Attention, hockey fans! The most thrilling time of year in North American sports has arrived. As the NFL ramps up and the World Series approaches in October, the NHL is set to face off for the 2024-25 season in an exciting Global Series matchup in Prague featuring the Buffalo Sabres against the New Jersey Devils. This is also the moment that fantasy GMs have been waiting for, with drafts already in full swing.

It's been a while since we presented our top-10 teams that are poised to make a significant impact this season. As the puck is about to drop, here’s our rundown of the ten franchises with the best chance to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup this year.

10) Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a dynamic offensive lineup, featuring stars like Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and Auston Matthews. Despite their impressive scoring potential, the Leafs face challenges, particularly in goal and with a new coaching staff. However, the addition of tough defensemen Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson could make them more formidable and difficult to play against. If goaltender Joseph Woll remains healthy, Toronto has the potential to be a serious contender.

9) Boston Bruins

Interestingly, three Atlantic Division teams make this list due to the division's increasing competitiveness. The Bruins strengthened their roster with Nikita Zadorov and Elias Lindholm, but the absence of top goaltender Jeremy Swayman raises concerns about depth. Boston boasts a powerful blue line, yet without Swayman, they might struggle. Keep an eye on the production of David Pastrnak and the potential of Pavel Zacha to elevate the team's offensive capabilities.

8) Tampa Bay Lightning

Don't underestimate the Tampa Bay Lightning! With a healthy Andrei Vasilevskiy returning and new addition Jake Guentzel joining Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay is loaded for a postseason run. Last year's league-leading power-play unit displayed incredible chemistry, and if they can replicate that success, the Lightning will be a force to be reckoned with.

7) Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators are no longer off the radar and are primed for playoff contention. With an elite goaltender in Juuse Saros and Norris candidate Roman Josi anchoring the defense, they have a balanced forward group bolstered by Steven Stamkos and 40-goal scorer Jonathan Marchessault. Under the leadership of coach Andrew Brunette, the Predators aim to navigate a challenging Western Conference landscape.

6) New Jersey Devils

Thanks to savvy management by Tom Fitzgerald, the New Jersey Devils possess a complete roster. Star forward Jack Hughes can take them to new heights if he remains healthy, potentially positioning the Devils as serious contenders against rivals like the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers in the Metro Division.

5) Colorado Avalanche

With a high-octane trio of Mikko Rantanen, Cale Makar, and Nathan MacKinnon, the Colorado Avalanche has the offensive prowess to threaten any opponent. The question remains whether Alexandar Georgiev can handle the pressure of a playoff run, especially against tough teams like the Edmonton Oilers.

4) New York Rangers

Special teams are crucial for any team's playoff success, and the New York Rangers excel in both power-play and penalty-kill efficiency. With a star-studded roster featuring promising talents like Alexis Lafreniere and K'Andre Miller, the Rangers will be looking to make another deep playoff push this season.

3) Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers, led by coach Paul Maurice, have proven to be one of the toughest teams to face, boasting intensity and skill. Their recent back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances underscore their potential. With players like Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe, they remain loaded with fantasy assets and poised for another strong showing.

2) Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars are a formidable team, anchored by the fantasy powerhouse Miro Heiskanen and elite goaltender Jake Oettinger. They feature a potent offensive trio of Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Wyatt Johnston, with promising young defenseman Thomas Harley emerging as a potential star on their roster.

1) Edmonton Oilers

At the top of our list are the Edmonton Oilers, featuring generational talent Connor McDavid and sniper Leon Draisaitl. With an explosive offense that defines their play style and a commitment to improving their defensive game, the Oilers appear ready to seize the opportunity to compete for the championship this season.

As we gear up for what promises to be an exhilarating NHL season, these teams are primed to make headlines, not just on the ice but also in countless fantasy leagues. Buckle up, hockey enthusiasts; the 2024-25 season is poised to be anything but boring!