NHL Power Rankings: Chicago Blackhawks Will Need More Depth

By Fansided and Aaron Goldschmidt/FanSided via Blackhawk Up
Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:16 p.m. ET

With an handful of Eastern Conference teams that look to be serious Stanley Cup contenders, the Chicago Blackhawks have slipped up a bit in our NHL power rankings

Depth issues.  We’ve been saying this all year.  Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville has been cycling every young player into the first-line left wing position, but nothing seems to be clicking.

Losing to the Blues last year and watching Minnesota seem to take the next step, the Blackhawks need to make one if not a couple moves to be a contender again this year.  The Blackhawks have not been satisfied being a “one and done” team in the playoffs, so look for GM Stan Bowman to trade away more prospects and draft picks in exchange for playoff tested veterans.

What does it all mean for this week’s NHL power rankings? Let’s take a look. (Note: Records and stats as of Tuesday night.)

Colorado Avalanche

Last week: 13-27-1, 27 ptsLast rank: 29th

Arizona Coyotes

Last week: 13-24-6, 32 ptsLast rank: 30th

Buffalo Sabres

Last week: 17-17-9, 43 ptsLast rank: 28

New York Islanders

Last week: 17-17-8, 42 ptsLast rank: 26th

Dallas Stars

Last week: 18-19-8, 44 ptsLast rank: 22nd

Detroit Red Wings

Last week: 19-19-6, 44 ptsLast rank: 24th

Winnipeg Jets

Last week: 20-23-4, 44 ptsLast rank: 21st

New Jersey Devils

Last week: 18-18-9, 45 ptsLast rank: 25th

Vancouver Canucks

Last week: 20-19-6, 46 ptsLast rank: 27th

Tampa Bay Lightning

Last week: 21-20-4, 46 ptsLast rank: 17th

Nashville Predators

Last week: 20-16-7, 47 ptsLast rank: 18th

Ottawa Senators

Last week: 22-15-4, 48 ptsLast rank: 14th

Florida Panthers

Last week: 20-17-8, 48 ptsLast rank: 23rd

Los Angeles Kings

Last week: 22-18-4Last rank: 15th

Carolina Hurricanes

Last week: 21-15-7, 49 ptsLast rank: 20th

Calgary Flames

Last week: 23-20-3, 49 ptsLast rank: 12th

Toronto Maple Leafs

Last week: 20-13-8, 48 ptsLast rank: 19th

Philadelphia Flyers

Last week: 22-18-6, 50 ptsLast rank: 10th

St. Louis Blues

Last week: 23-16-5, 51 ptsLast rank: 9th

Boston Bruins

Last week: 2-19-5, 51 ptsLast rank: 16th

San Jose Sharks

Last week: 26-16-2Last rank: 8th

Anaheim Ducks

Last week: 24-13-9, 57 ptsLast rank: 13th

New York Rangers

Last week: 28-15-1, 57 ptsLast rank: 3rd

The Rangers have come back to earth since their fast start, but still have an impressive team goal differential of +36. Their defense has always been deep but the story this year has been young forward production. Their top three scorers are Kevin Hayes, Derek Stepan, and JT Miller all whom are under 27 years old. Michael Grabner also seems like the pickup of the century with 27 points on the year. The Rangers will get back young forward Mika Zibanejad which will help their depth considerably. Let’s see if King Lundqvist can keep up with his young team at 34 years old. Next: No. 7

7

Edmonton Oilers

Last week: 24-15-7, 55 pts
Last rank: 11th

When Conor McDavid was 14, he was said to be the biggest NHL prospect since Sidney Crosby. Five years later, McDavid leads the league in scoring, just one point in front of Sidney Crosby. With 14 goals and 37 assists, Conor McDavid is leading a previously playoff inept hockey team to the playoffs. Even with the departure of Taylor Hall, the Oilers are rolling. They are 6-3-1 in their last ten games and 12-7-5 ON THE ROAD! If the Oil Change can keep this up, we may have a contender on our hands.

Chicago Blackhawks

Last week: 27-14-5, 59 ptsLast rank: 5th



Montreal Canadiens

Last week: 27-12-6Last rank: 4th

Columbus Blue Jackets

Last week: 29-9-4, 62 ptsLast rank: 1st

Pittsburgh Penguins

Last week: 27-11-5, 59 ptsLast rank: 2nd

Minnesota Wild

Last week: 28-9-5, 61 ptsLast rank: 6th

Washington Capitals

Last week: 29-9-6, 64 ptsLast rank: 7th

This Capitals team is simply one well oiled machine. We saw first hand what they can do to a playoff contender when they dismantled the Blackhawks 6-0. Ever since the outdoor game with the Caps, I knew they were an awful matchup for the Blackhawks. That being said, the Capitals were in this same situation last year. Everybody thought they couldn’t be stopped, but they were. The Caps are 9-0-1 in their last ten and will probably continue to steamroll the rest of the NHL. Boy would it be cool to see Syd vs Ovi in the Eastern Conference championship. Let’s pray for that.

More from Blackhawk Up

    This article originally appeared on