Super 16: New Year’s resolutions for teams in power rankings

Happy New Year!

It's the first day of 2026 and, of course, with that comes annual resolutions. You make them, we make them. NHL teams might not announce them, but let's assume they make them as well.

But they don't need to announce their own resolutions. We're doing it for at least half of them in our first Super 16 of 2026.

It's the New Year's resolution power rankings.

As always, to come up with the Super 16, the 13 voters this week first put together their own version of what they think the rankings should look like and a point total is assigned to each, with the team selected first given 16 points, second 15, third 14, and so on.

And with that, we have this resolutions edition:

1. Colorado Avalanche (30-2-7)

Total points: 208
Last week: No. 1

"The Avalanche might not want to change much of anything for the New Year. You could argue they have winners in four different NHL postseason award categories; Hart Trophy (Nathan MacKinnon), Norris Trophy (Cale Makar), Vezina Trophy (Scott Wedgewood) and Jack Adams Award (Jared Bednar). If it isn't broke, no need to fix it. Happy New Year, Avalanche fans!" -- Mike G. Morreale, senior draft writer

2. Dallas Stars (25-8-7)

Total points: 192
Last week: No. 2

"The Stars should resolve to keep on keeping on. They're near the top of the NHL in pretty much every team category, from goals scored per game to goals allowed per game, penalty kill, power play, you name it. They've been wonderfully consistent on all fronts, and it has kept them within shouting distance of the Avalanche who, let's face it, are on an insane roll this season. Dallas knows from experience it's not always about winning the division. It's about staying in the race, playing solid hockey and then see what happens in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The schedule grind continues in January, and the Stars just need to maintain their steady game." -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

3. Minnesota Wild (24-10-7)

Total points: 185
Last week: No. 3

"The Wild's New Year's resolution is refreshingly simple -- don't get in your own way. This team looks like it's built to be good for a long time, and the early returns are already evident. Kirill Kaprizov is locked in as the franchise heartbeat, and the bold move to land defenseman Quinn Hughes has transformed their blue line overnight. Add goaltending that's been nothing short of elite, and suddenly Minnesota isn’t just competitive; it’s scary good. Now comes the hard part: Patience. Keep the core together, resist the urge to tinker unnecessarily, and prioritize health above all else. If the Wild can stay intact and upright, this isn't a one-season spike, it's the opening chapter of a long, legitimate window." -- Paul Strizhevsky, staff writer

4. Carolina Hurricanes (24-12-3)

Total points: 164
Last week: No. 4

"The Hurricanes are remarkably consistent, and they have been for a long time under coach Rod Brind'Amour. They play the same way every game regardless of who is in the lineup. And they've been without some key players of late with forward Seth Jarvis, and defensemen Jaccob Slavin and Shayne Gostisbehere out of the lineup. They've also struggled to keep the puck out of the net of late, allowing 23 goals in their past six games, going 2-3-1. But their resolution, beyond getting healthy and tightening up defensively, is simply to stay the course because they know it works. Do not deviate. Do not fall victim to thinking you're different than you are. Carolina wins a certain way and it needs to continue to trust that way will work, especially when it gets into the playoffs. It won't work if the Hurricanes try to be something they're not, so resolve to be you and believe in that. By the way, the words I just wrote could also be a Brind'Amour speech to his team, because it's true." -- Dan Rosen, senior writer

5. Tampa Bay Lightning (23-13-3)

Total points: 151
Last week: No. 8

"What has happened to the Lightning's home-ice advantage? Not so long ago, coming into Tampa Bay's home rink was an ominous proposition for opposing teams indeed, thanks to its raucous crowds, thunderous theater organ and two Tesla coils that dangle from the ceiling and emit electric bolts at the beginning of games and after each Lightning goal. Sure, those things still exist, but Tampa Bay's dominance there has not, at least not to the extent that it once did. Consider the Lightning have lost more games in regulation on home ice this season (nine) than all of last season (eight). And it has nothing to do with the changing of the building's name during the offseason from Amalie Arena to Benchmark International Arena. Instead, it has everything to do with Tampa Bay's inconsistent play there, as symbolized by its 11-9-0 home record. Add it all up, and it makes for a simple New Year's resolution for Jon Cooper's team -- play better on home ice." -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer

6. Detroit Red Wings (24-14-3)

Total points: 135
Last week: No. 6

"Whatever your New Year's resolutions -- lose weight, make the playoffs -- the hardest thing to do is be consistent. That's what the Red Wings have to do to reach their goal. Each of the past two seasons, they have been one of the best teams in the NHL for a stretch, only to fall apart down the stretch. Once again, they're in a good spot. They have a chance to make the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Now they've got to avoid prolonged losing streaks and handle the pressure when the playoffs are on the line." -- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist

7. Vegas Golden Knights (17-10-11)

Total points: 108
Last week: No. 5

"The Golden Knights have several resolutions heading into the New Year. First, defend ‘The Fortress' better. After having at least 25 home wins each of the previous three seasons, they're just 8-6-6 at T-Mobile Arena. Second, start games better. Vegas has allowed the first goal in 21 of 38 games this season. When they score first, the Golden Knights are 11-2-4. When they don't, they're 6-8-7." -- David Satriano, staff writer

8. Montreal Canadiens (21-12-6)

Total points: 104
Last week: No. 14

"The New Year’s resolution for the Canadiens is to count on the Sam Montembeault from their last game of 2025 (a 3-2 win in overtime against the Florida Panthers). Montreal will need stability in front of its net. They Canadiens are hoping to see the Montembeault of the 2024-2025 season, the goalie who won 31 games in 60 starts." -- Jean-Francois Chaumont, journalist principal LNH.com

9. Edmonton Oilers (20-15-6)

Total points: 94
Last week: No. 13

"The Oilers are trending in the right direction heading into the New Year and managed to work their way to the top of the Pacific Division prior to the end of 2025. If Edmonton has a resolution, it would be to get more offense from its bottom two lines. As per usual, star forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are leading the way offensively, and both are at the top of their game, but it would help if the forwards on the third and fourth line chipped in a little more often. As the checking gets tighter heading toward the playoffs, the Oilers are going to need more from their bottom-six forwards who are in the lineup regularly." -- Derek Van Diest, staff writer

10. Florida Panthers (21-15-3)

Total points: 84
Last week: No. 11

"The Panthers resolution is starting to come true; they're starting to get healthy, or at least healthier with the pending return of forward Matthew Tkachuk. He is skating in a noncontact jersey and while he likely won't play in the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic against the New York Rangers on Friday (8 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, truTV, TNT, SNW, SNO, SNE, TVAS) he is on the mend and should be back soon. Forward Jonah Gadjovich and defenseman Dmitry Kulikov could return at some point after the Olympic break and before the end of the regular season. So, things are once again looking up in Florida, especially with the Panthers being 9-3-1 since Dec. 6." -- Rosen

11. Philadelphia Flyers (20-12-7)

Total points: 82
Last week: No. 10

"There are a few items on the Flyers' list of New Year's resolutions; first should be finding more consistency on the power play. They're 25th in the NHL at 16.2 percent, and their 17 power-play goals are second-fewest in the League. Coach Rick Tocchet and his staff have shuffled players on and off the two units looking find the right mix. Maybe a bit further down is a better understanding of when games start. They've allowed the game's first goal an NHL-high 26 games; since they're 13-8-5 when trailing first, it doesn't have to be their No. 1 priority." -- Adam Kimelman, deputy managing editor

12. New York Islanders (22-14-4)

Total points: 80
Last week: No. 12

"The Islanders' resolution would be to get more offense from Jonathan Drouin. The forward, who is in the first of a two-year contract with New York, is entering 2026 with three goals in 34 games, and none since Nov. 14. The Islanders have managed to stay afloat in the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference, but they're going to need a productive Drouin in the second half of the season. The 30-year-old is capable of much more offensively than what he's provided." -- Brian Compton, managing editor

13. Washington Capitals (21-14-5)

Total points: 63
Last week: No. 9

"The Capitals' resolution for 2026 is to fix their special teams. Washington's 5-on-5 play has been a strength for most of the season, but it has struggled on the power play and penalty kill, ranking toward the bottom of the League in both categories. Although they've had some stretches of success with each, they haven't been able to sustain it, and it's held them back from climbing higher in the standings." -- Tom Gulitti, senior writer

14. Buffalo Sabres (21-14-4)

Total points: 54
Last week: Not ranked

"Do not fall apart. That's it. That's the goal for the Sabres. They have played their way into the playoff race after a subpar start, but they have a history of feeling good about what they're doing and not building on it. So, Buffalo’s resolution for 2026 is to be different than it has been, which is to say be consistent in its approach and in its execution. Clearly, the Sabres have a blueprint for how to win; they've won a lot in the past month. But it's not good enough, not yet at least. They've been good in the details of the game, so stay that way. Don't get fat on December success. That's the resolution for the upstart Sabres." -- Rosen

15. Anaheim Ducks (21-16-3)

Total points: 39
Last week: No. 7

"For a team that has so much offensive talent, including five skaters with more than 10 goals this season, the Ducks are not good on the power play. That needs to change in the second half as goals become harder to come by and teams clamp down 5-on-5. A power play clicking at a sub-17.0 percent rate and close to the bottom of the League won't cut it if Anaheim has designs on the postseason for the first time in nine seasons." -- Shawn P. Roarke, senior director of editorial

16. Pittsburgh Penguins (17-12-9)

Total points: 10
Last week: Not ranked

"The Penguins seem to have a real plan right now to compete on the ice and battle for a playoff spot while also building organizational depth and developing. Some teams choose one over the other, especially when they're caught in the middle like Pittsburgh is. But the resolution should be to give the team this season a chance without deviating from the future. The Penguins did that by trading for Yegor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday. Pittsburgh sent a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, a third-round pick in the 2027 draft and forward Danton Heinen to Columbus to get Chinakhov. It seems like a lot to give up for forward who has shown flash but still has six points (three goals, three assists) in 29 games this season. But Chinakhov has talent and he's 24 years old. He scored 16 goals in 53 games in 2023-24. The Penguins are hoping they can unlock Chinakhov's potential and have him be a part of the team now and in the future, otherwise known as battling for a playoff spot this season while also building organizational depth and developing. They gave up draft picks and a depth forward to get him. The price could be worth it. The risk certainly is." -- Rosen

Dropped out from last week: Ottawa Senators (No. 15), New Jersey Devils (No. 16)

Others receiving points: Devils 5, Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Los Angeles Kings 3, New York Rangers 1, San Jose Sharks 1, Nashville Predators 1

HERE'S HOW WE RANKED 'EM

JEAN-FRANCOIS CHAUMONT

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Dallas Stars; 3. Minnesota Wild; 4. Carolina Hurricanes; 5. Tampa Bay Lightning; 6. Edmonton Oilers; 7. Detroit Red Wings; 8. Montreal Canadiens; 9. Vegas Golden Knights; 10. Washington Capitals; 11. Florida Panthers; 12. Anaheim Ducks; 13. New York Islanders; 14. Philadelphia Flyers; 15. Los Angeles Kings; 16. San Jose Sharks

BRIAN COMPTON

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Dallas Stars; 3. Minnesota Wild; 4. Carolina Hurricanes; 5. Tampa Bay Lightning; 6. Detroit Red Wings; 7. Montreal Canadiens; 8. Philadelphia Flyers; 9. Vegas Golden Knights; 10. New York Islanders; 11. Buffalo Sabres; 12. Florida Panthers; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Washington Capitals; 15. Pittsburgh Penguins; 16. Anaheim Ducks

NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Dallas Stars; 3. Minnesota Wild; 4. Carolina Hurricanes; 5. Tampa Bay Lightning; 6. Philadelphia Flyers; 7. Montreal Canadiens; 8. Detroit Red Wings; 9. Vegas Golden Knights; 10. New York Islanders; 11. Buffalo Sabres; 12. Florida Panthers; 13. Washington Capitals; 14. Edmonton Oilers; 15. Pittsburgh Penguins; 16. Anaheim Ducks

TOM GULITTI

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Dallas Stars; 3. Minnesota Wild; 4. Carolina Hurricanes; 5. Tampa Bay Lightning; 6. Vegas Golden Knights; 7. Detroit Red Wings; 8. Florida Panthers; 9. Edmonton Oilers; 10. Montreal Canadiens; 11. Philadelphia Flyers; 12. New York Islanders; 13. Washington Capitals; 14. Buffalo Sabres; 15. Anaheim Ducks; 16. Pittsburgh Penguins

ADAM KIMELMAN

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Minnesota Wild; 3. Dallas Stars; 4. Carolina Hurricanes; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. Anaheim Ducks; 7. Tampa Bay Lightning; 8. Edmonton Oilers; 9. Philadelphia Flyers; 10. New York Islanders; 11. Florida Panthers; 12. Detroit Red Wings; 13. Montreal Canadiens; 14. Washington Capitals; 15. Buffalo Sabres; 16. Los Angeles Kings

MIKE G. MORREALE

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Dallas Stars; 3. Minnesota Wild; 4. Detroit Red Wings; 5. Tampa Bay Lightning; 6. Carolina Hurricanes; 7. Florida Panthers; 8. Washington Capitals; 9. Edmonton Oilers; 10. Vegas Golden Knights; 11. New York Islanders; 12. Anaheim Ducks; 13. Philadelphia Flyers; 14. Montreal Canadiens; 15. Buffalo Sabres; 16. Pittsburgh Penguins

TRACEY MYERS

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Dallas Stars; 3. Minnesota Wild; 4. Carolina Hurricanes; 5. Detroit Red Wings; 6. Montreal Canadiens; 7. Tampa Bay Lightning; 8. Philadelphia Flyers; 9. New York Islanders; 10. Vegas Golden Knights; 11. Edmonton Oilers; 12. Anaheim Ducks; 13. Washington Capitals; 14. Florida Panthers; 15. Buffalo Sabres; 16. Pittsburgh Penguins

SHAWN P. ROARKE

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Dallas Stars; 3. Minnesota Wild; 4. Carolina Hurricanes; 5. Tampa Bay Lightning; 6. Florida Panthers; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Detroit Red Wings; 9. Washington Capitals; 10. Edmonton Oilers; 11. Buffalo Sabres; 12. New Jersey Devils; 13. Montreal Canadiens; 14. Toronto Maple Leafs; 15. Philadelphia Flyers; 16. New York Islanders

DAN ROSEN

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Minnesota Wild; 3. Dallas Stars; 4. Tampa Bay Lightning; 5. Carolina Hurricanes; 6. Detroit Red Wings; 7. Edmonton Oilers; 8. Montreal Canadiens; 9. Vegas Golden Knights; 10. Florida Panthers; 11. Buffalo Sabres; 12. New York Islanders; 13. Washington Capitals; 14. Philadelphia Flyers; 15. Anaheim Ducks; 16. Toronto Maple Leafs

DAVID SATRIANO

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Minnesota Wild; 3. Dallas Stars; 4. Detroit Red Wings; 5. Carolina Hurricanes; 6. Tampa Bay Lightning; 7. New York Islanders; 8. Florida Panthers; 9. Montreal Canadiens; 10. Edmonton Oilers; 11. Philadelphia Flyers; 12. Vegas Golden Knights; 13. Buffalo Sabres; 14. Washington Capitals; 15. Anaheim Ducks; 16. Nashville Predators

PAUL STRIZHEVSKY

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Dallas Stars; 3. Minnesota Wild; 4. Carolina Hurricanes; 5. Tampa Bay Lightning; 6. Detroit Red Wings; 7. Montreal Canadiens; 8. Philadelphia Flyers; 9. Vegas Golden Knights; 10. Buffalo Sabres; 11. Washington Capitals; 12. New York Islanders; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Florida Panthers; 15. Pittsburgh Penguins; 16. Anaheim Ducks

DEREK VAN DIEST

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Dallas Stars; 3. Minnesota Wild; 4. Detroit Red Wings; 5. Carolina Hurricanes; 6. Tampa Bay Lightning; 7. New York Islanders; 8. Montreal Canadiens; 9. Edmonton Oilers; 10. Buffalo Sabres; 11. Philadelphia Flyers; 12. Vegas Golden Knights; 13. Washington Capitals; 14. Florida Panthers; 15. Anaheim Ducks; 16. New York Rangers

MIKE ZEISBERGER

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Dallas Stars; 3. Minnesota Wild; 4. Carolina Hurricanes; 5. Tampa Bay Lightning; 6. Vegas Golden Knights; 7. Montreal Canadiens; 8. Edmonton Oilers; 9. Detroit Red Wings; 10. Florida Panthers; 11. Philadelphia Flyers; 12. New York Islanders; 13. Washington Capitals; 14. Buffalo Sabres; 15. Anaheim Ducks; 16. Pittsburgh Penguins