The Carolina Hurricanes found themselves in the spotlight during the trade deadline, largely for reasons unrelated to their on-ice play. Speculation about Mikko Rantanen dominated headlines, yet the team is demonstrating impressive form despite this off-ice commotion.
While discussions continue about whether the Hurricanes handled the Rantanen trade situation effectively, their performance on the ice appears unaffected. Notably, several players have elevated their level of play.
Seth Jarvis, an exciting player in the NHL, is on track for his second consecutive season with 30 or more goals. Sebastian Aho is approaching 80 points for the third time in the last four seasons. Jaccob Slavin continues to be recognized as a top-tier defensive defenseman. Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov have established a strong goalie tandem.
Even Logan Stankoven, acquired from the Dallas Stars in the Rantanen transaction, scored in his debut for the Hurricanes. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him quickly become a valuable asset in Carolina.
This Hurricanes core group has been striving for deep playoff runs for some time, and the team may have initially viewed Rantanen as the final piece. Although he is now with Dallas, Carolina remains a strong contender for the Stanley Cup, not an outsider. The Hurricanes are playing well, and their path in the Metropolitan Division for the playoffs looks favorable.
As the Hurricanes navigate trade deadline distractions and solidify their rhythm, here are the latest NHL Power Rankings.
Expected goals and goals saved above average data are provided by Natural Stat Trick.
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| Rk | Teams | Chg | Rcrd | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stars | Lost in the Mikko Rantanen news was Wyatt Johnston’s five-year, $42 million contract extension. Stars GM Jim Nill’s best move this year. Johnston, 21, is third on the team with 60 points and improving. His $8.5 million cap hit is a bargain. | 1 | 43-21-4 |
| 2 | Capitals | John Carlson is having a resurgent season. He has 42 points and a plus-14 goal differential at five-on-five with a 55.0% expected goals share. Playing like a No. 1 defenseman again. | 3 | 46-15-8 |
| 3 | Panthers | Panthers are focused on playoffs. Matthew Tkachuk is injured. Brad Marchand might play before playoffs. Aaron Ekblad suspended 20 games. Home stretch tough, but champs won six straight. | 1 | 42-24-3 |
| 4 | Avalanche | Valeri Nichushkin scored a hat trick and has 15 goals in 27 games. Five-on-five metrics lag production, but Avs need depth scoring. Nichushkin is built for playoffs. | 3 | 42-25-3 |
| 5 | Jets | Winnipeg leads Central by eight points and wants to keep it to avoid Avalanche matchup. Quiet deadline might be wise, but Colorado and Dallas look stronger. | -4 | 48-18-4 |
| 6 | Golden Knights | Tomas Hertl has caught fire with seven goals in nine games, totaling 27 this year. On pace for 35 goals, tying his career high. Teams want players with term at deadline. | 2 | 40-20-8 |
| 7 | Hurricanes | Hurricanes might have misplayed Rantanen, but Logan Stankoven is a good consolation. Scored in debut, could be a top-six player long-term. | 2 | 42-22-4 |
| 8 | Maple Leafs | Mitch Marner was rumored in Rantanen trade. Makes sense as UFA getting pricier. Marner leads Leafs with 59 assists and 80 points, strong five-on-five impacts. | -5 | 42-24-3 |
| 9 | Lightning | Andrei Vasilevskiy is NHL’s best goalie since Jan. 1. .926 save percentage and 16.2 goals saved above average, first among goalies. | -3 | 40-23-5 |
| 10 | Kings | Quinton Byfield has goals in four straight games. Kings’ offense struggled, Byfield getting hot helps. Proved 20-goal scorer in 2023-24, potential to exceed pace. | 5 | 37-21-9 |
| 11 | Wild | Minnesota in wild card spot, trending wrong way. Best player and center out. Pressure on Matt Boldy, who is cold with no goals in eight games. | 1 | 39-25-5 |
| 12 | Oilers | Oilers not pursuing secondary scoring at deadline is baffling. Corey Perry fifth in scoring with 14 goals, not great for Edmonton’s depth. Flawed roster with McDavid and Draisaitl. | 1 | 40-24-5 |
| 13 | Devils | Devils need more from Jesper Bratt without Jack Hughes. Bratt ended eight-game goal drought. Scoring dipped from 59 goals combined in previous two seasons to 18 in 2024-25. Playmaking up, needs to shoot more. | -3 | 37-27-6 |
| 14 | Senators | Brady Tkachuk returned from injury on March 1, scoring six goals in six games. Trying to end seven-year playoff drought, needs help from struggling lineup. | 4 | 36-27-5 |
| 15 | Blue Jackets | Adam Fantilli is more comfortable lately with six goals and four assists in last seven games. Transition to NHL not smooth, finding groove for playoff push. | -1 | 31-29-9 |
| 16 | Blues | Dylan Holloway impacts Blues with speed, scoring, and plus-15 goal differential at five-on-five for $2.29 million. Oilers not keeping Holloway looks like a blunder. | 5 | 35-28-7 |
| 17 | Red Wings | Detroit’s playoff hopes are precarious amid a six-game losing streak. Offense dried up, power play back to Earth, 3-for-17 on man advantage. | -6 | 32-30-6 |
| 18 | Canadiens | Canadiens are four points out of playoff spot despite minus-20 goal differential and bad five-on-five numbers. East race opens door for rebuilding Montreal. Good for young core to get experience. | -1 | 33-27-8 |
| 19 | Rangers | Rangers trying to miss playoffs, but Artemi Panarin has five goals and 10 points in last six games, keeping them in fight. Others need to step up. | -3 | 33-31-6 |
| 20 | Canucks | Elias Pettersson snapped scoring drought, but only two points in last seven games. On pace for worst season. Rick Tocchet calls him out, Canucks in funk. Won’t get right this season. | -1 | 32-25-12 |
| 21 | Flames | Rasmus Andersson was a trade target. Offensive production down, poor five-on-five impacts, minus-9 goal differential. Change of scenery possible. | -1 | 32-25-11 |
| 22 | Hockey Club | Utah is good at five-on-five out-shooting opponents, but 8.29% shooting percentage is 24th. Could sneak into playoffs with better bounces. | – | 31-27-11 |
| 23 | Ducks | Ducks got their first 20-goal scorer, Frank Vatrano, highlighting rebuild frustrations. Stockpiled prospects, but lack of results is concerning. | 3 | 30-31-8 |
| 24 | Islanders | Bo Horvat has one goal and two assists in 11 games, pacing for a step back from 68 points in 2023-24. Is it an off year or decline for player signed through 2031? | – | 32-28-8 |
| 25 | Bruins | Bruins encouraged by Jeremy Swayman’s five-game sample. 115 of 125 shots saved, 2.53 goals saved above average. Still in playoff race, Swayman can steal games. | – | 30-31-9 |
| 26 | Flyers | Matvei Michkov tied for rookie goals lead with 20, despite missed periods. Special talent, impressive five-on-five impacts for a 20-year-old. Calder contender. | -3 | 28-34-8 |
| 27 | Kraken | Kraken need positive mojo for 2025-26, especially Chandler Stephenson and Brandon Montour. Minus-17 goal differential at five-on-five. Not what you want from foundational pieces. | 1 | 30-35-5 |
| 28 | Predators | Steven Stamkos caught fire after 13 games without a point. Five goals and four assists in last four games, season totals look respectable. Predators need hope, Stamkos’ signs of life help. | 2 | 25-35-8 |
| 29 | Sabres | Sabres need a No. 2 defenseman for Rasmus Dahlin. Owen Power developing, but Dahlin needs support on blue line. | -2 | 27-34-6 |
| 30 | Penguins | Sidney Crosby has 70 points for 15th time, with four goals in last two games. Still has gas left. Kyle Dubas should give Crosby one more Cup run in Pittsburgh. | -1 | 29-32-10 |
| 31 | Blackhawks | Spencer Knight looks like a future star for Chicago. 95 saves on 101 shots in first three starts. Stuck behind Sergei Bobrovsky in Florida, gets work in Chicago. | – | 20-40-9 |
| 32 | Sharks | Will Smith getting feet wet in NHL, four goals and five assists in last seven games. 32 points, fourth among rookies, living up to draft pedigree. | – | 18-42-9 |
