Welcome to RANKED

Every week during the NHL season, we are ranking players, moments, and anything else we can think of throughout hockey history. This week, we’re rating how panicked some underperforming teams should be.

We are approaching one of the early landmarks in the NHL season: American Thanksgiving. This holiday will either provide a sigh of relief or some anxious sweating for all 32 teams. If a team is in a playoff spot by Thanksgiving — roughly six weeks into the season — there is a massive chance it still will be after 82 games have been played.

With the holiday coming this week, we have decided to look at teams that had high preseason expectations and rank them by how panicked they should be. Some teams might be just fine with taking another year to hold back and draft in the top 10, while some need to win immediately. Who should be freaking out right now?

Teams and their Panic Levels

Ottawa Senators

While the Senators could be doing a lot more and their depth is a little weak, they probably should not be panicking at all. By points percentage – because of their lack of games played – they are still right in the hunt and sit above teams like the Penguins. A win streak combined with some losses by their competitors could land them in a playoff spot before some people have had their turkey.

New Jersey Devils

Despite falling behind some other teams, the Devils have such a young group and there is not really any massive pressure to repeat what they did last time around. A slight disappointment, but the fix really is just between the pipes, and they could easily turn things around.

New York Islanders

The Islanders have put themselves in a position to find success but might need to adjust to hanging around the middle. With no expectations, there shouldn’t be too much panic, maybe just frustration.

Nashville Predators

While the Predators kept some key players and new signings, they might just need to get used to hanging around the middle. With no expectations, there shouldn’t be too much panic, maybe just frustration.

Buffalo Sabres

Even if they don’t make the playoffs, there’s hope in young rookies developing and prospects breaking through. There shouldn’t be too much anxiety about the near future in Buffalo.

Calgary Flames

Just like most teams on this list, the Flames need to justify their big deals by making the playoffs. The team has pulled itself up from the bottom and there shouldn’t be too much panic, just the pressure to win now with a lot of veterans wanting out.

Minnesota Wild

With neither the status quo nor improvements happening, there should be some alarm bells ringing as loud as ever. The Wild are falling fast and the lack of incoming flexibility for this roster or breakout stars coming to the rescue is worrisome.

Edmonton Oilers

This is a team with generational players like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl that finds itself with a poor record and most likely not making the playoffs. There should be substantial amounts of panic and worry running through the team. The future looks uncertain for this team.

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