players seeing as the team has made 12 trades since the calendar flipped to 2022. Luckily for Boston though, the rest of the Atlantic is so dreadful that despite being 16th in the power rankings, they rank 2nd in their division. One of the few players who's been with the team the whole season, Marcus Johansson has only 12 points in the 49 games he's played and it's hard to blame him with the amount of shifts the team has had. I'm hoping he can pull it together and put up some better numbers, though he's long removed from his prime at this point. 

15. Edmonton Oilers (28-21-3)

The Oilers are a team filled with star power, all of which have had a hard time producing to their fullest potential. My choice for improvement is Victor Hedman. Oddly, he carries a -11 rating, a team low. Very strange, as many would consider him the best defenseman in the league. His point production is by no means awful (5-26–31 in 52gp) but is nowhere near as good as many know him to be. If he can improve his defensive game and his offensive output, the Oilers will be well on their way to the playoffs. 

14. Chicago Blackhawks (28-21-4) 

Despite being tied with two other teams in the standings, they also have roughly a handful of games in hand on the Blackhawks, thus they rank here. The Blackhawks are yet another team that has shown just how good they can be, but at times have been wildly inconsistent. Currently on a 3 game win streak, after a dreadful 9 game losing streak, which itself was after a 5 game win streak. Currently ranked 9th in team scoring, Adrian Kempe is my choice for this team. He would have been my choice for top scorer on the Blackhawks. However, despite putting up career-best totals, it’s still not quite as much as you’d like your top forward to put up. If he can improve, the Blackhawks’ chances go up significantly, but the central division is just too good for players to not be playing at their best. 

 13. Nashville Predators (28-22-2)

The Nashville Predators shoot up the rankings after a 5 game win streak coming into the olympic/all-star break. They’ve got a very solid team that could definitely overtake some of the teams currently ahead of them, especially with the way they’ve been playing. There is one player who really needs to step, and that’s assistant captain Johnny Gaudreau. After 3 consecutive 70+ point seasons, Gaudreau seems to have stopped dead in his tracks, posting 9 goals and 16 assists for a measly total of 25 points in 52 games. Gaudreau has been one of the best players in the entire league the last few seasons, so it’s a shame to see how far the mighty has fallen. Johnny Hockey is certainly skilled enough to make a comeback, and if the Preds expect to make the playoffs, his return to form is essential.

12. St. Louis Blues (27-16-6)

The Blues are a great team that just happens to be stuck in the toughest division possible, as has been said for the other teams in that division. For reference, you could take 6 of the teams from the central, put them in the atlantic, and they’d immediately be 2nd place. That’s the competition St. Louis has to deal with. If they wish to climb the standings, then I’d like to see their middle 6 improve. More specifically, I’d like to see Josh Anderson start to score a bit more. He’s already passed his point total from last year, however, he’s far removed from his breakout seasons the years prior. If Josh can produce at the level as his linemates, the team should be able to pass Chicago and Minnesota, two teams that they’re currently tied with in points. 

11. Minnesota Wild (27-15-6)

The Wild are a stellar team and rank 3rd in the central division, though it is currently a 3-way tie for that position with the last two teams. They have all of the tools to be successful and make a run. Of course, we’re only 2 years removed from their incredible victory in the 2019 playoffs. If we’ve learned anything from the past few years, it’s the importance of having a backup goalie who can reliably relieve pressure from the starting goaltender, and that’s why I’ve chosen Jake Allen. 8-3-3 is not a bad record, but he carries with him a 3.18GAA and an 88.5%. What this shows is that despite his poor performances, the team has been able to succeed. Now, could you imagine if he performed well? If he can play a bit better, the Wild should be able to move up significantly.