NHL Power Rankings: Avalanche and Stars Remain Top Teams, Sabres and Blue Jackets Rising

The latest LNH.com Super 16 rankings reveal shifts in the league's power dynamics, with the Avalanche and Stars maintaining their dominance and the Sabres and Blue Jackets making notable climbs.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 10:37am

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The latest LNH.com Super 16 rankings, compiled from the votes of eight analysts, provide a fascinating snapshot of the current NHL landscape. While the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars continue to hold the top spots, the movement within the rankings, particularly the rise of teams like the Buffalo Sabres and Columbus Blue Jackets, signals potential shifts in the league's power dynamics.

Why it matters

The NHL Power Rankings offer valuable insights into the current state of the league, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of different teams. The rankings can help identify emerging contenders, as well as teams that may be underperforming or exceeding expectations. Understanding these trends can provide valuable context for fans, analysts, and league stakeholders.

The details

The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars remain the consistent contenders, consistently ranked #1 and #2 by the majority of analysts. Their success is built on a foundation of skilled players, solid defensive structures, and experienced coaching. The most notable movement in the Super 16 is the ascent of the Buffalo Sabres and Columbus Blue Jackets, with multiple analysts significantly boosting their rankings. This suggests a growing belief in their potential and a positive trajectory for these teams. Meanwhile, teams like the Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Montreal Canadiens occupy a competitive mid-tier, with their rankings fluctuating among the analysts, highlighting their inconsistency and the challenges they face in solidifying their positions.

  • The latest LNH.com Super 16 rankings were released on March 19, 2026.

The players

Colorado Avalanche

An NHL team that has consistently held the top spot in the LNH.com Super 16 rankings, known for their skilled players, solid defensive structure, and experienced coaching.

Dallas Stars

An NHL team that has consistently been ranked #2 in the LNH.com Super 16 rankings, also known for their strong performance and established reputation as a top-tier team.

Buffalo Sabres

An NHL team that has seen a significant upward trend in the LNH.com Super 16 rankings, indicating a growing belief in their potential and a positive trajectory for the team.

Columbus Blue Jackets

An NHL team that has also climbed in the LNH.com Super 16 rankings, demonstrating a positive trajectory for a team undergoing a rebuild.

Carolina Hurricanes

An NHL team that occupies a competitive mid-tier in the LNH.com Super 16 rankings, with their rankings fluctuating among the analysts, highlighting their inconsistency and the challenges they face in solidifying their position.

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The takeaway

The LNH.com Super 16 rankings offer valuable insights into the current state of the NHL, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of different teams and the potential shifts in the league's power dynamics. The rise of teams like the Sabres and Blue Jackets, as well as the consistent dominance of the Avalanche and Stars, suggest that the NHL landscape is evolving, with a focus on speed, skill, and strategic roster management becoming increasingly important for success.