Nashville Predators: Power Ranking the Non-Playoff Teams of 2023

Non-Playoff Teams in the Basement

(San Jose Sharks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers)

This might seem kind of harsh for a couple of these teams, but this is my group that is either trending down from last season or they’re going to remain near the bottom of the NHL in 2023-24.

As you might notice, I’ve left the Predators out of this group because despite being heavy sellers, I don’t think they’re doomed for a long and painful rebuild like some of these other non-playoff teams.

The San Jose Sharks might be the worst team in the NHL. I don’t see any clear direction that this team is going in and they lack any noticeable strengths with the exception of possible 2023 Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson.

Tomas Hertl is their centerpiece, but outside from him, it’s a lineup that lacks any star power that can get them out of inept purgatory.

The Blue Jackets faded badly this past season and they’re hoping they can land the top draft pick and draft Connor Bedard to save them. They’ll draft a quality first round pick regardless, but they’re a ways off as well.

The Blackhawks are knee deep in a rebuild that doesn’t seem to be showing much promise to shift in a positive direction anytime soon. Again, they need Connor Bedard badly.

The Canadiens and Flyers are two teams that weren’t quite as bad as the others in the standings, but are trending downward and are probably in store for ugly 2023-24 campaigns.

Non Playoff Teams who are a Work-in-Progress

(Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, Arizona Coyotes, Ottawa Senators)

Some of you are going to be puzzles as to why I wouldn’t put the Predators in the top tier of non-playoff teams considering they came up just three points shy of the Winnipeg Jets despite a rash of injuries and selling at the deadline.

Although there’s an argument to be had that the Predators will be right back in the midst of playoff contention next season, I’m feeling like let’s pump the brakes a little bit. This offseason is going to offer a lot of questions on how they’re going to construct the lineup when everyone gets healthy.

Where is Ryan Johansen going to fit into this equation? He’s the oddball in all of this when figuring out how this lineup will look on opening night of 2023-24. And then there’s the elephant in the room of what happens behind the bench with Head Coach John Hynes.

This is why I place the Predators in that “work-in-progress” category. They’re certainly not a dumpster fire and can definitely be back in the hunt for the playoffs in 2024, but a lot needs to be settled. Most notably that the high level of play from the youngsters wasn’t a flash in the pan and it’s actually a sign of things to come.

I have the Vancouver Canucks in this category because they were arguably the biggest disappointment in the NHL, along with the St. Louis Blues, for failing to make the playoffs despite having a decent roster on paper, and a high-quality goaltender in Thatcher Demko.

I can see the Canucks bouncing back in 2024 and returning to the postseason. Elias Pettersson is elite and is signed to another year, and they have top-end talent at the forward position with Brock Boeser, J.T. Miller and Conor Garland.

The Anaheim Ducks are my surprise pick for this category. Yes, they finished dead last in the entire NHL in points with 58. Just atrocious, but I think they’re building something and have some quality young pieces that will continue to get better, unlike teams in my basement like the San Jose Sharks.

The Ottawa Senators were another disappointment, although not at the same level as the Canucks. They didn’t put it all together for a playoff berth like many predicted they would, but they were just five points out.

This isn’t a terrible tier to be in if you’re a fan of one of these teams. All hope is indeed not lost. It just means you have some work to do and questions to figure out, maybe this offseason, before we can say definitively which direction you’re going in.

Non-Playoff Teams that are On the Doorstep

(Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres, Washington Capitals, Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings)

These are the teams that either just narrowly missed the playoffs and will be back in 2024, or they’re trending in a positive direction and next year is their year to finish the deal.

Two long playoff streaks ended in the NHL with the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins both failing to qualify. I still have the Penguins firmly as playoff contenders for 2023-24. As long as Sidney Crosby is still on this team and they’re effectively building around him, then the Penguins aren’t going to just fade into irrelevancy.

The Buffalo Sabres looked poised to crack into the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2010-11. They were one of the most prolific offensive teams in the NHL led by Tage Thompson, and have one of the better rising defensive talents in Rasmus Dahlin.

Obviously the goalie position has to be addressed for Buffalo, but they’re a high-end goalie away from being a dangerous team in the Eastern Conference in 2024.

The Washington Capitals fell flat down the stretch run of 2022-23. A major letdown to not qualify, and although they’re Stanley Cup aspirations are pretty low, they’re definitely a team that can easily return to the postseason in 2024.

Same goes for Calgary in the Western Conference. They have all the pieces and there’s no excuses to be on the outside looking in right now. The Predators put the final nail in by formally eliminating the Flames from contention late in the regular season, and it was a putrid effort on their part, while the Predators played galvanized and treated it like a playoff game.

Finally, I finish this off with the Detroit Red Wings, My way-too-early surprise pick of 2023-24. I’m calling my shot that they make the biggest leap forward among the non-playoff teams.

I’m a huge believer in the Steven Yzerman plan with a young and talented lineup led by the likes of Moritz Seider, Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, Andrew Copp and Dominik Kubalik. All under the age of 30, with veterans David Perron, Ben Chiarot and Olli Maatta also signed through 2023-24.

Power Rankings of the Non-Playoff Teams

1. Detroit Red Wings
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Calgary Flames
4. Buffalo Sabres
5. Washington Capitals
6. Nashville Predators
7. Vancouver Canucks
8. Ottawa Senators
9. St. Louis Blues
10. Anaheim Ducks
11. Arizona Coyotes
12. Montreal Canadiens
13. Columbus Blue Jackets
14. Philadelphia Flyers
15. Chicago Blackhawks
16. San Jose Sharks