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    Three Non-Contenders Who Might Be Surprising Playoff Candidates in 2024-25

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    Three Non-Contenders Who Might Be Surprising Playoff Candidates in 2024-25

    Connor Bedard

    Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

    As the 2024-25 NHL season approaches, several teams that were previously considered non-contenders have the potential to emerge as potential playoff candidates. Whether due to strategic off-season acquisitions, the development of young talent or improved team chemistry, these underdog teams are poised to surprise the league.

    While they may have been overlooked in recent years, a combination of factors could propel them into playoff contention, making them teams to watch as the season unfolds. Here are three non-contenders who might defy expectations:

    Ottawa Senators

    The Senators have underperformed in each of the previous two seasons. Thought to be taking a big step going into the 2022-23 season, the team added Claude Giroux in free agency, traded for Alex DeBrincat and had some solid young pieces coming into their own. They finished with 86 points after a 39-35-8 season.

    Just over a year later, DeBrincat was traded to Detroit and the Senators were trying to figure out what happened.

    Last season, with core pieces like Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle and Josh Norris ready to step forward, the Senators flopped again. They finished with an even worse record, earning 78 points and going 37-41-4.

    This is the year the Senators have to make good on expectations. They still have most of that same core. Drake Batherson has had two 60-plus point seasons in a row, Shane Pinto will play a full season and their defense is good enough to be playoff-worthy.

    The big difference should be in goal where Linus Ullmark was added from the Boston Bruins in an off-season trade. Ullmark is a legit starter and former Vezina Trophy winner. He’ll help make up for several mistakes the Sens have made in previous seasons.

    Chicago Blackhawks

    The simple reason Chicago is in this mix is because of the Connor Bedard factor. He missed a good chunk of last season, but when he played, he was dynamic and came as advertised. If he stays healthy, he’s a game-changer.

    The Blackhawks also added some key pieces that should produce, with Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen headlining their off-season additions. Bertuzzi posted 43 points with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season and Teravainen picked up 53 points with the Carolina Hurricanes. Additionally, they still have Taylor Hall (who needs to stay healthy) and added Ilya Mikheyev up front as well. 

    On defense, they’ve got the polarizing Seth Jones, but another season of NHL hockey for Alex Vlasic will help. They also added Alec Martinez and TJ Brodie. And does 20-year-old Kevin Korchinski have the potential to be a No. 1 defenseman? This coming season might provide some good indicators.

    Their goaltending is certainly a question mark though.

    Detroit Red Wings

    For those who don’t trust the ‘Yzerplan’, this one might feel like a long shot. That said, on paper, the Detroit Red Wings should be better than how they’ve performed the last couple of seasons. Any club that has Patrick Kane, Alex Debrincat, Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, Andrew Copp and J.T. Compher, and then adds Vladimir Tarasenko to that mix should score a lot of goals.

    Moritz Seider is an unbelievable defenseman but he can’t do everything by himself. Ben Chiarot being the other top-pair blueliner tells you the team could use a little more stability at the position. They tried to outscore their lack of depth on the blue line and it is one of the reasons they’ve missed the playoffs. The top priority this off-season was limiting their insanely high goals-against numbers which had them ranked as the eighth highest in the league in 2023-24, allowing their opponents to score 273 goals throughout the season. It’s not clear if they’ve done enough to aid with that.

    If the Red Wings forwards all buy into the mandate that they must play a more well-rounded game, they’ve got a shot to improve their reputation as a team that’s easy to score on and has to get more than five or six goals to win a game.

    If not, the Red Wings will need their goaltending trio of Cam Talbot, Alex Lyon and Ville Husso to have career seasons. The hope is they won’t have to call upon Jack Campbell, who they also signed this summer. 

    Related: Who Will Wear the ‘C’ for Each Captainless NHL Team?

    Related: New Study Shows a Game Night in Toronto or Vegas Might Break the Bank, While Florida and Ottawa Are Among the Cheapest

    Related: Pros and Cons of the Wild Considering Patrik Laine as a Trade Fit

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