The Top Three NHL Teams That Should Have A “Nothing To Lose” Mentality Going Into the 2023-24 Season
While it may seem like the offseason just began, NHL training camps are just about one month away. With this comes a wild amount of team analysis from fans, executives, coaches, and players. The regular season will be here before they know it, so now is the time to look into the state of each team. While this doesn’t necessarily determine whether a team does well in the rankings, below is an analysis of the top three teams who should take on the “nothing to lose” attitude in 2023-24:
Photo credit: The Athletic
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks had the most important pick of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and selected a name that has already transcended the sport of hockey, Connor Bedard. While it is clear that Chicago has been recently coming out the other side of many rebuilding years, the Bedard pick changed everything. In 2023-24, Connor Bedard will be the biggest name on the Blackhawks roster alongside other young talents such as Lukas Reichel, Kevin Korchinski, and Alex Vlasic, at least on opening night in October. There have been recent acquisitions of Corey Perry, Taylor Hall, and Nick Foligno, but the Chicago team has tipped the scales and will no longer rely on a veteran-heavy lineup. This Central Division competitor will likely not make the playoffs but has arguably the most exciting young roster in the entire NHL. With this, the Chicago Blackhawks should go into this season with a “nothing to lose” attitude and let their young talent get an opportunity on the biggest stage in the world of hockey.
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Buffalo Sabres
Coming off of a season where one point separated them and the NHL playoffs, the Buffalo Sabres should go into 2023-24 with a “nothing to lose” mindset. Not only did the team barely miss the postseason, but the Atlantic Division will likely look quite different than how it did last year. The record-setting Boston Bruins have lost Patrice Bergeron, Taylor Hall, Tyler Bertuzzi, and David Krejci, to name a few. Although the Florida Panthers are buzzing from a recent trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, they will begin the season without star defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour due to injuries. Much of the Buffalo roster is entering a contract year, like Rasmus Dahlin and Victor Olofsson for example, so this is the ideal time for the team to reach its full potential. Star players Tage Thompson, Jeff Skinner, and Alex Tuch are locked up for years to come, so they can lead the charge in showing the NHL what their squad can do. Will the Sabres be able to snap their 12-year playoff drought, or will it become 13? With a “nothing to lose” attitude, the Buffalo hockey club should not only be able to make the postseason but have a legitimate shot at winning the Stanley Cup.
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New Jersey Devils
After making it past the first round of the NHL playoffs for the first time in 11 seasons, the New Jersey Devils have a ton of momentum coming into 2023-24. They are one of the top two teams in the Metropolitan Division, likely for many years to come and have an incredibly dangerous roster to support that statement. They have an exceptionally solid trio down the middle with captain Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, and Erik Haula. These centers are complemented by wingers like Timo Meier, Dawson Mercer, Jesper Bratt, and newly-acquired Tyler Toffoli. The New Jersey defense is loaded with Dougie Hamilton, Luke Hughes, and John Marino. While they do not have a solidified goaltending situation, if the 2023 Stanley Cup-winning Vegas Golden Knights taught the NHL anything, it’s that a goaltender does not necessarily have to be a star for his team to be a contender. As the team already has growing confidence, a “nothing to lose” mentality could push the New Jersey Devils past their Eastern Conference competitors and straight into the Stanley Cup Finals.
