2024 New Year's Resolutions for Every NHL Team
Ah, the new year. A fresh slate with a side of hope that your dreams might come true over the next 12 months...unless you're a Buffalo Sabre.
Everyone knows the first step to realizing those big dreams is a simple resolution. Whether your NHL team is tanking for Macklin Celebrini, on the playoff bubble, or a Stanley Cup contender, there's always room for improvement.
Let's kick off 2024 with a resolution for each NHL team.
Anaheim Ducks
1 of 32
Stay the course
A new year brings a certain pressure to make drastic changes, especially when you're not exactly where you want to be in life.
However, the most essential part of sustainably achieving a goal is often the patience and wherewithal to stick with the plan when immediate results don't come.
The plan was never for the Ducks to be "good" this year. It was for the young players to get acclimated to the league they will one day be stars in, and this young core has done that and then some.
The growing pains need to happen. But as long as Trevor Zegras gets back on track for the second half of the season, it's all good in Anaheim.
Arizona Coyotes
2 of 32
Just a little something
The Coyotes have pleasantly surprised many, assembling a feel-good story with goaltender Connor Ingram breaking out, an abundance of depth and a loose dress code at Mullett Arena.
No matter what stage of a rebuild a club is in, the pros of making the playoffs always greatly outweigh the cons for a small-market team, especially on the heels of relocation discourse. So what does Arizona need to make it happen?
I could stand to see a bit more of a sniping edge to this team. Looking ahead, though, the entire blue line is essentially entering free agency this offseason. So, maybe Arizona could go for a sniping defenseman with a multi-year contract at the trade deadline.
Boston Bruins
3 of 32
Learn from the Ghosts of Christmas Past
The whiplash of the Bruins going from a historically good regular season to a first-round exit last postseason was so severe that identifying the true issue is still a struggle if we're being honest.
"Bounces" and the nature of a seven-game series factored in, but obviously luck wasn't the only (or even the main) explanation.
Months removed, it feels like some combination of elite and consistent goaltending masking potential flaws and a lack of regular-season adversity removing a sense of urgency needed in the playoffs.
What's the solution? Lose more regular-season games? Lose Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci for some automatic adversity?
We'll see if this regular season has a different fate in 2024.
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Buffalo Sabres
4 of 32
Adjust expectations
I've been encouraged by Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams' confidence over the past season and a half when it comes to a lack of moves. How wonderful would it be if the youthful core took the next step without any external help?
Well, they haven't, and I'm not blaming them, and there was way too much pressure on 22-year-old rookie Devon Levi to jump into an NHL net and break a 12-season playoff drought.
This is on management. Get the team some more help or be comfortable waiting a few more seasons.
Calgary Flames
5 of 32
Earn your paycheck
You don't want to kick someone when he's down, but you hope Jonathan Huberdeau turns things around in the new year.
The 30-year-old only got five goals in 37 games with his $10.5 million cap hit, but at least one of those came Tuesday after a two-month drought.
Huberdeau is a player who tends to go on hot streaks, so perhaps this is the start of one.
Carolina Hurricanes
6 of 32
Find your zen
The Hurricanes are in a tough spot as a franchise right now.
It's not enough that they keep making the playoffs, and it hurts that they've been swept in the conference finals at the beginning of their window and last postseason.
It can feel like they're living and dying by every game, especially in a division as tight as the Metropolitan.
However, now that Andrei Svechnikov is back, Sebastian Aho has woken up and entered a career-best tear and they've found stability in net with Pyotr Kochetkov, suddenly everything is fine.
Chicago Blackhawks
7 of 32
New year, new bestie for Connor Bedard
The Blackhawks are swimming in cap space and have a considerable need for another tried-and-true scorer after terminating Corey Perry's contract.
Connor Bedard has lived up to the hype and then some in horrid conditions. Go get him another linemate with star power.
Colorado Avalanche
8 of 32
Take a chill pill...maybe
Part of me thinks the recent saga of the Avalanche holding each other (and each other's dads) accountable in the media is a little dramatic considering they're first in the Central and tied for first in the West.
The other part of me knows that accountability and intensity are why they are where they are. This is a Nathan MacKinnon team after all, and No. 29 is having one of the best stretches of his career.
Maybe keep it up with the callouts. But don't forget to smile and enjoy the present at least a little.
Columbus Blue Jackets
9 of 32
Let it rip
This season was over before it even started with the hiring and firing of Mike Babcock, and somehow it got even worse from there.
Just give us all some mercy and provide the kids all of the ice time for the rest of the season. See ya next year.
Dallas Stars
10 of 32
Prove people wrong
Most Cup-contending small-market teams have a well-deserved chip on their shoulder and the urge to prove everyone wrong.
This Dallas Stars group can channel that 10 times over, with an interesting combination of older guys who've still got it, a Matt Duchene resurgence and a handful of younger guys who keep popping up and making an impact.
This team is legit from top to bottom, but is still slept on. That will be a terrifying prospect come playoff time.
Detroit Red Wings
11 of 32
Develop consistency
Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman appeared to sign off on the next stage of the Yzerplan when acquiring Patrick Kane for the season.
And, after a modest start, the 35-year-old has been heating up and making a significant impact.
Are the Red Wings as ready as we thought they were to become a playoff team, though? The ups and downs have been difficult to navigate this season. It's officially gut-check time.
Edmonton Oilers
12 of 32
Help Stuart Skinner help himself
Don't look now, but Stuart Skinner and the Oilers' defense have got it together recently to match the Connor McDavid heater.
Things are looking up again in Oil Town despite a brutal start, and they're climbing into a wild-card spot with no signs of slowing down.
Don't disturb whatever magic is happening in Edmonton's own end right now.
Florida Panthers
13 of 32
More media appearances for Keith Tkachuk
Remember when Keith Tkachuk called his son, Matthew, and the rest of the Florida Panthers out last season?
Matthew went on a scoring streak that warranted a Hart Trophy campaign and the whole team had one of the best post-All-Star break runs in NHL history.
The Panthers are again proving people wrong as they sit comfortably at No. 2 in the Atlantic, and they're doing it without a monster contribution from Matthew. Imagine if he really got going? Let's get his dad on TNT.
Los Angeles Kings
14 of 32
Make a deep run
The new-age Kings arrived with a playoff appearance last season and a pretty solid effort against the Oilers.
They've taken a step forward this season. Cam Talbot has enjoyed a resurgence in net, Quinton Byfield is becoming the player we thought he could be and Drew Doughty is feeling it.
It's time for a multi-round playoff run for the Kings.
Minnesota Wild
15 of 32
Look for a local witch
Did someone curse the Minnesota Wild?
Key contributors Jonas Brodin and Mats Zuccarello were already out, and Kirill Kaprizov, goalie Filip Gustavsson, Vinni Lettieri, Marcus Foligno and captain Jared Spurgeon are now all hurt to start the year.
Each team suffers significant injuries from time to time, but the Wild are dealing with multiple stars at every position simultaneously missing time as they tumble down the standings.
Montreal Canadiens
16 of 32
Get worse
Do you want Macklin Celebrini or not, Montreal? Look to your friends out West in San Jose and act accordingly.
Nashville Predators
17 of 32
Stand for something, anything
The Nashville Predators remain one of the league's most mid teams across every metric this season. At this point, I don't even care what new GM Barry Trotz decides to do this offseason. Let's just hope it's a step in any direction.
New Jersey Devils
18 of 32
Focus on your own zone
Devils games have been great fun to watch all season for unbiased observers. This, of course, means it's probably been stressful if you're a New Jersey fan.
On one hand, you've got one of the most electric offenses in the league sitting at No. 5 in goals per game with 3.58 and No. 1 in power-play conversion at 30.6 percent.
On the other, you've got no goaltending and minimal defense. The Devils are fifth-worst leaguewide, averaging 3.53 goals against per game. And seeing the goals-for vs. goals-against averages really tells the story of the season.
Go get you a goalie.
New York Islanders
19 of 32
No more overtime
What's worse, the 10 overtime losses on the season propping the Islanders up in a comfortable playoff spot or the discourse surrounding the entire thing?
The rules are the rules, and I'm all for making it into the playoffs any way you can. But I don't have to enjoy watching it.
New York Rangers
20 of 32
Don't mess this up
Everything is clicking under new head coach Peter Laviolette as the Rangers sit atop the Eastern Conference.
Take a moment to soak it all in and prepare for the playoffs, because this could be a special run.
Ottawa Senators
21 of 32
Eat more humble pie
I will not go into next season overrating the Ottawa Senators again.
I will not go into next season overrating the Ottawa Senators again.
I will not go into next season overrating the Ottawa Senators again.
I will not go...
Like the Sabres, the Senators were a young team expected to be on the rise in the Atlantic Division. Instead, they fired coach D.J. Smith and will probably be sellers again at the trade deadline. It's a vicious cycle and one Sens fans would love to end.
Philadelphia Flyers
22 of 32
Kick the Islanders out of the playoffs
Who says you can't make an early playoff run and stick to a rebuild all at once?
Wouldn't the John Tortorella playbook include using grit and sheer force to climb into a spot currently held by a team racking up overtime points?
Pittsburgh Penguins
23 of 32
Do it for Sid
Sid the 36-year-old kid is playing like he wants one more Cup, and the Penguins have been waking up. Since Dec 12, no team in the league has more wins (8) or points (17) than them.
Thursday night's 6-5 win over the Bruins felt like a vintage game between the two aging powerhouses, and Sidney Crosby was behind the game-winner.
Do not sleep on the Pittsburgh Penguins right now.
San Jose Sharks
24 of 32
Nothing, you're perfect
You're doing amazing, sweetie.
This season is all about being as bad as possible to land a high pick at the 2024 NHL Draft. I'd say it's Mission Accomplished so far.
Seattle Kraken
25 of 32
Fire up the offense
Joey Daccord has been excellent in net even as the Kraken defense struggled, and it seems like that end of the ice is in harmony for the moment.
What I loved so much about Seattle last season—the mechanical depth scoring and line structure—has regressed this season.
At least Andre Burakovsky just returned from injury and immediately scored his first of the season. He could provide the spark, especially with confidence on the other end building.
St. Louis Blues
26 of 32
Pick a plan
The Blues pulled off the rare worst-to-first thing so well in 2019 that no one can blame them for attempting to drink from the same well over and over again.
But it's looking more "worst" than "first" these days, no matter who is getting fired and who is getting booed. It might be time for a hard reset this offseason.
Tampa Bay Lightning
27 of 32
Manifest a Hart Trophy
The race for the Hart Trophy is more interesting than usual this year considering Connor McDavid's rough (by his standards) start.
Now that he's picked it up, though, you've got so many of the league's best showcasing their strengths right now: McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Artemi Panarin, David Pastrnak, Auston Matthews, Quinn Hughes to name a few.
However, you cannot leave Nikita Kucherov, who leads the league with 63 points, out of this conversation. Beyond the points, he is No. 2 in goals with 27. He's refusing to let the Lightning dynasty fade away.
This MVP season is particularly juicy, and nobody should be surprised if Kucherov ends up winning it.
Toronto Maple Leafs
28 of 32
Dust off the fine china and prepare to host
The upcoming All-Star game in Toronto promises to be loads of fun.
You've got Auston Matthews and William Nylander looking as sharp as ever on and off (suit game, people) the ice. You've got The Passion. You've got the return of the All-Star draft and celebrity captains.
It feels like this is going to be an all-timer, or at least a revival of All-Star excitement for all ages and fans.
Vancouver Canucks
29 of 32
Nail the size-to-skill defensive ratio
It feels like the only thing the Pacific-leading Canucks need to work on at this point is nailing the defensive part of defense. GM Jeremy Rutherford addressed size with the Nikita Zadorov acquisition, so that helps.
Now, they've just got to tighten things up on the penalty kill, the only metric they're bottom-10 in throughout the NHL (at No. 10). That's easier said than done, and not as simple as adding a really tall guy, but we're nitpicking here.
Vegas Golden Knights
30 of 32
Start a daily gratitude journal
Everyone needs to take a deep breath and regroup in Las Vegas. Things went downhill seemingly out of nowhere and real fast, but the Golden Knights set themselves up so well in the beginning of the season that they're still in great shape at 22-11-5 and No. 2 in the Pacific.
You simply can't win 'em all, and you need to save some juice for the playoffs, especially after winning the Cup.
It's time for the Golden Knights to slow down and remember who they are.
Washington Capitals
31 of 32
New year, new signature shooting spot?
It's not that Alex Ovechkin suddenly turned into a pumpkin. We all know he isn't going away that easily. Part of his stark goal decline has been reflective of the regressing team around him.
Defenders don't have to worry as much about the others, so they can focus all their attention on thwarting Ovechkin scoring chances. That explains all the assists.
Might I suggest venturing out of the circle and attempting a late-career new signature shot? What's the worst that could happen?
Winnipeg Jets
32 of 32
Keep it up this time
I'll be first in line to tell you "I told you so" if the Jets end up having another mediocre second half where they again confuse us all and flail to a first-round exit.
However, this is an enjoyable, different-feeling Winnipeg team, with Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck's new contracts, some new faces, head coach Rick Bowness and even some smiles.
Maybe the Jets can keep up the good vibes through to the playoffs.
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