NHL Watchability Rankings: Oilers, Avs vie for viewers' attention

Watchability is inherently subjective, but there are several things that objectively determine whether an NHL team is worth viewing.

Star power is the most obvious factor. Despite hockey being very much a team sport, a game-breaking talent or two can still inspire fans to tune in on a whim just as they would when watching the NBA, NFL, or MLB.

A high-octane offense will draw eyeballs, as will a club that loaded up in the offseason with multiple impact signings or trades. A team that excels on defense can be a joy to behold for a certain breed of fan, but defensive prowess doesn't have universal appeal the way filling up the scoresheet does.

In years past, we've ranked every NHL team, but we're limiting this one to only the most exciting half of the league. And remember, these aren't power rankings or predicting how the teams will actually finish. This is purely about entertainment value.

With that in mind, there are the top 16 most watchable teams in the NHL for the 2024-25 season.

Stats in charts are from 2023-24 season
Expected goals for and scoring chances for percentages are at five-on-five

16. Washington Capitals

Despite how poor the Capitals' offense was last season, Alex Ovechkin's pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record and some shrewd summer additions will keep them relevant. Ovi sits 41 tallies shy of The Great One after burying 31 in 2023-24. The chase is one of the campaign's biggest storylines, and it'll make the Caps worth watching, even when they may not be otherwise.

15. Winnipeg Jets

It's the same old story for the Jets. Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Gabriel Vilardi are all worth tuning in for, but only Ehlers played more than 74 games, and VIlardi missed nearly half of last season. If they can stay healthy Winnipeg will be worth flipping over to more often than not in 2024-25.

14. Vegas Golden Knights

The Golden Knights underwhelmed by their standards last season, but they also had numerous impact players (Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Shea Theodore, and Tomas Hertl) miss time with injuries. A healthier Vegas squad would obviously be a better and more exciting one, though some of its stars have historically had trouble avoiding the injury bug.

13. Los Angeles Kings

The Kings were a great possession team last season (albeit mediocre in terms of actual scoring), but they did it while employing the controversial 1-3-1 alignment. They're scrapping the trap this season, which already makes them more appealing than they would've been. Anze Kopitar still has plenty of gas in the tank, and Quinton Byfield appears destined for stardom.

12. New Jersey Devils

The Devils addressed some needs this summer, signing capable veteran Jacob Markstrom in goal and the steady Brett Pesce on defense. New head coach Sheldon Keefe's system could inject some life into a team that struggled last season, and the Devils are still rolling out the likes of Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, and a healthy Dougie Hamilton.

11. Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks had a very fun team last season, especially after acquiring Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov. Both players left in free agency, though, as Vancouver essentially swapped them for ex-Bruins Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen. That makes the Canucks less enjoyable, but they still have Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, Brock Boeser, and Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes to entice viewers.

10. Boston Bruins

David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, and Charlie McAvoy should continue to make Bruins games worth a gander. Adding Lindholm in free agency adds to their appeal as well. It's never wise to count Boston out, but its mediocre team offense may hurt its longtime status as one of the NHL's most fun teams to watch.

9. New York Rangers

Artemi Panarin and Chris Kreider give the Rangers a formidable one-two punch in the offensive zone, while Adam Fox - a past Norris winner and perennial contender - quarterbacks the attack from the back end. New York has had trouble driving possession, and Mika Zibanejad is coming off a down year. But Alexis Lafreniere finally broke out in 2023-24, and the Rangers still have enough skill to keep viewers locked in.

8. Nashville Predators

The Predators were already an intriguing team before they pulled off a huge offseason haul, reeling in Steven Stamkos and fellow productive forward Jonathan Marchessault along with steady defenseman Brady Skjei. Stamkos and Marchessault have many miles on their odometers, but the addition of the two 40-goal scorers to a club featuring Filip Forsberg and Roman Josi means plenty of eyes will be on Nashville's bolstered squad.

7. Carolina Hurricanes

Much like the Kings, the Hurricanes have long been analytics darlings, and last season was no different. The Canes underwent some significant change in free agency, including watching prized trade acquisition Jake Guentzel walk. But Carolina's core of Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, Seth Jarvis, and Martin Necas remains intact.

6. Tampa Bay Lightning

Losing Stamkos - the Lightning's longtime captain who racked up 40 goals and 41 assists at age 34 last season - undoubtedly stings. But the Lightning did replace him with Guentzel, a two-time 40-goal scorer who'll be 30 years old Oct. 6. The Bolts have started to fade in terms of results, but they still employ 144-point winger Nikita Kucherov, 90-point center Brayden Point, and 76-point defenseman Victor Hedman.

5. Toronto Maple Leafs

Playoff woes aside, the Toronto Maple Leafs remain one of the most watchable teams in the NHL. Auston Matthews is the league's most prolific single-season scorer since Mario Lemieux, and the Leafs sniper came within a crossbar in the finale (among a league-high 20 shots off posts or crossbars) of notching 70 goals last season.

The three-time "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner has a dangerous running mate in back-to-back 40-goal producer William Nylander, and though the rest of Toronto's supporting cast has been maligned to varying degrees, the league's second-ranked offense in 2023-24 still packs a punch.

4. Florida Panthers

The reigning champions were one of the best possession teams in 2023-24, and only their Stanley Cup Final opponents fired more shots on goal during the regular season. The Panthers didn't have as much to show for it in terms of converted chances, but their stars still offer plenty of excitement.

Sam Reinhart ranked second in the league with 57 goals, though he got nearly half of them on the power play. Nevertheless, the re-upped Reinhart, Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, and the underrated Carter Verhaeghe should ensure the Cats remain entertaining this season.

3. Dallas Stars

The Stars have shaken off their reputation as a dull defensive juggernaut. They've redefined themselves as an elite all-around club with numerous skilled players, both young and old. Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Wyatt Johnston all produced at least 29 goals last season, and the supporting cast is deep, too.

The Western Conference finalists lost a few pieces over the summer, but they brought back Matt Duchene and still boast an electric top six - even without the retired Joe Pavelski. The Stars' projected third line, which includes talented rookies Mavrik Bourque and Logan Stankoven, should be a blast, too.

2. Colorado Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon finally got the award recognition he's long deserved, taking home the Hart last season after racking up 140 points. MacKinnon buried 51 goals, and Mikko Rantanen (42) was the only one other Avalanche player to produce more than Valeri Nichushkin's 28. However, Colorado had 10 skaters with at least 10 tallies, which is how the Central Division squad topped the NHL in scoring.

The Avalanche should again be a powerhouse led by MacKinnon, Rantanen, and Cale Makar. Colorado will be without the suspended Nichushkin until mid-November, and Artturi Lehkonen may need some time of his own after offseason surgery. But this dynamic club should yet again be one of the NHL's most enthralling teams.

1. Edmonton Oilers

The Avalanche scored more goals last season, but no team dominated possession or generated opportunities more than the Oilers. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl both posted triple-digit point totals and excelled throughout their run to the Cup Final, and the latter was eventually rewarded with a new megadeal.

Edmonton didn't have the MVP in 2023-24, but they continue to boast two perennial Hart-caliber superstars who've taken home that hardware before - not to mention 54-goal man Zach Hyman. The Oilers also added proven scorers Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson to their arsenal. That should increase their team scoring numbers and further cement them as the league's most tantalizing squad.