With the 2013-14 NHL hockey season underway, many fans are wondering who is the best team and who is the favorite to bring home the Stanley Cup . Although there is plenty of hockey to be played before the playoffs begin in 2014, it’s always fun to break down the top teams heading into the season. So without further adieu, here are the top 10 NHL teams for the 2013-14 season.
- Chicago Blackhawks – The Chicago Blackhawks are coming off their 2nd Stanley Cup Championship in the last 4 years. Although winning back-to-back championships is extremely difficult to accomplish, the Blackhawks have all core players returning. Last season was also strike-shortened so returning players should be fresher than they would normally be following a grinding 82 game season and long playoff run. They have the talent so at this point it would be hard to bet against the Mighty Blackhawks .
- Boston Bruins – The Boston Bruins were runner up to the Blackhawks last year but failed to do much this off-season to supplant them as the top team in the NHL. The Bruins lost Tyler Seguin, Nathan Horton and Andrew Ference but to their credit, added Jarome Iginla. This team will go as far as Tuukka Rask will take them.
- Pittsburgh Penguins – The Pens were the favorite last year but ended up melting down when it mattered most. The Penguins are led by superstar centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. The big questions is whether goalie Marc-Andre Fleury can get it done come playoff time.
- Toronto Maple Leafs – The Leafs made the playoffs for the first time in 10 season in 2013. With prized free agent David Clarkson joining the likes of Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul, this team could be dangerous.
- St. Louis Blues – The biggest question for the Blues is whether they have enough scoring to take pressure off of Jaroslav Halak. So for so good for St. Louis.
- Colorado Avalanche – The Avalanche are the wildcard here with a young and fast team ready to explode onto the scene. The will be a fun team to watch and if they can shore up the defense and goal tending they could really make some noise!
- San Jose Sharks – It’s now or never for the Sharks core of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dan Boyle. If this group can’t bring home a cup this season, it will likely be broken up.
- Detroit Red Wings – The Red Wings joined the Eastern Conference this season which should help them considerably on the road with less games on the west coast. Although the Red Wings are aging, you can never count out a team with Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg running the show.
- Ottawa Senators – This team can be really dangerous with top goaltender Craig Anderson. However, the loss of captain Daniel Alfredsson leaves a leadership void.
- Vancouver Canucks – Everyone knows Roberto Luongo can tend goal…the question is whether he can when the pressure is on. The Canucks are loaded with players like Bieksa, Hamhuis, Edler, Alberts, the Sedins, Kesler, Burrows, Chris Higgins and Jannik Hansen but they just never seem to get it done.
