After a rather dramatic early off season for the NHL, several teams will be dressing very different rosters than they were at the end of the 2023-24 season. There are several factors that make a successful team, and each year, the differences in strengths and weaknesses between the NHL teams becomes very apparent early on.
After a very exciting Summer Olympics, it was noticeable that each different sport requires a very different team dynamic. These dynamics reminded me of how unique each NHL team is. On that note, let’s compare the 32 NHL teams to 32 different Olympic team sports.
Anaheim Ducks - Beach Volleyball
With such close proximity to the beach, it makes perfect sense that the Anaheim Ducks would make a great beach volleyball team. Being one of the youngest teams in the league has also led to some great chemistry between different players on the ice, which would translate very well with the chemistry needed for beach volley duos.
Boston Bruins - Boxing
It’s no secret that the Boston Bruins were one of the most physical and hard-hitting teams of the 2023-24 season. This group would certainly make a dent in the boxing ring as well as on the ice. They rely on their physicality to make a lot of their plays, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a punching bag or two in their locker room.
Buffalo Sabres - Golf
The Buffalo Sabres would certainly make a great showing on the Golf course, as they currently have a league record 13 season playoff drought. This certainly has left them ample time over the years to work on their golf game while the rest of the league is still playing hockey.
Calgary Flames - High Jump
Photo by Mike Zitek /Courtesy of Calgary Wranglers
Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf would be able to carry his team on his shoulders for the high jump with his pre-game jump routine alone.
Carolina Hurricanes - Rowing
Being in such close proximity to large bodies of water, it makes perfect sense that the Carolina Hurricanes would be able to brave any storm and take home a medal in rowing. But even aside from their location, the team is known for being very strong and physical, so they could certainly put together quite the squad for a rowing team.
Chicago Blackhawks - Breaking
With a big youth turnover and some very unique coaching styles, the Chicago Blackhawks would make a very interesting breaking team. Between Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, Kevin Korchinski, and Alex Vlasic, I’m sure they could take home a medal for their unique movement and styles.
Colorado Avalanche - Track
The Colorado Avalanche would make a great track team, being the fastest team in the league skating wise during the 2023-24 season. They would certainly make a dent in the relays too, especially with Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.
Columbus Blue Jackets - Fencing
With a team logo and vibe centered around the historic USA, it seems fitting that this team would be great at fencing. I mean, the team has a cannon in their arena!
Dallas Stars - Volleyball
Being tall in hockey certainly has its advantages, but it's an even bigger advantage in the Volleyball world. Coming in as the tallest team in the league for the 2024-25 season, it is clear that the Dallas Stars would make quite the intimidating and rather skilled volleyball team if they put enough practice in.
Detroit Red Wings - Hurdles
The Detroit Red Wings were one of the most underrated and sneaky teams in the league last season, and were almost able to sneak their way into the playoffs. They’ve made some serious trades in the past year and have overcome many hurdles over the previous season to get to this point. So what better sport for them to try besides hurdles?
Edmonton Oilers - Shooting
It’s no secret that the Edmonton Oilers have some insane scoring talent throughout their entire roster. Not only are they able to score, they are also the most accurate team in the league when it comes to their shots with a percentage of 11.3%. With this kind of statistic, this team would certainly make an interesting watch for shooting.
Florida Panthers - Swimming
Courtesy of Joe Cavaretta via Sun Sentinel
The University of Florida has been a swimming dynasty for quite some time now, and they proved that again this year after sending an astounding 14 swimmers to the Paris Olympics. Being in such close proximity to the University of Florida, the Florida Panthers would definitely be able to get some ample training time to compete in swimming.
Los Angeles Kings - Tennis
Located in Los Angeles, the Kings are very close to lots of famous celebrities and next to some very rich neighborhoods. And what is there to do in a fancy neighborhood in LA besides Tennis? They could definitely find lots of places to practice in and lots of interesting people to practice with.
Minnesota Wild - Canoe Slalom
Minnesota is well known for their gorgeous mountains and the rivers that run through them. These rivers make great canoe trails, so the players are in very close proximity to some great practicing waters. Not only that, but Minnesota is a very physical team and certainly has the massive upper body strength needed to participate in the Canoe Slalom event.
Montreal Canadiens - Rhythmic Gymnastics
Montreal is a very beautiful and elegant city, so what better sport for the Canadiens to participate in besides rhythmic gymnastics! The team is very quick on their feet and have made some very intricate plays work in front of the net to create scoring opportunities. These skills and stick handling abilities that the players have would translate very well to the rhythmic gymnastics floor.
Nashville Predators - Handball
The Predators made some massive moves throughout the offseason and their odds of winning the Stanley Cup has greatly skyrocketed because of the depth of their team. Because of their newfound depth in defensemen, forwards, and elite goaltending, the Preds would translate into a very well rounded and successful Handball team.
New Jersey Devils - Artistic Gymnastics
Courtesy of Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media
The New Jersey Devils (and more specifically Jack Hughes) have a tendency of doing some on ice acrobatics throughout the season. These moves, although rather comical at times, are not ideal in the middle of a hockey game, but would translate well on a vault or a floor routine in gymnastics.
New York Islanders - Weightlifting
The New York Islanders were arguably one of the most physical teams in the league, and a lot of their game plan involves being physical. Because physicality takes a lot of strength, the Islanders would make a very daunting weightlifting team.
New York Rangers - Basketball
The Rangers are another very diverse, accurate, strong, and well rounded team. This would translate very well to a Basketball court. They also share their arena, MSG, with the New York Knicks, so they could easily get some lessons from some very talented basketball players in their own arena.
Ottawa Senators - Badminton
I can’t think of a sport better suited for a team that has been flying under the radar for several years than a sport that also flies under the radar at the Olympics.
Philadelphia Flyers - Skateboarding
The 2023-24 Philadelphia Flyers put the league on notice with their fast-paced and electrifying game. A lot of teams had trouble keeping up with their creative scoring chances and ways of moving the puck. That, along with being from the Philadelphia area that is full of skate parks, they would be a very fun watch at skateboarding.
Pittsburgh Penguins - 3 on 3 Basketball
The Penguins have some of the most well known players in the league in Crosby, Malkin, and Letang. Putting these three stars together would certainly make a very entertaining 3-on-3 Basketball team, especially if they were able to translate their on ice chemistry to the court.
San Jose Sharks - Surfing
San Jose has some of the nicest beaches in all of the United States, so the Sharks would be the team most suited for getting their hair a little wet under the waves. They are also a very young and creative team, so they would definitely get some style points as well.
Seattle Kraken - Artistic Swimming
Seattle is known for their art and uniqueness as a city overall, so I’m sure all of the local fans would be very helpful when curating an artistic swimming routine for their hockey team. The Kraken have some very talented skaters in Tanev, Eberle, and Dunn, and their smooth skating would translate well to artistic swimming.
St. Louis Blues - Diving
The St. Louis Blues would make a very talented diving team, as they were one of the teams that drew the most penalties during the 2023-24 season. They certainly make it clear when a penalty is committed against them.
Tampa Bay Lightning - Marathon Swimming
The Tampa Bay Lighting have been having marathon long seasons, with back-to-back Stanley Cups and very deep playoff runs during the past 5 or so years. That along with the fact that they are located next to very large bodies of water would make them a very talented marathon swimming team.
Toronto Maple Leafs - Rugby
The Toronto Maple Leafs are another very physical team and use that to their advantage on the ice. They are very creative with their puck movement and have a very well rounded roster where everyone has different strengths. This would translate well to a rugby team, as they would be able to use their individuality and physicality to make plays and make their opponents have to work very hard to defend.
Utah Hockey Club - Cycling Track
The newest team in the league, the Utah Hockey Club, absorbed all of the players from the Arizona Coyotes organization. This was one of the youngest teams in the league during the 2023-24 season, and they were known for their speed. Just like in cycling, no lead is safe with this team, and they showed time and time again how quickly they can come back from losing.
Vancouver Canucks - Soccer
The Vancouver Canucks made the biggest jump in the league last season between their standings from the previous season. They were able to succeed because they had great depth in their defensemen, forwards, and their goaltending. Their style of play mimics that of a soccer team, and with their vast talent, they would make a very strong and competitive soccer team.
Vegas Golden Knights - Equestrian
Courtesy of Ethan Miller/Getty Images
The Vegas Golden Knights AHL affiliate is the Henderson Silver Knights, whose mascot is a horse that the Knights would ride into battle. It makes perfect sense that the Knights would be very skilled at Equestrian.
Washington Capitals - Shot Put
Shot Put requires a huge amount of upper body strength and precision, and the majority of the Washington Capitals players have these exact qualities. Alex Ovechkin is famous for the immense power behind his shots, and this would translate quite well to shot put.
Winnipeg Jets - Water Polo
The Winnipeg Jets not only have one of the best goaltenders in the league in Connor Hellebuyck who wouldn’t let a single goal in, but they also have a lot of very talented and strong skaters that have the necessary lower body strength that it takes to play water polo.
Edited by Rachel Bowlin
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