Look for the Rangers and Canucks to Fade in the NHL
Everyone likes to talk about teams to back, the dark horses that might surprise down the stretch. But there’s another angle worth paying attention to: the teams to fade. Mike Palm from Circa laid it out recently, and it’s hard to argue with his picks: the New York Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks.
The Rangers Are Resting Artemi Panarin Until After the Olympic Break.
Let’s start with New York. The Rangers are resting Artemi Panarin until after the Olympic break. That’s their leading scorer for the last seven years, a guy who drives the offence in every situation. Not having Panarin is a massive gap, and it’s not like he’s off enjoying the Olympics. Because he’s Russian, he won’t even be there.
So for the next little while, the Rangers are playing without their engine. You could call it smart roster management, or you could call it a sign that this team isn’t built to carry through the grind without its star. Either way, the message to bettors—or anyone trying to handicap the league—is clear: fade New York until you see how they respond once he’s back.
The Canucks Are in a Tougher Spot.
Then there’s Vancouver. The Canucks are in a much rougher spot. Sixteen losses in their last eighteen games. That’s not a slump, that’s falling off the cliff. And the team is continuing to slide. The big trade of Quinn Hughes that brought in new pieces might have seemed like a spark, but in practice, it sucked the energy right out of a locker room already struggling.
To make matters worse, Thatcher Demko is done for the year, taking a huge chunk of stability from the crease. Young players like Nikita Tolopilo are getting extended looks, but let’s be honest: this is a team in survival mode. Every loss chips away at confidence, and right now there’s no clear path to reversing the slide.
So, what does this all mean? If you’re trying to make sense of the NHL over the next stretch, it’s worth being on the other side of these teams. New York without Panarin is a team limping along; Vancouver is unravelling. Both are examples of why fading can be just as valuable as backing, especially when trends and context line up this neatly.
On the Other Hand, the Blue Jackets Are Soaring.
Meanwhile, other teams like Columbus are quietly marching along. Dead coach bounce? Maybe. But seven wins in eight games tells you they’re alive and moving in the right direction. In the NHL, the standings aren’t just about talent. They’re about momentum, mental toughness, and who’s still playing with urgency.