NHL teams in Super 16 Power Rankings have impressed with …

The season is still so young that it's hard to draw conclusions, but it's easy to put some analysis together and start to formulate thoughts on what teams might turn into this season based on what they look like now, good and bad.

Since it is so early, we're keeping the positive spin on the analysis for this edition of the Super 16 Power Rankings.

The 15 NHL.com staff writers and editors who contributed to the power rankings this week were assigned a team (senior writer Dan Rosen stepped up and did two) and asked to provide their analysis on what about the team has impressed them the most so far.

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

Here is the Super 16 Power Rankings, the what has impressed me most edition:

1. Colorado Avalanche (2-1-0)

Total points: 234
Last week: No. 2

"Look, it's a small sample size for sure, but the Avalanche have found themselves a power play. Last season, they were the Presidents' Trophy winners and finished 27th on the man-advantage (17.1 percent). This season, the power play is 40.0 percent, albeit through three games. As a result, Colorado averaged 5.33 goals per game. Artturi Lehkonen has two man-advantage goals and Brock Nelson has three power-play points. They look more confident with the extra man and even have worked rookie forward T.J. Hughes into the star-studded mix. If the power play is just average this season, the Avalanche promise to be even more of a wagon than they were last season." -- Shawn P. Roarke, senior director of editorial

2. Minnesota Wild (2-0-1)

Total points: 190
Last week: No. 7

"What has impressed me most about the Wild's start is how difficult they have made it on the opposition. They have allowed just five goals through three games, and three came in the third period and overtime of a 3-2 loss at the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday. That shouldn't come as a complete surprise after the Wild finished fourth in the NHL last season at 2.87 goals-against per game, but they have taken it to another level so far. Minnesota surrendered all of two goals through its first eight periods of hockey, a pretty good way to start a season. Jesper Wallstedt deserves plenty of the credit, stopping 70 of 75 shots for a .933 save percentage while starting all three games, but the structure in front of him has helped too, with opponents averaging only 25.0 shots per game. If this level of defending holds up, the Wild are going to make a lot of nights very frustrating for whoever is on the other side." -- Paul Strizhevsky, staff writer

3. Carolina Hurricanes (2-1-1)

Total points: 181
Last week: No. 1

"I could pick Sebastian Aho here. Aho already has seven points (four goals, three assists) in four games, but I'm going to go with the whole team, the way that even after a summer of celebration, of Stanley Cup days and drinking -- whatever -- out of the Cup, the Hurricanes picked right back up where they left off. They're 2-1-1 in the early going, with wins in each of their past two games, and they look like a team that's in it for the long haul, one that easily could be the last one standing for a second straight season." -- Amalie Benjamin, senior writer

4. Vegas Golden Knights (3-1-0)

Total points: 180
Last week: No. 6

"The Golden Knights have scored 4.25 goals per game to win three of their first four games. They're 5-for-16 on the power play, good for 33.1 percent. That's a good sign after they parted with forward Pavel Dorofeyev, who led them in goals (72) and power-play goals (33) the past two seasons. The restricted free agent was due for a payday and wouldn't have fit in the top six in a healthy lineup, so the Golden Knights traded him to the New York Rangers on June 26 and watched him sign a seven-year, $77 million contract ($11 million average annual value). They signed forward Victor Olofsson to a one-year contract July 1 and he leads them with four goals, but he is week to week with an injury, coach Ryan Craig said Thursday. Olofsson has two power-play goals, one goal behind Tomas Hertl for the team lead." -- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist

5. Utah Mammoth (3-1-0)

Total points: 148
Last week: No. 12

"I got to see the Mammoth in person last week and I was impressed by a lot of things. What rises to the top for me after these first few games is their power play. The Mammoth are 8-for-13 through their first four games. They've scored at least one power-play goal in each, including two in a 5-3 win against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. Forward Nick Schmaltz already has five goals, and three have come on the power play. The Mammoth are surgical on their power play. So sharp, so connected, it's helped them get off to a great start through the first week." -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

6. New York Rangers (4-1-0)

Total points: 143
Last week: N/R

"The Rangers have impressed in a lot of ways to start the season, including winning four straight games after losing the season opener 3-0 at the Boston Bruins on Sept. 29. They're 3-0-0 at home, which is massive for a team that lost its first seven home games last season. Most impressive, though, is how the Rangers are starting and, since losing in Boston, finishing games. They haven't given up a goal in the first period yet this season, outscoring their opponents 5-0. They are closing games well since allowing three goals late in the third period against the Bruins. The Rangers have outscored the Tampa Bay Lightning, Detroit Red Wings, Mammoth and New York Islanders 7-2 in the third period to build their winning streak to four games. Five of the seven goals have gone into the empty net, including Igor Shesterkin's goalie goal to cap a 5-1 win against the Lightning on Oct. 1. So, the Rangers are starting well, and finishing strong, particularly in 5-on-6 situations. That's a good recipe for success. Keep it up and they'll surely build on their strong start." -- Dan Rosen, senior writer

7. Tampa Bay Lightning (2-1-0)

Total points: 140
Last week: No. 8

"The most impressive part of the Lightning's start has been the early production from their top forwards. Nikita Kucherov leads them with four points (one goal, three assists), while Jake Guentzel, Brandon Hagel and Ilya Mikheyev have three points apiece. Kucherov remains the catalyst after ranking in the 95th percentile or higher among NHL forwards last season in high-danger, mid-range and long-range goals, according to NHL EDGE. Tampa Bay's power play has yet to score (0-for-13), but its best players are driving the offense at even strength." -- Mike G. Morreale, senior draft writer

8. Florida Panthers (2-0-2)

Total points: 138
Last week: No. 4

"Most impressive is how the Panthers have handled their early-season schedule and adversity. They opened the season against the Hurricanes, watching the defending Stanley Cup champions raise their championship banner before winning 1-0 in overtime. Then they went to California and lost center Aleksander Barkov, their best player and their leader, to another knee injury in a 4-3 overtime loss at the San Jose Sharks. Fortunately, this one isn't a season-ending injury for Barkov like last season's knee injury. He'll miss 6-8 weeks, but it is still a painful blow to the Panthers. Well, Brad Marchand returned to the lineup at the Anaheim Ducks and scored a late game-tying goal before Florida fell 3-2 in overtime. But then Marchand was injured against the Los Angeles Kings and the Panthers still rallied for a 2-1 win. It hasn't been pretty. The offensive flow hasn't been great. They have a huge hole in their lineup with Barkov's injury. It's not clear what will happen with Marchand and his apparent lower-body injury. And they've got cross-country miles on their bodies already. The Panthers also have six out of a possible eight points and they finally get to play their home opener Saturday. That's pretty impressive." -- Rosen

9. Anaheim Ducks (2-1-0)

Total points: 110
Last week: No. 14

"The most impressive part of the season for the Ducks is the gamble they took with their offseason re-signings. One of the biggest stories was Leo Carlsson signing the then-largest contract in NHL history, a five-year, $90 million deal after the Ducks matched an offer sheet tendered by the Philadelphia Flyers on July 3. There was much debate about the contract, which he's quickly silenced with seven points, including six assists, through three games. Cutter Gauthier, who the Ducks signed for six years, has four points, including two goals, each assisted by Carlsson. Their chemistry is translating, but they must continue their impressive play for it to result in an impressive season, one that puts Anaheim in the top three of the Pacific Division." -- Christina Chaiban, producer

10. Edmonton Oilers (3-0-1)

Total points: 107
Last week: No. 11

"Evan Bouchard got off to an incredible start for the Oilers with a hat trick and two assists in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks on opening night, the first time a defenseman had five points in the first game of the season and only the third time one scored three goals. Mark Howe of the Hartford Whalers did it to start the 1980-81 season. Bert Corbeau also had three goals for the Montreal Canadiens to open the 1919-20 season. Bouchard followed his performance in the season opener with a three-point night (one goal, two assists) in a wild 9-7 win at Vancouver two days later. The eight points were the most ever by a defenseman through the first two games of a season. After he had two goals and an assist in Wednesday's 5-2 win against the Ducks, Bouchard leads the NHL with six goals and has 11 points, just one behind teammate Connor McDavid for the League lead. Bouchard was the League's highest scoring defenseman last season with 95 points (21 goals, 74 assists) in 82 games and is on pace to challenge Bobby Orr for the most points by a defenseman in a season. Orr had 139 points (37 goals, 102 assists) in 78 games for the Bruins in 1970-71." -- Derek Van Diest, staff writer

11. Montreal Canadiens (1-1-1)

Total points: 85
Last week: No. 5

"There is no magic yet for the Canadiens early in the season. Martin St. Louis and his players are still finding their footing, especially on defense. If there is a bright spot, it's Zachary Bolduc's strong start. The 23-year-old wing has already scored three goals in three games. With Ivan Demidov sidelined for 2-4 weeks, Bolduc is likely to take on a larger role." -- Jean-Francois Chaumont, LNH.com senior writer

12. Washington Capitals (2-1-0)

Total points: 72
Last week: No. 10

"It's a small sample size to choose from, so the most impressive part of the Capitals' start to the season was their performance in a 5-2 victory against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes on Oct 2. Although the Hurricanes were at home and had already played a game, the Capitals jumped on them right away, grabbing a 3-0 lead in the first period with newcomer Alex Tuch scoring twice and rookie defenseman Cole Hutson scoring the other goal. That game could be a blueprint for how they'll have success this season, displaying their improved depth with three of their four lines generating goals and goalie Logan Thompson taking care of the rest with 31 saves." -- Tom Gulitti, senior writer

13. Buffalo Sabres (2-1-0)

Total points: 67
Last week: No. 9

"Owen Power was selected No. 1 by the Sabres in the 2021 NHL Draft, much like fellow defenseman Rasmus Dahlin was three years earlier. Though Power hasn't been a bust by any means, there were questions revolving around when he would live up to the hype and break out, much like Dahlin has the past few seasons. Maybe now is that time. Through the first three games, Power has been the most impressive member of the Sabres, leading them with five points (one goal, four assists), averaging 26:34 of ice time and scoring in overtime for a 3-2 victory against Minnesota on Tuesday. 'I mean, he looks awesome,' teammate Tage Thompson said. Added coach Lindy Ruff, 'I really like where he's got his game. He's stronger. He's faster. He's really moving out there.' Words that are music to the ears of Sabres fans." -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer

14. Dallas Stars (1-2-0)

Total points: 64
Last week: No. 3

"Though the Stars lost their first two games to start the season, a shutout against the Sharks on Monday could be just what the doctor ordered. They have allowed only six goals in three games, but what's more impressive is they haven't allowed many shots on goal. They stifled the Sharks, allowing just 13 in the 5-0 win and have allowed an average of 21.0 shots on goal in their three games. Jake Oettinger (1.01 goals-against average, .943 save percentage) and Casey DeSmith (2.05 GAA, .923 save percentage) have and will continue to keep them in every game." -- David Satriano, staff writer

15. Winnipeg Jets (3-0-1)

Total points: 54
Last week: N/R

"The Jets are impressing me with their resilience and mental toughness coming off a tumultuous offseason thanks to Connor Hellebuyck's trade request and subsequent suspension. There was optimism throughout training camp they were a better team than the one that finished 12th in the Western Conference last season, one year after winning the Presidents' Trophy. Their 3-2 win at the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday was what coach Scott Arniel said was a mental game more than a physical one after they neutralized an opponent that won its first two games by a combined score of 13-5, outscoring Pittsburgh 3-1 in the third period while outshooting it 14-9. The game against the mighty Avalanche on Wednesday was a litmus test, and Winnipeg came through with a 3-2 win. The Jets right now have look of a team that will rarely be an easy out, even with the 2025 Hart Trophy and a three-time Vezina Trophy winner on hiatus." -- Jon Lane, staff writer

16. Pittsburgh Penguins (2-2-0)

Total points: 47
Last week: N/R

"What's impressed me the most about the Penguins, even going back to last season, is how coach Dan Muse is able to maximize every player on the roster, from future Hockey Hall of Famers like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to less heralded players. Look at their leading scorers through their first four games this season. Tommy Novak is tops with five points (three goals, two assists), followed by Malkin leading a group of six players with four each, including defenseman Declan Carlile, who had three points in 42 games for the Lightning last season. Nick Robertson looks reenergized with three goals on Crosby's line, the same way Egor Chinakhov played when he arrived from the Columbus Blue Jackets last season and continues to contribute this season. Muse was the least heralded of the nine new coaches hired before the start of last season, but his deft touch led the Penguins to second place in the Metropolitan Division last season, and they have the look of a Stanley Cup Playoff team again early this season." -- Adam Kimelman, deputy managing editor

Others receiving points: Ottawa Senators 40, Sharks 35, Seattle Kraken 3, Bruins 2

Dropped out from last week: Flyers (No. 13), Bruins (No. 15), Sharks (No. 16)

HERE'S HOW WE RANKED 'EM 

AMALIE BENJAMIN

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

CHRISTINA CHAIBAN

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Minnesota Wild; 3. Carolina Hurricanes; 4. Florida Panthers; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. Montreal Canadiens; 7. Tampa Bay Lightning; 8. Edmonton Oilers; 9. New York Rangers; 10. Anaheim Ducks; 11. Washington Capitals; 12. Winnipeg Jets; 13. Pittsburgh Penguins; 14. Utah Mammoth; 15. Ottawa Senators; 16. Dallas Stars

JEAN-FRANCOIS CHAUMONT

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

NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Anaheim Ducks; 3. Edmonton Oilers; 4. Minnesota Wild; 5. Winnipeg Jets; 6. New York Rangers; 7. Florida Panthers; 8. Vegas Golden Knights; 9. Utah Mammoth; 10. Pittsburgh Penguins; 11. Tampa Bay Lightning; 12. Buffalo Sabres; 13. San Jose Sharks; 14. Ottawa Senators; 15. Carolina Hurricanes; 16. Montreal Canadiens

TOM GULITTI

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

ADAM KIMELMAN

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

JON LANE

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Montreal Canadiens; 4. Utah Mammoth; 5. Minnesota Wild; 6. New York Rangers; 7. Tampa Bay Lightning; 8. Ottawa Senators; 9. Anaheim Ducks; 10. Vegas Golden Knights; 11. Washington Capitals; 12. Edmonton Oilers; 13. San Jose Sharks; 14. Seattle Kraken; 15. Winnipeg Jets; 16. Pittsburgh Penguins

MIKE G. MORREALE

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

TRACEY MYERS 

1. New York Rangers; 2. Utah Mammoth; 3. Minnesota Wild; 4. Winnipeg Jets; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. Colorado Avalanche; 7. Florida Panthers; 8. Edmonton Oilers; 9. Anaheim Ducks; 10. Tampa Bay Lightning; 11. Ottawa Senators; 12. Carolina Hurricanes; 13. Pittsburgh Penguins; 14. Montreal Canadiens; 15. Buffalo Sabres; 16. San Jose Sharks

SHAWN P. ROARKE 

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

DAN ROSEN

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Vegas Golden Knights; 3. Minnesota Wild; 4. Florida Panthers; 5. New York Rangers; 6. Utah Mammoth; 7. Tampa Bay Lightning; 8. Washington Capitals; 9. Carolina Hurricanes; 10. Anaheim Ducks; 11. Buffalo Sabres; 12. Winnipeg Jets; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Montreal Canadiens; 15. Dallas Stars; 16. San Jose Sharks

DAVID SATRIANO

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

PAUL STRIZHEVSKY

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Vegas Golden Knights; 4. Minnesota Wild; 5. New York Rangers; 6. Tampa Bay Lightning; 7. Anaheim Ducks; 8. Utah Mammoth; 9. Florida Panthers; 10. Pittsburgh Penguins; 11. Washington Capitals; 12. Buffalo Sabres; 13. Winnipeg Jets; 14. Edmonton Oilers; 15. Ottawa Senators; 16. San Jose Sharks

DEREK VAN DIEST

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. New York Rangers; 3. Edmonton Oilers; 4. Minnesota Wild; 5. Winnipeg Jets; 6. Ottawa Senators; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Tampa Bay Lightning; 9. Anaheim Ducks; 10. Utah Mammoth; 11. Pittsburgh Penguins; 12. Florida Panthers; 13. San Jose Sharks; 14. Carolina Hurricanes; 15. Boston Bruins; 16. Montreal Canadiens

MIKE ZEISBERGER

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Utah Mammoth; 4. New York Rangers; 5. Florida Panthers; 6. Tampa Bay Lightning; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Minnesota Wild; 9. San Jose Sharks; 10. Anaheim Ducks; 11. Washington Capitals; 12. Montreal Canadiens; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Ottawa Senators; 15. Buffalo Sabres; 16. Pittsburgh Penguins