Canada’s NHL Teams in the Athletic Power Rankings: Who’s Rising and Who’s Struggling
Let’s talk Canadian hockey, because right now, the landscape is all over the place. From teams scraping the bottom to teams quietly climbing, the story isn’t uniform, and the numbers tell a tale as much as the eye test does. Here’s where things stand, top to bottom… or maybe bottom to top, depending on how you want to look at it.
Let’s go bottom to top.
Canada’s Team #7: Winnipeg Jets – Rank 32 (in the NHL)
Let’s start with the Jets. Although the Jets have won their last two games, they’ve won just five of their last 25. Even Connor Hellebuyck, arguably the best goalie in the league, had posted an .860 save percentage in the previous three weeks. That’s not going to cut it. Winnipeg has the talent on paper, but the execution on ice? That’s a whole other story.
Canada’s Team #6: Vancouver Canucks – Rank 31 (in the NHL)
Next up, the Canucks. A brief spark after the Quinn Hughes trade gave fans some hope, but eight losses in nine games and being outscored 36-20 remind us that this rebuild is still very much in progress. Depth down the middle is a problem, and the team hasn’t yet found a rhythm
Canada’s Team #5: Calgary Flames – Rank 29 (in the NHL)
The Flames have had their ups and downs, too, but Dustin Wolf is starting to show signs of life. He currently has an .898 save percentage, up from the shaky .890 early on. There’s promise, but consistency is what they need if they want to climb the standings.
Canada’s Team #4: Ottawa Senators – Rank 28 (in the NHL)
Ottawa hasn’t moved the needle much either. Goaltending remains a headache, and young Leevi Meriläinen’s .860 save percentage in a blowout loss only highlights it. The team is still figuring out how to balance youth and experience while staying competitive.
Canada’s Team #3: Toronto Maple Leafs – Rank 14 (in the NHL)
The Leafs are in a more familiar spot: dangerous, but not invincible. Auston Matthews is back and lighting it up — seven goals, 11 points in six games, with a 64% xG since the power play coaching change. If Matthews keeps this pace, the Maple Leafs could still be very much in the playoff hunt.
Canada’s Team #2: Edmonton Oilers – Rank 9 (in the NHL)
Edmonton is an interesting case. Leon Draisaitl has been improving defensively, but the team has struggled at five-on-five over a recent stretch. Connor McDavid is on a heater, and the team’s talent is elite, but execution is still a work in progress.
Canada’s Team #1: Montreal Canadiens – Rank 6 (in the NHL)
Finally, the Canadiens. Lane Hutson has been a revelation lately, dominating at five-on-five and helping Montreal go 6-2-2 over their last 10 games. The team is quietly stepping up, and the pieces are starting to click. Montreal might be the Canadian team to watch if things continue on this upward trajectory.
The Bottom Line for Canada’s Teams
Canada’s NHL scene is messy, unpredictable, and endlessly entertaining. Some teams are falling fast, some are just holding their ground, and a few are quietly showing they belong near the top. The race isn’t over, and the storylines are only getting better.