Sportsnaut’s weekly NHL power rankings (week ending Nov. 9) put the Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild on the rise while the Carolina Hurricanes hold steady near the top. The low end highlights the Vancouver Canucks (3‑15‑1, 7 pts) languishing at No. 32 after a six‑game skid, and the Chicago Blackhawks (4‑13‑1, 9 pts) sinking to No. 31 following a 9‑2 defeat to the Hurricanes. Mid‑tier teams like the Philadelphia Flyers (4‑10‑5, 13 pts) and Pittsburgh Penguins (6‑10‑2, 14 pts) continue to struggle despite occasional wins, and Sidney Crosby climbs to sixth all‑time in points. The rankings cover all 32 clubs, offering a snapshot of early‑season momentum and challenges.
Entering Week 7 of the 2026‑27 NHL season, the Carolina Hurricanes sit atop the league, with the New Jersey Devils lauded as a surprise hot‑start story. Edmonton’s trio—Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard—are posting historic early numbers. The power rankings list Vancouver (32) and Chicago (31) as the league’s worst, while the Seattle Kraken (17) and Florida Panthers (16) emerge as surprise threats. Mid‑tier teams include the New York Rangers (12) and Colorado Avalanche (11), who are solid at home but struggle on the road. The rankings provide a snapshot of each team’s offensive and defensive struggles as the season unfolds.
The Chicago Blackhawks tumble to a 9-2 defeat by the Carolina Hurricanes and swiftly waive backup goalie Arvid Söderblom, replacing him with former 2020 second‑round pick Drew Commesso. Starting net‑minder Spencer Knight, who allowed six goals before Söderblom entered, blames the team for putting the Swede in “shitty spots” and accepts responsibility for the loss. Söderblom posted a 0‑3‑1 record with a 4.67 GAA and .842 save % this season, while the Blackhawks rank last in expected goals against (3.13 per 60). Commesso arrives with a 2.31 GAA and .918 save % from three starts last year, aiming to stabilize a struggling crease.
After a 4-13-1 start to the 2026-27 season and a 9-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Chicago Blackhawks hold a Monday practice focused on tweaks—not overhauls—to Jeff Blashill’s system. The coaching staff remains intact, but Blashill emphasizes tighter body‑on‑body defending, better defensive‑zone tracking, net‑front coverage, and adjustments to the 2‑1‑2 forecheck to curb the league‑worst 2‑on‑1 rushes. He says players still believe in the current scheme despite its poor execution, and the upcoming Thursday game against Buffalo will test whether these minor changes stick. Goaltender Spencer Knight also weighed in on recent roster moves, adding his perspective to the team’s rebuilding effort.
Winnipeg Jets coach Scott Arniel expresses disappointment that former MVP netminder Connor Hellebuyck won’t face his old team when the New Jersey Devils visit on Tuesday, saying the matchup would have offered closure for players and fans. Arniel criticized Devils GM Sunny Mehta’s analytics‑driven decision and noted the lingering frustration among Jets supporters after a rough start to the season, including a 7‑0 loss to Carolina. The Jets have rebounded with a three‑game streak and a historic four‑goal comeback against Montreal, but the anticipated showdown with Hellebuyck is now postponed until at least the 2027‑28 season.
The Oilers stumble through a 1‑1‑1 stretch, dropping a 4‑3 shootout to New Jersey and a 5‑4 loss to Anaheim before beating Vancouver 4‑2 to sit 12‑3‑3 with 27 points atop the Pacific. Their weekly ranking falls from No. 2 to No. 5 behind Carolina, the Devils, Minnesota and Boston. With a packed schedule—Rangers, Flyers, Maple Leafs, then a return to Philadelphia—the team hopes McDavid’s firepower can mask weak secondary forwards and defensive depth. Meanwhile, the Devils announce goalie Connor Hellebuyck will sit against the Jets, turning to Jake Allen, and six legends—Patrice Bergeron, Cindy Curley, Carey Price, Pekka Rinne, Keith Tkachuk and builder Brian Burke—are inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
After a 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers that left Seattle at 9-6-1, the Kraken head to Helsinki for a week‑long bonding break before the NHL Global Series against defending champion Carolina Hurricanes. Players will soak in saunas, enjoy reindeer and salmon soup, and relish home‑ice moments for Finns Kaapo Kakko, Jani Nyman, Ville Ottavainen and Niklas Kokko. Captain Jordan Eberle, in his 17th NHL season, and defender Brandon Montour cite the trip as a crucial early‑season team‑building opportunity. Coach Lane Lambert praises the Finnish players’ leadership as the squad prepares for Thursday’s first of two games versus the Hurricanes.
After a crushing 9-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Chicago Blackhawks sit 4-13-1, dead last in the Central and 31st in the NHL. Captain Connor Bedard spoke to reporters after a players‑only meeting in Raleigh, saying the squad needs to channel its frustration and lean on its “tight‑knit” camaraderie to stop the six‑game skid. Coach Jeff Blashill confirmed no coaching change is imminent, while Bedard urged the team to reset and start winning. The Blackhawks, who haven’t made the playoffs since 2019‑20, now face a four‑game home stretch against the Buffalo Sabres.
The Chicago Blackhawks endure a brutal 9-2 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 9, 2026, surrendering seven straight goals early. Despite the loss, rookie phenom Connor Bedard continues to shine, adding two points and leading the team with 14 points in 12 games. Fellow rookie Roman Kantserov nets his ninth goal, extending an eight‑game point streak and topping rookies in goals. The loss marks the most goals allowed under GM Kyle Davidson, and the Blackhawks are outscored 18‑6 on their southeastern road trip, with zero power‑play goals. Coach Jeff Blashill admits the team “got our butts kicked,” highlighting the urgent need for change.
The Chicago Blackhawks are gearing up for changes after a 4‑13‑1 start and a 9‑2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. GM Kyle Davidson will address the slump on Wednesday, but head coach Jeff Blashill and his staff remain safe for now. The first roster move places backup goalie Arvid Soderblom on waivers, promoting 2020 second‑round pick Drew Commesso to No. 2 behind Spencer Knight, while Patrick Kane lands on injured reserve for roster purposes. Meanwhile, defenseman Wyatt Kaiser ties a franchise‑worst –17 plus‑minus mark in 18 games. Across the league, Cutter Gauthier nets his third hat trick in five games, the Devils sit out Connor Hellebuyck in Winnipeg, and Jordan Binnington resurfaces on trade rumors.
After dropping their sixth straight game in a brutal 9-2 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Chicago Blackhawks are reportedly looking to make changes.
Mike and Dan dissect the New York Islanders' recent slump after back‑to‑back losses to the Hurricanes and the Devils, highlighting a talent gap that left them unable to protect a 4-2 lead and ultimately fall short. They question the value of marginal signings like Ben Hutton and Robby Fabbri as the playoff cutoff drifts further away, and preview a tough West Coast road trip to San Jose, Los Angeles and Anaheim that could either revive their hopes or deepen the crisis. The episode also covers the debut Hometown Remix jerseys, the divisive Fisherman logo, and a surprise goalie data controversy that sparked an impromptu Devil Piece Theater segment.
In the NHL, things can change on a dime for better or worse. One minute you’re scoring a hat trick, the next you’re in the middle of a 16-game goalless…
Week 7 of the 2026 NHL season sees the Nashville Predators surge with four recent wins over the Hurricanes, Lightning, Avalanche and Blues, while veteran Roman Josi enters Norris Trophy talk and Steven Stamkos stays productive. New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox emerges as a hidden star, posting 20 assists in 18 games. Conversely, the Vancouver Canucks slump to the league’s bottom with no offensive spark or goaltending help, and the Chicago Blackhawks’ forward core disappoints—Patrick Kane has just one goal in 15 games as the club endures a losing streak.
Nineteen‑year‑old Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer is turning heads with a sophomore surge that puts him alongside Hall‑Fame teens Phil Housley and Larry Murphy. He recorded an assist in a 5‑3 loss to Carolina, becoming the third teen D to log 15 points in the first 15 games of a season, and later scored his 10th career go‑ahead goal against New Jersey. Analytically, Schaefer ranks 5th among all defensemen in Box WAR (1.34), surpassing last season’s Norris winner Zach Werenski. He also made NHL‑firsts with a five‑minute overtime stint and a game‑winning 3‑on‑3 goal, signaling “scary” upside per coach Pete DeBoer.
The author debunks the claim that the Toronto Maple Leafs can’t acquire a defenseman, explaining they could trade for one by shedding an equal‑cap contract of over a year. He then critiques simplistic optimization models like cap‑dollar‑per‑point or Corsi‑only metrics, arguing that real roster building requires balance, depth and flexibility—not a razor‑thin, low‑salary lineup or single‑stat focus. Using examples from successful clubs (Florida, Carolina, Colorado, Vegas), he highlights three optimization traps: over‑tight budgeting, asking the wrong questions, and conflicting optimization attempts that can backfire when injuries arise.
Chicago Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson will address the media Wednesday but isn’t expected to announce any coaching changes despite a disastrous 4-13-1 start to the 2026-27 season. Jeff Blashill stays as head coach along with assistants Anders Sorensen, Michael Peca and Mike Vellucci, even as the team endures a six‑game losing streak, the NHL’s second‑worst points percentage and bottom‑ranked offense, defense and shot metrics. The Hawks were thumped 9-2 by the Carolina Hurricanes, extending a nine‑game road skid. Meanwhile, backup goalie Arvid Soderblom is placed on waivers and Drew Commesso is recalled as the new No. 2 netminder.
The Chicago Blackhawks, sitting at a bleak 4-13-1 record after a 9-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, will retain head coach Jeff Blawshill despite mounting speculation. A source cited by The Athletic’s Scott Powers confirms no coaching change, even as GM Kyle Davidson faces pressure to act before the team’s next game on Thursday. The decision keeps Blawshill in charge amid a rebuild already deemed disastrous, leaving fans to wonder how long the tolerance will last.
The Carolina Hurricanes enter the week playing some of their best hockey of the young season. Rod Brind’Amour’s club has established itself as a leading contender in the Metropolitan Division,…
The Pittsburgh Penguins may trade veteran defenseman Erik Karlsson as they rebuild toward a younger roster, according to Elliotte Friedman. Karlsson, a three‑time Norris Trophy winner, is a pending UFA with 17 points in 17 games and a $11.5 M AAV (Penguins’ $10 M cap hit) expiring at season’s end. Dan Kingerski lists four playoff‑bound clubs that could fit his offensive style: Boston Bruins (13‑4‑1), Carolina Hurricanes (30 points), Tampa Bay Lightning (seeking one‑last Cup run alongside Victor Hedman), and Washington Capitals (boasting rookie Cole Hutson and Jakob Chychrun). All have cap space to retain part of Karlsson’s salary.
The Carolina Hurricanes have relied heavily on their two emerging stars early this season to overcome an injury crisis, and they have repaid that faith. Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake…
The Chicago Blackhawks have had a calamitous start to the 2026-27 season, losing 14 of their first 18 games. They hit a new nadir Saturday in a devastating beatdown by the Carolina Hurricanes, and there's no light at the end of the tunnel for this Hawks team. And that fact isn't likely to change.
The Carolina Hurricanes beat the Chicago Blackhawks 9-2 on Saturday at Lenovo Center, scoring four goals in the first period and never trailing.
The Chicago Blackhawks endure a disastrous week, dropping six straight games and being outscored 23-8, highlighted by a 9-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Injuries to Patrick Kane and Bowen Byram compound the woes as the team sits last in most offensive and defensive categories, with a league‑worst –37 goal differential. Coach Jeff Blashill faces mounting criticism, though he downplays job‑security concerns, citing trust with players and management. A first‑ever players‑only meeting follows the Carolina debacle, and General Manager Kyle Davidson is rumored to be active on the trade market as the Hawks confront a brutal schedule against multiple recent Stanley Cup champions.
Bowen Byram has missed over four weeks of the Chicago Blackhawks' season despite his October 13 appearance in a 5-3 win over Pittsburgh. Agent Darren Ferris says Byram is awaiting a specialist appointment, explaining the lingering "upper-body injury" label. Coach Jeff Blashill dismissed concussion concerns, though Byram previously dealt with head issues in Colorado. The 25‑year‑old defenseman, signed to a six‑year, $75 million deal, has logged just one assist and a –7 rating in six games as Chicago endures a six‑game losing streak, highlighted by a 9‑2 loss to Carolina.