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Stanley Cup Playoffs Western Conference X factors
The 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin on Sunday with two Western Conference series — the Winnipeg Jets versus Colorado Avalanche and the Vancouver Canucks versus Nashville Predators — kicking things off.
There are no shortage of superstars in this year's field, but there are always some X factors that can swing a series in a particular direction, whether it be a goaltender, a depth player or a head coach.
Here are four of the biggest potential X factors for the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Juuse Saros, goaltender, Nashville Predators
Right there in the Vezina Trophy race seemingly every year, Saros is the kind of goaltender who can steal a playoff series if he gets hot enough. He led the NHL in saves (1,672) and finished sixth in wins (35) with a 2.82 goals-against average and .906 save percentage.
Saros has been a top-five regular-season goalie for a handful of years, but his track record in the playoffs — he's 3-7-0 — isn’t spectacular despite having excellent underlying metrics with a 2.63 GAA and .914 save percentage.
Vancouver was the sixth-highest scoring team during the regular season with 3.40 goals per game, and Saros will have to be on his game for the Predators to have a shot at pulling the upset.
Mark Stone, right wing, Vegas Golden Knights
It seems like every year, the Golden Knights find a way to use long-term injured reserve to their benefit come playoff time. This year is no different as Stone, who’s been on LTIR, has been cleared to return to practice and is expected to be activated ahead of the team’s playoff opener on Monday.
The 31-year-old forward had 16 goals and 53 points in 56 regular-season games, but he’s been known to turn it up a notch in the playoffs. Stone had 11 goals and 24 points in 23 playoff games last year en route to a Stanley Cup championship win with Vegas, and he scored 13 goals and 29 points in 27 postseason games in 2018 and 2019.
If Stone is putting the puck in the net, it could be the difference in Vegas’ series against the top-seeded Dallas Stars.
Cam Talbot, goaltender, Los Angeles Kings
Perhaps no goaltender has a more daunting task in the first round this year than Talbot does in trying to shut down the high-octane Edmonton Oilers lineup, which features Connor McDavid (32 goals, 132 points), Leon Draisaitl (41 goals, 106 points), Evan Bouchard (18 goals, 82 points) Zach Hyman (54 goals, 77 points) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (18 goals, 67 points).
Talbot had an impressive 2.50 goals-against average and .913 save percentage during the regular season, but he went 0-2 against the Oilers and allowed seven goals in two games.
If the Kings stand any chance to make this a series, Talbot is going to have to bring his "A” game every night.
Jared Bednar, head coach, Colorado Avalanche
Until about three weeks ago, it looked as if the Avalanche could possibly claim their fourth straight Central Division title. They were tied with the Stars for the division lead with 97 points and were four points clear of the then-third place Jets.
However, a 4-5-2 run over their final 11 games dropped them to third in the division, and many have pointed the finger at Bednar as to why.
It's hard to see the eighth-year head coach getting fired two seasons removed from winning a Stanley Cup, but his seat is definitely warm.
Winnipeg is arguably the hottest team in the NHL heading into the postseason, having won its last eight games, and in a matchup where the rosters are as evenly matched as this one, it may come down to whether Bednar can out-coach his counterpart, Rick Bowness.
More must-reads:
- Stanley Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference X factors
- Red Wings captain opens up about brutal end to season, missing NHL playoffs
- The 'NHL goals leaders' quiz
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Oilers Could Land Alex Debrincat in Suggested Deadline Blockbuster With Red Wings
The Edmonton Oilers are going to be trying to make another deep playoff run next season after coming up short in the last two seasons, in the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers, and are hoping their team is deep enough now to finally win their first championship with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and their first franchise Stanley Cup victory since 1990. With that being said, the Oilers have shown they aren’t scared to make big moves if it means improving their team and being able to make a deep postseason run, which was evident when they acquired Jake Walman before the 2025 Trade Deadline from the San Jose Sharks, who has proved to be an incredible fit with the Oilers, and seems to be lined up for a long-term extension. If the Oilers are truly willing to spend big, they might fit a trade partner in the Detroit Red Wings, depending on how their 2025-26 season turns out. If they are in contention, they won’t sell and will look to make a strong playoff run after having missed the past several playoff campaigns, but if they are on the outside looking in, they could be willing to take advantage of increased value for some of their top players. One player who stands out as a potential trade target for the Oilers is superstar forward Alex Debrincat, who has solidified himself as a star in the NHL, and while it took him a while to get going after he departed from the Chicago Blackhawks a few seasons ago, he has found his footing again and could be someone contending teams want on their team for a playoff run. A deal like this would take a lot of moving parts, considering Debrincat has a 16-team no-trade list and has a $7,875,000 annual cap hit. He is also extended through the 2026-27 season, making him an even more valuable player, considering he wouldn’t just be a rental addition for the Oilers. Let me be clear: this idea is purely hypothetical, as there is no indication the Red Wings have even begun to consider trading Debrincat. They want to contend and will keep him around so he can help them do so. This idea stems purely from a “what if” standpoint, and shouldn’t be viewed as a report or a rumour. So, let’s assume Debrincat is open to a trade to the Oilers. What next? What Would a Trade Look Like? Debrincat has some connections to the Oilers already in Jeff Jackson, who currently works for the Oilers but used to be Debrincat’s agent, as well as McDavid, who used to be his teammate when they played together for the Erie Otters in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Realistically, a trade looks like the Oilers acquiring Debrincat in exchange for Mattias Ekholm, Beau Akey, their 2027 first-round pick, and their 2028 second-round pick. The Red Wings get a top prospect, two great draft picks, and a veteran defender who stabilizes their blue line and can keep their young guys in line. The Oilers bring in a superstar for their top-six forward group, and with deep defensive depth, they can afford to move on from Ekholm. They would create, arguably, the best forward lineup in recent NHL history, and likely become the favourite heading into the postseason. The Red Wings would also likely start to move out assets and bring in future pieces in hopes of retooling their lineup, and this move allows them to start doing that. If there is any world where the Red Wings consider moving Debrincat, the Oilers should be all over him, and should do whatever it takes to get a deal done. As the 2025-26 season approaches, be sure to continue following The Hockey Writers as your source for news from around the NHL and the hockey world. Salary cap data courtesy of PuckPedia.
Patriots have big Drake Maye concern surface at Vikings' joint practice
Defense ruled the day during the joint practice between the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings. Per Chad Graff of The Athletic, the Patriots defense did a masterful job of disrupting Vikings second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy at Wednesday's practice. However, New England's offensive line was unable to allow Drake Maye to have enough time to finish plays. "Even with four new expected starters up front following last year’s debacle, Wednesday suggested that there will likely be some bumps ahead for this offensive line," Graff wrote. "Sure, going up against the Vikings was always going to be a difficult task. Greenard has been wrecking his own team’s practices in training camp, and everyone in New England knows how good Flores’ scheme can be. But the domination was so thorough by the Vikings’ front seven that three straight plays at one point would’ve resulted in a sack." Maye showed flashes of promise when he had time to throw downfield or was able to use his legs to buy time or scramble when pressure came. The concern is that the offensive line won't allow Maye enough time to even scramble, so he can make throws. Graff has noticed the same issues that happened on Wednesday have been a constant at training camp against the Patriots defense. With a new-look offensive line that includes first-round pick Will Campbell at left tackle, the Patriots are expected to have some bumps at training camp and in September. New England's offense probably won't look great out of the gate while the offensive line develops in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' scheme. If and when the offensive line improves, Maye will have a chance to show off the arm that made him the No. 3 pick in 2024. For now, the offensive line is a concern much like it was last season.
Commanders have major hang-up preventing them from paying Terry McLaurin what he's due
It’s been two weeks since Washington Commanders star wide receiver Terry McLaurin publicly revealed his trade request, and a resolution doesn’t appear to be in sight. Thanks to ESPN’s John Keim, we’re starting to get more insight into how the Commanders are approaching negotiations…and how they run counter to their star wide receiver’s financial desires. As we’ve assumed all along, the Commanders are wary of giving McLaurin a lucrative contract that would extend well into the player’s 30s. As Keim notes, the Commanders “rely heavily on analytics,” and those numbers aren’t particularly kind to receivers on the wrong side of 30. They may be onto something. Per ESPN Research, over the past five years, only three receivers 31 years or older have played at least 10 games and averaged 70-plus receiving yards per game (that number jumps to six players if you adjust for 60-plus receiving yards). Further, the team can simply point to the NFL landscape, as other teams are also clearly wary of paying aging wideouts. Among the 24 active wide receivers who are attached to the most guaranteed money, only Tyreek Hill was older than 30 when the deal was signed. McLaurin has continually pointed to his lack of mileage despite his age; he barely played during his first two years at Ohio State, meaning he may not have the same wear and tear as similar players his age. McLaurin is also naturally pointing to the stat sheet, as the receiver has continually produced despite uncertain QB play, uncertain ownership and a handful of different coaching staffs. Per Keim, the Commanders don’t want to pay McLaurin based on his past performance, with the front office preferring to shape any future contracts based on his projections for age-31-plus seasons. The organization also doesn’t want to set a new precedent by paying McLaurin, as it could convince future veterans to push for lucrative deals in their 30s. While McLaurin has taken the drastic measure of requesting a trade out of Washington, the organization is still convinced they have leverage in this showdown. After all, the player is still under contract for the 2025 campaign, meaning McLaurin will have to forfeit game checks if he sits out games. The team could even choose to slap him with the franchise tag next offseason (which could come in north of $30M), meaning they’re in full control of the player’s fate moving forward. The team is also skeptical that another suitor is going to willingly pay McLaurin the type of money he’s seeking. Per Keim, there’s doubts around the league about whether another team would be willing to meet the receiver’s demands. Even if a clear suitor does emerge, Keim makes it clear that Washington’s front office won’t give the star away without receiving a haul. We heard recently that McLaurin wasn’t necessarily seeking a deal that matched fellow 2019 draftee D.K. Metcalf‘s deal with the Steelers. However, Keim says Metcalf’s contract has generally served as a guide for McLaurin, but it’s uncertain whether the Commanders wideout is looking to match the AAV ($33M) or total guarantees ($60M). Ultimately, one source believes the Commanders may agree to pay McLaurin a contract that will pay $28M per year. Of course, it’s uncertain if the player would even accept that offer. If that hypothetical maximum offer doesn’t end in a signing, a divorce may be the logical next step.
Three teams that should take a flier on Odell Beckham Jr. for the 2025 season
Former New York Giants superstar and current free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. emerged in the headlines on Tuesday afternoon. The 32-year-old took to X (formerly Twitter) to shut down a fake report that he was retiring from the NFL. Beckham spent the 2024 season with the Miami Dolphins in a very limited role, recording just nine receptions for 55 yards in nine games. However, he was a solid contributor as a Baltimore Raven the year prior, showing that he can still provide some production at this point in his career. Given that OBJ has no interest in calling it quits just yet, let’s look at three teams that should take a shot on the three-time Pro Bowler to see how much juice he’s got left in him. New York Giants How about a reunion in the Big Apple? It would only be fitting for Beckham to finish his career in the place where it all started. Superstar wide receiver Malik Nabers runs the show on offense, but after that, there are plenty of question marks. Wide receivers Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton slot in as solid options behind Nabers, but it would not hurt to add a veteran like Beckham into the mix. He knows what it's like playing in such a big market and could mentor the Giants' young offensive weapons while providing some depth production when called upon. Las Vegas Raiders There may not be a team with more of a need at the wide receiver position than the Las Vegas Raiders. The targets are understandably funneled to superstar tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, but they need help beyond those two. Third-year wide receiver Tre Tucker and rookie wideouts Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr. are next in line. While those three may play big roles right from the start, the Raiders could certainly use another experienced pass-catcher, and Beckham is a nice option to fill that role. Perhaps he even shows himself to be worthy of the WR2 spot. Buffalo Bills The third team that could be in play for Beckham is the Buffalo Bills. With Josh Allen in his prime, they need to continue putting weapons around him whenever possible. Second-year wide receiver Keon Coleman and free-agent signing Joshua Palmer are atop the depth chart in Buffalo, while reliable wideout Khalil Shakir is nicked up with an ankle injury. Longtime Carolina Panthers receiver Curtis Samuel also remains in the mix but is dealing with a hamstring ailment and has had injury woes in the past. Outside of Shakir, it's hard to know what you're going to get from the rest of the position group. Beckham will likely want to join a contender or somewhere he can play more of a factor than he did with the Dolphins in 2024-25, so keep an eye on the Bills.
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