Super 16: Teams emerging from pause

The NHL Return to Play Plan was announced May 26. The League hopes to soon move into Phase 2 of the plan, the opening of training facilities for small group workouts. This week, the Super 16 covers the 24 teams that are still alive to win the Stanley Cup this season.

Who has healed? Who benefits from the time off? And how will it all impact the Seeding Round Robin and Qualifying Round before the Stanley Cup Playoffs?

Those questions were accounted for in this week's Super 16, ranking the top teams based on what they will look like when the pause is lifted and the NHL Return to Play Plan can take effect.

It's the first Super 16 involving current NHL teams since March 19.

To create this week's Super 16, each of the 13 participating staff members put together his or her version of what they think it should look like. Those were submitted and a point total assigned to each.

The team picked first was given 16 points, second got 15, third 14 and so on down to No. 16, who got one point.

Here is the Super 16:

1. Boston Bruins

Total points: 201

Rank on March 19: No. 1

Return to Play status: Seeding Round Robin in Eastern Conference

Need to know: The Bruins (44-14-12) won the Presidents' Trophy as the top regular-season team with 100 points in 70 games. They led the NHL in points percentage (.714), regulation wins (38) and goals against (167, 2.39 per game). They won 16 of their final 20 games before the season was paused March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus. Torey Krug and Brandon Carlo, who make up Boston's second defense pair, will be in the lineup; they were out each with an upper-body injury.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning

Total points: 191

Rank on March 19: No. 3

Return to Play status: Seeding Round Robin in Eastern Conference

Need to know:The Lightning (43-21-6) will have center Steven Stamkos and defenseman Victor Hedman available. Stamkos would have missed at least the Eastern Conference First Round after having core muscle surgery March 2; Hedman was day to day with a lower-body injury. The Lightning were first in the NHL in goals (243) and goals per game (3.47) and tied for seventh in goals-against per game (2.77).

3. St. Louis Blues

Total points: 189

Rank on March 19: No. 2

Return to Play status: Seeding Round Robin in Western Conference

Need to know:The Blues (42-19-10) finished first in the Western Conference with a .662 points percentage. They will have forward Vladimir Tarasenko available; he hasn't played since Oct. 24 and had surgery on his left shoulder. Even without Tarasenko, St. Louis was third in the NHL on the power play (24.3 percent).

4. Colorado Avalanche

Total points: 164

Rank on March 19: No. 4

Return to Play status: Seeding Round Robin in Western Conference

Need to know: The Avalanche (42-20-8) overcame injuries to key players and finished second in the Western Conference with a .657 points percentage, but they'll be healthy when training camps open July 13. Forwards Nathan MacKinnon, Andre Burakovsky, Nazem Kadri, Matt Calvert and Colin Wilson, and goalie Philipp Grubauer each had a lower-body injury at the time of the pause, and forward Mikko Rantanen had an upper-body injury. They were all unavailable when Colorado played its last game.

5. Washington Capitals

Total points: 155

Rank on March 19: No. 6

Return to Play status: Seeding Round Robin in Eastern Conference

Need to know: The Capitals (41-20-8) won the Metropolitan Division and were third in the Eastern Conference with a .652 points percentage. Forward Alex Ovechkin shared the Rocket Richard Trophy with Bruins right wing David Pastrnak; each scored 48 goals to lead the NHL, and Washington was second in the League in goals per game (3.42).

6. Vegas Golden Knights

Total points: 135

Rank on March 19: No. 7

Return to Play status:Seeding Round Robin in Western Conference

Need to know:The Golden Knights (39-24-8, .606) were coming on strong, going 11-2-0 in their last 13 games. They'll have forward Mark Stone back; he missed the last six games with a lower-body injury. Stone led Vegas with 42 assists and was second with 63 points behind forward Max Pacioretty (66).

7. Pittsburgh Penguins

Total points: 125

Rank on March 19: No. 8

Return to Play status: No. 5 seed in Eastern Conference, to play No. 12 Montreal Canadiens

Need to know:The biggest development for the Penguins is that forward Jake Guentzel will be available. He was originally supposed to be out 4-6 months following shoulder surgery on Dec. 31. He led Pittsburgh with 20 goals and 43 points at the time of his injury. Pittsburgh (40-23-6) had a .623 points percentage, seventh in the NHL.

8. Philadelphia Flyers

Total points:124

Rank on March 19:No. 5

Return to Play status: Seeding Round Robin in Eastern Conference

Need to know: The Flyers had a season-high nine-game winning streak end with a 2-0 loss to the Bruins on March 10, their last game before the pause. Philadelphia (41-21-7. 652) finished second in the Metropolitan Division with one fewer point than Washington in the same number of games. Forward James van Riemsdyk, who was out with a broken finger, will be back. It's unclear if forward Nolan Patrick, who did not play in the regular season because of a migraine disorder, will be available.

9. Dallas Stars

Total points: 96

Rank on March 19: No. 10

Return to Play status: Seeding Round Robin in Western Conference

Need to know: The Stars were struggling, going 0-4-2 in their last six games, and finished third in the Central Division with a .594 points percentage. Dallas (37-24-8) was second in the NHL in goals against (174) and goals against per game (2.52), but 29th in goals (178) and 26th in goals per game (2.58).

10. Edmonton Oilers

Total points: 84

Rank on March 19: No. 9

Return to Play status: No. 5 seed in Western Conference, to play No. 12 Chicago Blackhawks

Need to know:The Oilers had the top two scorers in the NHL, centers Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. Draisaitl won the Art Ross Trophy with 110 points (43 goals, 67 assists) in 71 games, and McDavid scored 97 points (34 goals, 63 assists) in 64 games. But Edmonton was tied for 14th in goals per game (3.14) despite being first on the power play (29.5 percent). The Oilers (37-25-9) were second in the Pacific Division with a .585 points percentage.

11. Carolina Hurricanes

Total points: 64

Rank on March 19: No. 11

Return to Play status: No. 6 seed in Eastern Conference, to play No. 11 New York Rangers

Need to know: The Hurricanes will be deeper at defenseman when training camp opens. Dougie Hamilton, who hasn't played since Jan. 16 because of a broken leg, will be ready, and Sami Vatanen (lower body), who didn't play a game after being acquired in a trade with the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 24, should be good to go. Goalie James Reimer, who had a lower-body injury, is also healthy. Carolina (38-25-5) was fourth in the Metropolitan Division with a .596 points percentage.

12. Columbus Blue Jackets

Total points: 54

Rank on March 19:No. 13

Return to Play status: No. 9 seed in Eastern Conference, to play No. 8 Toronto Maple Leafs

Need to know: The Blue Jackets should also look very different. Defenseman Seth Jones and forward Oliver Bjorkstrand will be the two most notable additions; each was out with an ankle injury. Forward Cam Atkinson (ankle) was ready to return the day the season was paused, and forwards Alexandre Texier (back) and Nathan Gerbe (groin), and defenseman Dean Kukan (knee) will be available for Columbus (33-22-15, .579).

13. Toronto Maple Leafs

Total points: 49

Rank on March 19: No. 12

Return to Play status: No. 8 seed in Eastern Conference, to play No. 9 Blue Jackets

Need to know: The Maple Leafs will have defenseman Jake Muzzin (broken hand) and forward Ilya Mikheyev (wrist laceration) back in the lineup, but won't have forward Andreas Johnsson, who is recovering from knee surgery. Toronto (36-25-9, .579) was third in the NHL in goals per game (3.39) and tied for 25th in goals against per game (3.17).

14. New York Islanders

Total points: 37

Rank on March 19: NR

Return to Play status: No. 7 seed in Eastern Conference, to play No. 10 Florida Panthers

Need to know: The Islanders (35-23-10, .588) were 0-3-4 in their final seven games and 2-7-4 in their last 13. New York was 19-20-8 since Nov. 25, 23rd in the NHL with in that time. It was ninth in the NHL in goals against per game (2.79), and defenseman Adam Pelech will be healthy after being out since Jan. 2 with an Achilles injury. Center Casey Cizikas, who did not play after he lacerated his left leg Feb. 11, will also be available.

15. Winnipeg Jets

Total points:30

Rank on March 19:No. 16

Return to Play status: No. 9 seed in Western Conference; to play No. 8 Calgary Flames

Need to know: The Jets (37-28-6, .563) had a four-game winning streak when the season was paused. It's unclear if center Bryan Little (perforated eardrum) will be available; he hasn't played since Nov. 5.

16. Nashville Predators

Total points: 29

Rank on March 19: No. 15

Return to Play status: No. 6 seed in Western Conference, to play No. 11 Arizona Coyotes

Need to know: The Predators (35-26-8, .565) were 13-8-1 in 22 games after the NHL All-Star break, tied for seventh in the League in that time. Goalie Juuse Saros had an NHL-best 10 wins, .940 save percentage and three shutouts (tied with Boston's Tuukka Rask) from Feb. 4 to the pause.

Others receiving points: Vancouver Canucks 15, New York Rangers 11, Calgary Flames 11, Florida Panthers 4

HERE'S HOW WE RANKED 'EM

AMALIE BENJAMIN

1. Boston Bruins; 2. Tampa Bay Lightning; 3. Colorado Avalanche; 4. St. Louis Blues; 5. Washington Capitals; 6. Pittsburgh Penguins; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Columbus Blue Jackets; 9. Philadelphia Flyers; 10. Edmonton Oilers; 11. Dallas Stars; 12. Toronto Maple Leafs; 13. Vancouver Canucks; 14. New York Rangers; 15. Winnipeg Jets; 16. Carolina Hurricanes

TIM CAMPBELL

1. St. Louis Blues; 2. Boston Bruins; 3. Tampa Bay Lightning; 4. Colorado Avalanche; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. Washington Capitals; 7. Pittsburgh Penguins; 8. Philadelphia Flyers; 9. Edmonton Oilers; 10. Carolina Hurricanes; 11. Winnipeg Jets; 12. Calgary Flames; 13. Dallas Stars; 14. Toronto Maple Leafs; 15. New York Islanders; 16. Nashville Predators

BRIAN COMPTON

1. Boston Bruins; 2. Tampa Bay Lightning; 3. St. Louis Blues; 4. Washington Capitals; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. Colorado Avalanche; 7. Pittsburgh Penguins; 8. Philadelphia Flyers; 9. Dallas Stars; 10. New York Islanders; 11. Edmonton Oilers; 12. Carolina Hurricanes; 13. Toronto Maple Leafs; 14. Winnipeg Jets; 15. Columbus Blue Jackets; 16. New York Rangers

NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA

1. Boston Bruins; 2. St. Louis Blues; 3. Tampa Bay Lightning; 4. Colorado Avalanche; 5. Washington Capitals; 6. Pittsburgh Penguins; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Dallas Stars; 9. Philadelphia Flyers; 10. Carolina Hurricanes; 11. Edmonton Oilers; 12. Toronto Maple Leafs; 13. Columbus Blue Jackets; 14. New York Islanders; 15. Nashville Predators; 16. Florida Panthers

TOM GULITTI

1. Boston Bruins; 2. St. Louis Blues; 3. Tampa Bay Lightning; 4. Colorado Avalanche; 5. Philadelphia Flyers; 6. Vegas Golden Knights; 7. Washington Capitals; 8. Pittsburgh Penguins; 9. Edmonton Oilers; 10. Dallas Stars; 11. Carolina Hurricanes; 12. Columbus Blue Jackets; 13. Toronto Maple Leafs; 14. New York Islanders; 15. New York Rangers; 16. Nashville Predators

ADAM KIMELMAN

1. Tampa Bay Lightning; 2. St. Louis Blues; 3. Boston Bruins; 4. Washington Capitals; 5. Colorado Avalanche; 6. Vegas Golden Knights; 7. Philadelphia Flyers; 8. Edmonton Oilers; 9. Dallas Stars; 10. Winnipeg Jets; 11. Pittsburgh Penguins; 12. Toronto Maple Leafs; 13. Columbus Blue Jackets; 14. Nashville Predators; 15. Florida Panthers; 16. New York Islanders

ROBERT LAFLAMME

1. Boston Bruins; 2. St. Louis Blues; 3. Tampa Bay Lightning; 4. Washington Capitals; 5. Colorado Avalanche; 6. Pittsburgh Penguins; 7. Dallas Stars; 8. Philadelphia Flyers; 9. Vegas Golden Knights; 10. Carolina Hurricanes; 11. Winnipeg Jets; 12. Edmonton Oilers; 13. Nashville Predators; 14. New York Islanders; 15. Toronto Maple Leafs; 16. Calgary Flames

MIKE G. MORREALE

1. Boston Bruins; 2. St. Louis Blues; 3. Tampa Bay Lightning; 4. Washington Capitals; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. Colorado Avalanche; 7. Philadelphia Flyers; 8. Pittsburgh Penguins; 9. Carolina Hurricanes; 10. Dallas Stars; 11. Columbus Blue Jackets; 12. New York Islanders; 13. Toronto Maple Leafs; 14. Edmonton Oilers; 15. Nashville Predators; 16. Calgary Flames

TRACEY MYERS

1. Boston Bruins; 2. St. Louis Blues; 3. Colorado Avalanche; 4. Tampa Bay Lightning; 5. Pittsburgh Penguins; 6. Philadelphia Flyers; 7. Washington Capitals; 8. Edmonton Oilers; 9. Carolina Hurricanes; 10. Columbus Blue Jackets; 11. Vegas Golden Knights; 12. Toronto Maple Leafs; 13. Dallas Stars; 14. Winnipeg Jets; 15. New York Islanders; 16. Vancouver Canucks

BILL PRICE

1. Tampa Bay Lightning; 2. Boston Bruins; 3. Colorado Avalanche; 4. St. Louis Blues; 5. Washington Capitals; 6. Dallas Stars; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Philadelphia Flyers; 9. Edmonton Oilers; 10. Pittsburgh Penguins; 11. Nashville Predators; 12. New York Islanders; 13. Vancouver Canucks; 14. Winnipeg Jets; 15. Toronto Maple Leafs; 16. New York Rangers

SHAWN P. ROARKE

1. Boston Bruins; 2. St. Louis Blues; 3. Tampa Bay Lightning; 4. Washington Capitals; 5. Colorado Avalanche; 6. Pittsburgh Penguins; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Carolina Hurricanes; 9. Philadelphia Flyers; 10. Dallas Stars; 11. Columbus Blue Jackets; 12. Nashville Predators; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Calgary Flames; 15. Toronto Maple Leafs; 16. Florida Panthers

DAN ROSEN

1. Tampa Bay Lightning; 2. Boston Bruins; 3. Colorado Avalanche; 4. St. Louis Blues; 5. Philadelphia Flyers; 6. Vegas Golden Knights; 7. Washington Capitals; 8. Columbus Blue Jackets; 9. Pittsburgh Penguins; 10. Dallas Stars; 11. Edmonton Oilers; 12. Nashville Predators; 13. New York Rangers; 14. Carolina Hurricanes; 15. Vancouver Canucks; 16. Toronto Maple Leafs

MIKE ZEISBERGER

1. Tampa Bay Lightning; 2. St. Louis Blues; 3. Boston Bruins; 4. Washington Capitals; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. Colorado Avalanche; 7. Pittsburgh Penguins; 8. Philadelphia Flyers; 9. Dallas Stars; 10. Toronto Maple Leafs; 11. New York Islanders; 12. Edmonton Oilers; 13. Vancouver Canucks; 14. Carolina Hurricanes; 15. Columbus Blue Jackets; 16. Calgary Flames